Whether you manage a beach house or a city apartment, each new season is an opportunity to update your vacation rental, and you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of time or money to do so.
With the sun shining and vacation season in full swing, you want your rental to stand out from the competition. By making a few simple updates and adding some seasonal touches, you can create an inviting and memorable experience for your guests.
In this article, we will explore some easy and effective ways to spruce up your vacation rental for the summer season. And best of all, they are suitable for almost any budget!
Don’t see the form to download the Cleaning and Maintenance Checklist? Click here.
Enhance curb appeal
First impressions matter, and the exterior of your vacation rental sets the tone for the entire stay. Here are a few ways to amp up your exterior and excite your guests from the off:
Freshen up the entrance
Make the front of your home pop with a freshly painted door. Start by choosing a color or texture (i.e., woodgrain) that contrasts with the color of your home, allowing you to boost your curb appeal and make your rental stand out. If you’ve never done this before, Lowes has a great tutorial to use as a guide.
Landscaping
Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and plant seasonal flowers. Well-maintained greenery adds charm and beauty to your property.
Ambient lighting
As the days grow longer and warmer, your guests will want to spend as much time as possible outside. Install some outdoor lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, so they can dine in the garden.
Add a porch swing or patio set
Make it easy for your guests to enjoy the outside area of your rental by adding a table and chairs, lawn set, or porch swing. Even a small patio can be improved with a few comfortable chairs, allowing guests to drink their morning coffee while enjoying the sunrise or soak up every last drop of a hot summer night.
Re-stain the porch
Guests will be spending a lot of time on the porch – if you have one – in the summer months. Take some time to update it by re-staining the wood before guests arrive. This gives the outdoor space a fresh look without adding any new furniture or decoration. Plus, you can easily do it without the help of a professional.
Brighten up the interior
Summer is all about embracing natural light and creating an airy atmosphere inside. Follow these tips to lighten up your vacation rental:
Window treatments
Replace heavy curtains with sheer or light-colored drapes to allow maximum sunlight to filter in. If privacy is a concern, consider installing blinds or shades.
Mirrors
Hang mirrors strategically to reflect natural light and make your property feel brighter and more spacious.
Fresh paint
Opt for light, neutral shades on the walls to create an open, bright ambiance. Lighter colors also give a sense of cleanliness and freshness.
Bring green plants inside
It doesn’t have to look like the set of Jumanji, but fresh greenery inside the home has been found to lower stress levels, which means adding plants may be just what your guests need to really sink into a relaxing vacation.
The good news is plants are also inexpensive, and adding just a few in the main areas of the home can make all the difference.
Bonus tip: Add plant watering to the weekly vacation rental cleaning checklist to keep them alive and help your guests relax.
Declutter bookshelves
Bookshelves become a go-to space for any new knickknacks, photos, and items that don’t otherwise have a home. This means they can quickly and easily become cluttered, making an otherwise clean and comfortable space feel busy, messy, and dusty. Perform a quick clear out of the bookcases and other similar spaces and eliminate anything that’s not necessary.
Bonus tip: Leave some good summer books for your guests to enjoy.
Swap out the curtains
Curtains can often be an afterthought, but they frame the most important areas of each room – the windows. This means they affect the look and feel of your rental, and swapping them out can completely change how the space feels.
Not only do curtains determine how much light comes into the room, but they also affect the style of the room. To replace your curtains, Wayfair suggests the following process:
- Lighting: How much light do you want to let in?
- Measurements: Do you want long or short curtains?
- Material: Will they be lightweight and sunny or heavy and dramatic?
- Style: What works best with the color palette and other patterns in the room?
Add an accent wall
Repainting the walls can give the space a refreshing look, but adding an accent wall takes that one step further. An accent wall is a single wall painted with a bold or complementary color, or wallpapered with a unique pattern.
This makes the area stand out from the rest of the room and is a great way to highlight a unique furniture piece. It can also help make your property even more instagrammable! There are plenty of accent wall examples to help you find inspiration.
Focus on seasonal amenities
Offering special amenities for the summer season can make a significant difference in guest satisfaction:
Beach gear
Provide beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and toys for your guests to enjoy their time at nearby beaches or pools.
Outdoor activities
Stock your vacation rental with sports equipment like bicycles, kayaks, or a barbecue grill for guests to make the most of their outdoor adventures.
Bonus tip: Provide local maps and information on nearby hiking trails, water sports, or tourist attractions to help guests make the most of their stay.
Keepin’ it cool
Ensure that your rental is equipped with fans or air conditioning units to keep guests comfortable during the warm summer months.
By incorporating these simple and affordable ideas, you can transform your vacation rental into a summer oasis that guests will remember fondly. Sprucing up the property’s exterior, maximizing natural light, updating furniture and accessories, and offering seasonal amenities will elevate the guest experience and set your rental apart from the competition.
Remember, a little effort goes a long way in creating a welcoming and unforgettable vacation destination.
Don’t see the form to download the Cleaning and Maintenance Checklist? Click here.
