With travel costs rising, many Americans are opting for a “staycation” this summer, instead of going on an expensive trip. To make the experience feel just as indulgent as a getaway, homeowners are turning their attention to upgrades that bring hotel-level comfort to their home.
It’s easier than you think to make your home feel like a luxury resort. It doesn’t need to be expensive or require major renovations. The best part is many of these upgrades are portable, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort if you ever decide to move.
1. Upgrade your linens
When you think of your ideal resort experience, one of the first things that may come to mind is the bed. Resort and hotel beds are large, luxurious, and — most importantly — lavishly finished. Making your bed at home more luxurious is often a simple matter of upgrading the linens.
For sheets, look for fabric that’s 100% cotton and has a moderate to high thread count. Ideally it will be Pima or Egyptian cotton. Don’t forget to upgrade your pillowcases and duvets too. If you’re on a budget, watch for sales at high-end outlets or consult trusted resource guides to figure out the best linens at every price point.
2. Buy high quality towels
Resorts and hotels know that providing guests with nice towels is a key part of the luxury experience. If you’re trying to make your home feel more like a luxury resort, the towel rack is a good place to start.
Look for 100% cotton plush towels. The thicker they are, the softer and more absorbent they will be. A good measure of high quality towels is grams per square meter, which measures how dense and thick they are. The higher the grams per square meter, the nicer the towel will be.
While you’re upgrading your towels, consider getting washcloths and even a nice bathrobe to really treat yourself.
3. Declutter your space
While adding a new bedroom to your home can boost its value, you probably don’t need the extra space as much as you think. Making good use of your space and making it feel luxurious is as much about what’s not there as what is there. Rooms in a luxury resort or hotel are never crowded or cluttered. The only furnishings are those that are essential. Your home should be similar.
A good rule is to remove about half of everything in your home, including furniture. If you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff, you could eliminate even more. You’ll know when you’ve removed enough because your home will feel larger, airier, and more appealing. Maintain that decluttered feel with regular cleaning and decluttering sessions. Remember that no amount of styling or design can overcome an overly cluttered space.
Plus, maintaining a clutter-free space makes staging much easier if you ever decide to sell your home.
4. Elevate with a fragrance
Spaces that feel nice usually smell nice too. A subtle fragrance can go a long way toward making a space feel sophisticated and luxurious. Consider using a diffuser with essential oils or scented candles to set the olfactory tone of your space. Arranging groups of scented candles or placing them in antique or custom holders can add a strong design element to your space, as well as some mood lighting.
5. Transform with window treatments
Light, especially natural light, has a huge impact on the feel of your living space. How you use that light will go a long way toward establishing the luxury vibe you want in your home.
Heavy velvet drapes can make your space feel private and cozy, while a lighter translucent curtain can give the room a brighter, ethereal feel. If you’re after a more rustic look, try wooden blinds or shutters. If you’re aiming for a specific aesthetic, a printed or patterned curtain can tie a room together.
6. Embrace the natural world
A high-quality resort integrates your personal space with the natural world through finishes, materials, and greenery. You can do the same at home. Use elements like wood, stone, marble, ceramic, or terracotta in your home. Add a green element by placing fresh flowers in vases and putting potted plants around your living space. Lush, low-maintenance plants like ferns, palms, or snake plants look great and are easy to keep alive, even if you don’t have a green thumb.
7. Add a personal touch
While you may want your home to feel like a luxury resort, you still want it to feel like your home. Make sure you give your home a personal touch. Put up your favorite art in the living room, place framed photos around the space, include your favorite heirlooms or custom pieces of furniture, or buy monogrammed towels for the bathroom. Whether you’re a boomer or millennial, each generation has its own personal style, and your living space should be a reflection of you.
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