Your guests have chosen a holiday home rather than a hotel for a reason – they want a home from home which is comfortable, cosy and welcoming.
When it comes to furnishing your holiday home for guests, it pays to know who you’re catering for before you open your wallet: a higher standard of furnishing may allow you to set a higher rental price and might give you a higher occupancy rate.
Adrian Flux Insurance Services is one of the leading specialist home insurance brokers in the UK and one of only a handful that offers a full range of insurance cover to holiday home owners.
Each quote is individually calculated by expert staff in order to create a bespoke policy that suits you and your needs. And to help holiday homeowners create the perfect haven for guests to enjoy a relaxing break, Flux has compiled a list of helpful tips when it comes to furnishing a holiday let:
- Opt for neutral, but cosy and warm, décor and choose hard-wearing fabrics for items such as sofas and chairs. Equally, choose heavy-duty carpet or wooden flooring.
- Buy furniture that will last, which is easy to clean and maintain and which will repel stains. Also, if your property is likely to appeal to families, try to keep sharp edges on furniture to a minimum.
- Buy good quality mattresses which will last longer. Also, have more than one set of bed linen to make turn-arounds for new guests faster.
- Create a safe environment for your guests by including a first aid kit somewhere prominent, a list of local emergency contact numbers and a fixed position safe for valuables.
- Don’t go mad with chintz or nick-nacks. While a few personal details are nice, clutter is what your guests have probably come away to avoid.
- Reflect your property’s location with appropriate fixtures and fittings: country cottage charm will look out of place in a city centre apartment.
- If you stay in your own property between lets, make sure your personal items are locked away in a chest or cupboard. And keep the antiques for back at home, rather than in a holiday let where they could get damaged.
- It pays to know who your customers are: if you’re marketing your property as a luxury holiday home, your guests won’t expect nylon sheets and vinyl sofas.
- Include the essentials, such as hygiene products (toilet roll and soap), washing-up liquid, candles, matches, a torch and plenty of kitchen equipment.
- If you’re looking to rent to families, stock up with board games, books, DVDs and toys that you can store in a cupboard and provide a highchair, stairgates and travel cots.
- It’s the little extras that often lead to repeat visits or recommendations: if your holiday home is near the beach, provide buckets and spades and a welcome hamper is always – well – welcome, especially if it contains items like tea, milk, sugar and biscuits.
- Consider providing high-speed internet access: for some guests, it’ll be essential.
Make sure there’s plenty of clothes storage space and a supply of coathangers.- Before guests arrive, make sure all the appliances are working, that the garden is well-maintained and that all the essentials such as towels are clean and in place.
- Don’t forget to leave a visitor book for guests to comment in.
For quick, easy and reasonable holiday home insurance rates, call Adrian Flux on 0333 5555000.
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