Every year, thousands of people travel to the Gulf Coast to relax and celebrate. Condos in Orange Beach,

Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan are filled with people vacationing, celebrating anniversaries, girls trips and

more. Whether it’s a game night, seafood boil, or a relaxing afternoon staring at the waves, your vacation

rental serves as the backdrop for the memories that will be talked about for years to come.

You’ve purchased your condo, and you’re ready to furnish it. Or, maybe you’ve had it for years and it’s

time for a refresh. Either way, there are 5 Tips I give my clients to make their vacation rental stand out

from all the rest to be the condo everyone wants to come back to over and over again.

TIP #1: Use Quality Art in the Right Size

Art is a key element of your design. It sets the vibe of the home. Make sure your art is the appropriate size

in proportion to the size of the furniture and architecture of the room. If the art is too small, it will feel

like something is missing. Quality art stands out. Use prints on quality canvas. If the image is blurry, the

art is low quality and will make the space feel cheap. Quality art in the right size equals a well put

together room.

TIP #2: Use Quality Furniture

The old saying, “You get what you pay for” is definitely true when it comes to furniture these days. Sure,

there are things you can buy on sale, but keep in mind - those pieces of furniture don’t reflect the newest

styles. Expect to pay more for the furniture that’s trending hot in today’s market. Plus, quality furniture

will last longer in a vacation rental.

TIP #3: Be Thoughtful When Using Fabrics

We love using fabrics in our designs! Great fabrics add comfort, color, and a design level that nothing

else can. However, keep in mind that when you use fabric covered chairs, stools and beds, you will need

to have them cleaned on a regular basis. Rugs make a room look more complete and bring warmth and

comfort to a cold floor. Many of my clients are hesitant about using rugs in bedrooms, and I understand

their concerns. However, to me, a great rug adds something unique to the living space. Without them, the

room feels like there’s something missing. Yes, you will have to clean them regularly and replace them in

one to five years, but without them...something is just missing.

TIP #4: Add Seating to Bedrooms

Whenever you can, add a seat or two in bedrooms. In the vacation rental market, your clients will house

best friends, cousins, and siblings on family vacations. On a break from the beach, these bedrooms will be

the place where stories are told and bonds will be formed. In other words, make the bedrooms a place

where your clients want to hang out after a long day in the sun.

TIP #5: Keep It Functional

Remember - your vacation rental is a space for people on vacation. If the space isn’t functional, you could

end up getting a bad review. Having proper dressers and storage space for your guests on vacation is a

must! Think about all the things you would bring on vacation for a week. Once you unpack, is there a

place to put everything? If you put multiple beds in a bedroom, will there be enough storage space for

everyone’s belongings? Think about your kitchen. Do you have it well-stocked with the essentials for

cooking meals? Your guests aren’t expecting a special bundt pan, but they expect all the utensils, pots and

pans, and basics to properly feed everyone in their party.

Freda Butler is an interior designer and the owner of Southern Palms Furniture & Decor. For all your design needs,

reach out to her at freda@southernpalmsdecor.com or by calling her at 251.277.7167

You can visit Southern Palms online as well:  https://southernpalmsdecor.com/