As we begin to fully reopen after lockdowns, and largely ditch the masks for good, chances are some may be feeling a little apprehensive about international travel – and that means we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we can pack our bags and jet off to a sunny paradise that’s worlds away from Australia.
But, don’t despair, you can save yourself a bunch of time and hassle by turning your very own home into a luxurious resort of sorts for the sunny season.
To that end, here are some ideas to help transform your home into a dreamy staycation palace, with the spacious luxury of a Metricon home providing the perfect canvas.
A lick of paint goes a long way
If you need to recreate the feel of chilling out by the sea somewhere overseas, one of the easiest ways is to transform your existing spaces with a fresh coat of paint. Think soothing neutral tones like the swishest hotel resort, with pops of brilliant blue and sunburnt terracotta to recreate a Mediterranean escape.
Lounge in luxury
There’s no expense spared when it comes to the chill-out spaces of fancy getaway destinations. And it’s easy (and a lot less expensive) to recreate the luxe living area look by liberally decorating your sofas and armchairs with cloud-like cushions and velvet-soft throws to lose yourself in. Set up a daybed in the perfect spot to grab that afternoon sun and you'll feel a million miles away in no time.
Feel the breeze with a ceiling fan
Do you know what turbo-charges that “I’m drifting into bliss” feel? A sea breeze on your skin. Ok, so we’re not all beachside, but opting for a Hamptons style home sure will make you feel like you are. Or you could pop in a ceiling fan and voila. There’s that refreshing breath of holiday spirit you’ve been craving. It’ll make you feel like you’re in Casablanca – both the place and the movie.
Sink into the perfect sleep
That magic moment when you first set foot in a beautiful hotel bedroom and close the door on your worldly cares is a minute of magic. And let’s face it, there are few pleasures more sensual than slipping into silky sheets. Why not feel like that all the time? Investing in as high a thread count as possible will go a long way to achieving the perfect sleep. As will soothing lighting and scents, creating a lush getaway in your bedroom.
Hang out in a hammock
One of the easiest ways to transform your outdoor space into a serene escape is to let it all hang loose. Pop up a hammock, slip in and feel your cares slide away as you sway. Top tip, though: make sure you hang it in a shady area or at least slip, slop, slap before jumping in, because there’s nothing worse than waking up from a nap to realise you fell into a sunburn trap.
Turn your bathroom into a spa
A holiday suite can be a treat, but if the bathroom drops the ball it ruins it all. The very best international breaks come with spa-like places to bathe, and you can easily recreate that Zen-like feel with your at-home décor. Think deep, freestanding baths, a rain shower wet-area with soothing stone and wood backdrops, green fern-like sprays of nature and beauty products galore. Seriously, splash out on those cute little bottles of body wash.
Stock up a bar cart
Cocktails (or mocktails) unlock instantaneous holiday vibes, so even if you have an awesome bar set-up indoors, it’s worth investing in a cute little bar trolley on wheels. That way you can stock up on everything you need, including an ice bucket and snacks, then roll right up to your daybed or hammock. Because you don’t need a big budget to create an ideal outdoor escape.
Bliss out with a water feature
There’s nothing like the sound of running water to soothe the soul and make you feel like you’re in a resort. Even if you don't have a lap or plunge pool to hand, the smallest of outdoor spaces can accommodate a vertical waterfall-like water feature. Trust us on this one – it’s pure blissful therapy that will help transform your summer sessions
Go nuts with greenery
You don't have to be a green-thumbed gardening guru to make the most of even a concrete-paved space outdoors. Tropical palms in pots love to lap up the Aussie sun and gathering them in and around your chill out area will help recreate a tropical paradise; the same goes indoors. There are heaps of low-maintenance indoor plants that can help make your home feel like a resort hotel.
Want more ideas? Find out how to achieve a mindful home and also how to make home your happiest place.
Speak to one of our new home advisors or take a tour of Studio M and you could be on your way to realising your dream staycation home.
