As the vacation home rental industry continues to grow exponentially, many people are choosing to add a vacation rental to their investment portfolio. However, to maximize rental potential, vacation homeowners need to consider several design elements before putting up the “for rent” sign. Below are some key things to have in your space in order to stand out from the competition and drive ultimate return on investment.
Do you own a mountain retreat or a cottage by the beach? The first step to creating an amazing vacation rental experience for your guests is to know what they like and what they will expect. If you’ll be catering to families with kids, it’s important to create spaces where kids can play, and grown-ups can enjoy some downtime. If you plan on appealing to luxury travelers, updated & quality décor, along with deluxe linens and unique amenities are key. Do some research on other vacation rentals in your area to get a sense of what’s popular and how you can make your property stand out.
Security and ease of use should be top of mind with every vacation rental homeowner. In order to know who is coming and going at your property, we recommend installing a video doorbell camera, wireless deadbolt, and a wireless security system. Additionally, you will want to be able to control the thermostat & the lights while the property is not in use. Systems like a Nest Home or Simply Safe work well. And don’t forget the threat of water damage! Consider installing a smart water leak detector to ward off any catastrophic water damage that may occur due to overflowing bathtubs, pipes breaking, or water heater failures.
Professional photos of your rental are key to getting attention and making sure that your property will stand apart from the competition. Work with a trusted real estate photographer to take photos of your space that you can use to market the property. And don’t forget the staging! Set the table so guests know how many people can sit and eat. Make the beds, turn on all the lights, showcase unique amenities, and refresh the front entry to showcase a warm and inviting home.
Nothing is worse than being away from home and having a poor night’s sleep. Purchase linens that are soft and cozy but also easy to clean. Our favorites are high thread count sheets from HC Collection and cotton towels from American Soft Linen. And don’t forget the mattress protector, which is a MUST on all beds in a vacation rental. A great mattress and appropriately themed bedding for your location are also a must. Work to coordinate bedding with other accessories in the room and buy at least 2 sets for each bedroom so that you have extras should something get soiled. Additionally, if you have a vacation home in a seasonal location, don’t forget to have lighter and heavier blankets on hand so that your guests are comfortable no matter what the weather may bring.
Who doesn’t love to document their vacation on social media? In order to drive excitement for your property, consider creating a truly unique visual in your space that guests will be proud to brag about. From a unique feature wall in the bedroom to the perfect lounging space on an outside deck – firepit and all – think about which spaces in your home will be most photogenic and capitalize on those areas. *Bonus tip – give your vacation home a uniquely branded name and create social media accounts for the home. Ask guests check-in at those locations and tag the property when posting to social media.
Making the most of the space within your vacation home is key to getting maximum rental income. At the same time, you want to be mindful not to overcrowd rooms with furniture & accessories, which will make them seem cramped. Consider hiring an interior designer to come up with unique furniture options and/or a space plan so you get a good idea of how to utilize each room for maximum rental potential. Various formations of bunk beds, dining tables, coffee tables, and bedroom furniture placement can allow for more renters and better use of the space, which will equal more rental income in your pocket!
Proper lighting in good working condition is very important to any vacation rental. Again, consider how your guests are going to be using the space and plan accordingly to properly light a room. Bedrooms should all be equipped with some overhead lights, as well as bedside lamps that can be used while your guests read or watch TV. Dining areas should have a chandelier or pendant lights to adequately light the space. And don’t forget the layers! All rooms should have various lighting sources that will work as task lights or ambient lighting, depending on what your guests are doing in the space. *Bonus tip – double-check all outlets and lamp cords for defects or needed repairs. Missing electrical outlets or lamps in poor repair can become a major safety hazard.
Ready to take your vacation home to the next level? Feel free to reach us via email or phone for your free design discovery call today. We work with homeowners to create inviting and unique vacation rental properties – curating everything from the furniture to the silverware. 480-613-6537 or info@macylanedesigns.com.
With more people spending time at home than ever before, remodeling is a very big trend among homeowners. Yet not all remodeling projects are created equal. There are a few factors to consider when deciding what spaces you should update and how to do it, especially in Arizona!
Not all home updates translate to increased home value. If you are focused on improving your home with resale in mind, you’ll want to focus on the highest impact updates. If, however, you’re planning on living in your home for many years still, then you’ll want to consider factors beyond investment alone.
An equally important consideration to remodeling is the increased pleasure of living in your home. From customized features and colors to added functionality, you want to enjoy your home while you live there, not simply wait out the time until you move to the next place!
Remodeling is a juggling act– balancing your dreams, skillset, and finances! So, we’ve created a manageable list that will guide you through what things cost and how much you can expect to get back on your investment.
While most home buyers begin shopping online and view pictures of the entire space, there is a critical moment when they drive up to your home and determine if they might like to live there. Potential buyers usually decide if they like a home within the first 30 seconds of seeing it, so great curb appeal is a must if you plan on getting the highest possible price for your home.
There are a few key things to pay particular attention to in the Arizona housing market. First, think about the last time your home was painted and the current condition of the stucco and other outdoor features. Nobody wants to deal with peeling paint or cracked and chipping hard surfaces.
Next, the blazing Arizona summers also make it difficult for many families to enjoy their yard. Adding features like a pool or shaded area will undoubtedly be worth the investment!
Prioritize Updated Kitchens and BathroomsThe old saying of “Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes” still rings true, even in our current housing market. There are the rooms where people spend the most time, so updates in both spaces will definitely pay off.
Kitchens specifically will benefit the most from flooring, paint, and cabinetry updates. Everyone wants a lot of space to cook, do homework, and gather with family and friends, so it’s a great idea to review available counter space and think about adding or reconfiguring an island.
Bathrooms require both durability and beauty. Tiled showers are making a classic comeback over the acrylic tub/shower inserts. Closed shelving and plenty of vanity storage allow for organization and styling opportunities. Finally, pay special attention to the vanity lighting and mirror to maximize the space
Basic Kitchen Renovation Costs:
Basic Bathroom Upgrade:
You’ve seen the home renovation projects where simply taking out dingy tile or downtrodden carpet immediately lifts the room. And the best part is that replacing flooring is a relatively inexpensive project, with more flooring options available at every price point than ever before!
Again, if your home leans heavily on Tuscan motifs like mosaics or terracotta, you may get an excellent price for a more neutral choice. Tile flooring is still a great option to bring down the summer heat, but the colors and styles you choose will create a more modern floor.
For example, laminate tile and plank flooring has exploded in the last few years. As a result, you can create a high-end custom tile look for a fraction of the price and install it yourself!
While flooring grounds the room, the color of your walls largely determines the mood and function of the space. The colors you choose will bring out different emotions and have an overall impact on how you feel in the home.
For example, blues and purples encourage relaxation, while reds and oranges call for attention. Stay away from the rustic golds, oddly bright hues, or taste-specific murals and aim for light and neutral colors to help increase resale value.
Professionally Painted Large Room:
Remodeling? Let Us Help!
It’s always a challenge to balance the essentials of a worthwhile remodel: function, design, and return on investment. It takes a well-trained eye on current design prices, a pulse on the real estate market, and an honest opinion on the skill level and cash required to pull off a project.
At Macy Lane Designs, we specialize in partnering with our clients, allowing them to drive the project but lean on our years of experience. We will enable you to bring a well-constructed plan to your contractor, which means you can be confident that you are spending your money the best. Contact us today for a free consultation!
As we begin a new year, many homeowners are considering making updates to their homes. One of the biggest changes you can make to increase the look and feel of your space, as well as the value of your home, is installing new flooring. Before you break out the jackhammer, read on to learn more about what products are hot and how much new flooring in Arizona may cost you.
While it may be very exciting to get new flooring, before applying any new materials (for the most part) the old flooring needs to be removed prior to installation. As you are calculating the cost of new flooring for your home, be sure you factor in the cost of removal:
Average Cost to Demo Hardwood: $4 SQFT
Average Cost to Demo Tile: $3.25 SQFT
Average Cost to Demo Engineered Hardwood: $4 SQFT
Average Cost to Demo Vinyl: $1 SQFT
If you have tile in your home that needs to be removed, you can opt for a “dustless” removal process that helps keep your home clean and free of all debris that goes along with removing old flooring. On average, dustless removal will be $2 to $3 dollars more vs. standard removal techniques.
There are so many uses for vinyl flooring; it’s no wonder that it’s rising fast as an affordable, sustainable, and fashionable option.
Vinyl is durable and easy to clean while often less expensive and more available than other flooring options. While vinyl used to be an immediate throw-away from outmoded 70’s design, modern technology has changed the uses of vinyl. From one large sheet of cheap flooring, luxury vinyl now offers an endless array of designs and textures to mimic wood and stone.
Luxury vinyl typically falls into two categories: planks and tile. The main difference between a plank and a tile is its dimension, with a plank having a rectangular shape and a tile a square shape.
Vinyl planks are often used to imitate a hardwood floor at a fraction of the price and a limitless array of colors, widths, and textures. You can get luxury planks that appear hand-scraped or wire-brushed. If you prefer neutral grays, you’ll find those shades too! You can even get planks crafted with a micro bevel on the edge of each plank, making it seem like your floor is genuine wood.
While vinyl planks can also imitate stone, it’s more common to see stone textures in vinyl tiles. Vinyl tiles are a great, durable option for kitchens and bathrooms in particular! Add some grout for a professional finish that could dupe for real marble or stonework.
Luxury Vinyl Pricing
Average professional install per square foot: $3 SQFT
Average price per square foot for materials: $2-$5 SQFT
Average total cost: $8 SQFT
Engineered hardwood is an excellent option if you want to incorporate real wood but still keep costs down. Engineered hardwood has two parts-- the veneer and the core. The veneer is the thinnest part that shows the desired color and texture. The core is made of less pretty wood but offers the long-lasting durability you need from your floors.
There are a few different kinds of hardwood that will change the location and ease of install.
Last is the easiest and newest option-- the click-lock method. Click-lock planks have grooves that easily fit together and stay locked once placed. It’s become an increasingly popular option since you can ditch the glue and nails and works equally well on cement and wood subfloors. It also makes it easiest to replace small sections if damaged!
Engineered Hardwood Pricing
Professional Install: $4 SQFT
Price per square foot: $6-$10 SQFT
Average cost: $14 SQFT
If you’ve got the budget, nothing can truly replace authentic porcelain or ceramic tile. These tiles can be handcrafted in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you’re going for a more customized look, these tiles can make a great statement.
While each tile material has its place, it’s important to note that porcelain and ceramic options are not interchangeable. Porcelain tiles are rated at a greater hardness, meaning that they are less likely to break and chip when used on the floor. Ceramic tiles are softer, so you’ll likely have a smaller range of selection approved for flooring.
Porcelain price per square foot: $2-$30, but most people spend between $3-$10
Porcelain Professional Install: $4.25 - $10 per square foot
Ceramic tile per square foot: $0.50-$35
Ceramic Professional Install: $4-10 per square foot
The price of your hardwood floors can range dramatically depending on the class of wood you’re looking for. Most commonly purchased hardwoods range from $6 to $12, making them competitively priced with vinyl options. Still, if you prefer more exclusive or exotic woods, you can quickly go over $40 per square foot.
Installation costs are similar to the cost of engineered hardwood. However, keep in mind that more intricate patterns-- like herringbone-- will cost more.
Finally, hardwoods can require more maintenance than other types of flooring. They can be at higher risk for scratches and warping (clean liquid spills immediately). Real hardwood floors offer a luxe look but may not be practical for homes with small children or pets.
Professional Install per square foot: $8 to $18 SQFT
Price per square foot: $6-$12, up to $40+ for exotic flooring
Average cost for new hardwood floors: $14 to $35 per square foot
Pro Tips:
Need Help Narrowing Your Options?
There are so many great and affordable flooring options now available, so it can be challenging to know which product will be the best use of your time and money. You may also need help determining how your flooring will combine with your existing appliances, paint, finishes, and decor. Should you need assistance with picking out the perfect flooring for your home, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help!
Interior designers are responsible for creating spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. They guide you in making the best use of your space and determine how to bring your vision to life. The process of interior design and interior decorating is and should be personal and intimate.
Think of choosing the right interior designer a little like dating― you will want to find the perfect match, trust each other, and share a common understanding of likes, dislikes, budget, and more. Now with that said, here are some steps to consider before starting your home decorating journey with an interior designer.
1. Define Your StyleDefining your home decorating style will be one of the most critical stages in choosing the right interior designer. For example, if you are drawn to minimal and sleek interiors, you will likely want your space to be just that — minimal and elegant. On the other hand, if you are more of a maximalist, you will probably want to incorporate a mix of patterns and textiles into your space.
To define your style, we suggest collecting a series of images that reflect your aesthetic. Consider creating a Pinterest board of your favorite photos or other digital files that you can easily share with your interior designer.
Budget often dictates what can and cannot be done with a space, so it is VERY important to have a clear idea of what your budget is prior to hiring an interior designer. Clients are often vague about what they can afford at the beginning. They prefer not to reveal their budget until after the initial quote is delivered. Instead, expect to be upfront and transparent about what you are willing to spend. Remember that interior designers work with all sorts of budgets. If they have a clear understanding of their limitations from the beginning, they will be able to deliver a plan most suited to you.
When you set your budget, you will also want to determine how your interior designer bills their client. Each designer is different-- some charge by the hour, and others charge a flat rate. One is not necessarily better than the other, but every client should ask how they will be billed and have a clear understanding of the payment timeline.
This is where the fun begins. Meeting with interior designers and interior decorators is the exciting first step in your remodeling journey. This is also the phase of the process that you will want to ask the most questions. Here’s are some questions we recommend asking:
We also recommend doing your own research and asking questions that are specific to you. The more detailed you can be, the better the chance you’ll find a designer that will work well with you and meet your expectations.
Sharing your ideas and expectations of what you want your home to look like will ultimately lead to a successful project. This is your home, so don’t be afraid to overshare. Try to be as specific as you can― use plenty of images and inspiration to communicate your desired aesthetic.
Your ideas should also include a brainstorm that tells the designer how you want the space to feel. For example, ask yourself what kind of emotions do you want your home to evoke? Interior designers will also want to know how you plan to use this space, its primary function, and who will be using it. Being clear about this will give the interior designer a more thorough understanding of what they need to deliver.
Don’t be afraid to let your interior designer take the lead here. Have an open mind and let them guide you. Of course, you can always provide feedback and make adjustments, but at the end of the day, you are hiring an interior designer to manage the process.
It’s also worth noting that the plan may not be exactly what you imagined — the interior designer may have had to omit some details to stay within your budget or keep items you had hoped to remove because of structural reasons. Whatever it may be, remember that the interior designer is the professional here, and you have hired them because you trust their process.
If you’re hiring an interior designer for a complete redecorating project, they will likely be purchasing many furniture items on your behalf. The benefit of having your interior designer purchase all the furniture and accessories for you is that they often buy the pieces with a trade discount or at cost price.
That said, it’s not uncommon for the interior designer or interior decorator to apply a “markup.” This is also known as a “designer’s net price.” This fee is usually a percentage of the item, and it can vary greatly, but it usually falls between 15% and 25%. Of course, a good interior designer will be upfront about these costs during the budgeting phase. Still, the client ultimately saves money as they have access to a wide variety of furniture and accessories at prices that are typically below retail.
When it comes to choosing an interior designer, it pays to do your research first. You want to be confident in them and their ability to deliver your vision. The redecorating process is personal, so don’t rush the process. Instead, take your time building up your own wish list, getting comfortable with a budget, and doing your own research-- that way you will be more prepared for the experience.
Here at Macy Lane Designs, we pride ourselves on our functional and realistic approach to the design process. If you have any questions about the process of working with an interior designer, don’t hesitate to reach out.
