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Hollie and Jennie from Studio Far West

Holiday home interior design is an essential part of making your holiday let a success.

A well-designed, inviting space can be the deciding factor for guests when choosing a holiday cottage. So, how do you create a space that not only looks beautiful but also provides a comfortable and memorable experience for your guests?

We’ve spoken to Cornish interior design experts, Studio Far West, who’ve given us their top tips for transforming your holiday home into an unmissable retreat.


About Studio Far West

Hollie Milne and Jennie Trethewy in the studio at Studio Far West

Based in St Agnes, Cornwall, Studio Far West is an interior architecture and design studio founded by Jennie Trethewy and Hollie Milne.

Their combined skills and talent see them work across private residential, hospitality and holiday let properties across the South-West, delivering truly bespoke Interior design packages. Studio Far West offers timeless design solutions that are inspired by your property and its location.


Transform Your Holiday Let into a Unique Retreat: Our Top Interior Design Tips


1. Plan your spaces carefully

A kitchen with green units, designed by Studio Far West

Holiday lets can often be smaller than traditional homes, so it’s crucial to make the most of the space you have. By creating open-plan, free-flowing spaces, you create visual expanses that result in a sense of luxury. With fewer interior walls, your holiday let is filled with lots of natural light and good ventilation, helping you connect with the exterior views.

Decluttering and organising your space can also make it feel more spacious and inviting. Additionally, consider multi-functional furniture, such as a sofa bed or a coffee table with storage, to maximize space and functionality.


2. Create a welcoming first impression

Hollie and Jennie from Studio Far West, adding some finishing touches to an entrance hall

They say, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and this holds true for holiday let interiors.

The first thing your guests will notice when they step into your property is the entrance. Make it count by creating an intuitive and inviting space. We love to use unexpected colour palettes inspired by the local Cornish surroundings.

The colours, textures, and lighting used in interior design can have a significant impact on our mood and well-being, evoking a sense of relaxation and calm. Hallway furnishings and lighting, combined with plants and personal touches in the accessories, can instantly elevate the entrance of your holiday let.


3. Comfort is Key

A lounge designed by Studio Far West

While aesthetics are essential, the comfort of your guests should be your top priority.

Invest in high-quality, comfortable furniture and bedding to ensure your guests have a good night’s sleep. Adding extra blankets, pillows, and throws can also make your holiday home feel cosy and indulgent. Where possible, we recommend using zip and link beds in some of the bedrooms to create flexible room setups, accommodating a variety of guest types.

Don’t forget to provide all the essential amenities such as toiletries, towels, and a well-stocked kitchen to make your guests’ stay comfortable and hassle-free. A home away from home, with a touch of indulgence.


4. Pay Attention to Details

A kitchen with white walls and dark blue units, designed by Studio Far West

It’s the finer things that can make a big difference in the overall experience of your guests.

Pay attention to small details such as lighting, artwork, and accessories. Soft, warm lighting can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, while strategically placed artwork and accessories can add character and personality to your space.

Don’t be afraid to add personal touches, such as photos or board games, to make your holiday let feel like a home away from home for your guests. Studio Far West can work closely with you to ensure the interior design scheme they create for your holiday home is an authentic portrayal of who you are and what you love.


5. Comply with Holiday Let Regulations

A lounge with light blue walls and a fireplace, designed by Studio Far West

Building regulations for holiday lets are an important consideration. You should also consider planning permission, fire strategy, emergency lighting, and compliant soft furnishings specification.

As interior architects, Studio Far West can help advise on current requirements and ensure that your property complies with all the necessary provisions.

For keeping updated with holiday let rules and regulations, using a holiday letting agency like Cornish Cottage Holidays can prove invaluable. Their local team, based in Redruth, are experts on the latest holiday letting legislation and always happy to share their knowledge.

To find out more about holiday home regulations, read Cornish Cottage Holidays’ blog on holiday home legal requirements.


6. Arrange high quality photography

A kitchen with light pastel colours, designed by Studio Far West

Don’t underestimate the importance of interior photography of your holiday let. Images are the first thing that potential guests see when viewing your property online, so make them count!

Studio Far West has a great relationship with local photographer Pip Hambling and upon completing the installation service, always enjoy styling and shooting their designs as the final finishing touch.

For more tips on attracting people to your holiday property, read Cornish Cottage Holidays’ holiday let marketing tips.


7. Make use of a local interior design agency

Flat lays in Studio Far West's studio

The best way to ensure your holiday home is designed to a professional standard is to use an interior designer!

From our interior design studio in St Agnes, Studio Far West offers a wide range of services – be it a spatial re-configuration, concept design ideas and moodboards, a soft furnishing package or a full designed and delivered turn-key service, we can help you as much or as little as you need. Each project is approached individually with a tailored fee proposal to suit your needs.

Being a business based in Cornwall, we place great importance on working with other local businesses as far as possible. We have established many working relationships with contractors, artisans, furniture makers and suppliers.

This wealth of experience takes away all the unknown stresses of project managing renovation work to your property, particularly when the majority of our clients live elsewhere.

Use these top interior design tips for holiday lets to create a space that will leave your guests eager to return. Remember, it’s not just about making your property look beautiful, but also providing a comfortable and memorable experience for your guests.

So, don’t be afraid to make bolder choices than you would for your own home, pay attention to details, and create a space that your guests will never forget. Happy hosting from the team at Studio Far West!


Choosing a holiday letting agency in Cornwall

Once your interior design project is complete and your holiday let is ready for guests, the next step is to let your property! For this, we recommend using the help of a holiday letting agency like Cornish Cottage Holidays.

With over 700 self-catering cottages across the county, we have the expertise and industry know-how to help you run your holiday let as successfully as possible.
Our local team, based in Redruth, have nearly 50 years of experience letting holiday homes in Cornwall and are always on hand to give expert advice.

To request your FREE owner’s pack, visit our Let your Cottage page or call 01326 573808.