10 Things To Make Your Spanish Villa Feel Like Home During Your Stay
Part of the appeal of going on vacation, apart from seeing different parts of the world and experiencing other cultures, is simply to have a change of scenery and a break in the sometimes boring day-to-day routine. However, if being away for any length of time makes you start missing your home comforts there are a few easy things you can do to give your rented villa a feeling of comfort and familiarity.
Get Organized
When you arrive at your villa, the last thing you’ll probably feel like doing is unpacking, especially when the sunny beach or a chilled cocktail is calling your name! Taking the time to unpack, organize your belongings and put everything in its place will not only make your life easier but will also help you lose that feeling of living out of a suitcase.
Spritz Some Scent
We all know that a certain smell can evoke all kinds of good feelings, so bring your favourite scent with you, whether it’s some potpourri, room spray or essential oil diffuser. A subtle smell of home will do wonders for that instant feeling of belonging.
Pack a Throw
Make some room in your luggage for a small throw blanket or cushion. While your villa will be furnished, it’s those small, personal touches that add immediate comfort and make it the perfect place to take your afternoon siesta. A small blanket can also do double duty as a light wrap for the cooler evenings or a make-shift pillow on the beach!
Light a Candle
Nothing adds instant ambiance to a place better than a candle, whether it’s a larger pillar candle in the centre of the dinner table or some pretty tea lights dotted around the room. If your vacation is a romantic getaway for two, then dining by candlelight is an absolute must!
Find Comfort in Food
While there’s no doubt that one of the most exciting parts of any vacation is the chance to try exotic regional cuisine, sometimes you just crave some good, down to earth comfort food. Bring a few staples with you such as pasta, rice or even oatmeal for a quick breakfast – this is especially important for kids who may not be willing to try new foods or for those with food allergies.
Crank up the Tunes
As with scents, music has a huge effect on our psyche so a sure way of making any place feel like home is to have your favourite tunes fill the air. Take some time before your trip to make your vacation play list so you’re never without a familiar soundtrack whether jogging on the beach or sunning by the pool.
A Little Luxury
Transfer some of your every day bath and beauty products to travel size bottles before you leave so you’ll have your bathroom essentials close at hand. There’s nothing like sinking into a deep tub of your favourite, luxurious bubbles to help you relax after a hard day of sightseeing.
Make it Picture Perfect
Even if your family are with you on your trip, it’s a great idea to bring along a few small framed photos to place around the villa. A photo of your kids or other family members on the nightstand or living area will immediately give the space a homey feel.
Stick to a Routine
Although you go on vacation to get away from routine life, having some structure to your day can help you make the most of your time and, if you have young children, help avoid tantrums and meltdowns from overtiredness and too much activity. Keeping to a simple structure of sitting down with the family for breakfast, taking time out for an afternoon nap, enjoying a home cooked meal and a bed time that’s age appropriate can make the time away a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Bring a Crowd
If you really want to make your vacation villa feel like home, why not invite some friends or extended family members to join you? If you’re away for any length of time, inviting some familiar faces to stay, whether for a few days or a week here and there, is a fun way of sharing your beautiful space and make some memories that you’ll all treasure forever.
Photo Credits: Unsplash / Pixabay