Hotels have lost their thrill. Now, it’s Airbnbs that give travelers that home-away-from-home feel. And now that you’ve gotten into the Airbnb rental industry, you’re ready to furnish your rooms in a way that will attract and satisfy your guests.
Giving short-term renters a comfortable, clean, and inviting place to stay doesn’t have to be expensive. Even if the space is cozy, you can still make the most of furnishing using the best Murphy beds and other hidden furniture.
These 5 tips will guide you as you furnish your Airbnb and give you the next step to a successful side business!
1. Understand Your Target Audience
The first thing to recognize is that you’re decorating for your guests’ styles and preferences, not yours. So, as you walk around the stores or shop online for your Airbnb furniture, try very hard to avoid the “Oh, I like that” or “I don’t like that” thought process that comes with styling your home.
Get to know who your ideal customer is and decorate and choose furniture based on their tastes, not yours. For instance, you might prefer something traditional or simplistic, but your guests might want something more modern and contemporary.
2. Decide What Your Budget Will Be
Next, it’s time to get real with how much money you can spend. If money is a factor, consider investing in a few quality items that matter, such as the bed and sofa, and then shopping thriftily or cheaply for the rest of the accessories until you’re making enough money to replace them.
3. Choose a Style
It’s easy to go overboard when you’re decorating and buy everything that catches your eye “just in case” your guests might like it. However, before you start shopping, decide what style you want to incorporate into the home, including colors and decor themes. Go beachy, go minimalistic, or go with any decor style you choose, but stick with it.
4. Consider Space
Style is one thing, but if your room can’t hold the bulky furniture you’re eyeballing, it’s better to know before you buy. Avoid overcrowding an area, as this can make the space seem cluttered and disorganized. Instead, use your measuring tape and paper/pencil to decide what you want to store where, and shop for furniture that matches that size rather than trying to fit what you’ve bought in the wrong-sized area.
5. Opt for Easy-to-Clean Items
Unless you plan on hiring a cleaning service for your Airbnb, you’ll be doing the upkeep and sanitization yourself. Keep this in mind while you’re furniture shopping and opt for items that are easy to clean, like microfiber couches, Murphy beds that can be stripped and then hidden away, and dust-repellant surfaces. Woolly area rugs look great but can be challenging to vacuum.
Remember, the more “stuff” you have, the more you’ll need to clean and sanitize. Check out Airbnb’s policies to make sure you’re in compliance, especially since the pandemic and the need for stricter guidelines.
These five tips will help you consider what you’re going to furnish your home in an organized, strategic way. It’s not just about style, but these tips include everything you’ll need to think about as you shop!