5 Essential Airbnb Interior Design Tips

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Why Style and Design Matter

With over 2 million Airbnb listings, you’ve got to stand out from the competition. Airbnb guests are looking for vacation rentals that would be pleasant to stay in. The easiest way to stand out from the competition is to differentiate in terms of your Airbnb interior design.

Interior design doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and moreover, different things look good to different people. However, there is a way to make your Airbnb interior look good to the right people — your potential guests. Here are 5 essential Airbnb interior design tips. 

#1: Make it comfortable.

Regardless of the look, you’ll need to make your Airbnb appear inviting because nobody wants to stay somewhere they don’t feel comfortable. A big part of being comfortable in a new place is having standard pieces of furniture to eat on, sit on, and sleep on.

The living room needs to have standard pieces of furniture like a couch, a coffee table, and television — but too much furniture will look cluttered (unless you are attempting to create an eclectic, antique vibe). The bedrooms should have a comfortable bed on a bed frame, along with a dresser and a night table. Every part of the house should be well lit. Make sure bedding is clean and accessible, with warmer options (like extra comforters and blankets) for guests who need it.

#2: Make it look chic and sophisticated — if that’s what you’re going for.

Beyond the comfort factor, good Airbnb interior design will depend in large part on your business goals. Are you an Airbnb host catering to a wide variety of traveler types, or a specific niche market? These goals will influence everything from the color scheme to the outdoor space.

An easy way to make your Airbnb interior design look chic and sophisticated — if you are trying to appeal to a wide audience — is just to keep its look contemporary. Most furniture stores from IKEA to Macy’s issue yearly furniture catalogs that give you decorating ideas through themed sets and recommended pairings. If you have no idea what the difference is between Pacific Fusion and French Country, let them do the thinking for you. Keep it simple and rely on their decor choices, which are often designed in response to consumer preferences and trends.

On the other hand, if you are trying to create a unique look or themed destination, your Airbnb interior design can acquire a little more personality. You probably already have a good sense of what works in your genre, if that’s what interests you to begin with. From framed travel posters to glowing neon signs, don’t be afraid to have fun with it — after all, you’re trying to stand out from the drab listings and become a memorable destination.

When in doubt, get a second or third set of eyes to look over your decorating choices: bonus points if they have an artistic background. 

#3: Cater to your guest’s practical needs.

One of the biggest practical needs your guests will have is safety. Make sure the front door, and all other side doors, can be comfortably secured from the inside, and that there is an alarm system with clear directions.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that the more convenient your Airbnb is, the more it will appear comfortable and inviting. To that end, placing amenities like a microwave, coffee maker, and ironing board are good moves.

Think about how a hotel creates comfort for its guests, and emulate that. You might even consider leaving out toiletries, and dinnerware (disposable is okay) for their use.

#3: Follow these simple rules for the kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom.

As mentioned, make sure you’ve got the standard pieces of furniture in your Airbnb interior design. Make sure colors match or contrast along with the rules of the color wheel (ask someone who knows if you don’t know what that means). For example, the fabric of your couch should match the color on the wall, and the wood of the furniture should be either light or dark accordingly. 

In the bedroom, bedding that matches the color of the wall creates consistency and is pleasing to the eye. Though the theme can differ from room to room (modern, classic, etc.) it must be consistent within each room. 

Don’t overcrowd the wall with pictures, and don’t place out too many knick-knacks. One or two accent items is more than enough to place on a dresser. Try to use accent items that go into the “theme” of your room, such as seashells for a blue-and-white bedroom of a beach house, or perhaps a little bamboo garden for a red-walled “oriental” themed room.

Getting the accents exactly right is a pinpointed science that can make or break your decorating efforts, and it behooves you to get some consultation in that area.

#5: Avoid personal or potentially sensitive decor.

Avoid decors that are too closely personal, such as religious items or expensive antiques that can’t be replaced. Again, take note of how hotels handle the decor and emulate that. Their decor tends to be neutral, such as pictures of nature. The paint colors they use tend to avoid extremes that might be visually upsetting to some guests (such as neon colors).

Whether your  Airbnb interior design relies heavily on IKEA furnishings, or you’ve chosen to take on some extra liability (in favor of a curated theme) and display priceless antiques, you must make a security deposit part of the guest experience, just in case there are any accidental mishaps. 

Conclusion

Your Airbnb doesn’t have to be a bland space of neutral colors. It can have personality and charm with a unique touch — just make sure you do it the right way. The style and design of your Airbnb can partner with your competent management to create a profitable enterprise as you stand out from the other listings in your area.