Vacation properties are getting more use than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic has created more demand for a socially-distant change of scenery.  In the past few months, we’ve been contacted by two of our past clients asking us to help them make their weekend homes as comfortable and inviting as their city homes.

Meanwhile, my own family has rented two different vacation homes this summer – one at Lake Almanor (above) and another in the Russian River Valley, where we’ve been vacationing in the company of the redwood trees for over 15 years.   

As I’ve been listening to my clients express their needs and desires for their vacation homes, I’ve also been making my own mental checklist of some simple design moves that make a great experience as a vacation property renter. Whether you rent out your property or not, these design tips will create a restful, and low-maintenance vacation experience. You can apply them to your primary residence too!     

Create Understated Style with Durable, Low Maintenance Materials 

Nobody wants to worry about home maintenance when they are on vacation.  Make things easy for yourself and your renters by using durable materials. Indoor/outdoor fabrics made of solution-dyed acrylic are some of the easiest to clean, and they are comfortable to the touch. Wool rugs are the most stain-resistant, cleanable, and longest-lasting fiber because the lanolin in sheep’s wool creates a natural barrier to soil and spills.   

When the view is the focal point, I like to keep the interior design on the subtle side. To heighten the connection to the outdoor surroundings, draw colors from the surrounding landscape, as we did for this weekend home in the Sierra Nevada foothills. 

Nothing Beats a Great Night of Sleep 

Vacation is a time to relax and recharge. This often means catching up on much-needed sleep. Give yourself and your guests the gift of quality sleep.  Of course, a comfortable mattress and linens are the obvious first step, but there are a couple of other things that often seem to be overlooked.   

Every bed needs a nightstand with a reading lamp.  If you’re tight on space, a wall-mounted sconce and shelf will work.  Make sure there is enough space to set a glass of water, eyeglasses, and other bedside comforts. Not everyone reads in bed, but no one likes to navigate an unfamiliar room in the dark if the only light source is controlled by the switch at the door!  

Every bedroom needs functional window treatments that can be completely closed for privacy and light control.  If you’re using curtains, make sure the rod is continuous and stable so that the rings don’t get stuck, and brackets locations don’t interfere with operation.   

An alternative to curtains is roman shades, which I find to be a lower-maintenance option for vacation homes since they don’t sweep the floor and potentially pick up dust.   

Personally, I’m a believer in black-out lining on window treatments in bedrooms, but room-darkening lining can also work.  Pay attention to which direction the windows face.  If the bedroom is east-facing, you will want more light control.   

Kitchen Basics 

Everything is best in moderation, including kitchen supplies.  By all means, equip the kitchen with the basics for cooking and dining.  But if you’re renting out the home, it’s important to make things easy to find.  Nobody wants to spend their precious vacation time hunting for the tongs for the grill!  Don’t over-stuff cabinets, and store things in places that would be intuitive for guests to find.  Hot pads near the oven.  Knives and cutting boards in close proximity to each other… 

Be sure to give consideration to vacation habits.  Many people like to have a leisurely morning coffee or a sunset cocktail hour.  Be sure the set-up and supplies facilitate these vacation moments.     

Al Fresco Dining  

Outdoor dining is one of life’s simplest luxuries.  When the weather is warm, and the foliage is lush and fragrant, an al fresco meal offers an experience that elevates a sense of well-being.  One of my favorite sources for outdoor entertaining ideas is Erin Gleeson of The Forest Feast.

Consider stocking a set of outdoor-friendly melamine dishes, and a few rustic vases and mason jars with candles.  As you can see, in the photo above from Erin Gleeson’s back porch, when the natural setting is the focal point, it doesn’t take much décor to create a special tablescape. 

The Sought-After Lounge Chair 

It’s no secret that I’m a little obsessed with chairs.  Give me a comfortable chair with a view,  a reading light, and an accent table for my cup of tea, and you might not hear from me for hours.  When planning the furniture for the living areas in your vacation home, be sure to consider how to maximize the view, provide flexible lighting and lots of places to set down drinks (with ample coasters), and of course, comfort!   

A Little Bit of Quirky Goes a Long Way 

A second home can become a bit of a catch-all for tchotchkes.  It can also be fun to add some quirky flavor.  Be mindful of creating a décor that has broad appeal, and limits visual clutter.   

I’m all for a few fun touches, but it’s best if they serve some function, like this owl towel hook.  On a related note, you can never have too many hooks in your vacation home, especially for wet beach and shower towels!  But also for coats, hats, and bags.  Make it easy to keep things neat.   

Add Some Personal Touches  

If you rent out your vacation home, let your guests know that you care about their experience, and take pride in sharing your little piece of heaven with them.  When guests understand how special the place is to you, they are more likely to take care of your home.   

At one of our favorite houses to rent in the Russian River Valley, the owner leaves birdseed with a little note.  It’s so simple, but we love watching the birds while we eat breakfast.  Other special touches include leaving a bottle of wine from a local vineyard, a binder sharing your favorite local restaurants and attractions, and a guest book.