DECORATE YOUR AIRBNB FOR MAXIMUM PROFIT
So you own a rental property that you want to list on Airbnb or other similar sites. But before you do, make sure you spend some time thinking about the interior design. Don’t underestimate the aesthetic of your rental, as it can have a greater influence on your income potential than you may think.
When people book a furnished place on Airbnb for a short term vacation or a long term rental, they are looking at more than just the perfect location and the ideal numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms; they are also searching for a “home away from home” and a place to feel comfortable and happy for the duration of the stay. This is where the interior design serves an important function.
A beautiful, inviting interior can be the deciding factor for people when booking a home. It will be what will convince them to invest in your rental rather than moving on to another listing.
We used cozy pillows and homey touches like a vintage clock to add warmth to our client’s Airbnb rental in Brentwood, CA. Photo: Amy Bartlam
Your interior design is literally the first thing people notice when they walk into a new space. Does it make them feel at home? Do they feel comfortable? Can they picture themselves living there, even if it is just for a little while, or is it going to be the kind of place they will want to escape as quickly as possible in the morning and come back late at night just to rest their head on the pillow?
The interior design of your rental will attract new bookings and ensure repeated bookings through happy customers and good reviews.
Here are some tips on how to maximize your Airbnb rental to its’ full potential:
INVEST IN GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
People judge your place based on the photos. An investment in high-quality photography is essential and makes a difference as to the type of guest you will attract, as well as the amount you can realistically charge for the rental. It will also help people to have a clear expectation of the interior, minimizing the potential for complaints as soon as your guests arrive.
If you don’t want to pay a photographer, make sure that your photos are well composed, bright, and that all the styling of the room is on point. (No out of focus, underexposed, or messy looking interiors please!) There are tons of free photo editing apps besides the ones that come with your phone. Two of our favorites are Snapseed and Retouch; find the one that works best for you and start experimenting. And use a tripod whenever possible. It’s the subtle differences in photography that will make your posting stand out to an audience.
Natural, bright lighting, good composition, and the addition of fresh plants and cut flowers make the room pop in this living room we decorated for our Airbnb clients in Brentwood, CA. Photo: Amy Bartlam.
STYLE YOUR PHOTOS LIKE A PRO
Create photos with styling that make the rooms seem inviting. Shoot wide overviews of the rooms, but don’t forget to shoot specific details too. A well-composed vignette captures the mood of the space and allows the renter to imagine how it would feel to spend time in your rental. Your future guests will picture themselves having their morning coffee at your place and feeling relaxed and happy with well-styled photography.
A full table setting complete with cutlery and wine glasses we styled for our Airbnb clients in Brentwood, CA makes the room seem more hospitable and inviting. Photo: Amy Bartlam.
DECORATE FOR YOUR IDEAL GUEST
The key is to understand who your ideal guest is in order to adapt your place to them. You want to make sure that your interior design answers their needs and expectations.
Are you attracting a younger crowd here on vacation? Think of adding a sofa-bed in additional rooms so it can accommodate more people and bring a light, fun, and colorful touch to the decoration.
Are you targeting business travelers? Keep the design minimalist and make sure to provide functional spaces to focus and work.
We turned a tiny “den” into an additional bedroom for our Airbnb clients in Brentwood, CA. by adding a convertible sofa. The surfboard artwork and teak trunk/coffee table (which provided additional storage) give the room a “beachy” feel. Photo: Total Agent LLC
DON’T USE CHEAP MATERIALS
Investing in your interior design will improve the entire experience and lead to better reviews, which means you will increase your bookings and your ability to charge a higher rental price. It also means you will need to replace the materials less often due to renter’s wear and tear. (And let’s face it - renters can wear down an interior very quickly.)
An investment in higher quality furniture pieces and materials is something that you will be able to capitalize on very quickly.
Items like quality tiles in the bathroom, soft but durable area rugs, and the most comfortable mattresses with matching bedding sets, will leave a lasting impact and create that “wow factor” that will convince people to choose your rental over the hundreds of others they have to choose from.
The master bedroom we decorated for our Airbnb clients in Brentwood, CA included a desk with task lighting for optimal work function and a view of the backyard. Photo: Total Agent LLC
PERFECTION LIES IN THE DETAILS
Have coffee and tea ready and a little snack so your guests don’t have to run out on an empty stomach to the grocery store. Create a manual with detailed instructions about how to get on the WiFi and other information they need to have a comfortable stay. Include recommendations for sightseeing and nearby restaurants, too.
All of this attention to detail will be noticed and highly appreciated by your guests.
The matching window treatments and bedding that we did for our Brentwood, CA Airbnb clients gives the bedroom a luxurious feel, which allows our clients to charge a higher rental fee. Photo: Amy Bartlam
BE YOUR OWN GUEST
Last but not least, if you think your place is now up and ready to be rented, we recommend you do one more thing: Spend at least one night there. This is the best way to realize if you are missing anything in the kitchen, if there are street lights in the middle of the night bothering you that could be fixed, or if the water pressure is bad and the towels are not absorbent. Troubleshooting these kinds of annoyances ahead of time can save you countless hours of handling complaints and receiving bad reviews, which will result in a loss of income.
Small details like stacks of rolled, fluffy towels establish your rental as professional and high-end. Photo: Amy Bartlam
Get more insights from experts from Porch.com - A Comprehensive Guide to Launching a Short-Term Rental Business
