5 Ways to Make Your Vacation Home a True Paradise

Owning a vacation home is a dream come true for many of us, and is often the result of years of planning and hard work. Naturally, we want our vacation homes to be a luxurious and relaxing place to unwind and enjoy a break from everyday life, but they don’t always fit this description when we first buy them. Perhaps the decor leaves something to be desired, or maybe you’re planning on fitting an extension, a pool or a new kitchen. Whether you’re redesigning, remodeling or simply furnishing your holiday home, here are a few tips to help you turn your new place into an absolute paradise.

Make It Timeless

When you’re designing the interior of your vacation spot, it can be tempting to choose the most current design trends, but remember that these may have changed completely within a year or two. If you’re planning on visiting your holiday home only a few times a year, it’s wise to keep the decor as neutral and timeless as possible. White or otherwise pale wall colors will stand the test of time, and you can also apply this rule to soft furnishings and ornaments. Choose classic wooden tables and dining chairs, which will look stunning for years to come, and avoid prints or colors that are too on-trend. The chances are that you’ll be replacing them within a few years, once the trend has passed.

Classic design doesn’t have to be bare, boring, or even minimal. You can add plenty of character to your vacation home with photographs of friends and family, and special ornaments that hold sentimental value to you. If you’re planning on renting out your vacation home when you’re not using it, decorate with classic art that fits with the style and location of your property. Add touches of color sparingly, always keeping in mind that the choices you make now will dictate how soon you’ll need to redecorate. You can always add some colorful throw pillows later, so it’s best to err on the side of caution!

Keep It Maintained

One of the biggest challenges of owning a vacation home is making sure it’s maintained between visits. If you have a pool or a lawn, these will need regular upkeep to ensure they’re ready for your visit, and the house itself will need regular cleaning. Depending on how far you need to travel to get there, you might choose to maintain the property yourself, or hire a vacation rental management service to maintain it for you. Many people opt for the latter, to avoid their holiday home becoming more of a chore than a place to relax. Whichever you choose, you’ll find that regular maintenance will make your vacation spot a truly luxurious place to be.

Leave Technology Behind

One of the most relaxing things about going on vacation is using your phone less and spending less time watching TV. In order to make your vacation home a true sanctuary, minimise the amount of electrical furnishings and choose books, games and crafts instead. Although it might seem extreme to not have a TV in your home, making this choice will allow you to spend more quality time with family and encourage everyone to make the most of their time away. It might not be possible to leave behind all your devices – especially if you have teenagers with you – but making an effort to reduce your screen time will help you to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Bring the Outside In

One simple trick for making your vacation home seem more exotic is to include outdoor design ideas in your interior. Decorative touches such as plants, rocks and water features can really make your home feel like a vacation spot, so bear this in mind when choosing ornaments and artwork. Ornaments that are made of natural materials like stone, clay or wood can really add a special outdoors touch to a room, as can photographs or paintings of outdoor scenes. This design style will make your vacation home feel more relaxing and put you in touch with the great outdoors, even if you plan on staying in.

Create a Kids’ Zone

If you’re planning on bringing the kids with you on vacation, it can be a good idea to give them their own space to relax and play, while you do your own relaxing elsewhere. Designating a specific playroom, as well as an outdoor area for the kids to play, will allow them to do their own thing without disturbing your little slice of paradise. Of course, you’ll want to spend plenty of time together during your trip, but making a special space just for them will keep everyone happy when you need a bit of me time.