Outfitting the Rental
I just (not even an hour ago) returned home from a week in Bethany Beach, Delaware. For the second year in a row, my husband and son and I have rented the same house with three other families. In total, eight adults, three kids and one dog. Fortunately, it's a big house.
Since it was our second year in the same house, we all felt pretty comfortable. We knew where to find the wine opener and that extra dish soap belongs under the sink.
Of course, no place is quite like home. At the same time, no sane landlord would outfit a rental home just like a real home. Anyway, vacation homes have some special needs.
During this past week, I've been thinking a lot about what makes one vacation rental just a little nicer than another. Here are some of my thoughts:
Since it was our second year in the same house, we all felt pretty comfortable. We knew where to find the wine opener and that extra dish soap belongs under the sink.
Of course, no place is quite like home. At the same time, no sane landlord would outfit a rental home just like a real home. Anyway, vacation homes have some special needs.
During this past week, I've been thinking a lot about what makes one vacation rental just a little nicer than another. Here are some of my thoughts:
Photos & Products
This bedroom is probably larger than anything you'd find in an average rental, but I think it's a great example of a couple of different qualities that are important in a vacation bedroom. First, the side chairs provide space for suitcases and to toss dirty clothes (I am horrifically messy on vacation and like anything that helps me contain my mess).
The other great thing about this room is that it has personality without being too personal. The stripes are cool, plus they eliminate the need for art, which can be really distracting if its not quite your taste.
And of course, this bed looks comfortable - which is an absolute requirement.
The other great thing about this room is that it has personality without being too personal. The stripes are cool, plus they eliminate the need for art, which can be really distracting if its not quite your taste.
And of course, this bed looks comfortable - which is an absolute requirement.
Great vacation bedrooms also provide ample storage space, including space to hide bags and dirty laundry. Again, I'm really messy on trips, so I'm thrilled when I can hide my sloppiness.
Every vacation house should have at least one overstuffed bookshelf, like this one, preferably full of beat-up trashy paperbacks with a few board games thrown in.
In the kitchen, counter space is critical. Whether you cook on vacation or not, most people eat in at least once or twice and tight spaces make eating together difficult. This island (in my own home kitchen) is ideal for prep, dinner and hanging out after dinner.
Whether its in the kitchen or the living room, every vacation home should also have a spot that's natural as a bar. I love this little red table - it's the perfect size and adorable.
I love open floor plans in vacation homes. They allow everybody to hang out together, even while doing their own thing.
Every open floor plan, though, should include a couple of little nooks for one-on-one conversations or reading alone. Grouping chairs in pairs with side tables is one way to achieve this. Window seats are also fantastic.
Every vacation home should come with a great outside area, whether that's a beachfront balcony or a woodsy patio. Fences make an especially nice addition when kids and dogs are involved.
Bathrooms are like a combination of kitchens and bedrooms - best when they come with lots of counter space and lots of storage. This is especially true when multiple families are sharing one bathroom.
One bathroom per couple is ideal of course, but at the very least, it's nice to have a main-level powder room, especially in resort towns where people regularly have guests. I love this little black and white room - the strong pattern of the wallpaper is perfect for the tiny room.
Comments (6)
Becky Harris
Kit, yes, with kids, a DVD player is a lifesaver!
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joyce
Knives and cutting board are always so.... well just bad in rentals. When I remember, I stash one really good knife in my luggage. I can work around most everything else, but spending the week trying to chop anything with a dime store steak knife is a challenge.
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PRO
The Welcome Home: Interior Design Solutions
I loved these comments and ideas. I own a beach rental in Delaware and I try to stock it the same way I stock my primary home. I believe every bed should have a lamp and a side table. We have loads of games and puzzles and our book collection is growing. The knife suggestion is valid. I stocked the kitchen with everything that I would use to cook for my family and guests (but the knives could be better). I have 3 cutting boards, a full knife block, a spice rack and more. I decorated it to feel like home and I leave it all there for my renters. I accept that things may get broken but I want them to feel comfortable. I would l ove to get feedback from renters about how to improve their experience.
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