Interior Design for Your Vacation Property in Jacksonville, FL

Imagine for a moment that you’ve decided it’s time to book your next vacation, somewhere tropical, perhaps…maybe somewhere secluded with lots of privacy for the ultimate relaxation experience. When you type in your specific dates, location, number of guests, and price point – you’ve already narrowed down your search to fit specific needs. Everything that pops up as an option for you at this point is going to fit those filters…so what will be the difference and the deciding factor on what you choose?

In a sea of vacation rentals with the same price per night, what will stand out to you?

You’re going to scroll through the options, looking at the thumbnail photos, and clicking on the options that pique your visual interest the most, no? Yes, you are. You will gravitate towards those that look like they have nice, clear photos to give you a good visual representation of the property. You’re going to notice the living rooms that not only look like they suit your needs perfectly, but will evoke a sense of relaxation, cleanliness, and style. You will initially overlook the seemingly outdated properties, the ones with dim or dark photographs, the ones that look like the bedding has been washed a million times and is limply lying flat across a mattress, because that does not bring a feeling of comfort or luxe to mind…it brings questions to mind. How long have they been using that comforter? I bet the bed is old too, probably really uncomfortable…pass!

Now, imagine that someone else has entered all these same specifications on their own vacation rental search, and imagine your short term rental property is one of the options.

Where do you want to fall on the list, and how can interior design help you stand out? Here’s how!

A well maintained, updated, and modernly designed property will tell people it is well taken care of. It will give an indication that… not only does this host care about their property, but I bet that means they also know how to treat guests and take care of their needs. It shows you are hospitable…which brings me to my next point.

Short term vacation rental properties are more than just real estate. It’s hospitality. You’re trying to appeal to the psyche of potential guests and make them think: Relaxation. Luxury. Ease. Comfort. 

As professional stagers, we know all about appealing to the potential buyer’s (or renter’s) psychological processes. How will they feel when they see this freshly updated living space, with a comfortable sofa for lounging on and bright, natural light pouring in through the windows? The perfect spot to lounge in the afternoon and enjoy a book, or converse with a glass of wine after dinner. You want to paint a clear picture in their heads effortlessly…not raise questions like wondering if that outdated sofa smells musty.

This is also true for your layout and your occupancy count. Bring in a professional Interior Designer before making major renovations. We can help you weigh the benefits of keeping the same layout, or changing it to accommodate more guests per night or making it more functional. With more guests, comes a higher nightly price. You might not think about using a bench in a tight-space dining room to allow for 8 guests at a standard table, but a designer would. Sometimes, it may not even be as serious or in depth as a floorplan or layout issue. Maybe different furniture would brighten up the space, or a simple paint color change could make it feel more “coastal” and not as “grandma’s house”.

Things to remember:

Interior Design on your vacation property should not be considered a cost, but an investment. You absolutely can earn more money as a well -designed property, than you would without updates. Figure out a budget for your updates that seems feasible to you. Swapping out the old mattresses for budget-friendly, but comfortable options. Your guests rave on your “reviews” section about how comfortable the beds were (which is hard to come by!) and boom, more positive reviews which lead to more bookings. Have professional designers help you choose comfortable and beautiful furniture for the living spaces, and instantly attract more views. Not only will your property get more attention, but if you’ve had a designer make your decisions its certain to be more functional for your guests as well.

You can give designers a budget to work with, and consider how long it will take for it to pay for itself. For instance, $3,000 furniture budget, charge $20 more per night, and your update costs have been paid for in 3 months. If you’re wary about going up on your prices for a fresh look and more beautiful property, don’t be. In comparison to a property that is outdated and looks questionable in photos but has the same occupancy, people will absolutely pay $20 more for a beautiful place to stay.

Don’t poorly advertise a beautifully updated property. Once you’ve put in the work to stand out among other properties, do it some justice by having professional photos taken. They will be brighter, magazine quality, and accurately display how nice your property looks. A rental property that photographs well also makes guests want to take photos of their own and document on social media – which is free advertisement for you. With this in mind, a designer can help you make décor choices that are sure to look great on your listing photos, but also on your guests’ Instagram posts.

My last, and possibly most important piece of advice – stay in your own rental. Take a few days to stay as a guest in your own place and notice what you like, or dislike about the property. Take note of what you would want to be improved if you were the guest and then make those improvements. Make a list of everything you should possibly change, and then let us go over your list with you! We can offer you a range of services from consultations, material selections, and full-on renovations.

Let us help you get the MOST out of your vacation rental!

Interiors Revitalized is a full-service home staging, model home merchandising, and interior design firm located in Jacksonville Florida.  In addition to Jacksonville, we serve the  St. Johns, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Fernandina Beach areas. Contact us today at 904.625.2214 to discuss your home staging or interior design project.  We’ll make that first offer your best offer!

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