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Nothing enhances a guest experience quite like beautiful décor. When guests have more enjoyable stays, they leave better reviews.  To illustrate, check out this review of a beautiful Union Pier, MI Rental: “We loved the house, updated decor, and porch. Everything was very new, great condition,…”

With a 5 star rating, this owner is reaping the benefits of investing some time and money in making updates to her property.  So grab your paintbrush and a couple of pals and see what some simple inexpensive improvements will do for your property!

1. Add a bouquet of fresh cut flowers to the living room.  Not only does this create a lovely (scented!) ambiance but at only $15- $35, a bouquet adds a touch of personalization, letting your guests know that you appreciate their stay.  If it’s too difficult to personally deliver the flowers, try a local florist that delivers and ask them to leave the bouquet on the front steps.

2. Throw rugs and Hallway Runners are a great way to add a splash of color and comfort to your home.  Try adding them to your hallways and kitchen for roughly $50 -$100 a rug. Guests will love having something soft under their feet in heavily trafficked areas.  Check out your local home store for the latest and greatest.

3. A shiny new shower curtain can work wonders in your bathroom.  By replacing your shower curtain every year, you’ll not only keep a clean house, but guests will be more likely to return. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $30 for this quick fix.

4. A new coat of paint on your walls or kitchen cabinets can give your home a serious face-lift. Try using colors that compliment the existing décor but don’t require constant cleaning, about $30 a gallon.

5. Add a slip-cover to your sofa.  If your sofa has seen better days, dress it up by adding a slip-cover.  This inexpensive addition (roughly $80 to $130) can change the feel of the whole room while giving your couch a fancy new look.

6. Buy a Hammock. Guests renting your property are looking to lounge and relax, and what better way than on a hammock.  This instant luxury is a simple pleasure that defines vacation for many.  Find a shady spot in the yard to tie to, or check out a self-sustaining hammock for sunnier spots, about $20-$200.

7. Crisp linens enable one of the most important aspects of any good vacation: sleep.  There is no bigger turn off than dingy, spotted sheets when renting a vacation property.  Go with bleach friendly white and you’ll be sure to always have sheets that are fresh and clean.  Sheet sets will cost about $40-$100 depending on the size of your mattress.

8. House plants and foliage add life to a property. Try adding a hint of foliage to your entrance and walkways.  A large pot filled with flowers or hanging baskets of ivy can add a charming touch to your second home. At around $20- $40 a potted plant, this is surefire way to freshen up any space.

9. Update your lighting fixtures. Guests expect warm illumination, not flickering, dated, or fly-infested old light fixtures.  Try replacing ancient fixtures with new lampshades that distribute light in a complimentary way. Ceiling fixtures- $20 and up, Lamps- $30 and up, lampshades- $10 and up.

10. Inexpensive artwork. This is a great way to add a touch of flair to your home for anywhere from $10 to $150 per piece.  Try hanging canvas prints, which look great without frames, or take old photographs and scatter them throughout the house for a touch of nostalgia.  Regardless of what you hang, your guests will appreciate the eye candy.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.