Must Have Design Elements for a Luxury Vacation Rental Property
Creating a luxurious vacation rental property is an art that combines good design and aesthetics, functionality, comfort, and unique elements. Whether you work with us to transform a premier lake front home or a sleek modern mountain condo, here are five essential design elements we use to ensure your property stands out and leaves a lasting impression on your guests.
Photo by Ellen Rene Photography
What elements should my Vacation Rental Interior Designer be adding to my property?
Exceptional Design
Functionality
Comfort
Easy to Maintain/Clean
Unique Elements
Exceptional Design and Eye Catching Decor
A well-designed space is the cornerstone of any luxury vacation rental. This goes beyond just choosing beautiful furniture and decor; it’s about creating a cohesive flow and layout that enhances the guest experience. Each room should have a purpose and seamlessly connect with the next, allowing guests to move effortlessly through the space. Consider the overall aesthetic and ensure that every element, from color palettes to furniture styles, contributes to a harmonious and visually pleasing environment.
In a recent blog post, AirDNA states “Having a well-designed rental space has many benefits. Not only does it make your property more attractive in photographs, but it also enhances the guest experience. This leads to better reviews and more repeat bookings. Professional designers can create a unique and memorable environment that sets your property apart from others in the area. This can justify higher rental rates and ultimately increase your overall revenue.”
“Having a well-designed rental space has many benefits. Not only does it make your property more attractive in photographs, but it also enhances the guest experience. This leads to better reviews and more repeat bookings.
Professional designers can create a unique and memorable environment that sets your property apart from others in the area. This can justify higher rental rates and ultimately increase your overall revenue.”
For instance, in our latest project, The Water's Edge for Modern Stays Texas, we created a seamless flow from the indoor living spaces to the outdoor areas, emphasizing the stunning waterfront views. The open-plan layout allows natural light to flood the rooms, creating a bright and airy atmosphere that enhances the property's luxurious feel.
You can read more about the transformation in our recent post Before & After: “The Water's Edge” Luxury Vacation Rental.
Functionality
Luxury is not just about looks; it’s also about making sure everything works perfectly and is easy to use. Equip your property with all the essentials and more – we recommend things like high-quality kitchen appliances, a well-stocked pantry, and ample storage to our clients. Guests should find everything they need at their fingertips, and everything should be in excellent working condition. A well-thought-out functional design will make their stay more enjoyable and stress-free.
The designer led renovation at The Water’s Edge involved installing state-of-the-art panel front appliances and smart home technology to ensure guests have everything they need from the moment they unlock the keyless entry door for the first time. From a luxurious en suite bathroom to smart lighting controls, every detail was considered to enhance convenience and functionality.
Comfort
Comfort is paramount in creating a luxury experience. We encourage our clients to invest in high-quality furnishings, especially when it comes to beds and seating. Cheap furniture is not durable and can break during a guest’s stay, ultimately you may incur additional cost every time you have to replace an item or offer a refund. Read more about furnishing quality in our post “How Much Does Cheap Furniture Really Cost?”
Ellen Renee Photography
Instead, we specify plush mattresses, premium hospitality grade linens, and comfortable seating areas that will make your guests feel pampered and relaxed. We think about the details that enhance comfort, like cozy throws for lounging on the sectional or room darkening window treatments for a good night's sleep. A comfortable environment invites guests to unwind and fully enjoy their stay.
For example, at The Water's Edge, we sourced durable and high quality furnishings to ensure ultimate comfort. Each bedroom features a hybrid mattress with high-thread-count linens and luxe soft goods such as stunning decorative pillows and custom printed drapes. The main areas boast a generous sectional with chaise (and sofa bed for additional guests) and upholstered dinging chairs perfect for relaxation after a shared meal.
Easy to Maintain/Clean
As designers, we recommend the right materials and finishes that are crucial for maintaining the pristine condition of your property with minimal effort. We select durable, stain-resistant fabrics for upholstery, and choose flooring materials that are easy to clean and maintain. We design with maintenance in mind to ensure that your property always looks its best without requiring constant upkeep. This not only keeps your property in top condition but also reduces turnaround time between guests.
Starting with the right materials is key, but it doesn’t stop there. The Vacation Rental Designers Blog shared that “Consistent cleaning and maintenance also preserves the longevity of your property, preventing damage, wear and tear, and costly repairs. A pristine property attracts more guests, commands higher rates, and gives you a competitive edge. … cleanliness impacts your property's value and reputation.”
In The Water's Edge, we selected materials such as luxury vinyl floors and quartz countertops, which are both stylish and easy to clean. These choices help keep the property looking immaculate with minimal effort.
Unique Elements
Vacation properties provide an opportunity to experience something totally different from the guest’s everyday surroundings. To truly set a property apart, we incorporate unique design elements that capture attention and create memorable experiences. Think eye-catching art pieces, custom furniture, or statement lighting fixtures. These distinctive touches not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also create a “wow” factor that makes guests want to share their experience with others. Unique elements are the key to stopping the scroll and making your property a must-book destination.
“Standing out is key to driving bookings to your short-term vacation rental and boosting your Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR). Think beyond the expected. Pools, hot tubs, and in-unit laundry facilities are not just perks, they are significant revenue drivers. To truly stand out, you need to offer more than just the basics.” (source)
At The Water's Edge, we focused on crafting the perfect outdoor spaces to take in the 180 degree waterfront views of Lake Conroe. We included unique features like an elevated lake front deck with custom lounge net and brightly colored outdoor furniture around an easy to use smokeless pellet fire pit. These elements not only add character to the property but also create memorable moments for guests.
“Standing out is key to driving bookings to your short-term vacation rental and boosting your Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR). Think beyond the expected. Pools, hot tubs, and in-unit laundry facilities are not just perks, they are significant revenue drivers. To truly stand out, you need to offer more than just the basics.”
Maximizing RevPAR and ROI with Strategic Design
Investing in thoughtful and high-quality design can significantly enhance a property's Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) and Return on Investment (ROI). According to the Vacation Rental Designers blog, adding strategic amenities like high-speed internet and well-stocked kitchens can increase guest satisfaction and repeat bookings, directly impacting ROI (Weekender Management). Similarly, a well-designed interior that appeals to guests' tastes can lead to higher occupancy rates and increased revenue.
AirDNA highlights that properties with standout design elements often achieve higher nightly rates and occupancy rates, maximizing revenue potential. Incorporating dynamic pricing strategies and leveraging professional photography can further enhance the property’s appeal and booking rates, ensuring a higher ROI (Weekender Management).
Luxury Redefined, Vacation Perfected
By focusing on these five essential design elements and leveraging strategic investments, luxury vacation rental properties like The Water’s Edge can achieve superior performance in the competitive vacation rental market. Luxury vacation rental interior design is all about delivering exceptional experiences to guests and robust returns to property owners.
Ready to elevate your property to new heights? All of our client journeys begin with a complimentary Discovery Call.