Furnishing a three-bedroom short-term rental vacation home

Furnishing a three-bedroom short-term rental vacation home: review of design, layout and pricing

Karen Lau

April 7, 2025

From Concept to Fully Furnished: Josh’s Design Journey

Josh, a busy parent and investor, was thrilled to design his very first 3-bedroom house. He came to us with a vibrant Pinterest board full of ideas, reflecting his personal style. At the same time, this house is meant to generate income as a short-term rental vacation home. He is well aware that sticking to a budget and launching the rental is more important than showcasing his own personal style in this house. With a $30k budget in mind, carefully planned using our handy furnishing cost calculator, Josh chose Furnishr’s turnkey service to set up this vacation home from scratch.

The Furnishr team set up the whole house from scratch in 3 weeks for me. I could not have done this myself. Our guests love the designs. The whole house is consistent in style and colors.

Josh

Property investor

Design Goals

Property Type 3-bedroom house in the mountains
Budget: $30k USD
Timeline: Furnished in 4-5 weeks
Location: McArthur, Ohio

After a design consultation with Josh, we understood the main objectives for this house.

Durability and low maintenance

Since this is a short-term rental property, we will prioritize the use of durable and low-maintenance materials and avoid light upholstery in favour of dark, textured, or patterned fabrics like leather and performance textiles
Solid wood and metal surfaces will ensure longevity, while washable slipcovers or removable cushion covers provide easy upkeep

Maximizing occupancy with flexible layout and furniture arrangement

To accommodate large groups comfortably, the space will offer flexible and abundant seating, including multi-functional and modular seating in the living area
The dining space will be well-equipped with spacious dining table options and a mix of chairs and benches
Sleeping arrangements will be varied and adaptable, with a mix of king, queen, and twin beds, as well as bunk beds and sleeper sofas
Outdoor spaces will be designed for gathering and relaxation, featuring a large dining and lounge furniture made from durable materials like teak, metal, and composite wood
Shade solutions such as pergolas and umbrellas, along with weather-resistant cushions, will ensure comfort in all seasons

Storage solutions

Storage solutions will be practical and thoughtfully integrated, including coat racks, cabinets, and dressers for guest convenience

Cohesive design for the house and the environment

The house is full of its own characters and is located on a mountain
While Josh loves many modern finishes himself, the product selections and finishes need to align with the style of the house and interior architecture to give a welcoming and relaxing vacation experience to his guests

Design Concept

To achieve the design objectives, we start with the high-level inspiration styles and color palette first. These inspiration concepts need to align with the interior style and colors of the house.

The use of natural wood tones grounds the space with an earthy, cozy feel, balanced by the organic textures of the decor
Classic elements come through in the layered textiles, such as the patterned rugs, which bring a sense of texture and warmth to the clean lines of the furniture
The neutral and monochrome color palette, with accents of taupes and clays, creates a modern yet transitional aesthetic

Colors and materials

Choosing colors for interior design involves selecting hues that complement the space’s function, mood, and aesthetic. We consider factors like lighting, room size, and the desired atmosphere, balancing trends with timeless tones to create harmonious, visually appealing environments. We use a 60-30-10 rule to help create a balanced color scheme.

The 60-30-10 Rule

60%

of the room should feature a dominant color (e.g., walls, large furniture)

30%

a secondary color for contrast and support (e.g., upholstery, accent walls)

10%

an accent color to add vibrancy and interest (e.g., pillows, artwork).

Light Neutral Base

is the main color for the walls and large surface areas in the house that works as a blank canvas for layering

Rustic Wood Tones

add warmth, depth, and a sense of comfort to a space, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere

Neutral Wood Tones

show a versatile and balanced shade that sits between warm and cool undertones

Secondary Accents

can be in the form of muted color pops, textured layers, smaller-scale patterns, or decorative accessories and can be used as a wall accent color too

Primary Accents

serve as focal points, adding vibrancy and visual interest without overwhelming the overall design

Mood boards

Space planning and layout

Zoning – since this house is meant for multiple families and groups of friends to enjoy, we ensured the various common areas have flexible seating to accommodate different activities.

Budget allocation

Budget allocation for furnishing projects involves strategically distributing funds across four key categories: core essentials, secondary, extras and styling accessories. With a $30k budget to accommodate 8-10 guests, this is our split for core essentials, secondary items, extra pieces and styling elements.

Core Essentials - 66%

The largest portion goes to core essentials, which cover crucial items like major furniture pieces. These are the foundational pieces that define functionality and set the tone for the entire home. Invest in high-quality durable sofas, beds, dining tables and storage pieces that are in a timeless style and neutral colours to ensure longevity.

Secondary - 20%

The second-largest chunk is dedicated to secondary items, such as additional furniture and functional pieces. These pieces, such as side tables, console tables, ottomans and bookshelves, complement your core essentials, enhancing usability and comfort.

Extras - 8%

Extra items are allocated for less essential but desired additions. These finishing touches make your space feel complete and personal, like artwork, mirrors, plants.

Styling - 8%

Styling accessories are needed to enhance the overall aesthetic of the space. This category adds layers, textures and personality to the space. Examples from this category include rugs, throw pillows, table lamps.