4 tips for decorating your bach

If you're lucky enough to own your own bach, or have got your hands on a holiday home interior design project, you may want to think about unique or cost-effective ideas for decoration. Depending on your budget and your taste, there are plenty of different ways you can turn this simple beach house into a special place for your family.

Affordable options

For many people, the holiday home is a simple building with modest decorations. Often household renovation budgets don't stretch as far as the bach, so renovators make do with second-hand items or cost-cutting design strategies.

One great way to decorate the bach is by using hand-me-downs and furniture cast-offs. Op shops, markets and even your grandma's house are great places to scour for unique furniture items that will give your holiday home a bit of character without breaking the bank. Think retro sofas, restored rocking chairs, vintage coffee tables and mismatched cutlery and crockery.

Second-hand artwork can be used to adorn the walls, which can be painted in a warm shade of cream, such as Resene Double Bianca. Neutral wall colours provide a great base for mismatched furnishings and they won't overwhelm the room.

Some older holiday homes don't have the same storage capacity as modern houses, so you may have to get creative when it comes to storing your bits and bobs. Check out local second hand stores and pick up picnic baskets, chests, briefcases and wicker baskets for unique storage solutions. Not only will these add another element of hodgepodge charm to your place, but they'll keep excess clutter out of sight.

Themes and colour schemes

The bach is a great place to introduce colours and patterns you wouldn't normally have in your main home. You could go for an eclectic blend of pastels and tartans, or opt for a bright palette with bold floral designs.

If light, easy breezy minimalism is more to your taste, classic 70s-style wooden baches can easily be transformed into chic havens for you to while away your weekends. Start by coating wood with Resene Colorwood Whitewash, which is a low-odour, low VOC paint that transforms ordinary wood into beautiful, rustic whitewashed surfaces. You can apply this to walls, floors and furniture, and it looks great when combined with pale timber accents and deep blue furnishings.

Modern baches look great with stainless steel decor, whether it's a sleek and shiny floor lamp or a sparkling new kitchen complete with all the mod-cons you can dream of.

Utilise light

No matter if your bach is a modern design or you're going for shabby chic, one of the best ways to make it more comfortable and liveable is by utilising as much natural light as possible. If you're starting from scratch, install big bay windows and sliding glass doors to let in the sunlight. Double-glazed varieties will help keep the home warm in winter, as will thermal curtains.

Other clever ways to let the light in include installing skylights and implementing mirrors at strategic points around your home. Not only do reflective surfaces bounce off light to illuminate the room, but they also make spaces seem larger than they are.

Take advantage of the great outdoors

Many holiday homes have a decent outdoor section attached, and some are lucky enough to be nestled amongst bush or beaches. Since they are often used predominantly in summer, baches should make the most of the outdoor settings.

Tidy up the garden and patio and set up a table and chairs for al fresco dining in the warm months. Outdoor fireplaces add warmth and interest in winter, while outdoor showers and baths can be particularly luxurious on private sections.

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