11 decorating ideas to steal from holiday homes

“Beautiful decoration is really the difference between a house and a home, and while I was judging this year's Holiday Rental Awards, I found the homes that made the biggest impact were the ones that had the extra layer of wonderful decorating ideas.”

Wendy Moore Editor-In-Chief

1. Woven furniture

Due to its durability and affordability, rattan or cane furniture is commonplace in beach and coastal style holiday abodes. The natural materials and ancient wicker techniques, not only add texture to a room, but the look is synonymous with tropical beach resort style.

2. Floor-to-ceiling blinds

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but for a good reason. Floor-to-ceiling drapes rouse romantic ideas of weekends away with a view. Whether it be loft-style apartments that gaze over the city, or open plan homes that peer out across natural wonders, this style of window furnishing helps to create privacy and a touch of luxe in homes that feature expansive windows or glass walls.

3. Tone on tone

Concrete is a subtle, yet sophisticated trend taking off in the design landscape. The easily maintained material gives holiday homes an industrial edge, creating a modern look and feel. Additionally, decorating a room with concrete-inspired hues adds depth, making your space feel more substantial.

4. Creative tiling

Statement tiling is often embraced in holiday home bathrooms, especially scallop tiles (AKA mermaid tiles) - and it’s easy to see why. Hailing from exotic holiday destinations like Morocco, busy and colourful tiling gives bathrooms an eclectic, elegant and worldly feel.

5. Richer, darker hues

Harder, better, faster, stronger: 2018 has seen warmer, richer palettes making a comeback with darker furniture reigning supreme in holiday home decorating. The result: a glamorous and modern finish that makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into a villa in Bali.

6. Natural, long-lasting materials

Sustainability is more important than ever for consumers, especially when it comes to furniture. Using sustainable materials such as wood is not only better for the environment, but it also brings an element of nature into your living space. The calming qualities of natural materials will help you feel like you are on holiday’s every day.

7. Wildlife prints 

If kids bedrooms are a must when considering holiday rentals, remember to take some style cues home with you. Colourful animal and wildlife prints add personality to your walls and help to recreate that holiday sense of adventure.

 8. Faux-animal skulls 

Faux animal skulls are a typical decorating item in rural and rustic style holiday homes. Coupled with indulgent textures like velvet and grounded with hard wooden furniture, these unique wall hangings are a great way to add some country indulgence to your home.

9. Textured throws

Textiles play a considerable role in decorating a home and help make holiday rentals feel warm and inviting. Something as simple as a textured throw or cushion can add an exciting textural element to your styling and make your home always look guest-ready.

10. Bold bathroom wallpaper

The bathroom is the perfect place to experiment with bold and beautiful patterns. The best part is that it’s usually the smallest room in the house, so you won’t need to invest in as much wallpaper. Here, a tropical print matched with timber details makes the perfect beach house bathroom.

11. Worn and distressed textures

A concept taking the design world by storm, wabi-sabi is a Japanese lifestyle philosophy that celebrates imperfection. Worn and distressed textures in holiday homes create familiarity and comfort. Embrace the imperfection with worn leathers, sanded back furniture and rustic décor pieces.

Holiday homes are bursting with decorating ideas, so if you’re looking for a reason to book your next trip, check out HomeAway's Holiday Rental Awards Finalists here.