How To Decorate Your Airbnb For Maximum Profit | Laura Roberts Interiors | Laura Roberts Interiors (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have fun decorating your rental property and rest assured that your investment will pay off. If you need help furnishing your Airbnb rental to achieve the maximum in profit, contact us today for a free discovery call.

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