After spending the better part of a year stuck in their homes, more people are looking to start traveling again as things slowly go back to normal, or what can be considered the new normal. While traveling internationally may not be the first choice given the latest health and safety protocols, domestic travels started again. Cross country road trips and aesthetic Airbnb’s have been the most common choice for travelers looking to get back out there.
While Airbnb and hotels have certainly established effective health and safety protocols to keep their guests safe, vacation homes near the beach or well outside the city limits have also seen an impressive increase in renters or even buyers in the new normal.
Having your own place away from the city and closer to nature helps many people decompress and manage the stresses of the new normal. Vacation homes and rest houses have even seen their owners, who previously only visited the properties, choose to spend a bulk of their time in these homes. As working from home and hybrid work continues to evolve, employees are less obligated to live close to their offices.
Managing two homes or juggling your time between two places can quickly get hard to manage. It’s important that your rest house is equipped with these essentials to ensure that even your last-minute stays are enjoyable.
A well-stocked pantry
Having food that keeps you well at your rest house is crucial. If you’re alternating between your two homes, then managing two pantries can get hard but having shelf-stable food at your rest house helps decrease the chances that something will go bad while you’re away. Frozen proteins and vegetables are great to keep in your fridge and can be the basics of any delicious meal. Snacks like nuts, pretzels, and granola in air-tight containers also keep well even if you have to spend a week in the city. Though fresh fruits and vegetables are ideal, these can often go to waste if you don’t manage your schedule well.
Bathroom essentials
Keeping a second set of your toiletries at your vacation home also saves you from the hassle of having to always travel with them back and forth. Full-sized bottles of your shampoo, lotions, sunscreen, and perfume help you stick to your daily routines and makes you always feel at home. A first aid kit is another essential, especially if there aren’t many local stores or pharmacies near your property, which is often the case for many vacation homes.
Cleaning supplies
Whether you’re splitting your time fifty-fifty between your homes or just using your rest house for weekend getaways, things can quickly get dirty when you’re not there to clean up every day. Having the essential cleaning supplies such as a portable vacuum, dust rags, multipurpose cleaners, and air fresheners help to keep your second home in tip-top shape. Spending your time in an unkempt and dusty space isn’t ideal, so regularly replenishing your cleaning supplies makes sure that even when you go on a spontaneous trip, you have everything you need to get things back in order.
Entertainment
Whether it’s an at-home library or a fully decked-out entertainment system, having something at home to help entertain you and your guests during your stay helps you make some great memories during your stay. If you’re looking to disconnect from technology during your stays, playing cards, board games, and books are great ways to pass the time alone or with your friends and family. However, if you’re looking to spend more time at your vacation home to work, then a TV, home computer, or gaming console can be a lot of fun during your off time.
Personal touches
Adding your own personal touches to your vacation home can help you feel more settled in and also differentiates it from staying at a hotel or Airbnb. Choosing your own interior decorations such as art, furniture, and linens contributes to making the space feel yours. Installing stylish windows and drapes that make the most out of your amazing views outside of the city also helps get you in a different state of mind.
Your color palette also plays a large role in the feel of your vacation home. You could choose to go with a similar palette for your home to have a sense of cohesiveness or completely go the opposite direction to distinguish between the two. It all depends on how you want to feel in your new personal space.
As rest houses and properties outside of the city limits continue to grow in popularity, it’s important to remember the essentials for your new home. While maintaining two properties can be a difficult task, getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life can do wonders for your mental health during the new normal.
