Interior design is often viewed by property owners as a non-essential expense, but from our long-standing experience managing vacation rentals in Breckenridge, CO, we see it differently.
At Ski Country Resorts, we believe decor is not just a cost but a key investment — and with substantial benefits. It's as important as factors like price, location, and amenities.
Believe us, many travelers are willing to spend more for a beautifully designed space, looking for the ideal alpine setting that embodies the essence of Colorado.
Truth be told, adopting a design-oriented mindset when decorating your Breckenridge vacation rental often leads to higher nightly rates. Wondering how to achieve this? In this blog, we present 5 decor secrets that will boost your rental rates. We’ll also provide practical examples of how our properties in Breckenridge are implementing these strategies effectively.
Ready to see your Breckenridge property reach its full potential? Let’s dive in!
1. Selecting the Ideal Furniture Setup
Always remember this golden rule when decorating your rental property: the right furniture can change any ordinary space into a stylish and inviting one.
Even in our alpine setting, which usually favors rustic and cozy pieces, adding modern elements and contemporary design touches can bring a fresh, airy feel to your rental.
Opt for simpler, less ornate pieces like sleek modern sofas, minimalist wooden coffee tables, and stylish pendant lights. These choices will enhance the sense of lightness in any space.
To enhance the feeling of space, rugs should ideally extend under multiple furniture pieces. Go for textures and softer colors to achieve a seamless look.
Expert tip: For substantial rental income, focus your decor decisions on what appeals to your target audience, rather than merely reflecting your personal taste.
What’s the secret to Tall Pines 97’s decor success?
Tall Pines View 97's living room.
Tall Pines 97 truly excels in its furniture choices. Although it uses a traditional color palette of grays, whites, and maroons, its modern furniture elevates the space.
The couch and armchairs feature a minimalist design, while the patterned cushions add texture and coziness. The coffee and side tables with thin legs enhance the openness of the living room. Also, the textured rug in soft colors extends under multiple pieces of furniture, further enhancing the sense of space.
Another excellent choice is the stylish pendant light above the dining table—it adds a touch of elegance and luxury to the decor.
Note that despite the modern furniture and accessories, Tall Pines 97 still boasts an alpine and rustic charm, thanks to the use of materials like wood and stone, as well as decorative elements that reflect the alpine surroundings (more on that later).
By incorporating materials like wood and stone, Tall Pines 97 exudes alpine and rustic charm, even with its modern furniture.
2. Pick a theme that resonates with the local environment
Once again, we recommend that vacation rental owners in Breckenridge opt for a more contemporary interior design. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate vintage or more intricate elements into your decor. On the contrary, such pieces can add character to your rental — just remember not to overdo it.
An excellent idea is to choose pieces that reflect the natural surroundings and local culture of Breckenridge and the Rocky Mountains, such as crafts, paintings, and sculptures by local artists. This approach not only adds personality to your decor but also supports the local community.
Here are more decor inspirations:
Reclaimed wood and stone accents: Incorporate reclaimed wood or stone accents to capture the rustic charm of Breckenridge’s historic architecture.
Vintage & Retro furniture: Vintage and retro pieces bring unique charm and individuality to a space, distinguishing it from more generic decor.
Mountain-themed designs: integrate decor elements featuring mountain motifs, like artwork, throw pillows, or textiles, to infuse your space with the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Ski resort memorabilia: Display antique ski gear, historical maps, or classic photographs as wall decor to highlight Breckenridge’s relationship with the ski resort.
Keep in mind that the goal is to capture the distinctive charm and features of Breckenridge that resonate with you. Embracing elements like the region's natural beauty, architectural history, or cultural festivities can help you create a space that is both unique and comfortable.
This is a great chance to use your decor to create emotional connections with your guests throughout their entire experience, from booking to their stay and beyond.
What’s the secret to Trails End P5 decor success?
Trails End P5's Living Room.
Trails End P5's living room features several elements that evoke Breckenridge's surroundings and culture. From pictures of the five peaks of Breckenridge and modern ski-related posters to a stunning pair of retro skis and the patterns on the cushions, these items not only reflect the city's heritage and natural beauty, adding character to the rental, but also bring coziness to the space and foster an emotional connection with guests.
What’s the secret to Sawmill Creek 214 decor success?
Sawmill Creek 214's master bedroom.
Sawmill Creek 214's master bedroom is another excellent example of embracing mountain-themed designs with simplicity. The blanket and pillows feature a beautiful pattern that resonates with alpine culture, and the cushion with a bear motif is a clever touch that reflects the region's fauna.
Moreover, the rustic reclaimed wood door immediately evokes mountainous environments. Completing the look is the elegant artwork above the bed, which depicts an alpine forest. Here you have a simple and effective formula for successful interior design for your Breckenridge vacation rental decor.
3. Balance natural and artificial light
Lighting plays a crucial role in interior design and affects how a space is perceived. Whether natural or artificial, lighting can enhance colors, textures, and ambiance. For vacation rentals, striking the right balance between natural and artificial lighting can significantly improve the guest experience.
To create a warm and inviting environment, use soft, indirect lighting in your rental's rooms with a combination of table and floor lamps. This approach adds to the coziness and emotional appeal of the space. Thoughtfully chosen pendant lights can add an extra touch of charm.
While natural light is wonderful, it can occasionally be too intense for some guests. That's why we always provide options to control the amount of natural light with curtains and blinds in our vacation rentals. These additions not only offer light regulation but also enhance the overall charm of your decor.
What’s the secret to Tannenbaum 303 decor success?
Tannenbaum 303 achieves an excellent balance between natural and artificial light. While the space benefits from ample natural light, guests can adjust the luminosity using the curtains installed on the windows.
Tannenbaum 303 shines with its generous natural light streaming through large windows that perfectly frame the stunning outdoor views. The striking pendant lighting adds a touch of elegance and warmth to the dining room, while the table and floor lamps create a welcoming ambiance in the living room during the evenings.
For those who prefer softer light, discreet window blinds allow guests to adjust the room’s brightness.
Extra tip: Avoid harsh fluorescent lights that can be unsettling and disrupt the ambiance. Warm-toned bulbs are a better option for a cozy and pleasant space.
4. Include a touch of green
Even with the natural beauty of your Breckenridge vacation rental’s surroundings, incorporating indoor plants can add an extra layer of freshness. Guests appreciate the vibrant touch of houseplants, which can enliven spaces like the coffee table or bedroom.
Concerned about maintaining live plants? Consider opting for artificial ones. They’re now available in incredibly realistic designs that can convincingly mimic the real thing.
Another simple way to add a touch of green to your decor is by incorporating nature-inspired art in spaces like bathrooms, where it can enhance the spa-like atmosphere that guests love.
A third great way to bring nature inside is by installing large glass windows in your rental. This design choice helps guests remain in touch with the beautiful Breckenridge surroundings while savoring a warm and inviting indoor space.
Here’s a list of low-maintenance indoor plants:
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Hardy and virtually indestructible, it adds vertical interest and can tolerate low light.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Thrives in low light and requires minimal watering, perfect for a rental space.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A trailing plant that thrives in various light conditions and is easy to care for.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Adapts well to different light levels and has a fun, cascading growth habit.
Here are some mountain-friendly indoor plants that are perfect for decorating a space like a Breckenridge vacation rental:
Boston Fern: Thrives in lower light and adds a lush, green touch.
Maidenhair Fern: Elegant and delicate, suitable for cooler indoor environments.
Norfolk Island Pine: Compact and perfect for adding a touch of greenery year-round.
Rosemary: Adds a pleasant aroma and is great for kitchens.
Fiddle Leaf Fig: Sturdy and stylish, fitting well with mountain decor.
Christmas Cactus: Adds color and is well-suited for cooler indoor conditions.
Barrel Cactus: Unique and adds a rugged touch to your decor.
Extra tip: When picking indoor plants, whether genuine or faux, remember to match them with your surroundings. For example, palm trees might look out of place in a Breckenridge vacation rental.
5. Update Your Kitchen Design
Our industry findings reveal that a well-equipped and functional kitchen is a major factor in guests' preference for vacation rentals over hotels. Guests appreciate the opportunity to cook and spend quality time with their loved ones.
A stylish and contemporary kitchen, featuring high-quality materials and appliances, will undoubtedly enhance the appeal of your rental and help increase your nightly rates.
What’s the secret to Tall Pine 97 success?
Tall Pines 97's kitchen.
The modern and well-equipped kitchen at Tall Pines 97 is an excellent example to follow. The sleek cabinet design adds style to the space, while the white marble countertops enhance the sense of luxury. High-quality appliances further elevate the appeal of the kitchen, giving potential guests a clear idea of how they can make the most of the space.
Elevate Your Nightly Rates with Exceptional Interior Design
With our extensive experience in Breckenridge, we can safely say that with the right approach and furniture choices, decorating your space in the right way can boost your annual gross revenues by $25,000 to $30,000 (believe it or not!) and create even more memorable guest experiences.
Need a little extra motivation? Thinking of decor means you’ll also get to unleash your creativity and have a blast!
Looking for more tips on managing your Breckenridge vacation rental? Check out our blog for the latest advice on improving your operations, attracting more guests, and boosting your revenue.
