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Home Decorating Design Dilemma

$10K and 1 week - How would you update this space?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We bought this house furnished 5 years ago and have rented it since. It's a summer home that we rent out weekly but have a winter renter and we'll have a little more than a week in between to make updates. What would you do? Im thinking painting (not sure on color...something light), lighting fixtures, would you paint the wood trim white? Ive also thought about shiplap. We'll be replacing the stove and already did the dishwasher. New decor, it's near the beach so I'm looking for a more coastal vibe. Thanks so much in advance for ideas!! (these are the listing pictures but not much has changed except for switching out some of the art and furniture and I did paint the cabinets white..I'll look for a picture)

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Comments (15)

PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Looks very nice to me. Clean and bright, and for a 12 month rental, I wouldn’t spend $10,000.00 on improvements. I don’t know if this home will someday become your primary residence or not. If so, you will want to upgrade at that point.

Small change ($): a dining room chandelier, put the large blue rug under the dining table, if it fits, and buy a wide runner from the slider to separate the dining/living areas.

I wouldn’t get into throw pillows, or anything that could be thrown around or become stinky because the pillow is used as a pillow. Nice, clean, uncluttered…you’ve done it nicely.
C Herrmann
3 years ago
I would paint all the window trim and interior doors the same color as the walls or a slightly different shade than the walls. Right now, they chop up the interior and make the spaces visually busy. I agree with previous suggestion to move blue rug under dining table, but I would not add a runner to the sliders. I would leave that area of the beautiful floor uncovered.
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Sarah
3 years ago
If you didn’t replace the mattresses when you bought the house, now may be a good time. I truly despise renting a house with uncomfortable beds.
HU-187528210
3 years ago
I agree on moving the rug to under the dining table. I also agree on new light over the table. As well as possibly replacing the fan in the LR. Maybe some new chairs around the table.
But, bottom line I completely agree not to spend so much on this. It looks very liveable and nice as is. I hear if you want to update some things. But it shouldn’t be so much... good luck!!
Melissa R
3 years ago
Agree with C Herrmann about painting the wood white; doors, trim, railing.

Do you have any curtains on the windows? If I were renting a house for a week I would definitely want to close the curtains at night.

If you want a more beachy vibe try adding different rugs. rugsusa has a whole category called Coastal.

Quick visual using; SW Extra White for trim and SW Alabaster for walls. Also tossed a rug on on the floor and colored the lampshade blue.
flopsycat1
3 years ago
Looks very nice as is. Agree with others, if this is to remain a rental minimal changes are suggested. Although I prefer the look of white woodwork, it is more likely to get scuffed or chipped by renters, and adds another layer of potential maintenance.
PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
3 years ago
I agree with with othersers on painting the trim and doors. If you also use this or are wanting to up the rental income with a refresh then I have some items saved in an idea book I shared with you. Basically keeping it light and neutral with light color accents of coastal colors. Driftwood being the main focus. There are a couple of things and inspos for a more formal sand with black accent colors but I don't think that is really what you are looking for. And instead if shiplap I would add look at some driftwood planks (in the idea book.

There's a lot you can do including faux beams etc. just a matter of end goals.

Home that helps! Beautiful place!
Molly D. Zone4B
3 years ago
Window treatments for sure. Looks kind of woodsy there but I would be uncomfortable at night with nothing on the windows.
Cherie
3 years ago
I would hold off on painting until you have a longer break between renters. I’m sensitive to odors and it would ruin my vacation to smell paint fumes for a week and a half.

Your place looks nice but it might be time to replace pieces that are worn down.

What do the rental market and comparable rentals look like? Could you afford to hire a designer to help?
danioma
Original Author
3 years ago
You guys are amazing - thank you so much for taking time out your days to answer me. I WISH we could hire a designer! We do use this as a rental but we actually have really not put much into improving it since we bought it in 2015 so it's definitely starting to show wear and tear and the walls look sort of dingey up close IMO. (havent been painted since the 90's!) I love the visual in the photoshopped picture - thank you! What are your thoughts on shiplap? Not worth it? Ultimately we rent this to pay for it but someday we hope to enjoy it ourselves more and we do go a few weeks a year so I am happy to finally be able to do a few updates if we can. What do you think of these lighting options?
danioma
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
HU-187528210
3 years ago
Love those lights!! Love. But I’d probably only go that color if you end up painting the trim.
I wouldn’t do shiplap for now.
PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
3 years ago
Those lights are great.

In place of shiplap I would do the driftwood strips.

I also included some of the lighting options I put in the idea book for you
3/16"x5-1/8"x46-1/2" Pine Wood Plank Self-Adhesive, Driftwood Light Gray, 10-Pac · More Info

Chatham Flush Mount, Gray Driftwood · More Info

Fanimation Spitfire Ceiling 60" Fan Driftwood Motor And Blades With LED Light · More Info

Golden Chatham 9-LT Chandelier 1048-9 GDW, Gray Driftwood · More Info

Chatham 6 Light Chandelier, Gray Driftwood · More Info

White Water Natural Driftwood Chandelier · More Info
danioma
Original Author
3 years ago
You are amazing - cant thank you enough.
PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
3 years ago
Do you have any pictures to share for updates made or decisions?

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