Decorating Guides
How to Decorate Your Second Home
Your second home should be comfortable, offer complete relaxation, ensure easy maintenance and connect with the outdoors
Whether your second home functions as a weekend home or a vacation home, its purpose is to help you relax and escape from the fast-paced urban life; disconnect from the demands of normal working life. It should provide a pleasant and comfortable stay so that you can indulge in your favourite pastimes, have fun and spend quality time with your family and friends. Use these tips to create a perfect space to do all this in the comfort of your home away from home.
2. Create a clutter-free space
A minimum of furniture in this living room by S A K Designs ensures that there is ample walking space around the home. Another advantage is that there will be less cleaning up to do since the house might be shut for long periods.
A minimum of furniture in this living room by S A K Designs ensures that there is ample walking space around the home. Another advantage is that there will be less cleaning up to do since the house might be shut for long periods.
3. Connect with the scenic beauty around you
Make sure the bedrooms and other common areas have large windows, especially if the property opens to picturesque views – hills, beach, forest, river and so on.
In this example, Coates Design Architects Seattle has installed a picture window in the bathroom to create a seamless connection with the outdoors.
Make sure the bedrooms and other common areas have large windows, especially if the property opens to picturesque views – hills, beach, forest, river and so on.
In this example, Coates Design Architects Seattle has installed a picture window in the bathroom to create a seamless connection with the outdoors.
Here is a beautiful home office by DeForest Architects, which allows one to communicate with nature when you need to work.
Find an interior decorator on Houzz
Find an interior decorator on Houzz
4. Experiment with colour
Introduce pops of colour to create a cheerful and energised space that imparts vacation vibes all day.
Just see how elaine richardson architect has introduced bright colours in the carpet, upholstery, cushions and a floor lamp to create a vibrant decor.
Introduce pops of colour to create a cheerful and energised space that imparts vacation vibes all day.
Just see how elaine richardson architect has introduced bright colours in the carpet, upholstery, cushions and a floor lamp to create a vibrant decor.
The blue hues of this dry kitchen and bar by Bluedoor Design Group adds a happy vibe to the home décor.
5. Go for bold patterns
If you are looking for budget-friendly ways to design your home, then introduce bold patterns because it is an inexpensive way to enhance the decor of your second home.
Yellow door architects has introduced patterned cement tiles in bold colours to segregate the passage from the living space.
If you are looking for budget-friendly ways to design your home, then introduce bold patterns because it is an inexpensive way to enhance the decor of your second home.
Yellow door architects has introduced patterned cement tiles in bold colours to segregate the passage from the living space.
6. Install resilient flooring
Design Office has used hard-wearing Kota stone for the flooring because it is easy to maintain.
Design Office has used hard-wearing Kota stone for the flooring because it is easy to maintain.
Natural stone flooring forms a perfect material for the pool deck of this swimming pool by Township Pools .
7. Use durable furnishing materials
The yellow-hued sofa and accent wall by Crown Paints adds a sunny vibe to the space. Always opt for durable furnishing materials that have high resistance to wear and tear.
The yellow-hued sofa and accent wall by Crown Paints adds a sunny vibe to the space. Always opt for durable furnishing materials that have high resistance to wear and tear.
8. Introduce built-in storage
The biggest advantage of built-in storage is that you can pack and store all your belongings properly behind closed doors while you are away. Make it a point to control dampness within your wardrobes and storage cabinets.
Mary Reille has used a combination of open shelves for display and built-in storage for creating an organised space.
The biggest advantage of built-in storage is that you can pack and store all your belongings properly behind closed doors while you are away. Make it a point to control dampness within your wardrobes and storage cabinets.
Mary Reille has used a combination of open shelves for display and built-in storage for creating an organised space.
9. Add comfort
Shouldn’t your second home be as comfortable as your primary home so that it allows you to rejuvenate?
Purchase comfortable mattresses, pillows and bed linen so that your second home does not compromise on comfort. Also, just see how the forest-green wall infuses a soothing vibe into this bedroom by Lindye Galloway Interiors.
Shouldn’t your second home be as comfortable as your primary home so that it allows you to rejuvenate?
Purchase comfortable mattresses, pillows and bed linen so that your second home does not compromise on comfort. Also, just see how the forest-green wall infuses a soothing vibe into this bedroom by Lindye Galloway Interiors.
10. Infuse warmth
Your second should feel warm, cosy and inviting so that you look forward to coming back time and again.
In this example, Dawson Design Group has used stone, wood and warm yellow lighting to add an element of warmth to the entrance foyer.
Your second should feel warm, cosy and inviting so that you look forward to coming back time and again.
In this example, Dawson Design Group has used stone, wood and warm yellow lighting to add an element of warmth to the entrance foyer.
The recessed illumination by John Davies Landscape creates a warm and serene setting in this urban garden.
11. Introduce local Indian aesthetics
From mountain cottages to beach homes, bring in some accessories which reflect the local art, craft and culture of that place. This is one of the simplest ways to differentiate between the decor of your primary home and second home.
The solid wood columns, the cow motif on the perforated screen, the sitar and the wall-mounted sculptures give the space cultural context.
From mountain cottages to beach homes, bring in some accessories which reflect the local art, craft and culture of that place. This is one of the simplest ways to differentiate between the decor of your primary home and second home.
The solid wood columns, the cow motif on the perforated screen, the sitar and the wall-mounted sculptures give the space cultural context.
Exposed brickwork gives a vernacular feel to this bathroom by ESSTEAM DESIGN SERVICES LLP.
Note: If your ancestral home functions as your second home, just give it a facelift and let its original elements remain so that the house does not lose its original character.
Studio Context Architects has preserved the old-word graciousness of this home.
Studio Context Architects has preserved the old-word graciousness of this home.
12. Create outdoor seating
Most city homes lack the luxury of private gardens and patios. Therefore, when designing your second home, add loads of functionality to the outdoor area and integrate it with the indoors.
Here is a patio by Dipen Gada and Associates, which is perfect for relaxation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
See more patio ideas in photos on Houzz
Most city homes lack the luxury of private gardens and patios. Therefore, when designing your second home, add loads of functionality to the outdoor area and integrate it with the indoors.
Here is a patio by Dipen Gada and Associates, which is perfect for relaxation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
See more patio ideas in photos on Houzz
13. Enhance security
A sturdy wooden entrance door and safety-glass windows ensure proper security of the home. However all the outdoor areas of your second home should be easily accessible to the gardener or staff so that they can take care of the gardens when the homeowners are away.
Read more:
6 Gorgeous Indian Vacation Homes to Fuel Your Daydreams
Mudigere Houzz: This Vacation Home Lies Between Sunrise & Sunset
Tell us:
Do you have a second home? We would love to see it. Share images in the Comments section below.
A sturdy wooden entrance door and safety-glass windows ensure proper security of the home. However all the outdoor areas of your second home should be easily accessible to the gardener or staff so that they can take care of the gardens when the homeowners are away.
Read more:
6 Gorgeous Indian Vacation Homes to Fuel Your Daydreams
Mudigere Houzz: This Vacation Home Lies Between Sunrise & Sunset
Tell us:
Do you have a second home? We would love to see it. Share images in the Comments section below.
Here is an open-plan home by Angus Mackenzie Architect, which opens out to the lawn and outdoor views. Such areas facilitate a lot of interaction with family and friends.