Summer is when holiday homes earn their keep. Before the bookings roll in, it is worth giving your property a quick pre-season styling refresh, so the guests who arrive in December find exactly what they saw in the photos, and leave a review that brings the next ones in. We are Sharon and Dee, and we own and host holiday homes ourselves, so this is the same list we work through on our own places every spring.
Start with a guest's-eye walk-through
Arrive at your property the way a guest would. Park where they park, walk to the door, and step inside with fresh eyes. What do you notice first? A tired doormat, a dusty pendant or a scuffed hallway wall are easy to stop seeing when you know a place well, but guests notice them in the first few seconds. Make a list as you go, room by room, and you will have your refresh plan before you have even sat down.
Refresh the linen and soft furnishings
Winter is hard on a holiday home. Swap heavy throws and flannelette for crisp cotton or linen in light, natural tones. Check every towel and pillow for wear, and replace anything that is thin, stained or flat. Bring in a few new cushions in a summery palette and you will change the feel of a living room for very little effort. Keep spare sets in a labelled cupboard so your cleaner can turn the property around quickly on busy changeover days.
Make the outdoor spaces earn their keep
In summer, guests live outside. The deck, the courtyard and the barbecue area are often what they book for, so give them the same attention as the inside. Scrub the outdoor furniture, replace faded cushions, and add an outdoor rug and a few lanterns so the space works into the evening. A little shade goes a long way too. If you are on the coast, think about where the beach towels, the boogie boards and the sandy feet will go, and make it easy for guests to keep the sand outside.
Lighten up for long summer days
Pack away the dark, heavy accessories that felt cosy in July and let the light in. Clean the windows, check that blinds and curtains open and close easily, and choose lighter art and accents where you can. Lamps still matter on summer evenings, so keep them, and make sure the globes are warm and working.
Edit, then add the little things
Most properties need less, not more. Clear the benches, remove anything that is only there because it always has been, and give each surface one considered moment. Then add the small touches guests remember: a coffee setup, a jug ready for fresh flowers, a stack of board games for a rainy afternoon and a welcome sign by the door. Our guide to the 7 things guests notice first in a holiday home goes into more detail.
Update your listing photos
If your photos were taken in winter, or before your last refresh, now is the time to update them. Guests browsing for a summer stay want to see sunshine on the deck, an outdoor table set for lunch and bedrooms that feel light and airy. Style every room before the photographer arrives, shoot with the lamps on, and include a few lifestyle shots that show how the space is used. Our styling for photography service takes care of the styling for you on shoot day.
Check the practical stuff
A beautiful home still needs to work. Test the air conditioning and fans, check the barbecue and gas bottle, and top up the first aid kit and sunscreen. Update your house manual with your favourite local summer spots, such as the best swimming beach, the bakery that sells out by ten and where to find a good coffee. Guests love local tips, and they are exactly the kind of detail that ends up in a five-star review.
Where to start
You do not have to do it all at once. Pick the room that shows up first in your listing, refresh it properly, and work out from there. If you would like a hand, 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.
Want a few quick wins first? Grab our free 5 tips for your holiday home.
