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10 Low-Cost, High Impact Decorating Ideas for Your Vacation Home
Create a dazzling “mini makeover” to impress prospective travelers and returning guests alike
 1. Slip on a slipcover. Slipcovers are a tried-and-true way to refresh tired couches and chairs — even (yes, really!) at the most upscale properties. To avoid the sloppy, “billowing sheet” effect, opt for a custom-tailored version – these can even be made with built-in zippers or Velcro to accommodate fold-outs. For beach rentals, designer Kerry Ann Dame of Surfside Beach, South Carolina's Posh Living, LLC recommends Sunbrella fabric, which stands up well to chlorine and suntan oil. Make sure to have an extra seat cushion cover on hand to rotate into the wash if one gets stained.
2. Dress down the dining area. To tone down the formality of a coordinated dining set, Dame suggests subbing in an old church pew, a vintage iron bench, or even an upholstered armchair, stool or loveseat. (Keep an eye out at tag sales and vintage shops.) Just be sure to stay in the same color family to keep the look cohesive. (Even the most eclectic group of wooden chairs can be repurposed with quick coat of white paint.) To punch up more traditional dining sets, recovering the seats of existing chairs is an easy do-it-yourself project — all it takes is a few yards of fabric and a staple gun.
3. Color, color color! Even just a little bit of color can make a big difference in a room with four white walls. If you're worried about going too bold, start with just one brightly-colored accent wall behind the sofa or around kitchen cabinets. (Some colors to consider: robin's egg blue, deep turquoise, terra cotta, lemon yellow, or lime green.) In more formal spaces, a painted border in a color like indigo can add depth and character to a room without molding.
4. Think outside the frame. Take down any wall art that's been water damaged (especially in the bathrooms) or faded by the sun. How to fill that blank space? When grouped closely together on a wall, an assemblage of even the most mundane objects (wooden canoe paddles, vintage sports pennants, a pair of colorful canvas kites) can create a striking visual focal point for a room.
 5. Spray-on the shine. Resurfacing can give new life to grungy bathroom tile or a shabby-looking sink for a fraction of the cost of a full remodel. Beth Williams of Elizabeth Williams Design on Cape Cod recommends a professional refinishing company like Perma Ceram. A professional can reglaze a bathtub with a spray-on finish in about 5 hours, and they guarantee it'll be ready to use just 12 hours later. When Williams recently had the tub and bathroom tile in her vacation rental reglazed, she says the project was completed in less than 48 hours for a total cost of about $1000.
6. Focus on the details. To make any bathroom feel more luxurious, Williams recommends switching out your regular shower curtain for a curved one (the few inches of added elbow room feel wonderfully spacious), and adding larger mirrors above the sink. Consider adding a dimmer switch (especially if you have a big soaking tub), and for the finishing touch, pick up a few gleaming new switch plates in chrome, glass, or just clean, bright white.
7. Eliminate clogs. Be sure to clean out the screens on your faucets and showerheads (especially if you live in a hard-water area) and unscrew the stopper in sinks and tubs to make sure drains are clear of clogs. If kitchen back-ups are an ongoing problem, consider adding a garbage disposal to the kitchen sink. For leaks, you can easily replace old faucets and showerheads with new low-maintenance models for less than $20, or upgrade to a luxury rain-style or massaging showerhead for just a bit more. Just be sure to add those new amenities to the description of your property listings!
8. Go green underfoot. When replacing dirty or worn area rugs, consider natural fibers such as sea grass or sisal. In addition to adding great texture and a coastal flair to your décor, both sisal and sea grass rugs are durable enough for high-traffic areas. Sisal is particularly well-suited to humid climates — the fibers are resistant to stains and bacterial growth, making it non-toxic and non-allergenic.
9. Add an outdoor shower. To prevent sand and dirt getting tracked indoors, consider adding an outdoor foot shower. Although free-standing outdoor showers run in the $1000-range, wall-mounted unit can be had for less than $200. Or, to save money without skimping on charm, a simple teak shower mat and an ordinary steel watering can is a great low-tech solution.
10. Banish hidden dust bunnies. Last but not least: don't forget to root out any dust lurking among your refrigerator condenser coils, in your air conditioner filters, and your dryer vent. You'll save yourself from future maintenance headaches and protect yourself from fire hazards while cutting your energy costs as well.
(Interior photos courtesy of Posh Living, exterior photo courtesy of Beth Williams)
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What's your favorite low-cost decorating secret?
"Use natural materials found near our home to create decor. We live near a beach, so I fill clear glass vases with similar colored shells, use interesting shells, rocks or driftwood individually, on a shelf or on a windowsill to create a focal point. I also use tall vases with dried grass or flowers. When new guests arrive, I place a small, single stem vase in each room with whatever happens to be blooming or just attractive leaves to add a feeling of freshness." –Elizabeth, Oak Bluffs, MA (HomeAway #106631, VRBO #239847)
"Put in fresh light bulbs. Old bulbs not only get dusty but also dim with age. In addition, this gives one the opportunity to update and go green with compact fluorescent bulbs. Note: avoid ‘Full Spectrum Natural Daylight' these give off a very blue light which is not welcoming. Replacing the light bulbs is simple but very effective in brightening up a property." –Pamela, Lovell, ME (HomeAway, VRBO)
“Take pictures of area scenery (the lake, beach, sunset, mountain and ocean views) with your digital camera. Frame and hang them instead of buying prints and paintings.” –Joanne, Albrightsville, PA (VRBO #150084)
“Hire the neighborhood kids to clean around your property. It's cheap, saves you the time and looks like someone is there.” –Troy, Lake Tahoe (VRBO #8399)
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