30 seconds summary
- When buying a home with rental potential, it’s important to focus on design choices that appeal to both short-term renters and future buyers.
- Key strategies include creating versatile spaces with modern amenities, ensuring a functional layout, and investing in durable, easy-to-maintain finishes. Adding features like open-concept living areas, attractive outdoor spaces, and updated kitchens and bathrooms can increase rental demand and resale value.
- Neutral color schemes, high-quality flooring, and smart home technology are also appealing. The goal is to balance aesthetics and practicality to attract renters and future buyers alike.
Investing in a home with strong rental potential is a powerful strategy: you enjoy personal use of the property, generate income when you’re not there, and improve long‑term resale value. But success isn’t just about location and price it’s about how the home is designed and finished. Thoughtful design choices can increase nightly rates, improve guest satisfaction, shorten vacancy periods, and make the property more appealing to future buyers.
To bring these ideas to life, we’ll reference Artist Cottage Woodstock in Woodstock, New York, a converted artist’s studio cottage that exemplifies many high‑impact design and amenity decisions that make a property attractive to guests and buyers alike.
1. Understanding What Guests & Buyers Want
Before diving into design specifics, it’s key to understand the two audiences you’re designing for:
Short‑Term Guests
People booking vacation rentals tend to look for:
- Memorable character and charm
- Comfort and convenience
- Connection to local culture and environment
- Functional amenities (wifi, workspace, kitchen, etc.)
Future Buyers
Buyers want:
- Timeless design that isn’t too personalized
- Low‑maintenance materials
- Flexible spaces that can convert between personal use and rental
- Features that appeal broadly to both owners and renters
Great design bridges these priorities making the home feel special and universally appealing.
2. Location & Story: The Foundation of Rental Appeal
Location matters and some locations bring lifestyle appeal that enhances both rentability and resale.
In Woodstock, historic arts and culture are part of the appeal. Properties like Artist Cottage Woodstock, once the studio of a noted painter and steps from the vibrant downtown, have a compelling story that enriches the guest experience.
Why it matters:
- Buyers appreciate properties with character and story.
- Guests enjoy a sense of place and authenticity.
- Proximity to dining, hiking, galleries, and town centers increases bookings.
Design takeaway: Embrace and enhance the neighborhood story whether it’s local history, natural beauty, or architectural heritage.
3. Preservation Meets Modern Comfort
One of the strongest trends in vacation rentals is authentic character with modern comfort.
What Works
- Preserve architectural features like original stonework, high ceilings, or wooden floors. These add charm and differentiators that guests remember. For example, Artist Cottage’s original stonework and wide plank pinewood floors were retained and celebrated while integrating modern design touches.
- Update key systems discreetly. Guests rarely notice HVAC or plumbing but they do notice when interiors look dated or uncomfortable.
- Blend old and new thoughtfully: Classic elements paired with contemporary finishes (e.g., Farrow & Ball paints, Venetian plastered bathroom details) create a space that feels curated rather than stuck in a time warp.
Design choice tip: Let heritage features tell the story, and use modern updates to deliver comfort and reliability.
4. Flexible, Functional Room Design
Both renters and future buyers value flexibility.
Examples of Flexibility
- Multiple usable spaces: Bedrooms that double as offices or reading nooks.
- Open plans with privacy options: Living areas that feel spacious but can be cozy with thoughtful furniture placement.
- Guest‑friendly layouts: Enough bedrooms and bathrooms to host groups without crowding.
Artist Cottage delivers on this with multiple bedrooms, a flexible office space, and saddle spaces like a screened‑in porch that serves yoga, reading, or quiet retreat purposes.
Design takeaway: Think beyond basic rooms design spaces that adapt to multiple purposes.
5. Kitchen & Bath: The Power Rooms
Kitchens and bathrooms drive rental desirability and resale value.
Kitchens
A well‑designed kitchen doesn’t need to be huge it needs to be:
- Functional
- Beautiful
- Well‑equipped
At Artist Cottage, custom barnwood cabinetry is stocked with premium cookware (Le Creuset, Nespresso, etc.) both practical for guests and attractive to buyers who enjoy quality finishes.
Key upgrades that attract bookings:
- Good lighting
- Quality appliances
- Durable, easy‑to‑clean countertops
- A design that supports social gathering
Bathrooms
Upscale touches like stylish tile, quality fixtures, and spa‑like elements can greatly enhance both guest satisfaction and resale perception. For instance, the Venetian plastered bathroom in the Artist Cottage exemplifies how a unique design detail can elevate the space.
Design takeaway: For rentals and resale alike, kitchens and baths should feel modern, appealing, and functional.
6. Lighting: Atmosphere Meets Practicality
Great lighting is often overlooked but it’s crucial to both ambience and practicality.
Strategies That Work
- Maximize natural light with skylights or larger windows.
- Use layered lighting: ambient + task + accent.
- Eco‑friendly choices: LED fixtures and dimmers improve ambiance and reduce running costs.
Artist Cottage’s skylights and high ceilings let light flood into key rooms, which enhances mood and makes spaces feel larger and more inviting.
7. Outdoor Spaces: Extensions of Living
Outdoor spaces expand usable living areas and can significantly increase guest satisfaction and property value.
What Guests Love
- Outdoor seating and dining areas
- Gardens or landscaped terraces
- Views and privacy screening
- Space for activities (e.g., yoga, fire pits)
In the Hudson Valley context, properties with landscaped surroundings or easy access to nature like woodland views or patio areas command higher interest. Even modest outdoor areas benefit from thoughtful furniture and lighting.
Design takeaway: Treat outdoors as an essential “room” design it with as much intention as the interior.
8. Amenities That Boost Bookings & Reviews
Amenities are often the deciding factor for bookings.
High‑Impact Rental Amenities
- Reliable, fast wifi
- Workspace (especially in remote‑friendly markets)
- Comfortable bedding
- Laundry facilities
- Pet‑friendly options
- Special extras: sauna, bikes, outdoor fire pit
At Artist Cottage Woodstock, amenities like a low EMF infrared sauna and two mountain bikes enhance the guest experience and create talking points that elevate reviews and repeat bookings.
Design lesson: Amenities don’t need to be expensive, they just need to be thoughtful and aligned with guest interests.
9. Comfort & Durability: Materials That Endure
Both owners and renters appreciate interiors that look great and stand up to regular use.
Best Practices
- Choose durable flooring: hardwood, quality tile, or high‑grade laminate.
- Easy‑to‑maintain surfaces: stain‑resistant counters and washable paint.
- Quality furniture: not just stylish, robust.
Investing in durability reduces maintenance costs and helps preserve appeal for future sale.
10. Unique Character Without Over‑Personalization
A common mistake is designing spaces that reflect only your personal taste which can alienate renters and future buyers.
How to Avoid Over‑Personalization
- Stick to a cohesive neutral palette with accent elements rather than loud, personal decor.
- Use artwork or furnishings that can be easily updated.
- Let architectural details carry most of the unique character.
The Artist Cottage balances this by merging authentic artistic history with design cues that feel crafted, not eccentric.
11. Accessibility & Inclusivity
Making spaces accessible expands your renter base and improves resale appeal.
Consider
- Walk‑in showers or grab bars
- Ramps or gentle entry paths
- Clear, wide walkways
- Good lighting and signage
Even small changes like adjustable showerheads or well‑lit entry stairs can make a big difference to guests of all ages and abilities.
12. Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Sustainable homes are increasingly sought after by renters and buyers.
Green Design Elements
- Energy‑efficient appliances
- Good insulation
- Solar panels
- Low‑VOC paints
- Smart thermostats
These improve comfort, reduce operating costs, and appeal to eco‑conscious travelers and future buyers alike.
13. Marketing Through Design
The way a property looks online directly affects booking performance.
Tips for Showcasing Design
- Professional photography that highlights light and space
- Staged rooms that feel inviting
- Close‑ups of attractive details (fireplace, unique woodwork, sauna, etc.)
- Lifestyle shots (e.g., breakfast on the porch)
Design decisions that photograph well like high ceilings and thoughtful decor become marketing assets.
14. Legal, Safety & Practical Considerations
Great design also means safe and compliant spaces.
Must‑Haves
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Safe outdoor lighting
- Clear emergency exits
- Accessibility compliance (as applicable)
These protect guests and protect you from liability.
15. Buyer Appeal: Resale Considerations
Even with strong rental performance, resale potential should guide design decisions.
Buyers Look For
- Neutral but stylish finishes
- Durable materials
- Simple, functional layouts
- Spaces that feel “turn‑key”
- Low ongoing maintenance
By choosing design features that have broad appeal other than hyper‑niche you make the property more desirable when it’s time to sell.
16. Case Study Recap: Artist Cottage Woodstock
Let’s revisit how Artist Cottage Woodstock demonstrates these principles in practice:
Character & Location
Design That Blends Old & New
- Preserved architectural features (stonework, pine floors) plus modern touches (painted walls, updated baths).
Functional Spaces
- Multiple bedrooms, living areas, a screened porch, and dedicated spaces that could double as work or relaxation zones.
Amenities for Experience
Marketability
- Design elements that photograph beautifully and tell a story that resonates with guests and buyers alike.
This synthesis of character, comfort, and curated design helps the cottage appeal to guests seeking a memorable stay and to future buyers who value thoughtful, enduring design.
Conclusion: Design as Investment
Buying a home with rental potential is about more than location and pricing — it’s about designing value into every square foot. From preserving unique features and creating flexible spaces to choosing durable, well‑lit interiors and thoughtful amenities, design decisions directly impact:
- Nightly rates
- Occupancy
- Guest satisfaction and reviews
- Long‑term resale value
By balancing personal taste with universal appeal and learning from examples like Artist Cottage Woodstock you can create a property that delights renters and attracts buyers years down the line.