We recently returned from a ski trip, where we stayed in a cute little condo near the slopes. Every time I stay in a rental, I think about how I would furnish and decorate it if it were my vacation home. (Anyone else do that?) Home prices and mortgage rates are still high, so a ski chalet is not in my immediate future, but a girl can dream. For those of you lucky enough to own a property in a vacation-y location, here are some tips for decorating it without it looking like a theme park. And for the rest of you, don’t let the lack of a second home stop you from incorporating a few of these ideas to create a vacation vibe in your day-to-day!
Avoid Overly Thematic Décor
The number one recommendation in designing a vacation home is to avoid overusing thematic décor. A limited number of well-placed accessories that nod to the location of your property can work. On the other hand, outfitting a beach house top-to-bottom in seashells, starfish, and rope accents, for example, is overkill. Instead, decorate with framed maps or photographs of the area and art from local artisans.
In a similar vein, it may be your “#happyplace,” but avoid decorating your vacation home with signs with words. Word signs were trendy a few years ago, especially for those embracing the modern farmhouse aesthetic. The sign trend has come and gone; however, and identifying the location of vacation amenities (LAKE –>) is simply unnecessary and will date your space.
take cues from the setting
Just because you are not decorating thematically does not mean you shouldn’t embrace the location of your vacation home in its design! Your home’s setting is ripe with colors, textures, and materials from which you can find inspiration. Borrowing elements from the setting can help you feel even more connected to the location while you are indoors. This will also enable you to stay true to your style while decorating your second home, as most colors and materials can be applied to various decorating styles.
consult images of hotels and resorts
Check out the designs of hotels and resorts in the general area of your vacation home when planning your design. You can save pictures from their websites and Instagram accounts to create inspiration boards. While you don’t want to copy and paste someone else’s design into your home, these images can be a great jumping off point as you think about the colors, materials, and overall aesthetic you prefer.
consider function in the design
One of the first tasks in designing your vacation home is selecting foundational elements such as flooring, rugs, and large furniture pieces. In making those selections, it is important to consider how you will use the property. Is it solely for the use of your family and occasional guests? Will family and friends be able to use the home at their convenience? Will you be renting it out all or some of the time? The answer to these questions will influence your choice of foundational elements.
If the home will see heavy use by renters and/or guests, you will likely need to replace items more frequently, and you should plan accordingly. However, this does not mean that you should choose inexpensive, “disposable” pieces. Quite the opposite, in fact. High-touch items, such as couches, should be high-quality and built to last. If you are renting your property, choose durable, easy to clean flooring and rugs. Regardless of who will use your home and how frequently, performance upholstery is always a good choice.
design it like a resort
Even if not using it for a rental, you want your second home to feel like an escape from everyday life. What better way than to decorate like it’s a luxe resort? Design your home to your taste, but not like it’s your primary residence. One way to achieve this is be dialing back on family photographs and other elements brought from home. And definitely do not use furniture discards from your primary home unless they really work for the space! Even then, consider upcycling the pieces with fresh upholstery or a few coats of paint. The goal is a cohesive, relaxing space, rather than a hodge-podge of furnishings and home goods.