Airbnb Basement Ideas: a Style Guide for Hosts

basement Airbnb ideas
By The Hospitable Team

If you have a basement with a private entrance and exit, renting it out to travelers on Airbnb could be the perfect option to make extra money. Basement rentals are very popular among guests, so turning that unused space under your home into an Airbnb can be a profitable real estate side hustle.

To help you get started, here we rounded up the best basement design ideas to show how you can remodel this valuable space to turn it into a cozy Airbnb suite.

You may also want to check out our blog article, in which we share some Airbnb kitchen ideas to help you create a functional and stylish space. 

Basement Airbnb Ideas

When thinking of basements, many people might imagine something completely unfinished—an undecorated space, but plenty of cozy basement listings with stylish designs break that stereotype on Airbnb.

With the right modifications and a little inspiration, you can transform your basement into an inviting and comfortable space for travelers. If you create a stunning Airbnb listing and do your best to make your guests happy, you can improve your reputation on the platform and become a successful host.

Managing your basement rental and ensuring a memorable guest experience will be easier if you streamline your daily operations using vacation rental software like Hospitable. Our tool can help you automate 90% of the repetitive tasks so you can focus on things that require a personal touch.

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Here, we share our best decorating ideas and tips for transforming this part of your home into an Airbnb basement rental your guests will love.

Stick to neutrals

Neutral shades like ivory, cream, gray, black, or white are classic and elegant. They are a great foundation for any decorating style, from Boho to minimalism to Art Deco to contemporary design, because they won’t compete with it, letting the true focal points in a room shine. You can mix any neutral tones with lots of black and white for a minimalistic vibe, and the space won’t look boring. For example, despite the neutral palette that creates a sense of calm, the space in this cozy basement apartment in Toronto, Canada, feels dynamic because of the high contrast neutral scheme, texture, and pattern.

Airbnb basement light colors

Highlight the history of your home

If there’s a history associated with your property, especially the basement, a smart idea can be to highlight that in your listing’s description and make it a unique selling point for your Airbnb rental. A good example is this comfortable open-plan basement apartment located in the heart of Tynemouth Village, United Kingdom. The basement once functioned as a butler’s quarters of a listed Georgian home. Incorporating earthy, moody hues, the decor and finish of the basement apartment make it a perfect retreat where guests can relax and rejuvenate.

Airbnb basement history

Add warmth and style with a fireplace

It’s a great way to transform your rental space into a warm and cozy haven. You can opt for a simple electric fireplace accent wall to create a relaxing focal point in the finished basement. And if you prefer an authentic experience, you may add a traditional brick fireplace, a timeless option. A wood-burning fireplace can enhance your basement apartment appeal, making it a warm and inviting place for guests to relax and entertain, like this newly renovated basement suite in Denver, Colorado.

Airbnb basement fireplace

No matter which type of fireplace you choose, consider safety first and ensure your fireplace installation complies with local building codes and regulations. It’s also important to clean your rental thoroughly during each turnover to ensure it’s spotless.

Since vacation rental cleaning is more extensive than regular cleaning, you may want to delegate this time-consuming task to professionals. And if you opt for Hospitable, you can automate messaging your cleaning team about upcoming check-ins or check-outs.so that they know they have a job to do. You just need to set rules, and our system will automatically assign tasks to your cleaners.

Take your team management to the next level

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Create a cozy ambiance

Maximize seating in the living area to ensure that all your guests can have a place to sit. Attention to the color scheme and textures is crucial to creating an inviting atmosphere. A good idea is to incorporate plush rugs and comfortable throw pillows like in this luxurious basement suite in Brampton, Canada, to enhance the tactile experience and create a sense of coziness.

Install adequate lighting—use table, floor, and wall-mounted lamps to distribute light evenly throughout the room. You can also incorporate natural elements into the design; for example, use exposed brick or stone walls to add visual interest or introduce potted plants to bring life and vitality to the interior.

Airbnb basement lighting

Keep things light and airy

In a basement, you have to deal with low ceiling and lack of light, so playing with a really light color scheme is always a good idea to set the tone for your Airbnb. This way, you can instantly make the rental space feel more welcoming. You may keep the walls, ceilings, and even the furniture white and use décor to bring in personality and to warm up the space, like in this modern basement apartment in Salzburg-Umgebung, Austria. Provide different storage options to make the most of the space so it won’t feel cluttered. It’s also important to have plenty of light sources to ensure the basement space never feels gloomy.

Airbnb basement white

Final Thought

Turning your basement into an Airbnb rental is a smart way to make the most of every square foot of your home. We hope that our basement décor ideas will inspire you to refresh your home’s lower level and create a perfect rental space that you can put on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other popular booking platforms. 

If you are looking for more interior design tips, you may want to check out our blog article, where we share creative Airbnb bedroom ideas to help you transform your space into a haven for guests.

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