People love coming to the Outer Banks year after year and enjoying the ideal spot for rest and relaxation. Many of our best-booking homes are the ones that capitalize on the beachy nature of the Outer Banks by offering gorgeous, coastal furniture and decor that double as functional spaces for soaking up the ocean breeze and unwinding after a day at the beach. Part of the finesse that comes with providing a routinely unforgettable experience is knowing when to replace or update furniture. Worn-out or even stylistically outdated pieces in the home can not only deter repeat guests, but can drive away potential renters when looking at photos online. Here at Seaside Vacations, we want to help you make the most of your vacation rental investment so here's a guide to help you determine when it's time to invest in some new furniture for your Outer Banks property.
Signs It's Time for New Furniture
When considering when to replace the furniture in your vacation rental and what to replace it with, it's important to take a regular inventory of your property. Whether you come in person to inspect or communicate with your Property Coordinator here at Seaside Vacations, regular inspections of your property are essential for maintaining guest interest and garnering positive reviews. Here are some of the things that you may want to be on the lookout for when deciding when to replace the furnishing in your home.
Fading and Discoloration
Especially when it comes to outdoor furniture, you're going to want to take a regular inventory of the color integrity of the furniture in and around your home. Sunshine filtering in through the windows as well as regular use by multiple families throughout the year can cause the color on fabrics, paint, and even wood to fade over time. This not only lowers the appeal of your property to guests in the moment (meaning reviews may be less than stellar) but it can also lessen the number of people who choose to initially book your property, resulting in reduced income and fewer repeat renters.
Stains and Odors
Many people choose to prepare their fresh, local Outer Banks seafood outside on a grill or go out to eat, but there's a good chance that guests will be cooking in your home. Even with the most rigorous cleaning regimen, it's natural for stains and odors to accumulate over time. This likelihood is increased if you're one of our pet-friendly homes. Smells can sometimes be a turn-off for guests, limiting the quality of their vacation experience and sending them back home with a bad taste in their mouths - sometimes literally.
Broken or Loose Furniture
In addition to being a bit of an eyesore, broken or loose furniture can also be dangerous, so keep an eye on bedframes, chairs, and tables that may be loose and be prepared to replace them as soon as possible.
Sagging, Lumpy, or Overused Cushions
Cushions on chairs and couches, pillows, and mattresses can all decline in quality over time. When you or your guests find that they are no longer offering support or comfort, it's time to replace them.
When to Replace Common Furniture
There's always going to be give and take when it comes to replacing your furniture based on use, placement in the home, and guest experience, but here are some guidelines for when to replace common household furniture items.
Outdoor Furniture
This is a big one - and probably the thing you'll need to replace most often. Due to the salt air and weather conditions on the Outer Banks, you can probably plan to replace your outdoor furniture every 3-5 years. This is why you'll see so many homes with polywood furniture on the Outer Banks. Poly and Trex furniture outlast wood and other plastics by 10 years, meaning you're investing a little more up front but you won't have to replace this furniture nearly as often.
Bedroom Mattresses
Mattress quality is a common complaint when it comes to hotels and other vacation rentals. Plan to replace all of your vacation rental mattresses every 5-10 years or so, keeping in mind that if you start getting reports of bad quality or tears, you will want to replace them sooner rather than later. Remember to flip mattresses annually to ensure you get the most use out of your purchase.
Couches & Upholstered Chairs
Leather furniture usually lasts a little bit longer, but if you've got cloth couches or upholstered chairs, it's going to be best to replace them every 7-10 years.
Tables
If you're maintaining your side, coffee, and dining tables with regular refinishing, you can probably extend the life of your tables to about 10 years. But it's important to replace them anytime they become unstable, overly stained, or start to show normal signs of daily wear.
TVs
Most TVs need to be replaced every 8 years, especially if you start receiving guest complaints.
Refrigerators
With guests bringing in large amounts of groceries weekly, it's important to keep tabs on your refrigerator's cooling power. Plan to replace these every 10-12 years.
Stoves & Microwaves
Stoves, microwaves, and other kitchen appliances will usually last about 10-15 years before needing replacement. Be sure to complete regular inspections and keep an eye on writing and integrity.
Washers/Dryers
Plan to replace these about every 10 years. Washers may need to be replaced sooner if they start to leak or make excessive noise during use.
Carpets
Many of our homeowners are opting to transition to wood or tile flooring, but if you decide the keep carpet in your home, plan to replace the carpet every 10-15 years. This can change based on staining or odors, in which case, you will need to switch it out sooner. Plan regular deep cleans to extend the life of your carpet.
Paint
Much like carpet, pain can begin to chip or smell after about 5-10 years. Refreshing up the pain inside your home can do wonders for guest experience and the overall feel of your vacation rental.
Safety Considerations
Safety considerations are just something to keep in mind when considering the upkeep of your home. Whether it's unstable furniture, nails coming up out on the deck, or holes in the couch (revealing springs or zippers), furniture that has outstayed its welcome is more than just an inconvenience - it's a liability. You don't want to risk guests getting hurt on what's supposed to be a relaxing vacation and you then being liable if it was something preventable! Take the time and money to invest up front in good-quality furniture that will last a long time and be sure to maintain regular inspections of your property to increase the lifespan of your furniture and prevent potential accidents.
Making Smart Purchases: When & How to Upgrade
Now that you have an idea of how to plan for your next furniture upgrade, there are some things to consider so that you can make the most of your investment and save money while ensuring that your vacation property is safe, up-to-date, and offers a rewarding and relaxing experience for your guests.
Off-Season Purchasing
If you want to make the most of your furniture purchases, the best time to buy furniture is during the water months of January and February or at the end of summer, around August and September. This way, you'll be getting the best deals and will be able to freshen up your property for the following summer season. Just make sure you're still planning ahead, as some local furniture makers reduce stock and hours during the off-season.
Invest in Durable, Long-Lasting Materials
As we mentioned above, it is often better to invest a little more upfront for furniture that is going to last longer and get you the best quality for your money. Especially when it comes to outdoor furniture, spending the extra money on polywood or Trex will increase the lifespan of your deck furniture by almost a decade. Plus, these materials are easy to clean and upkeep while often being heavier, meaning you won't have to worry as much about sudden summer storms or gusts blowing your deck chairs away.
Choose Modular Pieces
This last suggestion is great for aesthetics as well as your wallet. Modular, multi-functional pieces are all the rage when it comes to minimalist decorating and sophisticated interiors. But purchasing pieces with multiple functions in the home can also save you money in the long run! Consider looking at sleeper sofas or futons that double living and sleeping or invest in ottomans and benches that also offer storage compartments. Bunk beds are a great way to welcome families while making the most of each bedroom and tables that convert from dining to gaming mean that your guests are going to have an unforgettable vacation experience without running up your credit!
Plan Ahead and Make the Most of Your Vacation Rental
While it may seem like just another thing to think about when taking care of your vacation rental property, choosing to invest in furniture upkeep will pay off in the long run. Guests will be happier and safer while you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of increased bookings and repeat renters who are ready to tell their friends how awesome your property is! Communicating with your Property Coordinator and doing regular inspections of your home will help you schedule out maintenance and replacements so that your home will continue to be the warm and welcoming paradise that you know it to be!
We love property management on the Outer Banks and it shows. Family-owned and locally managed for over 30 years, Seaside Vacations goes above and beyond to make sure property management is Hassle-Free, meaning that we’ll take care of the details so that you can get back to taking care of the things that matter most to you. We'll help you make the most of your vacation rental! With our unique Property Coordinator model, we're here to help you succeed.
If you’re not already working with us and you're ready to find out more about how we support YOU in your rental property business, request your Complimentary Rental Projection today! Simply fill out this form to receive a commitment-free call from Michelle Russell, our Business Development Director at Seaside Vacations, who can answer any questions you may have about how Seaside Vacations can help you make the most of your Outer Banks vacation rental property.
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About the Author: Lauren is an Outer Banks local, mom, trained historian, and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with her nose in a book or cuddling with her cats.
