How to furnish your property for the holiday letting market

Let Cornwall inspire you
It doesn’t get much more inspiring than the Duchy. Cornwall stimulates creativity which should be presented when decorating your holiday home; from the colour of the sea to the texture of the gorse that fringes the coastline, Cornwall has the perfect colour palette.

Celebrate this beautiful part of the world in your own way, whether you choose to use a Cornish artist, hang photography of local views or opt for coast-inspired tableware… there are many ways to bring Cornwall into the interior of your property. After all, guests want to fully immerse themselves in Cornwall living.

Photography sells
Good imagery is key to securing bookings, and what might look stylish in reality, might not photograph quite so well. We like our photographers to capture detail shots as well as property overviews to give an insider look; soft furnishings like plump cushions and throws not only look inviting but give a stylised feel to an image. We also find an exposed period feature, ornate lamp or cosy window seat make for a fabulous picture. A blank wall with standout artwork tends to lend itself more to a lens than elaborate wallpaper.

Special features
Visitors are always scoping out special features, whether it be a wood-burning fire, a bubbling hot tub or a private balcony. So, when considering your budget, see it as an investment. It may seem costly, but the bookings will soon roll in.

Be practical and adaptable
Adding a sofa bed or opting for a zip ‘n’ link set up can make all the difference to securing bookings. If you’re renovating, is there the option for an extra downstairs toilet? Or perhaps your property is close to the sea, an outdoor shower and wetsuit hook can be a deal breaker for beach enthusiasts.

While it’s good to maximise the potential, be practical too. Don’t overstretch your property, all guests will need somewhere to sit in the lounge, or around a table to eat or socialise, so be realistic.

Cornish Secrets property: No 5, Gwel Marten

Clear clutter and anything personal
It might be that you’ve once lived in your home, or you spend a lot of time there but make sure you remove any family photos or anything with sentimental value. Less is often more, while you don’t want big empty spaces, self-catering tends to allow guests to get more square meterage so don’t cram in too much. Additional furniture, or too many ornaments requires more dusting and will make the property look much smaller.

Stay there yourself
It might seem silly, but we always encourage owners to spend a few nights in your property before you let it. You may spot things you’re unhappy with that you wouldn’t notice unless you’d stayed over.