How to make your home feel more like a vacation rental
THE POPLAR COTTAGE
We just got back from five slow, sunny days on Catalina Island, staying in a sweet little home tucked between the hills and the sea. The days were simple - slow morning card games, afternoons exploring with sandy feet, and evenings curled up in a space that felt calm and effortless.
Coming home always feels good after a vacation, but this time it also got us thinking: what is it about a vacation home that feels so good? And how can we recreate that peaceful, tidy, relaxed energy in our home? Today we’re sharing a few takeaways from our time on Catalina to help make your home feel more like a vacation rental so you can enjoy it just as much on a regular Wednesday as you did on vacation.
psst: we’re sharing photos of the Poplar Cottage today since we hardly took any non-kid photos while on vacation ;)
Now it’s worth noting that our current home, the Poplar Cottage, is destined to become a vacation rental in the near-ish future (when our family moves back to the Hill House). So not only is it nice for it to feel like a vacation rental while we live in it, but it’s also what we’re aiming for in the future.
Here are a few takeaways from our most recent vacation stay…
Declutter Like a Host
One of the most noticeable things about a good vacation rental? The lack of clutter. That doesn't mean sterile or empty, rather just essentials and thoughtful decor are visible. Clear countertops, tidy nightstands, no piles of paperwork or half-folded laundry on the bed.
Try this:
Clear off your kitchen counters, leaving only a few pretty and useful items out - like wooden cutting boards and a crock of wooden spoons
Tuck away daily-use items in drawers or baskets
Get rid of half of your belongings. Haha just kidding! But a little decluttering, can go a long way to having less clutter
Make the Bed a Destination
Vacation rentals almost always have inviting beds - crisp linens, fluffed pillows, a soft throw at the foot. It’s easy to recreate that at home!
Try this:
White cotton sheets just say relaxation! We use these sheets at home and at our Airbnb
Keep bedding simple and layered for a cozy I-want-to-go-to-bed-early kind of feel. We like to add a light quilt or duvet over the sheets and top it off with a folded throw at the feet
Make your bed every morning! Walking into a room with a made bed just seems to give you permission to relax
Keep the nightstands simple: a book, a lamp, a candle, whatever you like to relax with and nothing more.
A good charging station can help keep cord clutter at bay. We have these by the beds at our Airbnb.
wallpaper | nightstands | bed | sheets | linen curtains | bamboo shades
keep reusable bags from piling up
Our home on Catalina had a nice little note asking guests to take reusable bags to the grocery store so paper bags didn’t pile up at the house. Our host had a basket by the door with 5 or 6 bags, making it easy to grab them on the way out. The first thing I did when we got home was to get rid of most of the paper bags and extra totes we had pouring out of a cabinet (why why was I keeping so many?!)
Style with Simplicity
Most relaxing, calming vacation homes stick to a relaxing, calming palette. That doesn't mean boring, it just means intentional. Let in natural light. Pare back the wall art. Keep decor happy and chill. Be thoughtful with the furniture. Let your home breathe.
Try this:
Choose a simple color palette - whites and blues and calm, warm tones for cozy
Keep wall art minimal but meaningful. Our spot on Catalina had historic photos and newspaper articles of the island and it was delightful
Hang breezy curtains to let the light pour in during the day and add privacy at night
Keep furniture thoughtful and cozy. It doesn’t have to be new or nice, just comfortable. Think fluffy sectional for lounging, a vintage dining table that invites gathering, cozy chairs, …
keep up on maintenance
Broken things just don’t fly in vacation homes, so don’t let them fly at home either. If the coffee pot is stained beyond the reach of soap and a scrub brush, replace it. If the walls are scuffed, paint them. Clean the windows. Swap the fridge filter. Keep up on maintenance and the house will be more relaxing.
keep fun close at hand
One of our favorite things about our Catalina stay? Waking up and playing games with the kids. Games are a great way to unwind and spend time together and they’re not just for vacations!
Try this:
Dedicate a small cabinet or shelf to games, puzzles, and cards and keep it in sight and easy at hand
A few of our favorites are below…
Add Touches of Hospitality
Small thoughtful details make a space feel like a retreat. Fluffy white towels, a woven basket of throws, or a tray with local guides (or your favorite cookbooks).
Try this:
Keep just a few good towels on hand and throw out the bad ones (or rip them into work rags). Drying off after a shower with fluffy white towels just gives that vacation feel. We use these towels at our Airbnb
Leave some fun books around that are easy to pick up and read
Style your entryway with a bench, hooks, and a few welcoming touches and deal with the shoe situation so it doesn’t stress you out every time you walk in the front door (talking to myself here ;)
Let us know if you’ve tried any of these tips or if you have your own ways of bringing vacation vibes into everyday life. We’d love to hear!
