For many people here in the United States, a vacation home is not only a place to get away and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but it’s also a home that is filled with incredible memories that you share with family and friends. It’s meant to be that welcome spot for all, where you can leave all the stress at the door, walk in and just unwind. In order to create this kind of atmosphere, you need more than a great destination; there is also the decor and design of the home to take into consideration.

If your vacation home is lacking in personality, or it’s starting to show age and wear and tear, then it’s likely time for some makeover projects on the property. These eight tips can help you to create a vacation home that is more attractive, and thereby more welcoming for you and all your guests.

Give the Place a Fresh Coat of Paint

For those who happen to have a vacation home on a coastline, you know better than anyone just how hard that constant wind and water is on the exterior of your home. This is especially true of salt water, which will age a house very quickly. Take a look at your vacation home with a critical eye looking for faded, chips, and worn paint. Maybe it’s time for a fresh coat?

Sometimes it’s not the house that needs a fresh coat of paint, rather it is the window frames and doors. This job alone will give the house a welcoming and fresh new look.

Invest in Outdoor Furniture

The whole idea behind vacation living is that you want that sense of outdoor living space. You want to feel just as comfortable outside as you do inside. This is where outdoor furniture isn’t just nice, but a necessity. Think of it in terms of creating an outdoor living room, which means you need ample seating, a couple of tables, and decor pieces.

When shopping for patio furniture, be sure to sit down and try out the different styles and materials. Ideally, you want to pick something that is durable and low maintenance that will hold up well for many years to come. You can search for coffee-style tables that are ideal for resting drinks, a good book, and sunscreen on, and even outdoor lighting to really set the mood. Outdoor area rugs can also help create that designated seating area.

You can even take the outdoor living space one step further and have a patio complete with a cover built. Pergolas are incredibly popular, as they allow for some shade but still let some sun through. They also look spectacular and can be a real focal point of the yard. This company, GVD Renovations, Inc., specializes in all kinds of renovation projects, including the construction of patio covers and pergolas.

Plant a Few Gardens

Gardens are another way to give your vacation home life and personality. Now, obviously, you want to pick plants that are low maintenance since you won’t be there on a daily basis to prune and care for them. Plants that are drought resistant don’t require a lot of shaping, and perennials are usually your best bet. In order to create interest in the garden, be sure to pick species that are various shapes, heights, and colors.

Draw Up an Outdoor Lighting Plan

Another outdoor tip is to draw up an exterior lighting plan that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors even once the sun has set. You can use a mixture of lighting mounted on walls, solar lights, rope lighting, path lighting, and even spotlights to highlight various details.

Update Your Window Treatments

Moving indoors, you may want to look at your window treatments with a critical eye. They add personality and style to a room, but they also help to keep it cool inside when the sun is blazing outdoors. One option is to use double layers, with one layer being sheer and natural allowing some light in, and the other being thick like blackout curtains. This allows you to customize just how much light and privacy you have.

Choose a Light and Bright Color Palette

When it comes to the flow inside, you want to be sure that you pick one color palette that continues throughout the entire home. This will help things to feel more cohesive, spacious, and well thought-out. As for the color palette to choose, ideally, you want to go with something light, airy, and bright. If the space is small, you can keep the walls light and use pops of color in your décor instead. Bright colored pillows, throws, area rugs, dishes, and wall art are great examples of “pops of color”.

Add Personal Touches to the Rooms

Just because you aren’t at your vacation home on a daily basis, doesn’t mean you can’t and shouldn’t add personal touches. These touches are what help to make it feel cozier and unique to you. A top designer tip is to create a photo wall of you and your loved ones sharing special moments at your vacation home. These could also include scenery shots that you’ve taken yourself.

When you frame your photos, there’s no need to get matching photo frames; instead, pick a style or color that you want to stick with, and then use a variety of finishes, sizes, and shapes.

Ensure There is Plenty of Storage

Finally, there is the topic of storage. Without proper storage space in your vacation home, things will be strewn about and create an untidy, unorganized, overly crowded, and just disheveled appearance. Ensure you’ve got plenty of space to put all the necessities, which may mean a little creativity on your part.

The Vacation Home of Your Dreams

By using each of these tips, and being sure to inject a lot of your family’s personality into the space, you’ll be able to spruce up your vacation home and make it the home of your dreams.