If you own a vacation rental property (or are looking to invest in one), you know that designing a short-term rental cottage that stands out from the competition is key to attracting renters and earning repeat business. With the growing popularity of short-term rentals and Airbnb properties, it's important to create a space that not only looks beautiful but is also functional and comfortable for guests.
In this article, we'll provide you with expert tips and insights on how to design a short-term rental cottage that will have guests raving and coming back year after year. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to update an existing space, this guide will provide you with the inspiration you need to create a truly exceptional vacation home.
Start with the Basics
Before you start decorating, make sure you have all the basics in place. This includes…
1. Light Fixtures
Review all of the lighting in your kitchen and identify when it was last updated? This includes your eating area, above your island (if applicable), and above the sink. As a general rule, if the light fixtures have not been installed within the past 10 years, they will likely need to be replaced. If the light fixtures are the original ones that the builder installed, they should likely be replaced.
Here is what not to do:
It’s hard to believe that this is the same kitchen in both pictures. It’s amazing to see how a little paint helped to freshen up the look of this dated kitchen. If you’re planning to paint your kitchen cabinets, be sure to choose a primer and paint that are suited for the surface you’re painting. If you’re unsure, ask at your local paint store. 
No matter what the surface, remove all doors and sand before painting. Because these cupboards had been painted previously, they were completely stripped down (turned out there were a couple more layers of paint under that peach colour)! Update the hardware as well, including the hinges. You’ll also note that the backsplash in this kitchen was painted. Both the backsplash and counter were an old arborite laminate, and unfortunately it wasn’t in the budget to replace these. Instead they were sanded, painted with a melamine paint, and sealed with a lacquer. 
Stencilling is an age old technique, and is a great way to add a personal touch, or simply add a touch of colour to any wall or furniture piece. Stencils can be found at any craft store, or online. Want to spice it up with multiple colours? If using a single template, simply tape over the areas that you want to paint a different colour. Multilayer stencils with overlays make multi-colour stencilling a lot easier. 
Simply tape the base stencil to the surface, paint the first colour and remove, then place the overlay according to the registration marks on top of the base, and paint with the next colour. 
