Make Your Home a Staycation Paradise

What makes renting a highly rated vacation home so nice? Much of it is due to the home’s location and proximity to fun activities. But another factor is that, in a good rental, everything from the bedding to the furniture to the decor is carefully chosen and prepped so you can unwind and enjoy. If you can’t get away this summer or just want to transform your home into a cozy retreat, you can make it look and feel like a posh Airbnb with these tips.

Get organized

Have you noticed that the best rentals have everything you need, with nothing out of place or difficult to find? To get that experience in your home, try to make it as neat and organized as you can, donating what you don’t use or storing it in your attic. You could also have your place professionally cleaned. Once it’s tidy, you can rest easy knowing that there are no chores that need to be done.

Add a bit of luxury

Are your bed and sofa comfy and attractive? If not, consider splurging on a new sectional sofa or king-sized bed or dressing up your existing couch with a good-looking slipcover and stylish blanket. You could also make your bed more luxurious by adding crisp sheets, a foam topper, and fluffy pillows. Lend a spa feel to your bathroom with soft towels, a warming towel rack, and therapeutic shower steamers, aromatherapy tablets that release comforting scents when placed in the warm water of your shower.

Add meaningful extras

Vacation rentals’ special amenities are often what make them so appealing. Think about what unique features could turn your home into a fun vacay spot. You could start small by adding just one new feature and gradually bringing in more as your budget allows. Here are some ideas for upgrading your home’s inside spaces.

• Wake up well: Enjoy your mornings by placing a Keurig machine stocked with coffee or tea in your bedroom.
• Make a hobby room: If you enjoy a creative activity such as crafting, doing jigsaw puzzles, or model building, consider reserving a room or space complete with everything you need so you can pursue your pastime.
• Create a reading nook: Devote a room or just a small space for reading by adding a comfy chair, some leafy green plants, and a place to store magazines and books.
• Prep for relaxation: Make your home more comfortable by spreading a luxurious throw on your sofa, setting out some candles, or stocking your pantry with your favorite snacks.

Create an outdoor oasis

You might want to enjoy the beautiful summer weather during your staycation, so why not turn your backyard into a fun destination with these suggestions?

• Set up a cinema: Rent or buy a projector, and hang a backdrop or set up an inflatable screen to watch movies alfresco.
• Go camping: You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the great outdoors. Pitch a tent in your backyard, and bring along a mini telescope to get a better view of the stars.
• Step up the competition: You can turn your lawn into an entertainment center by putting out classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble and backyard games like volleyball, cornhole, and horseshoes.
• Host a luau party: Convert your outdoor area into a fun luau spot by hanging string lights, stocking an outdoor bar, filling an inflatable hot tub, stoking a firepit, and adding some Bluetooth speakers.
• Put up your feet: Relax by hanging a hammock and adding a water feature for soothing serenity.

Enjoy the good life

If you vacation at home this summer, use the money you save by not traveling to augment your staycation experience. You could order a week of easy-to-prepare meals from a service like HelloFresh or Blue Apron, get takeout from DoorDash or Grubhub, or treat yourself to a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription.