How to create a holiday atmosphere for your short term rental
Whether you own a short-term rental property or plan to rent out your home while you’re away, creating a holiday home feel is essential to attract potential guests and ensure a delightful stay. By incorporating a few thoughtful touches and strategic design choices, you can transform your property into a welcoming oasis that will capture the essence of a holiday getaway.
Step 1: Optimise the Layout and Utilise Space
Start by considering the layout and flow of your property and make sure it is optimised for comfort and convenience. Arrange furniture in a way that encourages guests to sit and relax, using comfortable seating options and open areas for easy movement. Create distinct areas for dining, lounging, and sleeping, providing a sense of functionality and purpose.
Step 2: Choose a Cohesive and Inviting Colour Scheme
Selecting an appropriate colour scheme is crucial in creating a holiday ambience. Choose soft, neutral tones such as whites, creams, pastels, or light earthy hues to evoke a sense of tranquillity and relaxation. Introduce pops of colour through accent pieces such as cushions, throws, and artwork, reflecting the destination’s natural surroundings or cultural influences.
Step 3: Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting plays a vital role in setting the right mood and ambience in any space. Incorporate a variety of lighting options, including ambient, task, and accent lighting. Consider installing dimmer switches to allow guests to adjust the lighting according to their preferences. Utilise natural light by keeping window treatments minimal, allowing sunshine to flood the rooms during the day.
Step 4: Infuse Local Flair and Decorative Accents
To give your rental a distinct holiday home feel, incorporate decorative accents that reflect the local culture, traditions, and natural surroundings. Display artwork, photographs, or wall hangings that showcase the destination’s landmarks or scenic beauty. Introduce locally crafted decorative items, such as pottery, textiles, or unique artefacts, to infuse authenticity and charm into the space.
Step 5: Focus on Comfort and Convenience
To enhance the holiday experience for your guests, prioritise comfort and convenience. Invest in high-quality bedding, plush pillows, and soft linens to ensure a good night’s sleep. Provide ample storage space for guests to unpack their belongings and keep the rental tidy. Include essential amenities like Wi-Fi, cable TV, air conditioning, heating, and well-equipped kitchens to enhance convenience and functionality.
Step 6: Create Inviting Outdoor Spaces
If your rental property includes outdoor areas such as a patio, balcony, or garden, make them inviting and appealing. Furnish outdoor spaces with comfortable seating, tables, and shade options. Add potted plants, colourful flowers, or even a small herb garden to bring life and freshness to the outdoor setting. Provide outdoor lighting to extend the usability of the space into the evenings.
Step 7: Offer Thoughtful Extras and Welcome Packs
Go the extra mile to make your guests feel special and cared for. Prepare welcome packs that include local guides, maps, brochures, and recommendations for nearby attractions, restaurants, and activities. Offer complimentary toiletries, a selection of teas or coffees, and a small basket of local treats to add a personal touch and create a sense of warmth and hospitality.
Transforming your rental property into a holiday home doesn’t require a complete overhaul. By focusing on strategic design choices, incorporating local elements, and prioritising comfort and convenience, you can create a welcoming and memorable vacation experience for your guests.
Remember, attention to detail, thoughtful touches and a warm ambience are the key ingredients that will make your short-term rental stand out, encouraging guests to return and recommend your property to others.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.6% Second half of November
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43.4% 1st December
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17.6% A week before Christmas
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33.3% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️