Renovating and Styling Your Home

Starting with the basics

Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or planning on renovating your existing holiday home, your property should offer ambience and be a place of relaxation for your guests.  Here are a few things to consider:

• You may want to add certain things from the outset such as underfloor heating, a log-burning stove and an external tap to allow for washing muddy wellies as well as dirty paws!
• 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 may easily mark, instead choose something like Amtico or Karndean, both brands offer an extensive range of hard-wearing quality flooring.
• Consider that if you are looking to welcome doggies into your property, then this is an important consideration.  
• First impressions count and although this applies to the entirety of your home there are some rooms which demand a little more investment than others. The bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and sitting room are the rooms that will be used the most.  

Kitchen and living areas

• 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 quality coffee machine or cafetière.  
• 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 looking in tip-top shape and is less appealing in a holiday home.  
• Ensure you have plenty of trivets/coasters on hand, to avoid guests putting hot items onto surfaces that will easily stain and mark. 
• Fridge and freezers – ensure the size of each is 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 could be more practical. 
• 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 to add the “wow” factor, or cover the seating in a range of different fabrics to create unique statement pieces. It’s essential that your property offers its own personality and isn’t bland, you want it to be unique and 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. 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. 

Bedrooms

• Do you have the capacity to have a downstairs en-suite bedroom? 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 older guests and increased accessibility.  
• When decorating, plan with photography in mind. Think of adding a feature wallpaper, printed fabrics, and colour to each room to make the property stand out. 
• To ensure more flexibility for a variety of guests, 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 (provide wooden coat hangers where possible) as your guests won’t want to live out of suitcases. 
• Adding 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 sleep, so it’s important to invest in mattresses, luxurious high thread count linens, soft towels, and provide high-quality branded toiletries. 
• We recommend purchasing hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows. 
• 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 with a mirror and accessible electrical socket close by, and ideally a dressing table or chest of drawers for doing hair and makeup.  
• Furthermore consider a full–length mirror, strategically placed on a hall or landing wall which will be appreciated by all guests. 

Bathrooms

• 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.
• 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: 

• Ensure the garden is easy to maintain, mainly grass with some bold colourful shrubs.  
• 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 as they are appealing to a high proportion of guests. There are many options – wood-burning tubs look stylish, whilst the jacuzzi-style tubs remain as popular for their ease of use and cost to run. 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.  
• One thing that works well is to use a signature scent for the property provided by a quality diffuser. It’s something that your guests will notice immediately on arrival. 
• 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. 

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, apply in neutral tones and add a set of different knobs or handles to elevate the look and give it a new lease of life. 
• Lighting is important – it creates the mood for each room, ensure you choose a style that is appropriate. Allow guests to choose between soft and strong lighting with lamps and pendants, perhaps adding a dimmer switch to overheads in main rooms. 
• Window dressings – invest in good quality curtain poles and interlined curtains. Roman blinds are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms but may not offer the necessary look or blackout effect in other rooms. Roller blinds are adequate for utility rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. 
• 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.