Vacation Inspiration From HGTV Dream Home

For 20 years HGTV Dream Home has proven time and again to be the ultimate stay-cation. Check out clever design ideas from vacation homes across the country.

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November 11, 2015

By: Dana Dalrymple

Photo By: Eric Perry

The Ultimate Firepit for a Crowd

Vacation is all about taking it easy, and at HGTV Dream Home 2012 you don't have to put forth a lot of effort to sit in a circle, roast marshmallows and sing Kumbaya. Four separate quartz-filled gas units comprise the modern fire pit design found on this entertainment deck. The Utah limestone-clad column is topped in a surface of limestone, and a clear glass surround protects gas flames while contributing to the deck's open fire experience.

Master Suite With a View

Who wouldn't want to wake up to a breathtaking view while on vacation? HGTV Dream Home 2007 master bedroom offers an open sitting area inside and out, providing striking views of the Rocky Mountains. A mix of textures and a simple blend of creams and browns evoke a cozy cabin feel.

Party-Ready Wine Cooler

Let the party begin! A stainless steel wine chiller in the HGTV Dream Home 2014 kitchen features full-extension sliding wine racks, faced in heart-of-cherry wood. The UV resistant, tempered glass door protects the precious contents.

Multiple Overnight Guests

Fun but chic, this ski dorm in the HGTV Dream Home 2011 maximizes space and accomodates plenty with a well thought out design.

Closet Space Galore

Spacious and luxurious, the oversized walk-in master closet in the HGTV Dream Home 2015 provides ample storage for year-round wardrobes. This large closet can also be locked from surrounding rooms to safely secure the homeowners' wardrobes while other tenants rent the property.

Guest-Worthy Fireplace

The HGTV Dream Home 2004 screened in veranda is the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoor coastal marshes with the comforts of indoors. "It's the perfect place to sit in the evening and it's also the perfect place for breakfast," says architect Barry Coyle. With one flick of a switch, the gas log fireplace jumps to life.

Plenty of Pantry Storage

No matter how extended the stay, this large pantry found in the HGTV Dream Home 2012 kitchen handles food storage with ease. Stylish wooden doors disguise the pantry as a basic closet from the outside. A mix of doors and drawers make it easy to store a variety of goods.

Convenient Food Drawers

Often times entertaining calls for considerable meal prep. Combination drawers, incorporated in the island front, keep prepared food items close at hand in the HGTV Dream Home 2012 kitchen.

Versatile Media Room

Versatility is key in any vacation home. A set of six individual wicker chairs lend flexibility to the HGTV Dream Home 2008 media room and are easy to move. "You can set it up as a social area, or line the seating up in rows to create a media room," says interior designer Linda Woodrum. "You can also just remove all the furnishings, turn up the music and dance." The flexibility extends to the coffee table, which is actually made up of four small square glass-topped white tables.

Spa-Like Sauna Escape

A sauna in the HGTV Dream Home 2012 changing room provides a warm and invigorating escape after a day spent on the slopes. The compact 3-by-5-foot space is clad in tongue-and-grove air-cured red cedar boards with a travertine-tile floor. The wall-mounted sauna heater features built-in controls with a 60-minute timer and heat-tested igneous Finnish stones for ultimate relaxation.

Clever Storage Options

Red and white ottomans serve as a coffee table in the HGTV Dream Home 2012 family room. Great for propping your feet up, they also open to reveal deep storage for throws, board games and more.

Dreamy Dock House

When it comes to a dock house, HGTV Dream Home 2005 features the dreamiest lakeside esacpe for vacationers, with a full-service kitchen, charming living room, and a bedroom suite. When planning a vacation home, this space is a must-have.

Extended Sleeping Space

Extra sleeping arrangements are always welcome when hosting a family vacation. Hidden in the HGTV Dream Home 2008 day lounge is a convenient trundle bed to accomodate another overnight guest.

SubZero Kitchen Drawer

Food storage is a must for weekend guests. Quick and convenient, a Sub-Zero integrated refrigerator offers five cubic feet of extra storage space in the HGTV Dream Home 2010 pantry.

Rustic Recreation Room

You're never too old for a game room! A custom-made billiards table with a sage green felt top is the centerpiece of the HGTV Dream Home 2006 game area. Two pub style dartboards in their own cabinets line the wall opposite the table.

Endless Entertainment

The HGTV Dream Home 2011 kitchen's entertainment center, concealed behind cabinetry, includes a 26-inch LCD TV with keyboard and Bose sound system, perfect for entertiaining while prepping food.

Must-Have Washer and Dryer

Energy-efficient washers and dryers, integrated in cabinetry design, accommodate the needs of large groups in the HGTV Dream Home 2012 and remain out of sight unless being loaded and unloaded.

Wrap-Around Porch for Relaxing

Nothing is more inviting than a charming porch. Sipping on a cool beverage and rocking on a porch swing is a pleasant way to relax on any vacation.

Drop-and-Go Cubbies

You can never have too much storage for flip flops, running shoes, and travel gear. A built-in bench offers more than just a seat. Designed with cubby holes below the cushion, this storage bench at HGTV Dream Home 2010 allows for woven baskets to be inserted and removed, as needed.

Poolside Paradise

HGTV Dream Home 2013 located on Kiawah Island, S.C., boasts a sleek pool deck and comfortable sitting area that don't interfere with the view. The modern design of this space provides relaxation that complements the natural beauty of the island, a perfect lounge spot for anyone on vacation.

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