Renovating and Styling Your Home

Start With The Basics

Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or renovating an existing home, here’s a few things to consider:

• The style of flooring you choose can make a big difference to the amount of time it takes to clean the property. When choosing hard flooring, you may want to avoid natural timber which easily marks. Instead, both Amtico and Karndean brands offer an extensive range of hard-wearing quality flooring.
• You may want to add underfloor heating which is efficient, and a log-burning stove for effect. 
• Consider that if you are looking to welcome doggies into your property, then this is an important consideration. An external tap allows for washing muddy wellies as well as dirty paws.
• First impressions count! Although this applies to the entirety of your home, some rooms demand a little more investment than others. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and sitting room are the rooms that will be used the most.

Kitchen and Living Areas

Your property should be practical for you, but it should also be a place of enjoyment and relaxation for your guests. Things to think about:

• Consider the composition of kitchen worktops. We recommend a hard-wearing surface such as granite over wood; the latter requires more maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape and is less appealing in a holiday home.  
• Ensure your kitchen is well-equipped with a range of glassware to suit a variety of beverages, not forgetting champagne flutes. Provide a range of good quality plain crockery and cutlery, as well as a coffee machine or cafetière.  
• Having plenty of trivets and coasters on hand will avoid guests putting hot items and cold drinks onto surfaces that will easily stain and mark. 
• Fridge and freezers – the size of each should be appropriate for the number of occupants in the property. A small under-counter fridge with a small icebox is unsuitable for a 7-night stay in any size of property, so we recommend a freestanding fridge freezer. If space is limited, side by side under counter appliances or a freezer in the utility room could be more practical. 

• Apply some originality and flair whilst ensuring the interior is in keeping with the property, whether that be a cosy cottage, elegant country house, rustic farmhouse, or ultra-modern townhouse. 
• Turn your property into a beautiful tranquil haven. Use some key pieces of furniture to elevate your living space – for example, add a large rug to a room that has a large expanse of hard flooring, or cover the seating in a range of different fabrics to create statement pieces. It’s essential that your property offers its own personality, you want it to be remembered by guests. 
• Keep all items of furniture clean and simple – remember the “less is more” philosophy and that it’s worth spending a little more on good quality furniture from the outset. Choose a hard-wearing fabric, opting for a timeless look.

Bedrooms

• Do you have the capacity to have a ground-floor bedroom with an en-suite? If so, you can make a more accessible property by adding a wet room with non-slip flooring, ‘stick-on’ handrails and a shower seat (stored in a garage) for guests with reduced mobility.  
• For flexibility, it is advisable to add super-king zip and link beds to some of the bedrooms so they can be set as double and twin bedrooms. Try and include at least king or super-king size beds to other bedrooms where space allows. Note, you can buy zip-and-link duvets to save on buying two sets of bedding!
• Ensure adequate storage in each bedroom, with drawers and hanging space as your guests won’t want to live out of suitcases. 
• A carpet gives a more luxurious feel to a bedroom. If this isn’t an option, then add a sumptuous rug to step out of bed and onto in the morning. 

• Everyone appreciates a good night’s sleep, so invest in mattresses, high thread count linens, and soft towels and bathrobes. We recommend purchasing hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows. 
• When decorating, plan with photography in mind. Adding either a feature wallpaper, printed fabrics, or a colour pop to each room will make the property stand out in images.
• Other items such as an upholstered headboard or end-of-bed ottoman offer a tasteful finish to a bedroom. Add a throw and cushions to dress the bed and complete the look. 
• A hairdryer per room is essential, ideally with a dressing table or chest of drawers and a plug close by.  
• Furthermore consider a full–length mirror, strategically placed on a hall or landing wall which will be appreciated by all guests. 

Bathrooms

Somewhere to while away an hour in the bath, something you might never take the time to do in your own home.

• Add a heated towel rail or radiator for drying towels. 
• Ensure there is adequate lighting. 
• Add robe hooks to the rear of the door. 
• Where possible offer a bath as well as a shower.
• Add a lock to the inside of the door.
• Try to incorporate at least one shaving point – they double as a toothbrush charger.

Outside 

Don’t forget the outside areas. During the warmer months, these areas can be as important as the interiors. Here are a few areas you may like to consider: 

• For your own sake, ensure the garden is easy to maintain, mainly grass with some bold colourful shrubs for interest.
• Ensure adequate seating around the outdoor table.  You could provide some warm blankets in a basket for cooler nights. You could hang a hammock if there is space.  
• Install adequate lighting and an outdoor heater, log burner or fire pit to allow your guests to enjoy the evenings late into the summer. 
• A BBQ, whether gas or charcoal, is an expected appliance. 
• Adding an outdoor feature such as a hot tub, sauna or an outdoor bath in more intimate properties will create extra revenue. There are many options and in either case, before you make a purchase, be sure to review all the relevant health and safety information.
• Easy access – if you have the option of providing a ground floor bedroom and bathroom, then also consider the access in and out of the property and parking for less able guests.

Those little extras…  

• We can provide you with a comprehensive Inventory Schedule to assist in this area. 
• Perhaps you have some ordinary-looking pine furniture, why not consider upcycling by giving it a lick of paint, and a set of different knobs to give it a new lease of life. 
• Lighting is important – it creates the mood for each room. Allow guests to choose between soft and strong lighting with lamps and pendants, perhaps adding a dimmer switch to overheads in main rooms. 
• Family-friendly – small considerations can make a big difference to a family so provide a travel cot and highchair for infants. Fitting a stair gate is an added safety feature, which can also keep doggies downstairs, and is always appreciated by parents. 

• Providing for your doggie – to appeal to dog lovers, reflect on what you can do to entice them to your property; provide a secure garden, little extras like food bowls, a few treats in the hamper, and maybe a spare lead to show that you care.  
• Adding a few small, personal touches can make a big difference. For example, providing a varied selection of books, games, and maps, along with useful items such as golf umbrellas for rainy days, and a picnic basket and rug for the balmy days of Summer. 
• Let Yorkshire influence you… your guests have been drawn to Yorkshire so why not choose local pieces of artwork. We know a local artist who can create a beautiful painting of your home, or you could leave postcards printed as a welcome note to guests.