Furnishing an Airbnb can be quite overwhelming. It takes a lot of time, effort, and money; but if you do it right, it’ll pay off – handsomely.
When you furnish your short-term rental adequately, it tells your guests that you take hospitality seriously. And that you took pains to provide them with the comfort and convenience they need during their stay.
In that way, you not only improve the guest experience but also increase your potential for getting booked. You’ll get good reviews and constant referrals, and every time potential guests view your listing, they’ll be impressed by the excellent furnishings and amenities you offer.
If your property is in a town or metro that’s already saturated with Airbnbs, it’s even more criticial that your property is very well-appointed. The style and quality of your furniture, appliances, and amenities could be the deciding factor that will make them book your listing or not.
Think about hiring an interior designer so you can get some expert styling and a polished, professional look for your Airbnb.
As a short-term rental host, it’s your goal to provide homey comfort and a truly satisfying guest experience. To do that, you’ll need to consider a few things.
While you may want to draw a wide range of audiences and tastes, you’ve probably decided on a specific demographic, especially during high seasons. This may be business travelers, families with young children, honeymooning couples, Millennials/Gen Z, or travelers with pets. If you’re trying to draw corporate workers and digital nomads, you’ll definitely have to have WiFi, a workstation, and a printer. If it’s families you’re trying to attract, you might consider providing a crib and a high chair.
Each room should be furnished and equipped to perform its function. The bed is probably the most important thing guests look forward to using, after long hours — even days — of traveling. So make sure the bed is very comfortable and the linen a little bit luxurious.
Additionally, a kitchen is one of the primary reasons guests prefer Airbnb over hotels. They want to be able to prepare meals, so make sure you have all the basic cookware and kitchen appliances.
Look for solid, sturdy, and well-designed pieces that will truly deliver their purpose. Can that dining chair reliably hold a 300-lb. guest? Will that can opener get dulled or misaligned after a few months’ use? Would a central ceiling light be enough or can corner or alcove lighting help illuminate dark areas?
Looks do count, and there’s no question that stylish furnishings draw guests and elevate their experience. But unless you’re marketing your Airbnb as a quirky, themed, or unique accommodation, it’s best to stick to a classic or contemporary style. Go for neutral colors that have a classic and universal appeal, then just add accent pieces with pops of color here and there. But make sure the tones and individual pieces complement each other so they come together harmoniously.
If possible, keep decorations to a minimum. Travelers and vacationers want to relax and chill. And being in a crowded space with eclectic designs could easily turn them off. It’s always safer to go for a fresh, clean, and polished look.
Read also: Why Branding Your Airbnb is Critical for Your Short-term Rental Business
You don’t want to give yourself and the cleaners a hard time on every turnover. You’ll want to choose items that are easy to clean, fabrics that are quick to wash and dry, and appliances that are simple and hard-wearing so you won’t have to frequently repair or replace them.
As much as possible, use white or very light-colored linen for bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, and table napkins. Not only do they look clean and fresh, but they’re also much easier to sanitize because they can be bleached.
When picking sofas and chairs, go for leather or vinyl/leatherette which aren’t easily stained. Or use slipcovers to make sensitive fabric more kid- and pet-friendly.
Here’s our extensive list of furnishings you must have for your short-term rental – IF you want to impress your guests, obtain 5-star reviews, and be on your way to becoming an Airbnb Superhost.
One secret to being an excellent host is to provide all the necessities plus a smattering of comforts. And a few luxuries, along the way.
Once your Airbnb is ready to be enjoyed by guests, don’t forget to get high-quality photos. Hiring a professional photographer will ensure that each room is showcased in the best possible light and all the fancy details are highlighted. You might even consider getting a home stager to set up the pictorial for you, to guarantee that your place will look its very best in the photos.
Ready to learn how we built and operate a $2M/year short-term rental business, operate properties throughout the USA remotely, and acquired 70+ properties without owning any in just 2 years? Attend our free online master class to learn how you can do the same. Click here.
