Today’s post explores the art of decorating a vacation home—and shows how a relaxed, restorative aesthetic can be applied to any residence. With many of us spending more time at home, creating spaces that feel calm, effortless, and welcoming matters more than ever. Whether you’re styling an actual weekend retreat or simply want to bring a vacation-vibe into your everyday home or apartment, these design ideas will help you build a serene, timeless environment.
Photo credit: Emily Henderson (details in original sources)
Grand Spaces
Whether your room has vaulted ceilings or you’re working with a compact studio, you can create a roomy, peaceful atmosphere by focusing on light, texture, and restraint. Designer Emily Henderson’s California mountain house is a great example: she layers neutral tones and natural textures to achieve a “Scandinavian chalet” feel—minimal yet warm, airy yet intimate. The resulting mood is calm and collected.
How do you recreate this serene, spacious look? Start with low-contrast finishes—soft whites, warm woods, and muted tones that soothe rather than shout. Reserve small doses of black or darker hues for grounding accents, such as frames, a lamp base, or a vase. Keep furnishings minimal and purposeful: fewer pieces, better function.
Use elements that enhance light—pale wall colors, sheer or no window treatments where privacy allows, and reflective surfaces like glass and polished metal. To add perceived height, draw the eye upward with tall botanicals, vertical art, or elongated shelving. Finally, create cozy corners for reading or lounging with layered throws and soft pillows; these small comforts make any room feel more vacation-like.
Special Features
Vacation homes often include memorable, curated pieces that give them personality. Athena Calderone’s Amagansett home illustrates this approach: she mixes vintage rattan furniture, bamboo lighting, and warm-toned rugs to create layered, lived-in rooms that feel collected rather than staged. These deliberate choices make a space feel special.
Calderone recommends choosing objects you love and letting them guide the room’s design. Incorporate vintage finds, meaningful souvenirs, or pieces collected over time to add character. You don’t need a large budget—small switches, re-styling existing shelves, or moving a special lamp from one room to another can refresh a space effectively.
Built-in niches or carefully arranged shelving create perfect spots for displaying everything from ceramics to framed photos. When styling a shelf, edit deliberately: allow negative space so each object has room to breathe. Think of these displays as miniature still-lives that reveal the story of your home.
Select focal pieces that have personal meaning or a compelling form—an oversized light fixture, an artist-made object, or a treasured antique. If you enjoy hands-on projects, consider making a simple wall hanging or pottery piece; handmade accents add warmth and authenticity.
Fun Touches
Vacation properties often invite bolder, playfully confident choices. Gray Malin’s Lake Michigan retreat shows how a bright backgammon table or vivid photography can inject personality and joy into a room. Vibrant accents like these create memorable moments and make a home feel lively and layered.
Eye-catching artwork instantly elevates a space—especially when the subject evokes travel, the sea, or landscapes associated with leisure. A striking photograph or painting can serve as the room’s anchor and help create that elusive vacation feeling at home.
Bold color choices—like blue tile in a powder room—can energize a small area without overwhelming the home. If installing new tile isn’t practical, framed prints or tile-inspired artwork can deliver the same visual impact with less cost and effort.
Creating a vacation-inspired home doesn’t require a big budget or major renovation. Small, thoughtful changes—decluttering, repurposing items from another room, curating a shelf, or adding one standout piece of art—can dramatically shift a room’s mood. Aim for calm colors, layered textures, meaningful objects, and a few playful accents to keep your space feeling fresh and inviting. Happy decorating!