Setting up a brand-new holiday home is exciting. It’s also the moment many owners spend on the wrong things and miss the little details guests actually notice. Sharon has more than 16 years of holiday home ownership behind her and Dee has been hosting for 12 years, so we’ve learnt what makes a short-stay property feel finished. Here’s the checklist we use, room by room.
Start with who’s booking
Before you buy anything, picture your most likely guest. A family of five needs bunks, a big dining table and somewhere to hang wet towels. A couple escaping for the weekend wants a beautiful bed, a deep bath or a fireplace, and a good spot for a glass of wine. Get this right and every decision that follows gets easier, from the layout to the linen.
Living area
This is the room that sells your listing, so give it one clear focal point: the view, the fireplace or a generous sofa. Your checklist: a sofa that seats everyone your listing sleeps, plus a chair or two; a rug to anchor the space and soften sound; lamps at different heights with warm globes; a coffee table with room for a platter and drinks; simple instructions for the TV and streaming; and a few books, games and a guide to your favourite local spots.
Kitchen and dining
Guests cook more on holiday than you might think. Stock enough plates, glasses and cutlery for double the number of guests your home sleeps, so the dishwasher can run without anyone missing out. Add good knives, a large frying pan, a baking tray, a kettle, a toaster and a coffee setup that feels a little bit special. Keep the benchtops clear apart from one styled moment, like a timber board with a bowl of lemons or a jug of fresh greenery.
Bedrooms
The bed is the hero of every bedroom photo and the thing guests remember most. Invest in good mattresses and mattress protectors, then layer crisp white linen with a throw and two or three cushions. Every bed needs a lamp and a power point on both sides, plus somewhere to put a phone and a glass of water. Finish with hooks or a luggage rack, spare blankets and block-out curtains or blinds.
Bathrooms
Think like a boutique hotel. Plush towels for every guest, a hand towel and bath mat, hooks behind the door, a mirror with good light and somewhere to put toiletries. A neat basket with spare toilet paper, a hairdryer and refillable bottles of quality products goes a long way.
Outdoor spaces
Whether your holiday home is on the Mornington Peninsula, in Daylesford or anywhere guests come to unwind, the outdoor areas often decide the booking. Create a spot to eat outside, a spot to lounge and, if you can, somewhere cosy for cooler evenings. Weather-proof cushions, festoon lights and a well-stocked barbecue all photograph beautifully.
The welcome touches
Small details are what guests mention in reviews. Leave a welcome note, a few local treats, a clear house manual and the wifi details where guests will find them straight away. Beach towels, an umbrella, board games and a stack of local magazines all say “we thought of you”.
Before the photographer arrives
Your listing photos are your shop window, so do a final edit before shoot day. Remove anything personal, tidy away cords, open the curtains, switch on the lamps and style each room around its focal point. If you’d rather hand this part over, our Styling for Photography service covers everything from the pre-shoot consult to styling every room on the day.
Need a hand?
Setting up a holiday home is a big project, and you don’t have to do it alone. We style holiday homes, Airbnbs and short-stay rentals across the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne and Daylesford. Take a look at our holiday home styling services, or read our tips on how to style an Airbnb guests will love.
Not ready to chat yet? Grab our free guide, 5 tips for your holiday home, and start making changes this weekend.
