I know this is horrible of me, but .....

[bethie]

during my search for a home to rent, if I click on a site, check out the photos of the place and it has that cheesey flower furniture I immediately click off. I don't even give the place a second chance regardless of price. I guess maybe folks get package deals for furnishing their homes, but I can not stand that 80's pastel floral.

I apologize to anyone whom I might offend. I am sure these are second homes and they furnished to make them economical and sensible for renting to strangers, but I just don't dig those type of decorated digs.

 

[Miss Stitch]

I agree. I dont rent homes but I do the same with hotels lol. I am not a flowery person. If it came to a choice of sitting on the floor at home or on a flowery sofa the floor would win.

 

[clarabelle]

I skipped over some condos because they had white couches.
I was afraid we would get something on one.

 

[Tissa]

I do not think it's horrible of you, we all have our own tastes. I wouldn't turn down a place with a floral couch but I did one because it had a red one. Just not me. Anyway that's why there are so many places out there for everyone to choose from.

 

[Freaky]

Some of the new build ones have a more up-to-date decor and are really quite stylish. I do agree some of the interiors look very dated and would not be to my taste either

 

[Miss Stitch]

Some of the new build ones have a more up-to-date decor and are really quite stylish. I do agree some of the interiors look very dated and would not be to my taste either

I specifically chose my last hotel because it looked quite stylish in the pictures, was quite plain and uncluttered, just like I like. We stay for 14 days at a time and return to the hotel around 8 most evening (cept a few nights for fireworks) as we have young children, so we like to be staying in something to our tastes.

Unfortunately we arrived at the above hotel, were allocated our room and found the outdated floral pattern everywhere The sofa, curtains and bed linen. We thought it was hilarious. It was like spending two weeks in a greenhouse. My mum on the other hand wouldve loved it.

Obviously when all is said and done, its just a place to say, as long as its clean and comfortable and has everything you need, its okay. But if I can, I try stay away for the chintz and flowers Just not for me I'm afraid

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I do exactly the same thing! Some of the decor in some homes is just awful IMO...pastel, flowery sofas, mauve lamps, teal carpeting. This is my vacation, I want the place I stay at to look better or the same as my home, not worse. But, of course, it all depends on each person's tastes. I absolutely mean no offense to anyone whose home is decorated this way...it's just not for me.

 

[Freaky]

Unfortunately we arrived at the above hotel, were allocated our room and found the outdated floral pattern everywhere The sofa, curtains and bed linen. We thought it was hilarious. It was like spending two weeks in a greenhouse. My mum on the other hand wouldve loved it.

What a nightmare! You just never know when they will have a 'flowery' interior designer come in for the makeover

We just stay at the townhome without the greenhouse effect

 

[stepnut]

I'm a decorator wannabe, and I thrive on surrounding myself in beautiful spaces, so I'll pass right by the photos of condos with white walls and blah furniture. How snobby am I?

I'll even pay more for a beautifully decorated place. I'm an owner's dream renter!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I do exactly the same thing! Some of the decor in some homes is just awful IMO...pastel, flowery sofas, mauve lamps, teal carpeting. This is my vacation, I want the place I stay at to look better or the same as my home, not worse. But, of course, it all depends on each person's tastes. I absolutely mean no offense to anyone whose home is decorated this way...it's just not for me.

ITA I have seen some photos that look straight outta The Golden Girls set!!

 

[Q-man]

I do the same thing and had a good laugh with the folks at the management company about it. They told me many of those are owned by winter Floridians who actually live in them for 3-4 months a year. They also told me that winter Floridians are why 4bd town homes are more readily available than 2 and 3bd condos at this time of year. As owners are in them or the winter Floridians are renting them.

Any condo owners reading this a little paint and modern furnishings will help you a lot. Paint is cheap and will make your place stand out when we are scrolling through condo after condo of white on white. Kids rooms- simple solid red or black bedspread with dust ruffle of the other color and a couple of stuffed Mickeys give you an instant Disney theme.

 

[bethie]

Whew, I don't feel as bad now.

 

[Lzylitnin]

ooo, don't feel bad! It's your vacation money and it is where you have to relax while on vacation. I'm obsessive about where we stay on vacation. Having the right lodging for your group can make or break the whole trip.

 

[kat777]

We actually chose the villa for our trip purely based on the decor...to the point where it won out over others with a more suitable number of rooms/configuration

There were so many to look at and choose from, if there was one room/major piece of furniture I didn't like, I just immediately struck it off the list...

Feeling very shallow now!

 

[Gillian]

I do the same thing and had a good laugh with the folks at the management company about it. They told me many of those are owned by winter Floridians who actually live in them for 3-4 months a year. They also told me that winter Floridians are why 4bd town homes are more readily available than 2 and 3bd condos at this time of year. As owners are in them or the winter Floridians are renting them.

I wonder if this is economical. Are some of the communities only for rentals and not long term residents?

My parents are considering buying a home in Florida. It will probably sit empty for part of the year.

 

[JANNYANS]

It is partly to do with the fact that homes come with a standard package of furniture and it takes time and money to replace the items as you need to.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

It's not horrible of you...it's your money, stay where you want to. Personally, some of the stark, modernistic stuff really makes me ill, and I wouldn't want to stay there. Florals don't bother me, although I like the darker, more exotic decor. But I'll stay in any place that's clean and well-maintained, if the price is right.

 

[emmsmama]

I think owners would be very smart to have at least one kid-themed room as well. It sounds silly, but even just having a Disney bedspread and a few stuffed animals on the bed makes me more inclined to consider that condo/home. Murals are extra cool as well, but even just a bedspread that they can change up to floral if somebody whithout kids wants to stay is still a big selling point imo.

I also find myself passing over places with a lot of carpeting. I just don't want to stress about spills in the living room/dining room. At least if it is ceramic it is easier to clean. I don't know how sticky owners are about stains but I don't want to take any chances. My kids are 5 and 8 and not wild at all but heck even dh and I spill things sometimes and a white couch or carpeting in high-traffic areas turn me off.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I also agree about having the kids room with Disney decor. We were/are/maybe considering a home rental this next trip, and my DD's are insistent that they get a Princess or at least a Disney room if we do. I pass over every house that doesn't have one. Some of the homes have fabulous themed kids' rooms, but we just haven't one with the right size/right location/right price yet.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm looking at condo to rent.


I bypass completely the garishly painted red/black/bright pink rooms. I'm sure some would love that.. but it sure isn't me. Since I have older kids I prefer the understated look. I don't need murals or plushies or baby toys.

I also like modern. The more modern the better. I don't want to have to haul four Ipod chargers for our family. If the owners have Ipod chargers and HDTV with free internet I am happy. My DH does a lot of school online, so free internet for school is a BIG PLUS.