Imagine opening the door to a vacation rental and seeing a large family portrait of someone else’s granny, or photos of places that are special to the owner but don’t properly represent the area. In a vacation rental, this often leads people to feel like intruders rather than welcomed guests.
Our advice? Consider vacation home furnishing and/or staging by hiring a company that knows the area. There is only a small window of time to impress a potential guest before they move to the next listing. Experts will understand how to grab the guest’s attention while they’re skimming through photos of the rental.
Whether by simply consulting with an expert or hiring them to manage the style job, guests will be thrilled by the result.
What Is Vacation Home Staging and Furnishing?
Vacation home furnishing is adding furniture and decor that will give your rental the right look and feel, while staging involves arranging and decorating to maximize its appeal. This is different from traditional home staging, which aims to impress potential buyers.
Vacation homes come with unique challenges since they are expected to cater to diverse groups of travelers. When done correctly, staging can lead to more bookings and higher revenue.
Is There a Psychological Response Behind It?
According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 81% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for their clients to visualize the property as their future home. The same principle can be applied to vacation rentals. When guests are able to picture themselves in a well-designed and welcoming space, they are more likely to book and enjoy their stay.
Additionally, research has shown that people tend to make buying decisions based on emotions rather than logic. By staging your vacation rental, you can tap into those positive emotional responses and create a desirable experience for potential guests. So, when we get down to it, most people do judge a book by its cover.
Tips for Staging Your Vacation Rental Home
Now that we’ve established the importance of vacation home staging, here are some tips to help you get started:
Remove Personal Items
As much as you may want to believe that everyone wants to see pictures of granny and all the babies of your extended family, that’s probably not true. In fact, most want to be able to escape real life when they go on vacation. By eliminating personal items, it helps them sink into the present moment and truly relax at a place that feels like their own for their short stay.
Use Natural Light
Natural light is one of the key elements to a welcoming and warm home. Open up all curtains and blinds, and let in as much natural light as possible.
If you have great views outside your vacation rental, this will also help showcase them to potential guests. This is definitely a picture-worthy element in listing your vacation home on various sites as well.
Declutter Your Home
Less is more when it comes to staging a vacation rental. Clutter can create a chaotic and unwelcoming atmosphere, which is not ideal for potential guests. Keep decorations minimal and make sure there is plenty of space for guests to move around freely.
Utilize Professional Artwork and Decor
To add the right vibe, consider utilizing artwork and decor that represents the area. This can elevate your vacation rental’s overall look and feel, making it stand out from other listings. Plus, guests will appreciate the attention to detail and effort put into creating a fun and comfortable stay for them.
Spruce Up the Outdoors
Don’t forget about the exterior of your vacation rental. Ideal vacation home staging includes keeping the interior of your home inviting and well-maintained. Adding some outdoor furniture, a good grill, and lighting can create a charming and welcoming ambiance.
Upgrade the Bedroom Experience
When you enter a hotel room, the sole focus is on the beds. The bed makes or breaks the hotel experience. While you’re not leasing a hotel room, you will be working to create a superb vacation experience for couples, families, and friends. Make sure your beds are good quality, comfortable, and clean, and make it more appealing by adding fluffy pillows and extra blankets.
Don’t Forget the Little Extras
Consider what little extras you can provide to make your guests’ stay more enjoyable. For example, a coffee station or guidebooks to nearby attractions can go a long way in making guests feel welcome and appreciated.
Small details like this can make your vacation rental stand out!
Hire a Professional Photographer
After putting in the time and effort to stage your vacation rental, it’s important to have high-quality photos that showcase your home in its best light. Consider hiring a professional photographer to capture the beauty of your home and help attract potential guests.
They have the right equipment and expertise to make your vacation rental stand out.
Soar Vacation Rental Services Is Here to Help
It might feel easy to get overwhelmed with dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s when it comes to vacation home staging. Take it from us—we get it! However, Soar Vacation Rental Services can assist you with everything from full furnishes, to adding decor, and beyond.
You don’t need to stress over staging and readying your vacation home. We’ve got you covered. If you don’t know where to start, contact us! We are here to help. Let’s make your vacation home the one guests can’t wait to book, and come back to! Contact us today for more information on our services.