The vacation rental market nationwide is extremely competitive, and in a top travel destination like Charleston, SC it’s even more so. In order to keep your home as a top choice for guests, stylish, updated interiors are a necessity, and in the luxury rental space, doubly so. Unfortunately, outdated furnishings and appliances can’t be fixed simply with a fresh, cleaning from the housekeeping staff. Making updates to your luxury vacation rental home, even modest ones, has been proven to be an effective way to have guests’ expectations met time and time again. Buying new furniture or installing high-end appliances can prove to be a budget buster, but there are many quick, low cost fixes to ensure that your home makes a stellar first impression. Check out these five easy design tips.

Consider Repainting

Fresh paint on the walls can transform any space, and that is especially true in a vacation rental home that sees a lot of wear and tear. Keep your vacation rental feeling luxurious by incorporating a bright, neutral interior color palette such as light grays and whites. It will instantly brighten your rental home and make it feel updated as well. 

Vanish Stains Away

Somewhere along the way people fell under the impression that furniture should only be updated every 10-15 years. While it may be true that a good couch can last 10 years, it does not mean that in a vacation rental, guests want to sit on a couch that old! It’s no surprise that rental homes see a fair share of spills, whether that be on the carpet, the couch or a chair. If the stain cannot be removed, then replacing the item becomes a necessity.

If there is a stain on a couch or chair that you purchased recently, look into purchasing slipcovers. Covers can be a quick fix to hide an unsightly wine stain, or update any older piece of furniture with an outdated look. Furniture slipcovers come in a wide variety of styles and colors making it easy to find the perfect one to match your existing home decor.

Replace Shower Curtains Often

To spruce up your bathroom and give it a crisp, clean feel, replace the shower curtains every 4 to 6 months. We recommend lush, all-white shower curtains, so that they can be laundered in hot water and bleach as needed. This will also prevent a build-up of mold or mildew, because no renter wants that when they step into the shower! 

Update the Accessories

Don’t forget about replacing and updating accessories throughout your home. Today’s decorative accessories are nothing like the  bric-a-brac your mother used to collect, and making updates to the accessories can be an affordable and easy way to redecorate a luxury vacation rental. Throw pillows can add a pop of color to a previously dull room for almost no cost at all, and in a high-end rental, throw pillows should be plentiful on the beds and sofas.  Consider adding decorative elements like artwork and mirrors to update a space as well. 

Flip the Mattresses

Although it is still necessary to plan and budget for to replace mattresses every 3 to 5 years in a vacation rental, it’s a wise practice to flip the mattress often to prevent uneven wear. One of guest’s top priorities for a luxury vacation home is a quality mattress for a peaceful night sleep – and in online reviews, this is often one of the major comfort/discomfort items mentioned by guests.  If the mattresses in your home are currently showing signs of wear and tear, consider replacing them with new ones. 

Improving and updating your rental does not need to be costly or stressful.  As a luxury vacation rental management firm and as property owners ourselves, we handle all of these details and more during the onboarding process as homeowners transition their rental properties into management under our care.  From a seamless booking experience, to luxurious interiors, and Concierge level customer service, delivering exceptional guest experiences that garner 5-star reviews starts with the understanding that “it’s all in the details.”  Find out what we makes us the top luxury vacation rental management company in Charleston.  

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