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How to Furnish Your Vacation Rental - article banner

When visitors are choosing vacation homes to rent along the Gulf coast, Anna Maria Island is usually one of the first places they look. If you have an Anna Maria Island vacation rental that you want to keep occupied with tourists and short-term guests, make sure it’s competitive. You can help it stand out from other vacation rentals by furnishing it well. Guests are looking for attention to detail and modern, comfortable places to sit, sleep, and lounge. They want hotel-quality linens and all the accessories in the kitchen that they’ll need to have a fun-filled vacation.

Here are our recommendations on furnishing your Anna Maria Island vacation rental property.

Stick to Neutral, Understated Design Elements

You can expect all sorts of guests to come through your vacation home, and they’re all going to have unique tastes and styles. Choose a neutral and universally appealing aesthetic when you’re selecting furnishings, paint, and small accessories like lamps, bedding, and wall art. Make sure everything matches and has a flow to it. Walls don’t have to be white in every room, but bright colors can be disruptive. Minimalist is okay; you don’t want a lot of clutter taking up space in your vacation rental.

This does not mean your rental home should be impersonal or without personality. People choose vacation homes instead of hotels because they want to feel like the place is their own. You can stray from the neutral colors and universal style when it makes sense. For example, an overstuffed red chair in a living room that’s generally grey will really stand out and look great. Throw pillows and blankets can add personality and color without overwhelming your guests.

Make Sure Your Furniture is Functional

Decisions that make sense include sleeper sofas in the living room and common areas, bunk beds in one of the bedrooms to accommodate families and sleep more people, and ottomans or coffee tables with extra storage. The master suite should have a king or a queen bed, depending on the size of the space. Make sure there are empty closets and dressers. People will want to unpack.

You’ll want the basics to be covered: beds, high-quality mattresses, night stands, end tables, sofas, and a dining set to accommodate at least six people. Provide extra kitchen chairs or bar stools. Expand the seating options in the living area with things like floor cushions.

Keep the Kitchen Well-Appointed

Guests will expect to be able to cook meals in the kitchen when they don’t want to go out. They’ll need all the essentials, including pots and pans, plates, silverware, coffee mugs, bowls, and glasses. Keep some kid-friendly pieces available such as plastic cups with lids. You’ll need a good coffee maker, toaster, microwave, and other small appliances like a blender and a kettle.

Design a Desirable Outdoor Space

If your Anna Maria Island vacation rental includes a yard or even a balcony, make sure you don’t forget to furnish that part of the property. Outdoor seating is going to be expected, especially for guests who come to enjoy the warm Florida winters. Consider having a grill outside, a table for al fresco dining, and maybe an umbrella to protect your guests from the sun.

Vacation rentalThese are just a few of the things to think about when you’re furnishing your short term rental home. If you’d like some help making good choices that will lead to great rental experiences, please contact us at Anchor Down Property Management. We expertly manage residential and vacation rental homes in Anna Maria Island and the surrounding areas.