Summer is here. And as we embark on a new season, families from coast to coast will load up the family car and make the journey to their summertime retreats. No, not hotels or campgrounds, but vacation homes.
Summer getaways are a popular alternative to crowded hotels, campgrounds or family-style resorts that can cost hundreds of dollars each night. However, a vacation home is a home away from home. It’s a place where you can truly unwind and spend time with the people who matter most.
And, more importantly, it’s a space you can make your own. Here’s how you can decorate your summer home on a budget.
1. Frame Your Favorite Place
Dressing up the walls in your vacation home is a great way to add a little personalization and character to the space. It’s easy, too. For a quick addition, opt to frame a favorite map, painting, photograph or other memento to freshen up your getaway retreat.
All you need for this quick and easy DIY task is one of the above options and a frame to fit. Choose anything you’d like to frame and hang it in your home’s entryway, mud room or even above the sofa in the family room.
2. Invest in a New Living Room Set
Furniture in a vacation home needs to be two things: comfy and durable. After a long day of exploring your surroundings, you and your entire family will want a place to rest and relax. But you also need durability, too. In this case, opt for a durable living room set.
With multiple furniture pieces included, everyone in the family will have a place to relax and get comfortable. And with a living room set made with a durable polyester fabric, you can live in your living room without worrying about damaging your furniture. Polyester fabric can stand up to sun exposure and everyday use. This fabric can release water-based stains and generally holds its shape much better than cotton.
3. Pare Down and Play Up Natural Light
A vacation home is different than your everyday home — and so is the way you decorate it. When setting out to decorate your vacation home, think of it as a rental property. Like a staged home, it should brim with natural light, as well as be free of clutter and designed minimally.
So, go ahead, swing open the drapes and let the natural light shine in. Strategically placed mirrors can also add a natural light effect within the space. Just be sure to place your mirror opposite of a window, as this will help play up the natural light in the space. Light paint colors can also give the space an airy feel.
And a lack of clutter, like small decor items or an excess of throws and decorative pillows, will make the space feel expansive.
4. Think About Offseason Storage and Care
After decorating your summer getaway, it’s time to think about two things: storage and care. Your home-away-from-home won’t be in use for prolonged periods of time. And if your patio furniture is left out, you run the risk of weather-related damage.
That’s why you need to protect your outdoor furniture with a durable and versatile furniture cover. There are countless, affordable covers for sale that offer features such as UV protection and that are constructed from a 100 percent waterproof material.
Don’t forget about the grill, either. You’ll want to use a cover for your barbecue or grill when you’re away, too.
