Vacation Rental Design: Creating a Stay Guests Will Remember
Why designing a vacation rental is different from designing a home—and why that’s a good thing.
Vacation rental design is an opportunity to embrace bold colors, unexpected textures, and a little personality. (Keeping it real - they have a TV in real life, and I have changed it to artwork here because…aesthetics). This is from a design project I did in Playa Del Carmen, completely remote!
When you’re on vacation, you want to feel like you’re somewhere special. Somewhere that reflects the destination, makes you smile when you walk through the door, and maybe even inspires you to take a few photos before you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
That’s exactly why I believe vacation rental design deserves a different approach than traditional residential interior design.
A vacation rental shouldn’t just feel like a home away from home. It should feel like an experience.
And sometimes, that means breaking a few design rules.
Go Bold. Your Guests Are Only Staying a Few Days.
A little personality goes a long way! A playful neon sign can turn an ordinary entryway into a memorable first impression—and the perfect photo opportunity. (AI-generated concept to illustrate the idea!)
One of my favorite things about designing vacation rentals is the freedom to have a little fun.
That dramatic wallpaper you’ve been eyeing but can’t imagine living with every day? Perfect for a vacation rental.
A bright pink neon sign that says “It’s All Happening!” in the entryway? Why not?
A colorful sofa, an unexpected piece of artwork, or a playful accent wall can turn an ordinary rental into something guests remember long after checkout.
The key is creating an environment that feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
You want personality, not chaos.
And let’s face it: in a sea of vacation rental listings, a memorable interior can help your property stand out.
Design for the Destination
A great vacation rental should give guests a sense of where they are. I designed this short-term rental in Portland, Oregon, a few years ago, entirely remotely!
A little Portland flair! We chose bold colors, locally inspired artwork, and practical furnishings come together in this remotely designed vacation rental. Proof that personality and functionality can absolutely coexist!
We started with a bold color palette and made practical choices based on the realities of hosting guests. The owner had grown tired of constantly cleaning white sofas between stays, so we opted for a darker, more forgiving upholstery. Because beautiful design should also make life easier!
I also incorporated Portland-inspired artwork and locally themed accessories to give visitors a little taste of the city. The goal was to create a space that felt fun, comfortable, and connected to its surroundings, not just another generic Airbnb.
A little Portland personality! Bold navy and mustard bedding, a collection of locally inspired artwork, and thoughtful touches to make guests feel right at home.
If I’m designing a cabin in the mountains, I’m thinking cozy textures, warm woods, inviting blankets, and perhaps a little plaid. I might incorporate vintage-inspired artwork featuring the surrounding landscape or a cheeky sign celebrating mountain life.
Mountain getaway vibes without going overboard on the cabin clichés. Warm textures, rustic details, and a little plaid create a cozy retreat that feels connected to its surroundings. (Inspiration image.)
For a coastal getaway here in Southern California, I might take a completely different approach: relaxed furnishings, natural textures, fresh colors, and subtle references to the beach.
But here’s the important part.
Location-inspired design doesn’t have to mean decorating with every cliché associated with that location.
A beach house doesn’t need seashells on every surface, and a mountain cabin doesn’t need a bear in every room.
A little personality goes a long way.
Coastal without the clichés! This Oceanside home staging project features a statement surfboard and vintage inspired beach artwork. A little local personality goes a long way! Originally staged for sale, but this look would be right at home in a vacation rental, too!
Make It Instagrammable + Livable
Let’s talk about the power of a good photo.
Vacation rentals are marketed visually. Before guests read your description or scroll through your amenities, they’re looking at your pictures.
And what catches their attention?
Spaces that feel inviting, interesting, and different from the dozens of other properties they’re considering.
A beautifully styled reading nook, a colorful dining area, or a statement wall can create that memorable moment.
But great vacation rental design isn’t just about looking good online.
The space also needs to function beautifully in real life.
Which brings me to something I think is even more important than the pretty stuff.
Don’t Forget the Practical Details
It’s the little things! A place to hang your coat, check your reflection, and drop your belongings makes a vacation rental feel welcoming and functional. Because thoughtful design isn’t just about looking good, it’s about making guests feel at home. This is from a second Portland AirBnB I designed, that time I flew up there to install everything in person - because designers need work vacations too!
You can have the most gorgeous vacation rental in town, but if your guests can’t find a corkscrew, don’t have somewhere to put their suitcase, or can’t figure out where to charge their phones, that beautiful wallpaper isn’t going to save your reviews.
Thoughtful design means anticipating what guests need before they realize they need it.
Comfortable seating, adequate lighting, accessible outlets, functional storage, and well-equipped kitchens all contribute to a positive guest experience.
And don’t underestimate the little things.
A convenient luggage rack. Hooks for towels and bags. A bedside table large enough for a phone and a glass of water. Extra blankets that are easy to find.
These aren’t necessarily the details that make it into your listing photos, but they’re often the things guests appreciate most.
Beautiful design gets their attention. Thoughtful design makes them want to return.
It’s all in the details! Layered dinnerware, navy linens, and a little gold bring personality to this Portland vacation rental. Thoughtful touches like these help create a cohesive design experience, right down to the place settings.
Create a Cohesive Experience
One mistake I see in vacation rentals is treating each room as an entirely separate decorating project.
A coastal living room, a farmhouse kitchen, and a modern industrial bedroom might each look perfectly nice on their own, but together they can feel disconnected.
Instead, I like to establish a design direction that carries throughout the property.
That doesn’t mean every room needs to match.
In fact, please don’t make everything match!
It means choosing a thoughtful combination of colors, materials, furnishings, and decorative elements that create a cohesive experience.
And yes, you can absolutely do this without spending a fortune.
Some of my favorite design finds have come from unexpected places. The magic is knowing how to bring everything together (this is where I come in!).
This is where the magic happens! Mixing colors, textures, and unexpected finds to create a space that feels cohesive without being matchy-matchy. Great design isn’t about how much you spend, it’s about knowing how to bring it all together. (This is why you hire a pro!)
Your Vacation Rental Is a Business. Design Accordingly.
At the end of the day, a vacation rental is an investment.
The goal isn’t simply to create a beautiful property. It’s to create a space that photographs well, appeals to your ideal guests, functions efficiently, and holds up to repeated use.
That means selecting furnishings and finishes with durability, maintenance, and replacement costs in mind.
It also means understanding where to spend and where to save.
A statement wallpaper might be worth the investment because it gives your listing a memorable focal point.
An expensive designer side table that guests will inevitably scratch? Maybe not.
Good design is about making smart choices, not necessarily expensive ones.
Spend where it makes an impact, save where it makes sense! Great vacation rental design isn’t about having the biggest budget, it’s about making thoughtful investments that balance style, durability, and the guest experience. (Inspiration image.)
A Little Personality Makes a Big Difference
Whether you’re furnishing a beach bungalow, a mountain cabin, or a weekend getaway in the desert, your vacation rental deserves more than a collection of furniture and a few generic prints on the walls.
It deserves a point of view.
Something that makes guests say, “Oh, this is cute!” when they open the door.
Something that makes them remember your property when they’re planning their next trip.
And ideally, something that makes them want to come back.
Because the best vacation rentals aren’t just places to stay.
They’re part of the vacation itself.
Even a small vacation rental can have a little workspace with personality! A rich blue velvet chair, playful artwork, and gold accents create a functional spot for guests who need to catch up on a little work between adventures.
Let’s Reimagine Your Space
At Haus of Heidi, we believe great design should be personal, approachable, and a little unexpected.
Based in Oceanside, California, we provide interior design and home staging services throughout North County San Diego, helping property owners create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Whether you’re refreshing a property or starting from scratch, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life.
Let’s make something memorable.
