Everyone loves the idea of a vacation home, a dream getaway and your own personal sanctuary. Vacation homes are designed to serve as secondary homes or holiday residences that are perfect for getaways and mini-vacations. While these house plans are typically small; they offer many of the comforts of home. Typically, vacation homes are built anywhere between 1200 to 1800 sq ft of living space. Whether you are investing in one story house plans or multi story house plans for your vacation home, there are certain features and amenities that can make all the difference. It is important to add amenities and features that ensure comfort, convenience and long-term value. Let’s take a look at some of the top features you must have in your vacation home.
1. Luxury linen and Bedding
Few people understand the difference that luxury bedding and linen can make to the comfort of your home. Just because it is a vacation home, you shouldn’t thrift on one of the most essential attractions of a vacation: sleep. Invest in high-quality, luxury bedding that is crafted from authentic, natural fabrics like Egyptian cotton and high-thread fabrics. Quality bedding is not only comfortable and breathable but also hypoallergenic and soothing for your skin.If budget is not a constraint, invest in hotel-quality mattresses such as memory foam, innerspring, latex etc for excellent support and pressure relief. Your best bet is a medium-firm mattress that tends to suit most people. Those opting to rent out their vacation homes must consider monochromatic linens that can be all washed together for easy maintenance.
2. Mudroom
What is a vacation without some fun outdoor activities? However, cleaning the outdoor debris in your vacation home like snow, dirt, and sand is much less fun. Adding a mudroom to your vacation home can provide a transition area between the outdoors and living spaces. This helps you to keep your home clean and organized after outdoor activities. A well-designed mudroom allows you to take off all shoes and jackets to keep the debris out of your living area. Choose durable flooring material and place heavy-duty floor mats or rugs at the entrance to trap dirt and moisture. It is a good idea to create some storage space and a coat rack.
3. Fully equipped kitchen
A large kitchen equipped with all the essentials is a highly valuable addition to your vacation home. Invest in modern appliances such as a refrigerator, oven, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee maker. Ensure you have lots of cabinetry to store food items, and adequate countertop spaces for families or friends to cook together. You can even consult a professional builder to see how you can optimize kitchen space.
Additionally, vacation homes with fully functional kitchens are more attractive to renters as many vacationers prefer the option of cooking their own meals. A quality kitchen can also justify higher rental rates.
4. Outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces are at the heart of a good vacation home. Choose a vacation house plan that can accommodate patios or decks to enjoy outdoor dining, lounging, and entertaining. Your outdoor space can be an extension of your indoor living area with the right design. Create elements like an al fresco kitchen, a barbecue area, a bar or a dining space.
Some other ways you can encourage your friends and family to engage with the outdoors are by adding elements like a walkable garden, or a fire pit. A well-designed outdoor area can make a dramatic difference in your property’s rental value.
5. Landscaping
Landscaping adds a unique charm to your vacation home. But remember to choose landscaping plans that are low-maintenance so that you can give adequate care and effort to the space.
Choosing native landscaping is a clever way to beautify your home while also protecting your home and surroundings from storm surges, wildfires and other natural calamities that you may not be around to handle. A local landscaper or gardener can advise you on the best native plants to choose. Also, balance the hardscape and softscape elements to suit the local conditions.
6. Comfortable Interiors
The inside is equally important. The layout of your home should focus on comfort and functionality. An open floor plan is a great addition to the vacation home layout because it naturally creates a spacious, airy feel while enabling easy movement and family interaction. Homes with large windows, natural light, ventilation and a seamless connection between the living spaces look more inviting and charming. Choose high-quality comfortable furnishings such as cozy sofas, dining tables, lush beds etc to make your home a welcoming retreat.
Many house plans feature modern amenities and smart home features such as automated lighting, climate control and security systems. Adding recreational elements like a swimming pool or a hot tub can further elevate the feeling of vacation.
Conclusion
Be it for personal use or a rental home, designing a vacation home carefully can transform your vacation home into a dream come true that offers both enjoyment and financial benefits.
