Photography: Louise Roche/ Styling: Kylie Jackes
Whether it’s a breezy beach shack, a cosy country cottage or a luxurious hinterland retreat, the best holiday homes all have one thing in common: they make us instantly relax. The pace slows, the clutter disappears and suddenly a morning coffee or an afternoon nap feels like an event.
The good news? You don’t need a second property to capture that feeling.
“Decoration is the difference between a house and a home,” says interior designer Wendy Moore. “It’s the personal touches, the layers and the collected pieces that create warmth and make people feel welcome.”
From natural materials and easy-going furniture to inviting outdoor spaces and thoughtful styling, these holiday home ideas will help turn your everyday house into a place you’ll never want to leave.
“Beautiful decoration is really the difference between a house and a home, and while I was judging the 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, INTERIOR DESIGNER & TELEVISION HOST
What makes a holiday home feel so special?
Holiday homes rarely feel complicated. Instead, they embrace a slower, more relaxed way of living through simple design principles:
- Natural textures that add warmth
- Comfortable furniture that invites you to linger
- A connection to the outdoors
- Layered lighting instead of harsh overheads
- Spaces that prioritise gathering, reading and unwinding
It’s less about buying new things and more about creating an atmosphere that encourages you to switch off.
1. Layer natural textures
The quickest way to create a relaxed holiday aesthetic is to introduce materials that age beautifully. Think linen upholstery, jute rugs, woven baskets, timber furniture and rattan lighting.
Rather than matching every piece, mix different finishes and textures to create a home that feels collected over time.
Interior decorator and textile designer Heather Chadduck from Heather Chadduck Interiors & Textiles layered textures in this Florida coastal home to give a relaxed feel.
“I used natural textures, unfussy finishes and a palette that nods to the beach without ever shouting ‘beach house’,” she explains.
2. Choose furniture that’s made for lounging
Forget formal living rooms where everything looks too perfect to touch. Deep sofas, oversized armchairs, soft ottomans and generous cushions encourage long conversations, afternoon naps and movie marathons on rainy days.
Slipcovered sofas and washable fabrics also make practical choices for busy family homes.
3. Embrace a calm, nature-inspired palette
Holiday homes often borrow their colours from the landscape around them.
Soft whites, warm sand, sage green, muted blue and earthy terracotta create an instantly calming environment while allowing natural materials and artwork to become the focus. Rather than following fast-moving trends, build your palette around timeless neutrals that feel relaxing year-round.
4. Blur the line between indoors and out
Some of the most memorable holiday moments happen with the doors thrown open.
Large windows, lightweight curtains, outdoor rugs, potted plants and comfortable alfresco furniture help create a seamless flow between inside and outside, even in a suburban backyard. If you’re renovating, consider stacking or sliding doors that maximise natural light and fresh air.
Get inspired
Love the look? Spend a weekend immersed in it before bringing the aesthetic home.
Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal cottage, a country farmhouse or a modern architectural retreat, staying in a beautifully designed holiday home can help you discover what elements you really love.
Browse on Airbnb:
5. Style with meaningful objects
The most beautiful holiday homes don’t feel like furniture showrooms.
Display handmade ceramics, travel finds, vintage books, framed family photos or shells collected from favourite beaches. These personal touches tell a story and create a sense of belonging. Less styling, but better styling, is often the secret.
6. Make linen your best friend
There’s a reason luxury accommodation relies on linen.
Relaxed bedding, tablecloths, curtains and cushions instantly soften a room while creating an effortless lived-in feel. Better still, linen becomes more beautiful with age. Layer different shades of white, oatmeal and soft grey for a look that’s timeless rather than overly styled.
7. Create spaces for gathering
Holiday homes naturally bring people together. An oversized dining table, a generous kitchen island or a cosy outdoor setting encourages long lunches, card games and conversations that stretch late into the evening.
Instead of decorating around the television, consider arranging furniture to encourage connection.
8. Let nature become the décor
You don’t always need to buy accessories. A vase of eucalyptus branches, an oversized olive tree, citrus in a bowl or fresh flowers from the garden instantly breathe life into a room and create a relaxed, organic feel. Natural elements also change with the seasons, keeping your home feeling fresh throughout the year.
It could be as simple as garden inspired kitchen décor. It can be a literal approach, adding baskets or vases of vegetables freshly plucked from the garden, or used as decorative arrangements. “Create still life vignettes out of fresh produce, on kitchen benchtops or dining tables,” suggests Elle Lovelock, Home Beautiful’s editor-in-chief.
9. Keep clutter out of sight
Holiday homes feel peaceful because visual clutter is kept to a minimum. Baskets, built-in cabinetry, storage benches and concealed cupboards allow everyday items to disappear, leaving surfaces feeling calm and spacious. Before adding more decorative objects, try removing a few instead.
10. Add ambient lighting
Swap bright ceiling lights for softer layers. Table lamps, wall sconces, floor lamps and candles create warmth in the evenings and make every room feel instantly more inviting. Dimmers are another simple upgrade that can completely transform the mood of a space.
“Lighting plays a crucial role in supporting both function and aesthetics,” says Kate McGlone, group design manager at Winnings.
Lamps are a surprising addition to kitchen lighting to change the entire vibe. Once reserved for living spaces, they can add warmth, personality and a softer glow to the heart of the home. “This is another trend that I see coming through more and more – having a lamp as a little nook statement,” says Mandi Kontos, architectural lighting designer at South Melbourne Beacon Design Studio. “You can definitely hardwire the lamp and have it switched with your overhead lights. Or you can hide it behind decorative pieces like boards and trays.”
11. Design a bedroom that feels like a boutique stay
Fresh white sheets, a linen quilt, a comfortable reading lamp and a small stack of books can transform an ordinary bedroom into a retreat. Keep bedside styling simple—a ceramic vase, a candle and a favourite novel are often all that’s needed. The goal is to create a room that encourages rest rather than distraction.
12. Carve out a quiet reading corner
Every holiday seems to include that perfect chair where hours disappear. Whether it’s beside a sunny window or tucked into an unused corner, a comfortable armchair layered with a throw, a side table and soft lighting creates a dedicated place to unwind.
It’s a simple addition that encourages the slower pace we associate with being away.
13. Bring the holiday home experience home
Before committing to a decorating style, spend a weekend in a beautifully designed escape and pay attention to what makes you feel comfortable.
Is it the linen bedding? The open shelves? The outdoor shower? The oversized dining table.
The best ideas are often experienced rather than purchased, and staying somewhere thoughtfully designed can provide inspiration that lasts long after you’ve unpacked.
Holiday home styling mistakes to avoid
Even relaxed interiors benefit from restraint.
- Avoid overdoing coastal motifs; texture is more timeless than anchors and shells.
- Mix vintage pieces with contemporary furniture instead of buying complete matching suites.
- Leave empty space on shelves and surfaces so rooms can breathe.
- Prioritise comfort over perfection; a slightly rumpled linen sofa often feels more inviting than one that’s perfectly styled.
“Decoration is the difference between a house and a home. It’s what gives a space personality and makes people want to stay.”
WENDY MOORE, INTERIOR DESIGNER & TELEVISION HOST
The most memorable holiday homes aren’t necessarily the biggest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that encourage us to slow down, open the windows, gather around the table and appreciate the simple pleasures. Bring those ideas into your own home and every weekend can feel like a mini escape.
We love…
- Relaxed linen slipcovered sofas that become softer with age
- Oversized timber dining tables made for entertaining
- Woven pendant lights that cast a warm evening glow
- Handmade ceramics displayed on open shelving
- Native greenery and collected objects used instead of mass-produced décor
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