It's easy to neglect careful planning when rushing to prepare your house for visitors. Many Airbnb hosts make the mistake of assuming their guests won't care if the place looks a little sloppy because of the photos, or maybe they're more concerned about the location and the price.
When renters see how much care you took in furnishing your property, they are more likely to treat it respectfully. Care for your guests' comfort through thoughtful design. They will respect your personal space more because of it.
Are you confused about how to get started? Here are 14 simple ways to improve the design of your Airbnb. Read on if you want some do’s and dont’s ideas for a small change or a major overhaul of your home.
The Do's
1. Do Establish a Firm Base
A strong base is the cornerstone of any successful design. Most of your financial resources should be allocated there as well. Invest in high-quality flooring and furniture in neutral tones to lay the groundwork for your design; they will stand the test of time and complement any future color additions.
2. Create a Cozy Atmosphere At Home
Start adding color and warmth once the framework is in place. Throw pillows, cozy blankets, rugs, table lamps, plants, etc. One or two of those additional elements can dramatically improve the visual appeal of a room. If you're adding little details, ensure they fit in with the overall aesthetic and color scheme.
3. Do Design With Comfort In Mind
The area must give visitors the impression it was created specifically for them. Making something with more care and attention doesn't have to break the bank. Put coat hooks in the entryway and a chalkboard in the kitchen with a few quick recipes written.
Ensure sufficient towel pegs are in the bathroom and provide an ottoman in the lounge for weary feet after a day of sightseeing.
4. Do Create Thoughtful Design Moments
Invest in a bar cart and equip it with essentials like a cocktail shaker. You could also set up a coffee station in the kitchen by placing a coffee maker, jars of coffee beans or tea bags, and a prominent sugar bowl. Vinyl records can be showcased on a credenza next to a record player; featuring local musicians is a bonus.
5. Do Decorate Your Walls With Local Touches
Not having access to family portraits does not mean you have to have bare walls. Display local photographs of the outdoors, vintage postcards, or a travel poster from a popular attraction. Or, you could hang a gallery wall of Chicago-area artwork.
6. Do Choose Well-Constructed Pieces That Will Last A Long Time
Many hosts make the mistake assuming that their guests share their taste in entertainment and food. More people will visit your rental, so investing in high-quality pieces that can withstand heavy use will save you money in the long run.
It will improve in appearance over time and save you a significant amount of money compared to the cost of buying brand-new furniture every few years.
7. Do Think About How Well It Works and How Long It Lasts
Furniture for a rental property needs to be durable enough to withstand frequent use. Choose pieces of furniture that are appropriate for the number of people staying at the property. There shouldn't be a shortage of couches and dining chairs.
Consider using a commercial rating when making your fabric selection. To increase your earnings, replace your regular sofa with a sofa bed.
The Dont's
1. Don't Make Your Guests Do Work
Having a strategy for watering your plants is a must if you intend to cover your property in greenery. However, it is unrealistic to expect visitors to maintain the garden. Go with succulents, which can go longer without being watered, and incorporate plant maintenance into the responsibilities of your cleaning crew.
2. Don’t Photograph At Night
No one will know that your Airbnb is a work of art if all your photos were taken at night and the rooms look like caves. Unless, of course, your home is literally a cave.
3. Don't Exaggerate The Number Of Available Services To Customers
However, if you advertise a record player but then lock up all of your vinyl when guests arrive, they will be disappointed. Do not show any more than you are willing to share with your audience.
4. Don't Share Photos That Include Other People
You want guests to be able to visualize themselves in your home. Don't ruin it by revealing that you and your loved ones are actually living the good life. Because of this, pictures of people should be avoided when advertising goods online.
Similarly, avoid making the house a museum of your life by displaying countless photos of your loved ones. Whether staying for a week or just a few nights, visitors to a home should sense that it is theirs for their stay.
5. Don't Make The Space Too Focused On One Thing
There's a fine line between hip and kitschy or bonkers. Consider the locations of your events where guests would appreciate a theme. Your lake house's hallway will look stunning with its collection of vintage fishing lures. Smallmouth bass toilet paper holders are cute, but they might get old.
6. Don’t Leave Any Of Your Belongings
Don't take this as a green light to start piling clutter in your living quarters. Guests may feel uneasy if too many family photos or personal items are displayed. It's a security risk.
7. Don't Buy Furniture Sets
Choose a variety of statement furniture pieces and one-of-a-kind secondhand pieces to create an intriguing listing. If you want to make an experience and a layout that tells a fascinating story, a furniture set is not the best purchase you can make.
This is the perfect excuse to spend an afternoon browsing through your town's thrift shops, searching for unique and intriguing finds.
Conclusion
You shouldn't let things like unanswered messages from guests or a lack of cleanliness detract from the time, money, and effort you put into decorating your Airbnb. Guests can have a more enjoyable stay if they take the time to do interior design work. We hope you enjoyed the above tricks and found them useful.
