Furnishing groups of vacation rental units for property investors at once

Furnishing and decorating a vacation rental property may seem like a daunting task, but imagine completing five or six units at once. I do this often for my clients. Investors buy properties, and I get those units ready to list on Airbnb and Vrbo. To make things easier, I developed a system to streamline not only the creative process of vacation-rental interior design but also the logistics of project management.

Boring B&Bs don’t inspire bookings

When an investor group hires me to furnish multiple short-term rental properties at once, this typically means they are buying a group of units in a newly constructed planned development. Working with new builds provides a clean slate to start from, but it can also lend itself to boring builder-grade finishes.

But boring units don’t attract as much attention from vacationers. So, I work hard to make the units both functional and attractive.

As an experienced interior designer, I begin by creating a design plan. This involves selecting a color palette plus a design theme. I work with my clients to choose a great theme that gives potential renters a specific feeling. That feeling should inspire more bookings.

• Which feeling would be most attractive to your ideal renter?
• Does your ideal renter want adventure, relaxation, or both?
• Will this unit cater to couples, families, or large groups?
• Can we tie the theme to the location? If it’s near a lake, we might choose a lakeside theme since that’s the type of vacation vibe people heading to that destination expect.
• Is your ideal customer looking for something budget-friendly or luxurious? Is their taste traditional, eclectic, rustic?

I research to help answer those questions and more. Then, I use the design plan to guide all my decisions going forward.

I present the clients with a custom Design Board early in the process. This helps them envision the potential outcome of the design before spending money on decor and furnishings.

Designing a portfolio of investment properties that is consistent and unique

Once we have an agreed-upon color palette and design theme, I list each room in each B&B unit and detail all of the furniture required in each space.

I then work with my vendor network to source furniture that fits within the projected budget and time frame. These items need to be well made and sturdy, since they will get a lot of use in a busy vacation rental.

I order the furniture for the entire portfolio of units simultaneously. I try to limit myself to just two furniture sources, even when dealing with multiple properties. This helps streamline my communication with vendors and delivery services.

When furnishing multiple units for the same investor, I choose nearly the same furnishings for each unit. There could be slight variations based on availability, but generally, the bulk of the furniture is the same from unit to unit – within that project.

But you might ask, “If the furniture matches, won’t all the units in that set look exactly alike?” Actually, no, they won’t.

A consistent furniture selection establishes a baseline design aesthetic, but many other design factors must be considered.

Each unit becomes unique in the next step: Choosing the soft goods and accent pieces. In this step, I choose a variety of

• bedding
• decorative pillows
• lamps
• custom artwork
• and other accessories

It’s all about the details. The specific decor selections give each property its own look. Each vacation rental unit archives its unique feel by layering various decor and artwork.

Planning the logistics & timelines in vacation rental interior design is critical

After ordering the large furniture pieces, I set out to choose the vendors for each decor item.

However, unlike the furniture, I order the decor pieces for one unit at a time. Many decor boxes will land at my warehouse, and ordering them in groups (by unit) helps keep them organized.

I must pay close attention to details such as:

• Ensuring the bedding is the right size for each mattress
• Each rug is the right size for that particular room
• How much artwork is needed for each room
• The dimensions of each window that needs curtains
• And so much more!

I work on one unit at a time – selecting, ordering, and receiving each decor piece.

For most of my clients, I have all the decor shipped to my warehouse near Branson, Missouri. This becomes the central hub for the project. This process is more efficient and secure than shipping pieces directly to each property. This way, products aren’t being dropped off on the front steps of an unoccupied rental property.

I find thorough note keeping is critical. As each piece arrives at my warehouse, we label it with the unit address (or unit number) and store it until setup time.

I then move on to the next unit and repeat the whole process – until all items are received.

When it comes time to place the items into the units, we typically set up one rental at a time. But sometimes, due to circumstances outside our control, we have units overlapping and are working on multiple units simultaneously.

Outsource to the pros: Partner with an experienced vacation rental interior designer

Furnishing several vacation rentals at once can be hectic. And you don’t want your investments to face unnecessary delays and complications. So you must stay very organized.

When I work on a project like this, I create numerous lists, spreadsheets, and design boards that clearly map out the plan and the execution of furnishing and decorating.

I also use a digital design program to create a visual representation of each room with the exact pieces of furniture and decor for that room. I print and tape each design plan in each room and have products moved from the warehouse into the correct spaces. This helps the team smoothly execute the setup process.

I am a certified short-term rental stylist, mainly working with interior design clients in the Tri-Lakes area of southwest Missouri.

Property investors trust Branson Upstaging to make their vacation rentals look great. I partner with both local and out-of-town rental property owners. I handle the design plan, ordering, and receiving – as well as the final setup – leaving my clients free to handle other important matters.

If you live far away from your investments, I become your local “point person” during the interior design and furnishing phase.

Contact me today to schedule a free discovery call.

- Owner, Holly Jones

About Branson Upstaging: Holly Jones with Branson Upstaging specializes in residential interior design and vacation rental interior design. She works with local clients in the greater Springfield-Branson MO area as well as remote clients around the United States.