The vacation rental industry is becoming more and more competitive, so it’s vital to have a property that stands out. And you shouldn’t underestimate the aesthetics of your rental because it can have a greater influence on your income potential than you may think.
Travelers choose to stay at short-term rentals because they crave for home-like experience and are looking for a place to feel comfortable and happy during their stay. So your task as a host is to create the ultimate retreat that brings your guests back over and over again (and they leave you 5-star reviews, of course).
Wondering how to decorate an Airbnb to attract more guests who would fall in love with your space? In this article, you’ll find some Airbnb decorating ideas that will help you enhance your guest experience, secure better ratings, and get more bookings.
If you are starting your short-term rental business, you may want to learn about essentials that you’ll need to buy to make your guests feel comfortable. Our Airbnb host checklist is a great place to start.
How to Decorate an Airbnb for Comfort and Enjoyment
The interior design of your Airbnb is literally the first thing guests notice when they walk into your space. Does it make them feel at home? Can your guests picture themselves living there, even if it is just for a little while?
Whether you’re renting out an extra room or an entire home, its decor can make all the difference. It should be simple and tasteful. It means a consistent color scheme, uncluttered surfaces, well-appointed bedding, mirrors, or subdued artwork on the wall.
Start by identifying your ideal guests and invest in items that appeal to them. For example, if you target business travelers, it might be more appropriate to use a minimalist approach and provide functional spaces where they can work.
It’s also important to consider your location when selecting a theme. It should make sense with your surroundings and complement them.
For example, if you live by the sea, you may add beach-themed accessories to create a beach bungalow atmosphere.
A rural, rustic theme can work perfectly well if your place is located in the mountains.
If you are furnishing an inner-city apartment, you’ll help your guests relax by a modern theme with minimal decorations.
You should be consistent from room to room and choose decorative and practical items of the same accent color. And think about how to include much-needed items for your target guests without diverting from the selected theme.
Remember, the more visually appealing your Airbnb looks, the more your guests will talk about it in their reviews. And that means you’ll get more new guests.
Your duty as a host is to ensure the perfect experience for your guests during their stay to make them happy. That’s impossible without effective messaging, but with Hospitable.com, you’ll be able to automate conversations with your guests and provide them with fast answers to all their questions.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
Airbnb Decorating Tips to Create a Stunning Space
Here are a few Airbnb decorating tips on creating a cozy and inviting space and achieving the “wow” factor.
Create a neutral palette of calm, creamy hues. Your space should appeal to a broad spectrum of guests, so it’s better to choose a color scheme that won’t offend more conservative travelers and can be lifted by a few feature items. You can easily highlight neutrals by pops of complementary colors in art and accessories. This way, you will establish balance and harmony throughout your apartment.
Use a variety of textures such as wood, glass, metals, and woven fabrics to add extra interest and create a cohesive design. You can use decorative fabrics in throw pillows, slipcovers, window coverings, and wall hangings. Think about proper lighting to add maximum warmth.
Hang mirrors in strategic spots to add light and make your place appear more spacious. Mirrors look great in any room, and if you place one next to a window, it will bring in more light and will act as an added window when placed opposite an existing one.
Invest in beautiful flooring and buy some characterful rugs essential for adding warmth, texture, and color. Guests really care what’s under their feet when staying in a vacation rental, so try to make it nice.
Add greenery with live plants. Selling a space to potential guests is all about making a great first impression, and green plants are a perfect way to boost appeal. Real exotic plants like ficus, sansevieria, and areca palm can tie a space together and make it look like an exotic getaway.
Don’t forget to maintain the balance between beauty and practicality. Download our guide for hands-on tips on making your place durable and cozy.
How to Decorate Airbnb on a Budget
Decorating your Airbnb doesn’t have to be expensive and doesn’t have to require an interior designer. If you are stuck for ideas on how to decorate Airbnb on a budget, there are plenty of places to find inspiration. For example, you can go online and search for designs on Pinterest and home décor websites.
Depending on the size of your Airbnb property, you might only need to buy a few feature items or put a fresh coat of paint on a couple of walls. If you have a small area to decorate, you may consider purchasing a couple of striking pieces of art. It may be a picture by a local painter or some beautiful photos of street scenes from your city.
Besides, there are flea markets and thrift stores that are filled with inexpensive, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that feel like they have a story and can add so much character to a space. Just remember that every item you choose for your rental space should say something. Making your home charming is all about details that make it enjoyable and thoughtful practical touches that can enhance the overall impression.
And finally, if you want to make your Airbnb guests happy, make sure that your vacation rental is spotless between each booking. If you can’t do maintenance and cleaning yourself, consider gathering a team that includes a co-host, a cleaner, a plumber, and an electrician. And Hospitable.com can help you streamline your operations and manage your team more efficiently.
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Final Thought
Stylish home decor at your vacation rental is an easy way to impress your guests and make your listing stand out. And the best thing is that you can create a unique, inviting space for guests to enjoy without spending too much money.
We hope that our Airbnb decorating ideas will help you turn your home or apartment into a stylish, welcoming retreat for guests. And remember that every improvement to your space is a great chance to make your Airbnb listing more appealing to travelers, so don’t forget to update your description, photos, and list of amenities.
We highly recommend you download our free guide on the practical side of decorating a short-term rental place.
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