Make your home feel like a hotel with these easy tweaks
The coronavirus threat isn't showing signs of slowing down, which means a lot of us have had to cancel holidays and forgo plans due to isolating or illness over the summer.
But, while it is disappointing, you can do things at home to change the vibe and feel like you're actually relaxing somewhere nice. Not just hanging out in the loungeroom — again — aimlessly scrolling through what's on TV.
It's not the same as going away, but these tips and tricks can help transform your place into a luxury escape — and the best part is it's all very budget-friendly.
Kick off with cocktails
Cocktails are a pretty easy way to make yourself feel like you're on holiday. Getty
Nothing says "out of office" like sitting by the pool with a cocktail on hand. Now while a lot of us may not have the luxury of a pool, you can still enjoy a cocktail on the balcony, on the lounge, or anywhere really.
Indulge in an Aperol Spritz, a very summery choice, or if alcohol isn't your thing whip up some detox water full of fruit for something a little bit fancy. Don't forget to pull out the fancy glassware for this one too.
READ MORE: These cocktails will turn your home into a resort
Create holiday vibes with scent
Hotel rooms just smell good. Whether it's a fancy diffuser, a candle in a corner of the room or a luxury room spray, creating ambience through smell is key.
So, while you might not be heading off on a luxury trip, you can make it feel like it anyway. If you were meant to be heading to the beach, go for an oceanic-inspired scent like Sea Salt. You'll be dreaming of cool ocean breeze and sand between your toes from the moment you light it.
If you had a tropical getaway planned, go for a punchy, fresh scent like passionfruit and lime, which will evoke the feeling of being miles away from your lounge room in no time.
Hotel-worthy bed
Think about how your bed is styled and make it look like something out of a hotel. Getty Images/iStockphoto
There's nothing more blissful than walking into your hotel room and seeing a huge bed with perfectly styled linen. Just think about those insanely tucked in sheets that are impossible to rip out.
You can easily recreate this at home. A quick search on YouTube will give you a tutorial on how to make your bed to five-star housekeeping standards, tucked-in sheets and all.
READ MORE: Viral TikTok video reveals the secret to neatly tucked bed sheets
Don't forget you need to actually style the bed too. You'll need a few extra pillows purely for decoration — a row of big fluffy European pillows work well as a makeshift headboard if you don't have one. If you want to go all out, why not pick up some new bedding too, like linen, which is the perfect choice for the warmer months.
Do something special — like an outdoor cinema
There are plenty of things that make being away special and one of those is the experiences you can have while on holiday.
While you may be missing out on something you had planned, you can still create memories by making your own fun — an option is creating your own outdoor cinema. If you've got the space for it, drag your TV out to the back deck one night, or even just set up the laptop and pop a movie on while you relax on a picnic rug, outdoor lounge or even just some big cushions.
Don't forget your movie snacks too. If you're feeling really luxe, you could always order desert from your favourite local restaurant too.
