Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Designing and Furnishing Your Vacation Rental

Ever hunt on AirBnB for a cool place to stay on your vacation and everything starts to look the same?

Here are the 10 steps to design and furnish your AirBnB so you can make your listing stand out.

Step 1: Get local.

See what your local competition is doing. Check out the listings in your neighborhood to identify decor themes.

Step 2: Timeless Design.

Timeless design is a tasteful mix of materials, finishes, and details that simply do not go out of style.

Think: wood grain, simple metals, solid surfaces like marble and quartz, classic patterns and cozy textures (think Pendelton for patterns that never go out of style).

Step 3: Color.

A little color can go a long way. You see this a lot with accent walls, where just one wall sets the tone for the room and ties in with the rest of the decor without being over the top.

In general, white walls work best. They keep the space bright, clean, and make even small areas feel bigger.

Those accent walls can help create some nice contrast along with other details like warm accents - think gold, bronze, copper - pops of color in flowers or plants, and mixed materials like ceramic, metal, wood, and wicker.

One of the quickest ways to add pops of color is by adding plants.

Step 4: Flow.

People want comfy places to gather, to play games, to hang out and relax - they’re on vacation!

Add spaces like breakfast bars and stools so everyone can gather around the kitchen comfortably without being in the way.

Sectional couches are great because they seat a lot of folks and encourage interaction and conversation.

Bench seats under windows or at the dining room table are perfect for getting more people around the table, puzzle, or any number of fun card or board games you provide for your guests.

Create window nooks for those introverts who prefer cozying up with a good book while they’re on vacation.

When it comes to the outdoors, the same rule applies - make room for everyone.

Step 5: Durable.

Remember, people are here because they want to relax and chill, not worry about making a mess of someone else’s things.

So, make it easy on yourself and your guests: buy durable furniture.

This looks like leather or faux leather couches and chairs that are easily cleaned after spills and messes.

You want easily wipeable surfaces, not things that need professional cleaning each time someone accidentally spills their coffee.

Washable slipcovers are another good option, you can find these at Ikea to fit most sofas and chairs.

If you’re going to allow pets, make sure you get furniture that doesn’t attract and retain pet hair.

Decorate with scratch-proof furniture - solid wood, quartz, marble, granite, tile, slate, metal. You’ll thank yourself later.

Finally, it might seem like a good idea to have bright white linens for beds and baths, but we advise patterns or muted colors to save yourself time, headache, and money.

Step 6: Make it shareable.

Let your guests do the marketing for you. Create a hashtag or social handle for your vacation rental and tell your guests to snap, post, and tag it on social!

What you’re doing is creating an insta-worthy space that sells itself. Your space has unique elements - maybe it’s the architecture, or the decor, or a special eye-catching piece that sets it apart.

You want your guests to be promoting your space for you and to do that you’ve got to make some shareable areas that entice your guests to take photos and memories they’ll cherish forever.

Step 7: Memory Maker.

Much like making your place shareable, you also want to make it memorable. You want your guests to go home and rave to their friends about the cool small details of your vacation rental.

So, share some local or homemade treats with your guests! This can be as simple as placing a few local beers in the fridge or putting a nice bottle of regional wine out on the counter for them.

Or consider getting some branded items like beer koozies, stickers, or wine openers that guests can take with them to remember your vacation rental.

All of these things cost very little, yet leave a lasting impression on your vacation rental guests.

Step 8: Comfy Vibes.

We know people want to chill out when they’re on vacation and what better way to relax than in a comfy space.

What makes a place comfy?

Pillows. Lots of pillows.

Blankets of all textures, weights, and sizes.

Cafe lights outside on the deck, patio, or firepit area create ambience and cozy outdoor vibes.

A wood burning stove or firepit outside. Nothing says cozy like a warm fire and smores

Games, cards, puzzles!

Short books, magazines, or local reads that people can curl up with and have some light reading entertainment.

Step 9: Plants. And more plants.

Live or fake, just add plants. That is all.

Step 10: Tasteful.

Finally, there’s a fine line to making something memorable while still keeping it tasteful.

Themes to avoid:

Gnomes

Fairies

Carved wood bears

Seashells

Word art

General kitsch