When I say, “Up your Game”, I mean take care of all the things that you have not had time for in the past because you were too busy with customers. You know, things such as maintenance, painting and re-decorating. Why? When things open back up, people will likely be more than ready to want to get and travel, visit new places or family in other areas. Many vacation rental owners may be running special deals, trying to make up for lost income. You want your vacation rental to stand out from the crowd and your competition.

While you may be reluctant to spend any money on your vacation rental right now, if it is possible for you to do, it could reap future rewards and then some. I know from experience. See my article, Does Your Vacation Rental Stand Out from the Crowd Online for some tips.

Re-designing your Vacation Rental Can Reap Big Rewards

• • Double your bookings and income
  • Attract your ideal customer
  • Create listing photos that give you a competitive edge online.

Things to Consider Before Redesigning Your Vacation Rental

• • Who is your ideal customer? What do they want? What kind of activities do they enjoy? Are they looking for budget accommodations or something more luxurious?
  • Take an honest look around. Is your décor way out of date? You may be used to seeing it this way but that shows up loud and clear in your listing photos.
  • What kind of comments have you received in customer reviews about the comfort of your space? Have you taken action to address every single negative comment?
  • Have the bedspreads, pillows, blankets, sheets or towels seen better days and need replacing?
  • Are the colors in the room conducive to providing a calm and restful atmosphere?
  • Is everything in perfect running order? You know, no sticking toilet handles, loose drawer handles or lights that need replacing? Are all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors up to date and working with fresh batteries? Fire extinguishers inspected and ready to go?
  • Do your online photos look better than your competitions photos? Are they professional photos?
  • Does your website not just talk about the room details, but portray an “experience”? If so, is that experience what your ideal customers are looking for?
  • Are you charging a price that is within the budget of your ideal customer, and are you providing the experience, amenities etc. that they want and expect?
  • Are you charging enough? Do you want to charge more? How can you increase the value in terms of looks, comfort and experience so you can charge what you want?
  • Have you considered what new procedures you plan to implement to deal with keeping yourself and guest safe from the virus? We know it will still be present in a most countries for quite some time.
  • See my article, Designing your Bed and Breakfast to Keep You and Your Guests Safe.

How Interior Design Can Really Up Your Game

• • Update your color scheme to create a mood and atmosphere that will appeal to your guests.
  • Update your furnishings, accessories, lighting and bedding so it looks current, fresh and new.
  • Consider whether your current layout could be re-arranged to provide more space or ease of movement, which is really important in a small space.
  • Attract your ideal customer. We all have our perfect guests. Wouldn’t you like to attract those people all the time?
  • Create an atmosphere and “experience” that will attract guests more than just a nice looking, comfortable room.
  • Increase your nightly price and overall bookings. I increased my price by $40 per night and more than doubled my bookings after re-designing my Bed and Breakfast.
  • Set your property up to get great professional listing photos. Your online photos should be more appealing and better quality than your competition.
  • Improve your customer reviews.

I started my Bed and Breakfast over 20 years ago. After I became an Interior Designer, Home Stager and Color Strategist, I learned a lot of things that I was able to use to make a huge difference in my Bed and Breakfast business that I had never considered before. Every year, I had always made improvements to make my business better. Of all the things I tried, redesigning the way it looked to appeal to my ideal customers had the greatest impact by far.

Shop the Look

Need Help Desgigning Your Vacation Rental or Bed and Breakfast?

Why not try my online Vacation Rental Consultation. Find out everything you need to do to create a beautiful space that attracts your ideal customer and gives you great photos for your online marketing. I also offer website reviews and social media advertising.

Pin These

Aligned Design©– All Rights Reserved.

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer |  Brochure

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

Lighting is Magic

Yes you can make magic happen in your home with lighting!

Lighting is magic. Lighting can make a huge difference in how your home looks and feels. You have probably heard that layering your lighting, and having three sources such as overhead lighting, table or floor lamps and task lighting is important. But what does that really mean and how does it look? And is that all you need to do to really get the look you are going for?  I find that lighting is a problem for many people when I do design consultations. For some reason, here in Alaska there are many homes that do not even have overhead lighting in the main living area. Many people do not have enough layered light sources. It can leave your room feeling uninspired, as well as make it difficult to do whatever tasks you want to do in your space.

Beautiful Lighting is Perfect for a Party

I recently created this Edesign which I thought would be a great example to show you what I mean when I say, “create magic with lighting”.

I wanted to create a room that would be perfect for an elegant adult Birthday party that could be used as a virtual background for Zoom events.

I created this room with a sideboard with the Birthday cake and other goodies as well as an area for wine and cocktails. The side tables are set with cocktail glasses and the coffee table with wine and cheese. Birthday presents are stacked on the floor near two of the chairs.

What do you want your light to highlight?

The design and colors were inspired by my fractal art, “Deep Purple” which I used over the sideboard. The paint color was selected to work with the art. I chose to create this room in a city and used modern furnishings. I would call this Modern Global Style.

Natural Daylight

My first render of the space was done in using natural day light.  Notice how the wall color looks, and how the accents for the party stand out, or should I say blend in, in the render.

Night Lighting- One Layer

I decided to try a night scene and play with the lighting to create a more “magical” atmosphere.  In this render, I only used overhead lighting. Notice the change in how the paint color appears (a little washed out). The rug colors also appear dull. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.

Night Lighting- 2 Layers

Next, I dimmed the overhead lights and I added light to the two lamps on the end tables so there was a second layer of light. This brought back a little of the richness of the paint color and a little more color to the rug. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.

Night Lighting- 5 Layers

Finally, I turned off some of the overhead lights, and made other brighter over the end tables and coffee table to highlight the food and other goodies.  I added accent lights over the art and sideboard to make them really stand out.  I added up lighting under the trees so they would sparkle. The additional layers of controlled and directed light showed off all the different colors of the paint and really made it come alive. I changed the color of light in the lamps to make it warmer.  And voila, magic!!

Here are some other views of the room. Notice how the lighting highlights different aspects of the party atmosphere.

In summary, to create a beautiful lighting plan for your room,  layer your lighting, control the lighting brightness, direction and color and add lighting to highlight the aspects of your room that are important such as your focal points and art.

Need Help with Your Design?

Are you getting ready for a special event or need help creating a little magic in your home? Try one of my Edesign services.my Aligned Design consultation or my coaching call.

Pin These

Another year has passed and Mother’s Day is coming up in a week. What are you going to do to make your Mother’s day?

My mom is 92 and I have mentioned before, she at the point in her life where she is not interested in collecting more things, so I am more careful about what I can give her. Often it is flowers or a gift card to a local book store.  I am not sure yet what this years gift will be. How about you?

What are you going to do to make your Mother’s day?  Why not give her the gift of a beautiful home this year with a Mother’s Day gift card for an Aligned Design Interior Design and color consultation from Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mothers out there!

Gift Cards

My 6 hour online design and color consultation  takes a holistic approach and considers at art, science and energy to create a plan for her perfect space.  Look great, feel great and be great. Add $100 for an in-person consultation. Learn More

Give a Gift Now

Pin These

Some families own a second home that’s rarely used, and others travel frequently enough that renting out their residence can become an income source. With numerous websites available that give you access to millions of vacationers and short-term renters, there’s a high chance that you can find someone to rent your property while you’re away. To attract visitors to your home and get the best return on investment, you should consider upgrading and sprucing up your place. Here are a few upgrades to include, as well as other considerations to make during the process.

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design offers award-winning staging and design for homes and vacation properties! Call 907-362-0065 or email info@northernlightsstaging.com

Know the Rules

• • First things first: Can you even rent out your place? Some areas won’t allow you to rent out your property, and those that do might only allow longer rentals, such as gated communities that require a six-month minimum lease for renters. Check on the rules about short-term vacation rentals in your area before you consider going this route.

Location

Location is a big part of why renters choose to stay somewhere. If you’re looking to buy a vacation property, focus on areas that are central or in proximity to the city’s hottest tourist attractions and hippest neighborhoods. If you already own a home, highlight the best of what the neighborhood has to offer. Your listing should emphasize things to do nearby and walkability to restaurants and shops.

Pricing

Figuring out how to price your property is tricky because you want to attract visitors who are looking to spend less than they would at a hotel, but you also want to profit from the arrangement. It’s not just the mortgage that you need to recoup, but HOA fees as well. When your listing is still new, it’s important to have an attractive price for renters who are unsure about a new property with no reviews. As you build up a solid reputation, you can price your property higher.

Listing

When renters search for homes to stay in during their vacation, they first look at the location, number of bedrooms, and price. Beyond that, there’s more that can draw renters to your listing. Be sure to make your listing stand out by posting quality photos taken in good light and showcasing the best features of your place. Five-star reviews can also go a long way toward getting renters to trust you. The happier your first guests are, the more likely they’ll leave good reviews so that your listing gains popularity and you can charge higher rates in the future.

Amenities

Renters want the comforts of a home away from home. A nice fridge, dishwasher, laundry in the unit, A/C, heater, parking spots, and high-speed internet are attractive features that make guests enjoy their stay. If your place has a pool and/or hot tub, then you’ll have an even easier time attracting guests.

Design

Unless you’re renting out a rustic cabin in the mountains, you’re probably better off with a clean, modern design inside your home. Potential upgrades include new wood flooring and panels, countertops made of granite, quartz or marble, upgraded lighting fixtures to replace old lamps, new doorknobs and faucet handles, and a fresh paint job. Great design and color are key to attracting your ideal guests and increasing your income and bookings. Know who your target market is, what they want and decorate to attract them. You can also opt to redecorate the home by settling on a theme or style and choosing design elements that complement that style. Enlisting the help of a professional designer or color consultant can make a big difference in getting the results you want.

Mind Your Business

An important part of gearing up to run a vacation rental is setting up the proper business structure. There are many different business structures, but the one that typically works best in the vacation rental industry is a limited liability corporation (LLC). An LLC is more flexible and protective than a traditional corporation, it can be used for property purchases, and any debts will belong to the business solely. If you opt to set up an LLC, a formation service can quickly and easily guide you through the step-by-step process to put your mind at ease.

If your home is sitting around unused for part of the year, why not make some income from it? The key is to own property that’s comfortable for you while being inviting for guests. With the right upgrades — in addition to enlisting the help of a home stager like Northern Lights Home Staging and Design — your home will become a desirable rental property.

Written by guest blogger Dennis Kane of the WinterizeGuys. Dennis and his brother Ron are experts on what it takes to protect your home and family from winter weather and they created their website and new book to help keep you warm!

Need Help Desgigning Your Vacation Rental or Bed and Breakfast?

Why not try my online Vacation Rental Consultation. Find out everything you need to do to create a beautiful space that attracts your ideal customer, increases your income and bookings  and gives you great photos for your online marketing.  

Pin These

Pin These

Zoom meetings are becoming our new normal. 

We are working, learning and entertaining from home online to stay connected. Our co-workers, parents, teachers and students now have an intimate look into our homes whether we like it or not! Or do they? Not if you have a great Zoom background!

Turn your messy bedroom or kitchen table into a beautiful office, or a beautifully decorated living room set up for a party designed by an Interior Designer!   

The EDesign Tribe has created beautiful Zoom Room Backgrounds to download through a fun #MyZoomRoom Contest for it’s Edesigners.  The most downloads by for a designer wins the challenge! Search through more than 100 high-quality, 4K renders created by professional designers to find the perfect virtual backgrounds for you for any occasion.

I have 9 zoom backgrounds including 3 of a beautiful, serene office, 3 of a beautifully elegant living room for a party, and 3 colorful living rooms in the forest, beach or the city. You can use code MaryAnn to get any one of my Zoom Rooms for free. A download is a vote for me in the contest and I appreciate that!

There are lots of other beautiful designs as well for you to look at. The Edesign Tribe is an amazing group of designers that are raising the bar for Edesign worldwide!  There are a variety of styles for everyone!

This is also a great way to support small businesses. 

Click on any of the images below to purchase them for  $10 each and vote for me in the contest.  Get one free with code MaryAnn. 

To learn more about how to use a virtual background for zoom meetings, check out my blog article The #MyZoomRoom Challenge.

Living Room Virtual Backgrounds

Learn more about this Beach House design and shop the look in my blog article, Start with the Art.

Learn more about this design and shop the look in my blog article, Bring the Outdoors In with Interior Design.

Event Virtual Backgrounds

These backgrounds were created to celebrate an elegant adult birthday party, Valentines day or other special event where you might exchange presents and celebrate with adult beverages and treats. The mood is magical with beautiful lighting. Learn more about this design and shop the look in my blog article, How to  Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting.

Office Virtual Backgrounds

These office backgrounds were created to provide a beautiful, stress-free office setting that brings the outside in and has a feeling of spring. Find out more about how this design was created and shop this look in my blog article, How to Work from Home Stress Free.

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Pin These

Today I spent a lot of time thinking about my mom. I realized Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend and was wondering what I could do for her.

My mom is 91 and at this point in her life she is not interested in collecting more things, so I am more careful these days about what I can give her that does not add to her collection of stuff when she is trying to eliminate things. As an artist, I often make things for her….but then again, it is just more “stuff”. Sometimes I get her gift cards for her local book store because she likes to read. But, I prefer she does not go out if she doesn’t have to so will skip that idea this year. Sometimes I get her a gift of a massage…but that is out right now too.

Considering she is 91 and has some heart issues, I Facetime her every day to make sure she is OK. Today, I tried and tried and there was no answer. I was starting to panic a bit and called, and found everything was OK (she just didn’t hear the ring on her ipad). Just another reminder, life is short, times are hard right now and the most vulnerable among us are important to try to keep safe and check up on them.

I can’t be there with her on her birthday, as I am in Alaska and she is in Florida. If I could I would not risk exposing her to the risk if I were to travel. So, it is what it is.

So I finally decided on a bouquet of flowers…roses in all different colors. I know she will love them for the short time they are in bloom and the smell in her home will be heavenly.

So how about you? What are you going to do to make your Mother’s day?  Why not try something new. Give her the gift of a beautiful home this year with  a Mother’s Day gift card for an Interior Design or color consultation from Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mothers out there!

Gift Cards

I have gift cards available for all my online design and color services which you can learn more about here. For an in-person consultation, give me a call  for pricing and I will send you a gift certificate.

Pin This

The eDesign Tribe has created the first Zoom Room Background Download Contest for it’s Edesigners.  The most downloads by 4/17/20 wins the challenge!  I have 3 zoom backgrounds of a beautiful, serene office. Go Green!

If you like any of my designs, I would love your vote. It’s $10 to download one background and if you do, it is equal to one vote for me. Click on the images below for the links to my designs. My designs are on page 3.

There are lots of other beautiful designs as well for you to look at. The Edesign Tribe is an amazing group of designers that are raising the bar for Edesign worldwide!  There are a variety of styles for everyone!

This is also a great way to support small businesses and of course, make your background look amazing while you are working at home.

Find out more about how this design was created and shop this look in my blog article,  How to Work from Home Stress Free.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS & DOWNLOAD YOUR #ZOOMROOM BACKGROUND

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Pin These