Furnishing a holiday let can be a difficult challenge: you want all of your guests to feel welcome and comfortable, but of course everyone has a different idea of what this might involve. You also want the interior design to look appealing in photographs, as in the digital era most people will expect to view each room online before making a booking decision.
Of course, the furniture not only needs to be stylish, but also functional and durable enough to undergo the regular turnover of guests. Here are some expert tips.
The first point to consider is who will be using the holiday home. For example, if you have advertised the home as a high-end property with premium rates, guests will expect to find luxury European furniture brands and superior quality fittings and fixtures.
Pay attention to smaller details too, with tasteful artwork and sumptuous carpets, high thread count bed linen and spa-standard big fluffy towels in the bathroom.
If it is a larger property that is likely to attract families, opt for high quality, low maintenance furniture made from durable materials such as hardwoods or leather. It might be tempting to use cheaper alternatives but this can be a false economy, because ultimately it will soon look shabby and need repairing or replacing more frequently.
A cohesive design theme will help to draw the home together and create a pleasing flow between each room. A popular option is to take inspiration from the location of the home; for example if it is near the sea, you could choose a nautical theme with blues, greens and greys, and simple touches such as a reclaimed wooden bench.
If it is a country cottage, then rustic style furniture and natural muted colour schemes will work well. If it is a sleek city pad, then the contemporary minimalist look may be more appropriate. Include some decorative details to personalise the space, but keep it simple and remember that bright neutral colours will have the broadest appeal.
Remember that your guests are taking a well-earned break from the rigours of their usual routine, and they will want to find themselves in a pleasant and comfortable environment. Invest in high quality sofas, dining chairs, beds and armchairs that they can rest and relax in with ease, and is also durable so they do not need to worry about accidental damage.
The holiday home needs to be well lit for practicality and safety, but the lighting scheme should be thoughtfully designed so that light levels can be adjusted according to use. For example, soft ambient lighting will create a relaxing evening atmosphere, while dining areas can be lit with a statement pendant light.
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