10 Affordable Vacation Home Makeover Ideas: Designer Tips to Refresh Any Space

If your Colorado vacation rental is starting to feel dated but a full renovation isn't in the budget, you're not alone.

The good news is that most design professionals agree on one thing: you can transform your Breck vacation rental without spending a fortune or taking weeks off work. From decluttering and lighting to small updates in upholstery, art, and color, the expert-approved tips below will give your home a fresh, polished look on a realistic budget.

In a hurry? Here's the lowdown:

TL;DR: 10 Affordable VACATION RENTAL Makeover Ideas

1. Start with "Less Is More": Declutter and simplify furniture layouts for a spacious, balanced look.
2. Brighten Up with Smart Lighting: Layer lamps and bulbs to create warm, consistent lighting.
3. Refresh Upholstery Without Reupholstering: Flip cushions, clean fabrics, and add new accents.
4. Add Visual Drama with Scaled Artwork: Use one oversized art piece per wall for clean impact.
5. Simplify the Bedroom for a Restful Retreat: Crisp bedding and light textures make the room inviting.
6. Give the Bathroom a Spa-Inspired Refresh: Fresh towels, bright lighting, and soft colors do wonders.
7. Brighten the Kitchen with Subtle Hardware Swaps: Update cabinet handles and fixtures for a modern feel.
8. Use Color to Unify, Not Overwhelm: Stick to a cohesive palette to connect every space.
9. Prioritize Comfort Over Perfection: Focus on warmth, livability, and personality over trends.
10. Style for Joy, Not Impressiveness: Add details that make your home feel uniquely yours.

At Great Western Lodging, we help homeowners in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone move beyond outdated management methods and embrace smarter, more profitable systems, and we're always glad to share our local expertise on our professional property management blog.

Today, we have a treat for you: 10 Affordable Vacation Rental Makeover Ideas that come straight from design professionals. Ready to make your Breckenridge vacation home shine on a budget?

1. Start with "Less Is More"

Decluttering is the fastest, least expensive way to make your home look larger and more modern.

Interior designer Mary Jo Finley of Finley, Jones and Harris Design Group recommends focusing first on editing, not adding. Removing unnecessary furniture and accessories can make an instant impact. Finley notes that people often overfill a room, especially in mountain homes where big, rustic pieces dominate the space.

"My biggest thing is to de-clutter: get rid of pieces you don't use and don't need," Finley says. "Even if you replace larger pieces with others scaled to the room, it doesn't have to be a big expense. Sometimes people think they need an overstuffed leather sofa because it's their mountain home, but a comfortable, smaller-scale sofa can make the room feel twice as spacious."

Pro Design Tips

• Start by removing one large item per room — then reassess.
• Rearrange remaining furniture to create natural pathways and visual breathing room.
• Store seasonal decor to prevent visual clutter.
  
  

2. Brighten Up with Smart Lighting

The right lighting can instantly make your home feel warmer, larger, and more inviting.

Designer Maria Markel of Markel Design Group emphasizes the importance of lamps and layered light sources — especially in entryways and living rooms. Overhead lighting alone often casts harsh shadows, creating a cold or uneven glow.

"So many people say, 'I hate lamps.' They turn on overhead lights and that's all they want," says Markel. "But that lighting is way above your head and tends to give a harsh glow. Having more than one lamp in the room makes a big difference."

She suggests using bulbs of at least 100 watts in living spaces and ensuring consistency across fixtures. For bathrooms, aim for 300 watts total — enough brightness to mimic daylight.

Pro Design Tip

Consistent color temperature across rooms creates a cohesive look and helps paint colors appear true to tone.

Practical Fixes

• Replace outdated fluorescent tubes with modern LED fixtures.
• Choose matching shades for lamps and pendant lights.
• For kitchens, ensure all bulbs are the same type and brightness.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to LED bulbs can reduce energy use by up to 75% while providing better-quality light.

3. Refresh Upholstery — Without Reupholstering Everything

You don't need to replace all your furniture — start by revitalizing what you already have.

If your armchair looks like an invisible guest never left, it might be time for a simple refresh. While full reupholstering can be costly, flipping or rotating cushions can breathe new life into tired furniture.

"No. 1 is that the upholstery has to be fresh," Markel says. "Sagging seats or stretched fabric can make the whole room look tired. If the upholstery isn't pretty, adding a new piece of artwork is a great way to create a fresh impact."

Pro Design Tips

• Rotate cushions regularly to distribute wear evenly.
• Use fabric-safe cleaners to remove dull buildup.
• If the piece still feels tired, add a throw or bold accent pillow for contrast.

4. Add Visual Drama with Scaled Artwork

Large, properly scaled artwork can transform a room more effectively than small, scattered pieces.

According to Markel, size matters when it comes to wall art. One big, balanced piece can make a room feel curated and intentional. Smaller art collections, unless carefully grouped, often clutter the space.

"When I say big, I mean scaled to the room," she explains. "People tend to hang multiple small artworks, but a single large piece gives a cleaner, less jumbled look."

Affordable art options abound online — icanvas.com and wayfair.com both offer large-scale prints and Giclées that mimic the look of original paintings. The key is choosing pieces that complement, not overpower, your existing décor.

"I love accessories," Markel says, "but too many small ones can look cluttered. I usually go for a couple oversized pieces — like a large bowl with pine cones or colorful faux apples — to balance the art."

Pro Design Tips

• Use one oversized piece per wall rather than multiple smaller frames.
• Anchor your artwork with similarly toned accessories — a vase, pillow, or rug.
• Avoid busy patterns that compete for attention.
  
  

5. Simplify the Bedroom for a Restful Retreat

The most appealing bedrooms are calm, fresh, and simple — not necessarily expensive.

Markel suggests focusing on comfort and cleanliness instead of ornate furniture. A fresh duvet cover and crisp white pillows can make even a basic bed feel luxurious.

"Nothing looks better than a nice, fresh bed — one that makes you want to crawl right in," she says. "You can do this with white pillows, a lightweight duvet cover, and matching shams. IKEA has affordable cotton ones that are machine washable."

Pro Design Tips

• Fold back the duvet slightly, hotel-style, to highlight fresh linens.
• Stick to neutral tones (white, cream, light gray) for a spa-like effect.
• Add one textured throw or cushion for warmth and personality.
  
  

6. Give the Bathroom a Quick Spa-Inspired Refresh

You can update your bathroom's look dramatically with light, color, and texture — not renovation.

Instead of replacing tile or porcelain, Markel recommends focusing on color-blocking and lighting. Matching towels, a new shower curtain, and bright lighting can create a clean, spa-like feel.

"Go for simple blocks of color," she advises. "If your towels are soft and your lighting is bright, the whole room looks better. Think white towels with a gray or pastel accent curtain."

Pro Design Tips

• Replace dark or patterned curtains with light-reflective fabrics.
• Choose fluffy, hotel-quality towels in neutral shades.
• Add a single plant or candle to elevate the space.

Studies by the National Association of Realtors show that updated bathrooms — even with small changes — can boost perceived home value by up to 5%.

7. Brighten the Kitchen with Subtle Hardware Swaps

Small details like cabinet hardware can modernize your kitchen instantly and affordably.

Replacing cabinets or countertops is expensive. Instead, Finley recommends focusing on the details — knobs, pulls, and lighting fixtures. These small elements can shift a kitchen's style from dated to modern in one afternoon.

"If you want quick fixes, change the cabinet hardware," Finley says. "A lot of the time, that's what makes a kitchen look dated."

Pro Design Tips

• Replace brass or ornate handles with matte black or brushed nickel.
• Choose hardware that matches your faucet or lighting finish.
• Ensure all light bulbs are bright and uniform in color.

Paint touch-ups and uniform lighting often create as much visual impact as major renovations — for a fraction of the cost.

8. Use Color to Unify, Not Overwhelm

A consistent color palette ties rooms together and makes your home feel more intentional.

Designers recommend sticking to 3–4 complementary colors throughout the home. Neutral backdrops with a single accent tone create calm, cohesive flow between spaces.

Markel often uses natural textures — wood, stone, linen — to connect mountain homes with their surroundings. "Even if you mix patterns or styles," she says, "keeping a shared tone or texture makes everything feel designed, not random."

Pro Design Tips

• Repeat one accent color (navy, sage, gold) across pillows, art, and decor.
• Limit dark walls to one statement space for balance.
• Use plants or wooden elements to soften transitions between rooms.
  
  

9. Prioritize Comfort Over Perfection

Good design isn't about perfection — it's about how a space feels when you walk in.

Both Finley and Markel agree that personality and livability outweigh rigid design trends. Homes evolve, and the most welcoming spaces mix comfort with authenticity.

"You can make your space look beautiful without spending a lot," Finley says. "It's about being thoughtful — choosing what matters and letting go of what doesn't."

Pro Design Tips

• Keep pieces that tell a story or serve a purpose.
• Avoid copying catalog rooms; personalize with art or local craft pieces.
• Balance functionality with aesthetics — good design should make daily life easier.
  
  

10. The Finishing Touch: Style for Joy, Not Impressiveness

The most beautiful homes reflect the people who live in them.

Once clutter is gone and lighting improved, add pieces that spark joy. It could be a favorite artwork, a vintage find, or even a new plant that softens a corner.

As Markel puts it, "A space should make you feel something good. It should welcome you back at the end of the day."

Pro Design Tips

• Declutter and simplify furniture layouts.
• Brighten lighting in every room.
• Choose one large artwork per wall.
• Refresh textiles: bedding, towels, and cushions.
• Update small details like hardware and lampshades.

These subtle changes create a home that feels both renewed and personal, without the renovation price tag.

At a Glance: Quick Home Makeover Tips & Takeaways

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