Embrace minimalism 

By keeping your home simple and stocking only what is truly needed, you create a space that is easier to clean and more enjoyable as well. No one likes digging through kitchen cabinets for a certain pot or plate, and do you really need 16 coffee mugs? Pare down your dishes, towels, and home decor items for a more streamlined home. If you are truly worried about running out of something, use an extra closet (or under the bed storage) to keep extra items on hand. You might be surprised that you never use them.

White & bright  

Have you ever noticed that most hotels and vacation rentals use only white sheets and towels? This isn’t by accident! White is easily washed and bleached as needed, and doesn’t show wear and tear as quickly as colored fabrics. If you are worried about mixing up towels with family members, try sewing a different colored button or ribbon onto the corner of each one to keep them straight. You can also assign a designated hook to each person. Here is a cute tutorial for towel ribbons!

Go hookless  

Simplify bedding  

Choose durable materials  

Vacation rental owners know that it’s worth it to invest in quality hard flooring (we love the new luxury vinyl plank options!) and easy care, wipeable counters and furniture in high-traffic spaces. This is true in your home, too! While carpet is cheaper to install, it holds dirt and stains and needs to be replaced more often. Hard flooring is a great investment in any home. For counters, we love the durability of quartz and the affordability and look of laminate.

Perfect paint   

Semi gloss or satin paint are the best choices for our vacation rentals because they are the easiest to clean. While flat paint is easier to touch up, semi gloss and satin are more "scrubbable". A little dish soap, water, and a clean rag can make quick work of dirty walls and trim. These finishes also tend to have a more luxurious sheen than flat paint, which makes your space more cozy and inviting. 

Some other suggestions include leaving a cordless stick vacuum within easy reach, especially if you have pets or kids running around. We also like to use baskets and bins to corral items. Try a basket for shoes near the door, another for blankets near the couch, and a little one on the coffee table for remotes. 

Our Island Real Estate beach house owners and staff love using these tricks to keep our rentals clean and bright.