Airbnb has become an excellent and affordable way to stay at various destinations without the hassle that comes with most hotel bookings. According to Airbnb statistics, around 2.9 million hosts have listed their homes on the site, but the sheer quantity and choice don’t guarantee and good turnaround of guests.
Your home needs to convey that image of picture perfectness so that people feel compelled to at least check it out. If you’re wondering just how you can do that, here are some simple ideas and tips that will help you make a noticeable difference:
1. Whom do you want to attract?
The décor of your Airbnb rental should have a target audience. The ambiance attracts the people and not the other way around. There are people out there who are attracted to bold colours and have vibrant personalities. You can add gorgeous statement art, mixed throw cushions, revamp your tired sofa with a new slipcover, and add other vibrant fabrics to catch their eye.
Then there are the sleek professionals who’re attracted to clean, modern spaces with small industrial style accents. You can go for warehouse pipe wall lights, distressed fixtures, and poster artwork to get their attention.
Many people are also attracted to cozy, homely vibes, so styling your space in cotton/jute textures, wooden accents, comfortable furniture, and attractive fabrics can help you do that. Custom window treatments can also help you create the right mood.
You also have your average tourists who love the thematic value of where they’re staying, so if that is your target demographic, then go for boutique style décor that represents the essence of the city where you live.
The goal is to style your Airbnb according to the kind of people you want to attract and these tips will definitely help you do that, and if you’re disheartened about your finances, don’t worry – there are lots of ways to decorate your spaces on a budget these days.
2. Highlight your windows
Image Source: Prestige Decor
Just like the eyes are the windows to a soul, similarly, the actual window in a room opens a small gateway where guests can experience the outside world from the comforts of Airbnb. Therefore, it’s important that you dress them accordingly. Custom window treatments can help enhance the view while adding to the thematic value of Airbnb. From modern and contemporary blinds/shades to classic curtains, you can totally convert a simple window into a total attraction. You can also play with trendy curtain rods, rings, and accessories to play up the drama of this setup.
3. Make an Instagram-corner
More often than not, people staying in Airbnb’s are tourists or visitors who love Insta-worthy attractions, so it definitely won’t hurt to design a small picturesque nook to accommodate them. It can be a statement wall that matches the personality of the rest of the space – only, it’s slightly more dramatic. You could put up a neon artistic sign on a boldly painted wall (maybe a hashtag), add some scene-stealing elements, and just make it look like total eye-candy.
4. Invest in your flooring
There’s nothing like a stained carpet to put off guests, so always make sure that the flooring of your Airbnb is totally on point. Since not everyone has flawless floors, you can always rely on some handy little hacks to hide away these imperfections. A chipped part of your floor can be covered by a statement area rug – it doesn’t even have to be an expensive one. Go for easily cleanable synthetic rugs or a flatweave that can be flipped over if one side ever gets stained.
If you’re thinking of investing in carpeting, then consider carpet tiles, which are much more feasible for a space you’re actually listing on Airbnb. This way, if one portion gets stained, you can easily replace it with new tiles without having to go for a brand new carpet.
5. Convenience and experience
There are always tiny little things that get overlooked in lieu of beautiful aesthetics when owners are revamping their properties for an Airbnb listing. People who’re leaning towards minimalist spaces tend to forget to build enough storage space, which eventually leads to guests not having anywhere to place their belongings.
Then there’s the experience aspect of this coin, which is all about providing the best livable ambiance. Think about investing in good diffusers and air fresheners. Go for the aromatherapy of the space if it smells funky. Air it out before your guest arrives. Trust us – it really matters.
So, these are some improvements that you can make to your Airbnb to spruce up your listing. They’ll certainly help you get better results!
Zana Dodig loves interiors and everything related, from decorating to organizing and remodelling. Her favourite part of interiors for the last 20 years have been window coverings. She works as a window treatment consultant and writer at DraperyCurtainRods.ca and PrestigeDecor.ca.
