7 Design Tips to Consistently Wow Your Airbnb Guests
Six guests check into an Airbnb every second, and after the pandemic, short-term rentals are on the rise. When it comes to Airbnb Design, here are seven things to consider to give your guests the best Airbnb experience.
To make things easier, we will be considering the higher side of an average price range rental, which is around $200-$400night.
TIP #1 Design for your guest in mind
Think of yourself as the manager of your own boutique hotel. As soon as you have a short-term rental, you become the manager of it. De- personalizing your place is a must, even if you fall in the 49% of vacation home buyers who also use their property as a family retreat. Have a closet just for your belongings when you are there, but otherwise remove any sentimental memorabilia, photos, anything that you wouldn't expect to see in a hotel room.
TIP #2 Embrace your Environment
Whether you are in the North Carolina Mountains or the Coast of California, a modern and clean interior inspired by your rental environment is always a great idea. Instead of opting for generic art, do a little research, dig into the history of your town and help your guests feel even more connected to the area through art and décor.
When I stayed in a cabin in North Georgia, the owner, and avid hiker, has written a book about him owning an outfitter store in the area. This store was catering to hikers of all kinds, and the Appalachian Trail ran right through it. I mean, how cool is that? Think of the energy of a place like that. Some people are hiking to heal, to find purpose, to regain hope. You become part of their human experience and learn so much about what motivates people. And Through his stories of meeting hikers from all over the world and geographical descriptions of the area, I felt so connected to the land we stayed on, and I couldn't wait to visit the places he talked about. When you can provide little gems like this to your guests, there is so much value in that.
TIP #3 Focus on essentials
Keeping things free of clutter seems like an obvious point to make, and think of what clutter does in a psychological and practical sense. You have people staying with you eager to be on vacation, to explore and find new experiences. Psychologically, clutter creates anxiety, and it doesn't let us relax…How could you find yourself zoning out when you are looking at a million little knick-knacks and way too many decorative items? What this pandemic has taught me is that how much I enjoy traveling, quiet and simple places.
On my recent visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains, I stayed in a three-story Cabin with spectacular forest views. Being surrounded by pine and oak trees, I felt like I was living my best life in a treehouse. Once I entered the cabin, my dreams were crushed by an inanimate object. Bears. Among the three levels of the house, I counted 450 bears. The cabin style was outdated, which already had a dirty feel, but the bear's overload was unbearable. It's like they went to a bear warehouse and bought everything from toilet paper holders to kitchen cabinet knobs, to bear claw coffee table trays, to comforters, to bears on mugs, to bear in another bear metal wall art, to bear stuffed animals. Yet somehow, among all the bears, it all felt cold instead of cozy. The personal touches that DO matter got lost among the bears. All I wanted is a cozy blanket on the hanging bench and a tray for my belongings.
You get my point. Less is more. Many things can be aesthetic AND have a purpose, decorative boxes to put valuables in, books to read, and games. A full-size mirror in the master bedroom is essential; a bear wooden sculpture on the nightstand is not. On the practical side, an over-accessorized home is a lot harder to clean and keep tidy. Restocking and organizing essentials is already a big job, don't add to it by having unnecessary items lying around. Airbnb Kitchens are notorious for having too many plates; too many expired spices, too many mismatched glasses. Please don't give your guest a panic attack when they open the kitchen cabinets. Keep things minimal, organized, uniform.
TIP #4 Keep your foundational pieces neutral
Keep foundational pieces like rugs, sofas, and chairs simple, classic, but updated. A sofa from the '70s can stay in the past and steer away from trendy pieces so that you are not ending up with an outdated feel in the long term. a nice leather couch modern--- If you distinguish your style with smaller accents like pillows, throws, hardware, wallpaper, vases…you can quickly refresh and seasonalize as you please. One big mistake I see often is mixing too many styles of furniture and looks, which doesn't help with creating a relaxing atmosphere. Stick to two styles max, so it doesn't look like you picked up things on Craigslist. A space looks more calming and inviting when it has a cohesive look.
TIP #5 Have Enough storage space
Counter space in kitchens, hangers in closets, luggage racks in bedrooms. If you have decluttered and have only the essentials, storage space for your guests won't be a problem. Think of little decorative boxes on the nightstand to put valuables in or baskets throughout the house to put groceries in, marble trays in bathrooms. The more you unpack on vacation, the more it sets in that you are staying for a while, and nothing says kick back and stay awhile like plenty of storage consideration for your guests.
TIP #6 Have comfortable furniture
People love hotels for their comfy fluffy beds, the ones you want to stay in on a rainy Sunday morning, or order Ubereats and eat in. And we all know that sleep is everything. When you wake up well-rested on your vacation, you are ready to experience what your environment has to offer. Nobody wants to sleep or sit on anything. Stiff, so I'm not sure why many AirBnB's I have stayed in have such horrible pillows. Waking up with a stiff neck is no fun, so please invest in comfortable, quality mattresses and pillows. You will see the rewards in your reviews.
TIP #7 Anticipate wear and tear
Investing in the right furniture from the beginning is key to the success of your rental. Wine will be spilled, floors will be scuffed, and there will be wear and tear, just from the sheer traffic throughout the house. Try to do all the legwork before opening your doors to visitors by investing in solid wood; sturdy metals stain hiding colors. I'm not saying buy an all gray or black rug; I believe that you can find sturdy and practical pieces that are also classy and beautiful. But leave the Shag Rugs and marble countertops out rentals.
You can now find a cleaner version of Scotchguard spray that is pet and kid and stain friendly.
If you have leather furniture, condition them and protect them also. You can refinish outdoor wood and heavily used furniture such as a dining table with clear coats for more effortless cleanliness and longevity.
Bleaching 100% cotton towels and sheets are more manageable and will hold up more than other fabric variations that will break down in the wash over time.
Provide makeup remover wipes and display a sign asking your guests to keep your towels bright and white.
