Upgrade Your Vacation Rental Property

Quick tips to help you impress renters so they come
back again and again

With the economy like it is, everything you can do to make your vacation rental property stand out from the competition is important. The more comfortable your property is, the more repeat business you'll get. And repeat business is the best business. You don't have to spend lots of money to attract repeat renters and, if you please them, they're bound to tell friends and family about you.

What are the best ways to upgrade your rental? What projects will have the most bang for the buck? My Vacation Rental Site recently interviewed interior design professional Katherine Peel of Denver's Principal Style and Home for her ideas about what it takes to make a great first impression.

MyVRSite: Katherine, what is the quickest, easiest way to spruce up my vacation rental property?

Katherine Peel: Paint. We hear this all the time, but it's true.  I'm going to take it one step further.  Don't just add a fresh coat. Add color.  Color really gives warmth and uniqueness to a space.  An all neutral place might be good for sales but it isn't what you want when you're trying to create a dream vacation for someone.

MyVRSite: That makes sense. An all white or beige condo or house feels sterile, while color feels more comfortable and more like a home. How else can we add color to our vacation properties?

Katherine: Area rugs are an easy way to add pattern and color. They also help hide spills and create delineated spaces in open floor plans.  They're more easily cleaned than wall-to-wall carpet.  And yes, they can be put on top of wall-to-wall carpet in colder climates.

MyVRSite: That's great advice. I can see how area rugs are a great way to define different spaces, like the dining area in properties that are very open. What other tips do you have for making a vacation rental property feel more comfortable and homey for guests?

Katherine: Pay attention to lighting. Dimmer switches are a must.  Being able to have enough light for games & reading is great. Your guests might also want to have the option of reducing the light for a romantic dinner or for a movie night.

MyVRSite: And dimmer switches are easy to find and install – I've done it myself! What other ideas do you have that can help us stand out from the crowd and go above and beyond our guests' expectations?

Katherine: When it's time to replace your mattresses, I suggest a good-quality, fairly firm mattress without a pillowtop.  These mattresses will perform better over the years.  A pillowtop tends to break down quickly.  To get the softness most people want, add a down feather bed to the mattress - an investment that will save money in the long run.

MyVRSite: You could also add a memory foam topper. I've slept on those and they do add a softness that I like. Guests will spend about a third of their time in bed, so the bed is definitely important. Any other ideas about beds?

Katherine: If you have room for a full-sized bed instead of a twin – get the full-sized bed.  It doesn't matter to kids, but adults will be much happier in a full-sized bed. And don't forget your sheets. Remember, you're competing with hotels and all the other properties in your area. Upgrade to 400 thread-count or better.  They last longer and just feel wonderful to your guests. Have a variety of pillows, some down, some down alternative, some firm, others softer.

MyVRSite: A good pillow can definitely make the difference between a night of tossing and turning and good, sound sleep! What kinds of extras can we provide that will really help us stand out?

Katherine: You could keep a small and a large robe in the master & adult guest rooms.  With airlines charging for luggage, people aren't bringing bulky items with them anymore. Be sure to have two sets of towels for each guest available during the stay. In other words, if your property sleeps eight, you should have sixteen sets of towels. Finally, I suggest liquid soap & hand lotion in decorative pumps.  You can refill them between guests rather than throwing away opened bar soaps. You may want to consider supplying an iron, ironing board and even some spray starch.

MyVRSite: What else could we provide that's easy and inexpensive?

Katherine: Provide items such as basic cleaning supplies, hand towels, dish washing liquid and a scrubber or two as well as foil and plastic wrap. Stock your refrigerator and pantry with staples like salt, pepper, sugar, flour, Pam, oil, ketchup, mustard and mayo. Also, get a high quality non-stick set of pans that can go from stovetop to oven.  No melting of handles!  Easier clean up, too. You'll also want to provide measuring cups and spoons. Those are definitely necessities for people who want to cook.

MyVRSite: I'd just say be sure everything is sealed tightly, like the sugar and flour, so it doesn't attract any pests. And be sure to check the dates on things like mayo and mustard frequently so they're not bad when guests arrive! If your rental property is vacant much of the time, you may just want to start with things like salt and pepper, cleaning supplies and the foil and plastic wrap. You definitely don't want to worry about bugs.

Thank you Katherine. Those are all excellent tips and ones that, I think, would help any rental property take things up a notch. We appreciate your time.