Holiday Rental Decoration: Details That Make a Difference
July 2026
A good holiday rental is so much more than just a place to lay your head down at the end of the day. With the right decor, it should be welcoming, warm and inviting. Learn how to create the perfect vibe with this article.
Why is the decoration of holiday accommodation important?
Your holiday home may be in the perfect location, but if it has dreary decor, guests will still be disappointed. Here’s why your holiday home deserves more than a quick trip to Ikea:
- Good decor can help you stand out. There’s a ton of competition on every holiday rental portal, so you need to take every chance to get an edge on the market.
- Decor creates a strong, cohesive brand, whether that’s sheer luxury, cosy comfort, or colourful family fun.
- Choose the right decor and guests are more likely to share their photos of your rental with their friends online. Word of mouth is always the best way to advertise a holiday home.
- Decor is one of the easiest ways to keep your property looking fresh and new. If you want to revamp your holiday rental in some way, this is the best place to start.
How to decorate a holiday property
Start by making a mood board. Think about your brand and your target audience. What kind of guests are you trying to attract, and how do you want them to feel when they rent your house for holidays? Draw inspiration from other examples of interior design.
Here are a few key elements to consider:
Colour scheme
Colours for holiday properties can make a huge difference when it comes to setting the mood. You’ll want a cohesive colour scheme that matches your brand.
To choose colours, think about both your location and your target audience. In terms of location, your colour scheme should fit with the surrounding area. For example, shades of blue and white will look great in a beach house, while sophisticated tones of grey and black may encourage people to rent a holiday flat in the city centre.
You’ll have to consider your target market, too. While grey and black will look good for adults, these shades can be offputting to families with kids.
Many interior designers like to use the 60/30/10 rule for a colour palette. This means that around 60% of the property is the main colour, 30% is the secondary colour, and 10% is a dramatic accent colour.
Furniture
Choosing furniture for a holiday rental can sometimes be tricky. You don’t want too many items, as they’ll make the place look cluttered and slow your cleaners down. On the other hand, you want enough pieces for your guests to feel comfortable. You should also consider how long your guests tend to stay. People who come for a weekend don’t need much storage space, as they may just keep their clothes in their suitcases. Longer-term guests, or digital nomads, will want enough cupboard and wardrobe space.
Your furniture should also, of course, match your brand. Bold minimalism is a good look in a city centre property, but it will be out of place in a rustic country cottage. As always, make sure you’re thinking about your target guests. Glass coffee tables are sleek and sophisticated, but they may not be appreciated by families with small children.
Making a statement
One of the best decoration tips for holiday rentals is to choose a dramatic statement piece that will draw attention. Again, this should fit your brand and your target audience. If your holiday property is a romantic getaway, a large, freestanding bathtub or a king-size four-poster bed will be a particularly good choice.
You can also make a statement through decoration — for example, a statement wall with a bold painted mural. This will look great in the photos on your holiday rental website. If you’re targeting families, why not go for a kid-friendly mural?
Consider placement
You don’t have to be a feng shui expert for this one, but you should think carefully about where you put each piece of furniture. Of course, your guests need ample space to move around, but you can also use your property’s surroundings to help you place furniture. Don’t waste dramatic views. If you have a large window with beautiful vistas, place a comfortable chair or even a statement bathtub beside it.
Finishing touches
There are hundreds of different decoration styles for holiday rentals, but no matter which one you choose, you should always pay attention to the details. These little things may not be the most exciting part of your property, but they help create a cohesive overall look.
Choose indoor plants carefully, both for decorative and practical reasons. They should fit your brand and look good, but they should also be easy to take care of. Place them in appropriate locations where they won’t wilt or die quickly. Strategically placed mirrors can make rooms look more spacious.
Consider artwork, such as paintings, vases, ornaments, and so on. You don’t need hundreds of trinkets —in fact, it’s best not to use too many, as this can make your space look cluttered. A few pieces can look very effective, though. For example, nautical paintings look great in seaside properties, while rustic antiques are the perfect choice for countryside cottages. You could also choose art that reflects the traditions and style of the local area.
Decorating a holiday rental on a budget
Decorating your holiday rental doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Here are some tips for decoration that won’t break the bank:
- Shop at flea markets and second-hand stores. Of course, this won’t work if you’re going for a sleek, ultra-modern style, but you can find pieces to fit most other themes at cheap prices.
- Go for a rustic or bohemian theme. If you want to save money, use deliberately mismatched furniture.
- Try restoring pieces yourself if you’re a DIY enthusiast.
- Consider unusual items that are cheap and will make a good statement piece. For example, you can often get old shipping trunks for low prices, and they can be transformed into striking, quirky coffee tables.
- You don’t always need to give your property a complete makeover. You can often refresh a room effectively just by changing the soft furnishings, artwork, plants and other small pieces.
Finally, no matter how you choose to decorate your property, remember to refresh the decor regularly. Keep up to date with trends — even if you’re going for a rustic style, there’s a difference between rustic and dated.