Ditch These Outdated Home Design Trends in Your Vacation Rental

Before listing your vacation rental, paying attention to the up-and-coming interior design trends that will help your home stand out from the competition is essential. More importantly, embracing these trends and incorporating them into your home will help you secure more bookings in 2023.

Which Interior Design Trends to Say Goodbye to in Your Vacation Rental from an Interior Designer

If you need extra help, read these tips from an interior designer about the trends to move away from (and the ones to embrace!) in your 2023 vacation rental in Orlando, Tampa, San Antonio, or Austin.

1. Gray & White Walls

Neutral colors, like gray and white interiors, can make your space feel dull — and no one wants to feel bored when they are on vacation.

Instead, try incorporating vibrant colors into your rooms. If you can’t change the colors of your walls, consider home decor pieces, like throw pillows and vases in your living room or a trendy patterned rug in your bathroom. Just stay away from all-white walls and surfaces, and ensure your home has some color and personality!

2. Accent Walls

You may be surprised to hear this, but wallpaper is making a big comeback. Instead of decorating an accent wall with paint, consider a patterned wallpaper on that wall instead. Or, if you like the wallpaper enough — add it to all four walls!

If you’re creating a themed vacation rental, you may even find a fun, themed wallpaper that can transform a blank canvas into a magical escape.

3. Open Floor Plan

Open-concept living spaces were once all the rage, but over the past few years, design experts have watched homeowners shy away from this trend and opt for traditionally-divided rooms in hopes to find more privacy after spending so much time at home during the pandemic.

Open-concept floor plans aren’t going away — so don’t panic if your kitchen and living room are connected. On vacation, people are less concerned about separating private spaces than they would be in their own homes, so this is one trend that won’t affect vacation rental owners as much as homeowners.

4. Black Hardware

Black hardware is a bold design choice that has been very popular for bathrooms and kitchens over the past couple of years.

However, according to interior designers, homeowners and rental owners should opt for lighter hardware, like brushed nickel or brass, in 2023. Hardware changes are also one of the easiest and most affordable home renovations, so if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive way to modernize your rental — this is a great option.

5. Matching Furniture

You may be relieved that matching furniture is on its way out. In fact, big-box retailers aren’t even selling furniture sets anymore, which should definitely tell you — this is an outdated way to decorate your space.

Instead, mix-and-match vintage and antique furniture that has more charm and character. Not only will you save money and reduce your environmental impact, but your space will have a modern, creative, and personalized element that renters will love. If you are furnishing your rental for the first time, read this Airbnb Furniture Checklist for ensure you have everything you need.

6. Minimalism

If you can’t already tell by the comeback of wallpaper, bright colors, and mismatched furniture — minimalism is no longer a trend you need to embrace in 2023 for your vacation rental. Say goodbye to all-white paint and simplistic spaces and focus on embracing a modern, layered design with lots of texture, color, and pattern.

7. Classic Farmhouse

If you’re tired of the farmhouse style — most interior designers are right there with you. The country farmhouse look, complete with rustic barn doors, kitschy furniture, and motivational wall art with words like “Gather” and “Family,” is a trend that is fading fast.

However, you don’t have to say goodbye to the farmhouse style completely. Over the last few years, the Modern Farmhouse and European Farmhouse styles have become more popular. The former includes more contemporary design choices and natural materials, like wood and stone, and the latter includes vintage furniture and practical pieces to create a charming “old-world” style.

8. Subway Tiles

There isn’t anything wrong with the vertical lines and matching colors of a subway-tile backsplash on your kitchen wall. However, if you’re already considering revamping your kitchen space, a new backsplash that is more “on-trend” wouldn’t be a bad idea.

For a more modern style, choose geometric tiles or rustic ceramics to create an eye-catching statement piece in your kitchen, or incorporate some unexpected color into your backsplash, like powder pink or an earthy green that matches your kitchen.

9. Faux Finishes

Sure, wood tile and porcelain marble may help you save some money. However, the quality of these items is not nearly as good as it would be if you installed the real thing.

That is why “faux” luxury decor is quickly being replaced by real wood flooring, quartz countertops, and marble bathtubs. Not only will these luxury upgrades make your spaces feel more stylish, but since they are high-quality items, they will last much longer.

10. Synthetic Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics, like polyester, nylon, and rayon, will be replaced by natural materials in 2023, like organic cotton, leather, or bamboo. Not only are these materials better for the environment, but they are of higher quality and are longer lasting.

Modernize Your Vacation Rental with an Experienced Interior Designer

If you need some help getting rid of these outdated home design trends and incorporating more modern design elements in their place, give our team at THE STAGING COMPANY a call. We offer expert interior decorating and staging services for homeowners and property owners in East Texas and Florida.