Restyling for the holiday trade
Furnishing a holiday home is a business and an investment - it also involves a lot of work to create the right look to reach the right standard and stay on budget. It is about attention to detail – right down to lamps and cushions.
With the regeneration of Whitehaven and the West Coast and the Lake District on the doorstep, we are seeing more people looking for property they can let for the holiday season. We have certainly seen an increase in the number of houses that have been restyled and upgraded this spring.
The public are very discerning and are demanding better quality accommodation. The Tourist Board have been promoting 4 and 5* properties and there have been grants available to improve accommodation and increase property ratings - there are a lot more 5* houses in West Cumbria than there were 5 years ago!
We work with customers and advise them where they can cut corners and also where it is important to spend their budgets -gone are the days when cheap curtains will do!
Promoting holiday property has become visual
With so many people using the internet, promoting property has become very visual. Houses must now create impact and we are seeing colour coming back on walls and in fabrics and furnishings. Holiday properties are certainly making statements and plain walled properties are being dressed with dramatic fabrics. We are also seeing blues, greens and pinks appearing on walls with much more dramatic window dressings using swags, curtain poles and pinch pleat curtains.
Roman blinds create smart, clean lines and can make a statement. They are also a quick and effective way of introducing colour with numerous good quality fabrics to choose from. The most important thing is that they are good enough quality and easy to use.
With the cost of fuel, global warming and the problems in the overseas holiday property market, it is no wonder that so many are looking for an English Lake District/Cumbrian holiday home. And because they visit more often, they do take the furnishing more personally. Families may let the house but it is still their second home and the quality of the fabrics and furniture is of a very high standard. We see customers buying country oak furniture that’s made here in the UK, great quality and robust so it withstands the wear and tear very well. Quality curtains and this kind of furniture must surely gains points with the Tourist Board who are after all, the people our customers need to impress so they can maximise the profitability of having quality accommodation!
The Cumbrian tourist trade is virtualy year round in some places so we don’t just refurbish holiday homes in the spring – there are projects on the go all year round! If you need advice on how to improve your holiday home, why not contact the Tourist Board or give us a call on 017687 748 48 to find out more.
