7 Places to Discover Design Gems for Your Vacation Rental

This is the fifth article from our short-term rental design series. We’ve consulted several professional STR designers in the Minoan community to bring hosts the best design advice from their experiences. Their expertise is invaluable to both new and seasoned hosts, and you'll see their projects highlighted throughout this series.

The sources of inspiration for interior design are endless, and any object or experience has the potential to spark creativity. With so many avenues for design inspiration out there, we’ve collaborated with Tatianna Taylor-Tait, an interior designer, short-term rental coach, and founder of the Level Up Your Listing Summit, to curate a list of the best places to find inspiration for vacation rental property design!

1. Natural elements

Using natural elements can establish a connection with the surrounding environment, whether designing for a beachfront property, mountain cabin, or forest retreat. This enhances the overall guest experience and appreciation for nature. Natural materials such as wood, stone, plants, and water add beauty and visual interest to any space, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance for guests while delivering an innate calming effect.

Tatianna’s approach: Nature will always serve as a fundamental source of inspiration when it comes to design. As humans, I believe we have a deep connection to the natural world. By drawing inspiration from natural elements like wood, stone, and plants, we can create spaces full of harmony, which strengthens that bond. This allows us to live in sync with our surroundings while designing spaces that promote balance and well-being.

2. Everyday life

Observing everyday life experiences provides valuable insights into functional design solutions that prioritize comfort, convenience, and usability. From efficient kitchen layouts inspired by restaurant kitchens to cozy seating areas reminiscent of favorite reading spots, consider practical and functional choices when designing a vacation rental property worthy of repeat bookings.

These elements are not only convenient, but infuse a vacation rental property with a sense of familiarity and comfort that travelers crave when they’re away from home.

Tatianna’s approach: Inspiration is everywhere! As a big foodie, I find restaurants particularly inspiring, especially when seeking unique or playful design ideas that captivate guests. Restaurants often excel at branding and interior design, telling a story that grabs attention. They offer insights into cohesive color palettes and contrasting styles, making them perfect sources for your creative inspiration.

3. Social media

Social media platforms are highly visual, with a vast array of images and videos showcasing interior design trends. Browse through curated content to discover new color schemes, furniture arrangements, and decorative accents that resonate with your aesthetic preferences.

Social media also features a wealth of user-generated content, including photos and videos shared by travelers who have stayed at various properties. Explore hashtags and location tags to view real-life examples of vacation rental interiors, outdoor spaces, and amenities, gaining valuable insights into guest preferences and expectations.

Tatianna’s approach: Pinterest is my ultimate source of design inspiration. I use it almost every day in my business! It's where I turn to when creating mood boards for clients or bringing a vision to life. Whether validating design ideas or exploring new concepts, Pinterest offers a wealth of inspiration that I can get stuck in for hours on end. For other social platforms like Instagram and TikTok, I mainly use these to search hashtags and explore accounts or upcoming trends. To me, It's like a test run before implementation!

4. Boutique hotels

Boutique hotels are known for their meticulous attention to detail in design and furnishings. From luxurious bedding to custom finishes, these thoughtful touches elevate the guest experience and contribute to a sense of luxury and sophistication.

Boutique hotels also emphasize customized service and hospitality, frequently adapting the guest experience to suit individual preferences and requirements. By adopting a similar strategy, you can surpass guests’ expectations and draw in those coveted five-star reviews.

Tatianna’s approach: I absolutely LOVE drawing inspiration from boutique hotels. They offer a valuable playbook for successful design, showcasing innovative ways to curate spaces and integrate branding seamlessly. Hotels invest significantly in this expertise, making it a goldmine for insights and the perfect cheat sheet for hosts. From the organization of sleeping areas to the infusion of luxury and comfort in bathroom amenities, there's so much to learn and it's all neatly laid out to us. Borrowing from their strategies can elevate the attributes of your own short-term rentals, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Credit: The Home and Haven Co (Before & After)

5. HGTV shows

HGTV shows showcase a wide range of design styles, from contemporary and minimalist to farmhouse chic and eclectic. Hosts can explore different design aesthetics and draw inspiration from HGTV programs to create a vacation rental property that aligns with their desired theme and ambiance.

Many HGTV shows also follow the transformation of outdated or neglected properties into stylish and modern spaces through renovation and redesign. By watching these transformational journeys, short-term rental hosts gain inspiration for revitalizing their vacation rental properties.

Tatianna’s approach: Designing or renovating a space isn't as swift or budget-friendly as depicted on TV. What's accomplished in a week could take months, and budgets aren't always realistic. Nonetheless, it's all part of the showbiz charm! When seeking inspiration, focus on what's practical and relevant to your needs.

6. International design

Travelers often seek out vacation rental properties as a means of experiencing different cultures, exploring new destinations, and satisfying their sense of wanderlust. By integrating elements of international design, short-term rental hosts can evoke the spirit of travel and adventure!

Tatianna’s approach: I find my clients often request spaces reminiscent of their favorite destinations – be it "Greece" or some design they adored abroad. International design resonates deeply because I believe travel brings out our best selves, freeing us from life's constraints and offering fresh perspectives. When I incorporate architectural elements or designs from places I've traveled to, it's about recapturing those emotions and memories I felt in the moment.

The Minoan leadership team at Mile Away in Stowe, Vermont

7. Traveling to other short-term rentals

Experiencing other short-term rentals as a guest – NOT a host – provides valuable insights into the guest's perspective, including preferences, expectations, and pain points. By understanding what they value and appreciate in a vacation rental property, hosts can tailor their own properties to better meet guest needs and enhance their overall experience.

This is also a great way to do some boots-on-the-ground research into implementing design features from other properties that you love and features you would choose to leave out.

Tatianna’s approach: As hosts, I feel it is essential to continually seek inspiration from fellow hosts and their properties. There is a wealth of knowledge to be learned by connecting with other hosts and experiencing their listings beyond design, including insights into business operations, guest personalization, and effective communication strategies. It's through this continuous exchange of ideas and best practices that we all become better hosts and designers for our guests.

If your creative juices were in a rut before checking out these tips, we bet they are flowing now! When you’re ready to put inspiration into action, Minoan is here for you every step of the way. Apply for your no-cost membership today!