Any Chihuahua will tell you, small can be mighty. So, if you’ve got a small vacation rental, fear not. You can make the most of it with some basic rules of good design and today, I’m going to share them with you. Here are some of my favorite small vacation rental apartment hacks that will show you how to make the most of tiny living spaces.
Small Vacation Rental Apartment Hacks to Make Your Space Look Bigger
The Key is to Curate
The good thing about furnishing a small space is that you don’t have to buy much. Minimalism for a small space is good, but the hard part is that you have to make every choice count for a well-designed result.
Do your homework and decide on the aesthetic you want to achieve or schedule a call with me so we can figure it out together before you buy a thing. Then make sure every choice you make for that space works towards that aesthetic. One trick is to choose a photograph to be your inspiration photo and keep it in front of you while you make choices.
Here’s an example. Say the look you want for your vacation rental is organic-modern. That means a lot of texture, neutral colors, and natural materials. Using the inspiration photo below, which coffee table would you choose?
It’s kind of a trick question. Either B or C would work, depending on your space plan and the rest of your furniture choices. They’re both natural wood, and they have softer shapes. A and D are also nice tables, but they don’t fit the concept as well.
A minimalist approach with a simple aesthetic will help your vacation rental feel more open and airy, but in order for it to be stylish, it must look intentional, rather than like you were too cheap to buy furniture. Have a design plan and make thoughtful choices to make every piece of furniture look just right.
Use Color Strategically
Dark colors can make a space feel cozy, modern, and sexy, but they can also make a room feel smaller. If your goal is to make your Airbnb feel more open and airy, opt for light-reflecting hues like white, cream, and light gray.
Color on the walls is definitely allowed, but if you’re going to use it, you need to commit. Stick with a monochromatic color scheme and do it with a plan, rather than choosing a paint color and hoping that your decor will work.
Vacation Rental: Casa Mami | via: Sight Unseen
Design: Studio Peake | Via: My Domaine
Photo: Amelia Stanwix | Designer/Owner: Laura Schuijers | via: The Design Files
Go big with art and mirrors
One of the biggest design mistakes most people make is choosing art that is too small and hanging it too high. Even small spaces have wall space. Don’t be afraid to choose art that makes a statement, especially for focal points like above fireplaces, sofas, and beds.
Large mirrors can bounce light into a room, and they’re a great way to trick the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it actually is. Statement mirrors, like this Instagram-famous one from Anthropologie, add style and make your short-term rental feel more put together. Hang, or lean large mirrors strategically (and safely) around your small place to reflect the sunlight and the view from the windows for maximum effect.
Define the space with a rug
Similarly to mirrors, a large rug can make a room look bigger by defining and anchoring the space. Also similar to wall decor, most people buy rugs that are too small. Rugs should be big enough that chairs and side tables fit all the way on them, and at least the front legs of a sofa should be on it. This goes for small spaces, too! If a large rug is just too expensive, it’s perfectly fine to use a large, plain rug, like seagrass, and layer a small decorative rug over it.
Of course, a fluffy rug might not be the best option if you’re trying to make your Airbnb pet-friendly, so keep in mind who your ideal guest is when furnishing your rental.
Photo: Sean Fennessey | Design: Christopher Cassidy and David James | via: The Design Files
Photo/design/via: Alex & Mike
Photo/design: @indie.boho.nest | via: Pinterest
Get off the floor
When you have limited floor space, choose furniture that doesn’t take up any of it. Consider a floating shelf instead of a media cabinet, or wall-mounted console tables, cabinets, or bath vanities. In bedrooms, consider building a shallow shelf behind the bed instead of a headboard, which can act as an additional surface when there isn’t much room for a bedside table. Wall-mounted lights further free up space. By lifting things off the ground, you’ll create more open space and make your small Airbnb feel bigger overall – and you’ll make it easier to clean.
Photo and Styling: Sean and Lillico Fennessy | Via: The Design Files
Photo and Styling: Sean and Lillico Fennessy | Via: The Design Files
Design: Calimia Home | Via: My Domaine
Let There Be Light
Lighting can make a huge difference in how big or small a space feels. To make your rental feel more spacious make sure all areas are well illuminated with layers of light. That means using table, wall, and floor lamps so that you have task lighting (such as reading lights) and decorative lighting (like a decorative pendant) in addition to plain ceiling fixtures. If you have an abundance of ceiling lighting make sure to put it on dimmers to avoid an interrogation-room feeling. Proper lighting makes your rental feel bigger and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests.
Find more rental lighting tips in our Remodeling a Vacation Rental 101.
Opt for Furniture That Does Double Duty
A small vacation rental allows you to get creative when it comes to furnishing and decor. One of my favorite small vacation rental apartment hacks is to look for pieces that can serve more than one purpose.
Entire apartments have been designed around moving walls and transforming furniture, but you can easily bring some of that extra functionality to your Airbnb without the major investment those transformations require.
Consider an ottoman with storage that can be used as a coffee table and extra seating or under-bed storage that functions as a bedside table when pulled out. Choose cabinets that can double as a workspace, like a secretary desk, or wall-mounted tables that fold down flat when not in use. And don’t forget the classics, like sofa beds and daybeds.
Furnishing your vacation rental can be overwhelming! Avoid decision fatigue and costly mistakes with our free sofa shopping guide and vacation rental furnishing budget tool!
Use Every Little Nook
Think about unused space, like under the stairs, to create built-in lounging, dining, or working nooks when possible. They can make it possible to add functionality where there’s not quite enough room for free-standing furniture. If your apartment is a dedicated vacation rental, think about transforming space normally used for storage, since short-term guests won’t need as much of that as permanent residents.
Be Strategic About Draperies and Wild Wallpapers
Bold wallcoverings can make a design statement, but they can also make a room feel claustrophobic. Make sure bold patterned papers are part of a cohesive design plan and use them strategically, if at all.
Floor-to-ceiling draperies can make ceilings look taller and can conceal too-small or unattractive windows, but can also feel oppressive if they block too much light. Eschew heavy fabrics and dark colors. Instead, opt for light-colored, semi-sheer curtains or blinds that let in lots of natural light, and add roller shades underneath them if you need additional room darkening or privacy.
Don’t want to break the bank when decorating your vacation rental? Here are 12 ways to add style to your short-term rental – on the cheap!
Design: Arbor & Co. | Via: My Domaine
Photo: Amy Bartlam | Design: Jenn Feldman Designs | Via: Pintrerest
Photo: Sage E Imagery | Design: Lea Johnson | Via: Style By Emily Henderson
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
The number one thing that can make a small space feel cramped is clutter. If you’re converting a full-time or family residence into a vacation rental it may be time for a major declutter. One of the joys of being on vacation is getting away from the annoyances of everyday life, so make sure your vacation rental really feels like an escape. Be ruthless about getting rid of any unused or unneeded items and only keep the essentials. Do periodic sweeps and get rid of excess items, like books, grocery bags, and charging cables, that guests leave behind. Your rental will look bigger, be much easier to keep clean, and will make your guests want to return.
And there you have it – some simple yet effective small vacation rental hacks that will make your small vacation rental mighty. By implementing even just one or two of these tricks, you can turn your petite rental into a chic and welcoming oasis that will delight your guests.
What are some of your favorite small space hacks? Did any of these surprise you? Let us know in the comments below.
