Decorations and furniture

If the property you have acquired has just been decorated and comes ready furnished, then you are just a few steps away from taking bookings as a holiday home owner. However, in reality most properties will usually need a bit of decorating and some furniture and fittings to make it suitable for your first guests.

The style you choose should reflect what your average guest would expect, but remember to dress the property tastefully without it looking too cluttered. Remember that your guests are paying to stay in a private holiday home and your choice of colours and furnishings should reflect the image of a property that is both warm and welcoming. Your choice of décor and furnishings will reflect to a degree on your own tastes and you should personalise the property, but before you order designer wallpaper or an expensive dining table, read the following checklist:

• Use neutral colours, choosing off-white and pastel colour schemes will give your property the widest appeal which is likely to invite more booking enquiries.
• Personal touches add interest and style with small areas of colour, and add ornaments, throw rugs, pictures or paintings to give the feel of a home from home.
• Buy quality durable furniture and utensils – visitors tend to treat high quality items with more care and respect. Moreover, they’ll stand more wear and tear and you won’t have to replace them so often.
• Easy to clean features and practical fixtures which you can clean easily and will still look good at the end of a long rental season. E.g. when fitting a log burning fire choose a plinth or surround in a dark colour or easy to clean marble finish. Plaster or light coloured granite will dirty quickly.
• Have a store, a private storage space will save you bringing things back and forth when you visit. You can also protect anything you don’t want to get broken.
• Don't overspend on stylish features unless you’re going for the top end of the market, go for quality rather than cutting edge designs.
• Keep it tidy, and don't have lots of clutter lying around. People don’t want to feel like they’re intruding into your home, so keep your things stored away neatly.
• Choose fixtures which will last, they’ll save you replacing them all the time and create a better impression on your guests.
• Don't second hand furnishings. If you want to rent your place out to paying customers, filling it with your tatty old furniture won’t work.
• Provide extra touches to make your property a home from home, your guests won’t book with you again if they have to provide everything themselves. Linen and towels are the obvious examples, but items like garden furniture and beach towels make a stay much more pleasant.