Design Tips, Investment Properties
Shauna Lynn Simon
Expert Advice for Your Vacation Rental Property

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…

Expert Advice for Your Vacation Rental Property

Home Staging FAQs: Why should I paint my home before I list it?

This is probably the number one question we get from our clients. Why paint your home, if the new homeowner is likely to change it?



Most buyers will want to put their own personal touches on a home, eventually. However, when you’re selling your home, one of the most important features today’s buyers are looking for is a move-in ready home. This means the new homeowners can take their time putting their own personal touches on the home, including painting. Here are a few additional reasons why you should freshen up the paint in your home prior to listing it for sale:

  • Bold colours can distract prospective buyers from seeing the potential and space of a room. Their focus will be on the brightly painted walls, instead of on the room itself.
  • Bright and bold colours do not photograph well. No matter how great the photographer is, these colours tend to stand out in photos, and again will distract prospective buyers from seeing the room itself, before they’ve even stepped foot in your house! Don’t forget, a majority of your buyers will be viewing the property first online.
  • Strong colours have a reputation for being difficult to repaint, and will deter buyers from the anticipated “work” involved.
  • It is one of the least expensive updates you can do to your home, with one of the greatest returns on your financial investment, whether you hire a professional painter, or do it yourself!

Home Staging FAQ: Why does Home Staging work?

Did you know that only 10% of people can visualize a space? By neutralizing the space and clearing out the clutter, potential buyers can better visualize themselves in your house. If your home is filled with personal items, clutter, and bold colours, buyers are often distracted and fail to see the potential of the space. Home staging is simply a tool that helps them to see this. For more FAQs, visit http://www.beyondthestagehomes.com/home-staging-faqs.



The Design Process - From Idea to Inception

This is a great example of how one idea can become a reality - From the initial concept idea board presented to the client, to the completed project! There is a lot that happens in between, from finding the right pieces to fit the vision, and pulling it all together, but it is all worth it when it comes together.

When designing a new space, it can often be difficult to convey the ideas in a creative mind on paper, but having trust in your designer goes a long way. Here's an example of one of our projects! See the full gallery on Houzz!