Furnishing for the Absent: How to Protect and “Close Down” Your Home Before Vacation

8/22/2025

1. Foldable and Easy-to-Store Furniture

If you have outdoor or rarely used furniture, now’s the time to store it properly:

  • Choose foldable or stackable pieces for balconies and terraces.
  • Store chairs, side tables, and poufs indoors or under cover if possible.
  • Use breathable, lightweight covers, preferably in technical fabric.

Tip: if storage space is limited, opt for minimal outdoor furniture that’s weatherproof all year round.

For practical foldable and space-saving solutions, check out Leyform’s stackable folding chairs


home-close-down-befor-vacation_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


2. Elegant Covers for Furniture and Decor

Covers? Yes—but with style.
Skip the camping tarps and go for curated solutions:

  • Tailored slipcovers in natural fabrics.
  • Cotton or linen sheets for tables, beds, and bookshelves.
  • Decorative throws casually placed on benches or armchairs.

 Result: a tidy and “styled” look, even when you're not home.


home-close-down-befor-vacation_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


3. Smart Curtain and Lighting Management

Shutting everything in complete darkness? Not always the best idea.

  • Keep some light curtains closed to filter natural light.
  • Use roller shades or blinds to partially block select windows.
  • Avoid the "abandoned house" vibe—soft, diffused light looks more natural.

 Bonus: if you have smart lighting, schedule automatic evening switches.


home-close-down-befor-vacation_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


4. Plants: Care or Camouflage

Plants can either be a problem… or an ally.

  • Group them in one cool, bright spot to simplify care.
  • Consider automatic watering systems or self-watering pots.
  • Alternatively, use stylish faux plants to fill key corners.

 Clever idea: a mix of real and fake plants can fool even the sharpest eye.


home-close-down-befor-vacation_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


5. Details That Keep the House “Alive”

You want your home to look lived-in:

  • Leave a book or magazine open on the table.
  • Scatter cushions or throws casually, as if just used.
  • Don’t completely empty everything—a touch of “paused life” helps mask your absence.

Even when you’re away, style matters.


home-close-down-befor-vacation_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


Styling your home for absence is a blend of design, caution, and common sense.
With a few thoughtful touches, your house will remain inviting and in order—even while you’re away. And when you return, it’ll feel just as beautiful and welcoming as when you left.

To explore how to bring a summer vibe into your interiors, read our article Beach House Vibes in the City: How to Bring Summer into Any Space

Cristiano Castaldi IDW Italia
Cristiano Castaldi

Interior Designer since 1985

CEO & Founder, Italian Design in the World

Related Articles

  • Furnishing Against the Heat: Stylish Ways to Keep Cool Indoors
    Suggestions
    8/08/2025 Furnishing Against the Heat: Stylish Ways to Keep Cool Indoors

    When the summer gets intense, your home needs to cool down too. Furniture and decor choices can help reduce the perceived heat and make rooms feel more comfortable—without relying solely on air conditioning. From color palettes to materials and smart layouts, here’s how to beat the heat with design.

  • Beach House Vibes in the City: How to Bring Summer into Any Space
    Suggestions
    8/01/2025 Beach House Vibes in the City: How to Bring Summer into Any Space

    Who says the relaxed, sun-soaked mood of beach houses must stay confined to vacation homes? With a few thoughtful touches and a bit of Mediterranean inspiration, even a city apartment can become a bright and welcoming summer retreat. From linen fabrics to handcrafted ceramics and whitewashed wood—here’s how to bring the summer indoors, wherever you are.

  • Outdoor Lounge Corners: How to Create Your Relaxation Space in the Garden or on the Terrace
    Suggestions
    7/18/2025 Outdoor Lounge Corners: How to Create Your Relaxation Space in the Garden or on the Terrace

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your outdoor spaces. Whether you have a large garden or a small terrace, creating a lounge corner can turn your exterior into a true oasis of relaxation and conviviality. No major renovations are needed—just a few well-thought-out choices of furniture, textiles, and details to create a welcoming and functional space. In this article, we guide you in designing your ideal lounge corner.

  • Woods, Marbles, and Stones: The Essence of Quiet Luxury in Interiors
    Suggestions
    7/11/2025 Woods, Marbles, and Stones: The Essence of Quiet Luxury in Interiors

    In the world of contemporary interior design, the concept of quiet luxury has reshaped the way we think about furnishings. It’s about understated elegance, where true richness lies in material quality and attention to detail. Novamobili embraces this approach with a selection of woods, marbles, and stones that embody timeless sophistication. In this article, we explore how these materials can transform spaces into refined and authentic environments.

  • 5 Reasons to Choose a Photorealistic Render
    Suggestions
    7/04/2025 5 Reasons to Choose a Photorealistic Render

    In the era of digital design, visual impact is crucial. Whether you’re renovating your home, furnishing a new space, or developing a contract project, previewing the result has become a necessity.

  • Form or Function? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Bathroom Fixtures
    Suggestions
    6/27/2025 Form or Function? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Bathroom Fixtures

    When furnishing a bathroom, sanitary ware is often overlooked. We tend to focus on tiles, faucets, or furniture—but the shape (and function) of the toilet and bidet are what truly define daily comfort and the overall style of the space.
Today, you can choose between curved or angular designs, floor-mounted or wall-hung models, compact or extra-comfy versions.
But which one is right for your space?
This article will help you choose between form and function… or find the perfect balance of both.