Sturdy, durable, and easy to clean stuff for rentals...

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<p>We have rentals, but they are the typical ones where people sign leases and are there for awhile. They are unfurnished. No biggie…used to handling those.</p>

<p>However, we’re now set to build a small home that will be rented for short period of times (week/weekends) and that we’ll use occasionally too. It will be like a vacation home…fully furnished, kitchenware, linens, etc.</p>

<p>It won’t be very big…3 BR, 2 Baths, good sized open kitchen and family room plan, small laundry room…one floor. Good sized patio, yard, BBQ area. </p>

<p>There won’t be any smoking permitted indoors. </p>

<p>Not sure whether to allow a small pet or not. We won’t allow pets if there is any carpeting, but might if we use a flooring that can put up with an occasional pet accident and can easily be cleaned/sanitized. </p>

<p>For kitchen countertops, I’m guessing either granite or Corian, but not sure which would be best for this situation.</p>

<p>I’m looking at hard floorings…like hardwood, tile, tile that looks like wood, etc. Not sure which way to go. I fear hardwoods in baths, kitchen and laundry, so probably will do tile there. I want to avoid carpet because, well, some people aren’t very good about spills and dirty shoes! Area rugs are possible unless they might pose a tripping hazard. </p>

<p>And, I’m looking at furniture that will wear well, won’t stain easily etc. I’m thinking good leather couches for easier cleaning. Would you agree?</p>

<p>What about walls? For rentals, we often use a semi-gloss or egg-shell since those wear well and stains easily wash off. Not sure what to do with this. </p>

<p>This is new ground for us. We built our current home, but this is different since this will be used by others. Our rentals have just been purchased after they were built. </p>

<p>What advice do you have regarding furnishings, creature comforts, flooring?</p>

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<p>Several of the vacation homes we’ve been at have “distressed” dining room tables, which are very forgiving. If the place is going to have a higher-end rental fee, I’d think that the granite would be fine, and the leather furniture fine too. Please get good lights for reading – I’m amazed at the number of vacation house rentals with really poor lighting for reading. Personally I’d tile (granite or otherwise) right up to the ceiling in any shower stall since folks might not be too careful to keep wall areas dry. Same with providing a larger backsplash behind the sink and the cooktop. (We have that in our house, and it makes a big difference.) </p>

<p>If you think that the floor is going to get heavier-than-normal wear, you can get an extra coat of finish applied, or even go to a “commercial” finish.</p>

<p>If you have the choice, rounded corners and wider doorways are a lot less likely to get banged up from people navigating rolling suitcases around. Thinking about a place to put suitcases in the bedrooms is probably a good idea too. You don’t want somebody thinking the top of a nice dresser is the right place.</p>

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<p>I’d go with a natural looking lamanent tile floor. We had one and the thing held up really well.</p>

<p>I’ve helped take care of rentals before, carpeting gets trashed rather easily :<</p>

<p>As for the rest, I’d go Ikea and get some basics.</p>

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<p>No, please don’t go to Ikea. We had a rental for 8 months with furniture from Ikea. It might feel comfortable for ten minutes in the store, but living with it is hell.</p>

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<p>*If you have the choice, rounded corners and wider doorways are a lot less likely to get banged up from people navigating rolling suitcases around. </p>

<p>Thinking about a place to put suitcases in the bedrooms is probably a good idea too. You don’t want somebody thinking the top of a nice dresser is the right place.*</p>

<p>Yes, we’re going with ADA doorways. </p>

<p>Oh my, didnt’ think about where people would put suitcases. You’re right…not on the dressers! Ok…the closets will be “walk in” so maybe have some kind of shelf for suitcases?</p>

<p>Arab…yes…shower tiling all the way up. Less mildew/mold issues. And large backsplashes. Good ideas! </p>

<p>Distressed dining table sounds interesting. I had a friend who had a “bar finish” put on her kitchen table to prevent issues with kid messes.</p>

<p>I’d go with a natural looking lamanent tile floor</p>

<p>I am thinking about that. Maybe something not too light and not too dark. …but not sure. (I think I need a decorator. lol)</p>

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<p>We have a short term vacation rental.</p>

<p>Not sure where you live but Costco is a great source for everything!! </p>

<p>Towels & Linens: I suggest you use white everything–for the simple reason all can be washed together and bleached. We purchased white towels from Costco–in packs and they are very durable. I also purchased some cheaper white towels from Walmart but they are a bit thinner and seem not to wear as well. I purchased linens called Pure Beech Jersey sheets from Bed, Bath and Beyond (using 15% off coupons) and they have been durable. I purchased some sheets from Anna’s that did not wear well, I suggest a good percentage of cotton in the blend–but because cotton wrinkles–not too much cotton. I bought duvet covers and put comforters in them–then you just remove the duvet cover and wash and don’t need to worry about washing blankets.</p>

<p>I have large travertine tiles and wood floors–they both mop up well. </p>

<p>We have granite but don’t know if I was building for a rental if I would have it–find something indestructible–Corian is probably a good idea.</p>

<p>I purchased a good amount of our kitchen stuff at a the .99 store and Big Lots. No reason to spend a lot of $$ on stuff if it can be broken or stolen. I did spend a bit more for pots and pans for durability.</p>

<p>As for furniture, we have leather (and leatherette) chairs and sofas–no staining and can be wiped down easily. Go with glass coffee tables or something indestructible.</p>

<p>I supply little bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner–again .99 cent stores are great for this.</p>

<p>If you need any other suggestions, PM me.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>Bamboo and cork floors. For counter, either a recycled glass solid surface or one of the quartz solid surfaces. They are both much lower maintenance than corian or granite. For furniture…what style home and decoration? Beach/ ski/ lake/ hunt?</p>

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<p>Regarding pets: we have dogs and for the most part travel with them. We are more than willing to put down a pet deposit plus pay daily pet fees for the privledge. Frankly, I think you can make a nice bit of change by letting people bring their small pets.</p>

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<p>Great ideas!</p>

<p>yes, we have a Costco! (yea!!) </p>

<p>I agree with white cotton towels for bleaching! Yes! </p>

<p>You don’t want a lot of cotton in the sheets? Don’t you need cotton to be able to bleach those as well?</p>

<p>I’m going to put Front loader washers/dryers in the laundry…the washer will have a sanitary cycle. </p>

<p>I know about bamboo floors, but the idea of cork floors confuse me. Are those porous?</p>

<p>Regarding pets: we have dogs and for the most part travel with them. We are more than willing to put down a pet deposit plus pay daily pet fees for the privledge. Frankly, I think you can make a nice bit of change by letting people bring their small pets.</p>

<p>I agree…that’s what I’m thinking. But I want flooring/furniture that can handle pets. lol</p>

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<p>purchased a good amount of our kitchen stuff at a the .99 store and Big Lots. No reason to spend a lot of $$ on stuff if it can be broken or stolen. I did spend a bit more for pots and pans for durability.</p>

<p>Yes, I’ve been thinking of picking up glassware at the Dollar Store and some other little things. I did find some nice white dishes at Sams Club that were less than $1 a piece…so I may buy 2 boxes and keep one as a back up for missing/broken pieces. </p>

<p>Socker…how have things gone with breakage and theft? </p>

<p>How about backstock of “basics”? If I have a nice backstock of TP and papertowels with easy access, do I have to worry that someone will just take them all when they leave?</p>

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<p>Six other things which any renter who cooks will thank you for:

  1. I don’t care if the utensils come from the dollar store, but please get one heavy non-stick decent sized skillet ($25 at Bed, Bath and Beyond),
  2. Some heavy duty stainless steel cookware like the Tramontina triple ply one Wal-Mart sells (and is probably sold elsewhere too) – we have a set of this and it cooks every bit as well as well as my All Clad that cost that much for one skillet. It also cleans up really nicely because food doesn’t burn in it easily. [Tramontina</a> 10-Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel Triply-Clad Cookware Set - Walmart.com](<a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-Tri-Ply-Clad-Cookware-Set/11072505]Tramontina”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-Tri-Ply-Clad-Cookware-Set/11072505)
  3. One decent chef’s-type knife like: [Amazon.com:</a> Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-40520-Fibrox-8-Inch-Chefs/dp/B000638D32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336356631&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-40520-Fibrox-8-Inch-Chefs/dp/B000638D32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336356631&sr=8-1) – got this for D’s house, and it is a great knife at an excellent price. I find that most furnished rentals have terrible knives, and lots of them. One decent real knife would be a whole lot safer and more helpful.
  4. A large pair of tongs. Like: [Amazon.com:</a> OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads: Home & Kitchen](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-9-Inch-Locking-Tongs/dp/B0000CDVD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1336356820&sr=1-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-9-Inch-Locking-Tongs/dp/B0000CDVD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1336356820&sr=1-1)
  5. A cutting board that is large, perhaps with handles that fits over the sink. Way too many rentals have these mini-cutting boards that might be useful if what you’re cutting is a sandwich, or one tomato, but anything else just skittles right off.
  6. A two-cup liquid measuring cup.</p>

<p>With this I could cook reasonably well in almost any kitchen.</p>

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<p>The vacation houses/condos we’ve been in have an inventory sheet checked before arrival and after departure. </p>

<p>I would not have a huge supply of TP/Paper towels. A lot of the units seem to have a lockable supply room/closet where the extra stuff is stored. I don’t think that would be a bad idea at all – I’d probably go so far as to put a good (not bathroom set) lock on it. Nice to have someplace where you can lock away your personal stuff, too. </p>

<p>Really nice if you have an exterior light by the front door that comes on automatically at night. I hate having to fumble in the dark as I’m trying to figure out a key. A well lit house number is another gift. Coffee carafes break pretty easily, and aren’t always easy to replace. Might want to consider a stainless steel one.</p>

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<p>We have a cork floor in our breakroom at work. It now has a ton of small indentations in it for the high heels. I would not recommend cork.</p>

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<p>I have bamboo floors in our living room and master bedroom and I HATE them. I do not advise for a rental. They scratch easily, are hard to keep clean, and the cracks between boards seem to widen over time. </p>

<p>Any wood laminate flooring would be better. One of our bedrooms has oak parquet flooring and I like that much better. Wish all the wood floors had that.</p>

<p>My sister has a short-term rental beach house and she has all cotton, high-quality sheets there.</p>

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<p>Six other things which any renter who cooks will thank you for:

  1. I don’t care if the utensils come from the dollar store, but please get one heavy non-stick decent sized skillet ($25 at Bed, Bath and Beyond),</p>

<p>----I agree. I’ve seen ones for that price at BBB, Costco, and Sams. </p>

<ol>
<li>Some heavy duty stainless steel cookware like the Tramontina triple ply one Wal-Mart sells (and is probably sold elsewhere too) – we have a set of this and it cooks every bit as well as well as my All Clad that cost that much for one skillet. It also cleans up really nicely because food doesn’t burn in it easily. Tramontina 10-Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel Triply-Clad Cookware Set - Walmart.com</li>
</ol>

<p>—So, the set shouldn’t be “non stick”?</p>

<ol>
<li>One decent chef’s-type knife like: Amazon.com: Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife: Kitchen & Dining – got this for D’s house, and it is a great knife at an excellent price. I find that most furnished rentals have terrible knives, and lots of them. One decent real knife would be a whole lot safer and more helpful. </li>
</ol>

<p>------- Yes, one or two good knives and some steak knives are needed. I wonder if some rental owners are concerned about good knives disappearing.</p>

<ol>
<li>A large pair of tongs. Like: Amazon.com: OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads: Home & Kitchen</li>
</ol>

<p>—bookmarking. I agree. Good suggestion. </p>

<ol>
<li>A cutting board that is large, perhaps with handles that fits over the sink. Way too many rentals have these mini-cutting boards that might be useful if what you’re cutting is a sandwich, or one tomato, but anything else just skittles right off. </li>
</ol>

<p>------One of those good plastic ones that can go in the DW?</p>

<ol>
<li>A two-cup liquid measuring cup.</li>
</ol>

<p>— good suggestion…maybe one of those new plastics that don’t break. I also like the 4 cup Pyrex one with the lid and handle.</p>

<p>A cofee pot of course, but what other electrics?</p>

<p>Ok…no cork or bamboo. Laminate sounds likely.</p>

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<p>You might want to check estate sales (where an older person is going into assisted living or has passed away) for utensils. Everything is for sale…</p>

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<p>This reminds me of a book called “Make your house do the housework” by Don Aslett. It came out in 1995 so I sure it is a bit dated but it had many timeless suggestions about how to design an easy to clean house. It is still at our local library and Amazon has it. It might also lead you to other books with good ideas. Good luck and I would love to hear progress reports as you go along on this exciting project.</p>

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<p>Please don’t have all the cookware be non-stick – non-stick is only good up to certain temperatures, and quite a few dishes really work much better in a regular pan, as long as it is thick like the Tremontina. I find it almost as easy to clean as the non-stick stuff, even when I’ve made oatmeal or sauteed chicken breasts. </p>

<p>A cutting board that can fit in the dishwasher would be great.</p>

<p>I’d also check and make sure that the dishes actually fit in the dishwasher. We were at one place where the incredibly large glasses did not fit on the top rack of the dishwasher, and fought for space with the plates on the bottom rack.</p>

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<p>Has anyone mentioned a decent sized TV w/ cable/satellite service and internet access? Renters expect that. </p>

<p>Also be sure you get bedspreads/comforters that you can throw in the washer/dryer instead of ones that would need to taken to the dry cleaners between guests.</p>

<p>Ceiling fans in bedrooms if you’re in a warm part of the country and doing summer rentals.</p>

<p>Good oak kitchen table and chairs…indestructible.
Leather sofas will be good. We’ve had one in our family room for 14 years with two sons and pets and it’s still in great shape.</p>

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<p>I would go with Granite or quartz for the counters, not Corian. Corian scratches and burns and isn’t as forgivable as Granite. For the floors, there is a newer vinyl tile that is installed like ceramic tile-grout, etc. that looks very real but is vinyl. I know several people that have used these and love them (Armstrong makes them). They are a great option and would work well in all the rooms. Nice thing about them is that if one gets damaged you can remove that one tile and put in a new (so buy extra).</p>

<p>You can bleach 100% cotton towels. I do all the time. I would suggest getting somewhat nicer kitchen utensils, Farberware or something from Walmart-vs the dollar store stuff. The dollar store stuff just doesn’t hold up and can cause problems in the dishwasher, etc. down the road.</p>