You’ve purchased your very own holiday home and now want to start reaping the rewards; regular getaways with your friends and family and also earning you money while you’re not there. A brand-new holiday lodge is a beautiful blank canvas full of possibilities, but how you decorate and furnish it is a big deal that needs careful thought. You’ll want a style that suits you for when you visit, but also a design that appeals to those searching for a place to call home for a weekend or more. You need to have the right combination of neutrality to satisfy the mass market and provide home comforts, mixed with individuality to stand out from similar properties and provide that ‘je nus a quoi’.
So how do you style a holiday home and find the right balance to please everyone?
Play it safe – but not too safe
We’re not saying paint every wall magnolia and fit cream carpets and curtains. A feature wall in each room could break up the beige just the right amount, combined with matching furnishings and accessories. A feature room could make your listing jump out, giving guests the choice to relish the ‘showy’ room as much as they like, while retreating to the more cautiously designed rooms when desired.
Stand out – but not too much
No-one wants a fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark bedroom ceiling, but they do want something different than what they have at home. They are going on holiday to experience something new, something different from the ‘everyday’. Think Instagram-perfect accommodation that can help build holiday memories from the moment you reach the front door.
Go the extra mile
Particularly true if you are positioning yourself as a luxury holiday destination. Don’t scrimp on the accessories, ensure your guests feel like VIPs. High quality mattresses and bed linens will ensure a dreamy sleep, while mod-cons like a dishwasher and coffee machine will help residents enjoy a stress-free holiday. Investing in a hot tub, cinema room or swimming pool are added extras that will ensure your property is prominent in any search.
Rooms of requirement
Each room serves a different purpose, and should have a different décor to incorporate this.
When it comes to bedrooms, think warm, relaxing, comfy and cosy. Add touches like candles, wax burners, flowers. Bathrooms are best kept white, but needn’t be basic or boring. Invest in high-tech facilities such as a power shower or jacuzzi bath.
The living and dining space should be practical, high quality and open plan is a bonus. It’s likely where your guests will spend the majority of their time (while they’re awake!). Ensure it’s easy to clean, so think minimalistic. Kitchens should be modern, clean, stylish with plenty of storage integrated.
It might sound obvious, but choose furniture and furnishings that fit your property. If your property is on the smaller side, choose more modest items and less of them, and on the flipside, if you have a larger property think big so pieces don’t get lost and the rooms don’t feel empty. Position all elements to make the best use of space and create a natural flow through the property.
The dream theme
A good rule when considering the design theme of your holiday home, is using the location. If you have a seaside property, a nautical theme could work well, whereas a rustic, warm theme would be well suited for a country cottage. A stylish theme that runs throughout every room will help to make your property stand out and feel a little more luxurious than your standard holiday let.
You can’t please everyone
We know we haven’t given the definitive answer on the perfect way to decorate your holiday home, and that’s simply because there isn’t one. Everyone is as unique as your holiday let – while some people will love a bold, vibrant lodge, others will prefer an inoffensive place to relax in. Try and find a safe balance that – most importantly – you feel at home in.
The Residences offers a range of stylish holiday homes, each with its own innovative design, luxurious features and stylish décor, making the process of styling your holiday home a breeze. Think open plan living, roof terraces, hot tubs and large windows that frame some of the best views in Britain – and that’s just the start. Take a look at Residences for sale here.