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How to Furnish a Vacation Rental Home to Attract More Guests

Making money is the main reason for owning an Airbnb rental property, right? Therefore, you need to think about possible strategies to increase your profit from vacation rentals.

There are numerous questions which pop up in the investor’s head when speaking about Airbnb properties. The main one usually is: “How to get more bookings on Airbnb?” The answer is actually pretty simple. In order to get the maximum bookings, you should make your rental property attractive. Thus, we arrive at the next question: “How to furnish a vacation rental home?”

In general, managing an Airbnb rental property the right way will ensure a high Airbnb occupancy rate. Further, with a properly set rental rate, you will be able to start making money in real estate. However, knowing how to furnish a vacation rental home increases your chances of having a higher Airbnb occupancy rate as well as rental income.

Keep on reading in order to explore how to furnish a vacation rental home to attract more Airbnb guests.

#1 Identify Your Potential Airbnb Guests

Owning an Airbnb property business is obviously not a unique business idea. Therefore, in order to stand out from other Airbnb investors, you need to think of a creative way to promote your Airbnb rental property.

It is important that you carefully consider what type of property you would like to run and what your priorities are. Do you prefer hosting mainly families, adventurers, or maybe simply young people who are ready to party? Do you want to create a homey atmosphere, an art project property or simply provide a hotel-like experience?

While you may desire a certain type of guest for your Airbnb investment property, remember that the location also determines who rents out your Airbnb. For example, locations near family vacation spots like Disneyland, are more likely to attract families than business people. Keep this in mind.

It is easier to start managing an Airbnb property when you know who your potential Airbnb guests are. Consequently, knowing the values that you want to present and who you want to attract brings you one step closer to knowing how to furnish a vacation rental home.

#2 How to Furnish a Vacation Rental Home According to the Airbnb Guests

Knowing the potential group of Airbnb guests you are going to host is crucial for the success in this real estate market. You should have a furnished rental property according to your target group if you desire to have a high Airbnb occupancy rate. So, let’s talk about different potential target groups you may have when wondering how to furnish a vacation rental home.

Want to know what kind of Airbnb occupancy rate to expect? Use this tool.

  • Business Travelers

Such Airbnb guests often opt for an Airbnb rental property as a cheaper alternative to a hotel stay. In order to attract this type of Airbnb guest, make sure your income property is a quiet, well-lit space that is perfectly suitable for doing business. The reason is that typically such visitors are looking for the possibility of escaping small and uncomfortable hotel rooms.

Include technological amenities in your furnishing design to give your Airbnb rental property a professional edge over other common Airbnb income properties. Make sure you find a place for a nice desk and a comfortable chair. Another important thing to mention is the extras- purchase a nice espresso machine, luxury toiletries, or even install a computer on the work desk for better comfort.

  • Cultural Enthusiasts

If you have invested in an Airbnb rental property that is located in an area which attracts many tourists, it is likely that cultural enthusiasts are going to be interested in your property. Typically, such travelers are looking for the possibility to experience the local lifestyle and embrace the culture of the destination. This is important to keep in mind when wondering how to furnish a vacation rental home for these Airbnb guests.

Speaking of providing cultural experiences for your vacation rental guests, make sure that the design you choose for your investment property is according to local traditions. Make sure that the interior of your Airbnb rental property consists of traditional cookware, bed linens, etc.

Choose only such amenities that reflect the authentic traditions of the region. For example, if there is an important symbol of the city/state, include it as a decoration. Try to reflect the atmosphere of the area in the furniture of your rental property.

A nice benefit is to include a map/list of nice local pubs with great food and drinks or interesting places to visit. The latter you can present on a wall canvas and include it in the furnishing of your Airbnb.

  • Families With Young Children

Many families with young children find it quite difficult to go on vacation. However, as a host, you can make sure that your vacation rental property provides a safe and welcoming environment for this type of Airbnb guest.

Offer a child-proof home. Start with the installation of baby gates for the stairs, lock all the cabinets that can be reached by the children, and install a gate to the pool if there is one on the premises.

Moreover, have a high chair, car seat, baby stroller and a crib available at your property. This way, your guest will not need to bring their things on a trip and will avoid some of the hassles of traveling with little ones. Incorporate nice or even bright colors in the furniture and décor of your investment property. You can even go the extra mile and buy a few different toys which children can use while staying at your Airbnb rental.

  • Snowbirds

It is important to know that each and every guest can classify as a snowbird. Such guests usually travel on vacation from cold regions to warm ones for the whole season. If you own a rental property in an area which has nice and warm weather throughout the year, make the most of it.

As a snowbird, the guest might expect a rental property with bright and sunny colors. You can provide furniture reminiscent of the beach. Use light materials and create a comfortable atmosphere as snowbirds typically stay in vacation rental properties for quite a long time.

#3 Do Not Spend Too Much on Furnishing Airbnb Rental Properties

Selecting the right furniture is important as it gives you the chance to increase your Airbnb occupancy rate and get some good Airbnb guest reviews. Yet, do not think that if you decorate and renovate your property with the most expensive furniture, you will be the most successful real estate investor.

First of all, some guests might feel intimidated by seeing a royal design and may be pushed away. Moreover, it is possible that you face struggles with some Airbnb guests and get some of your possessions damaged or destroyed. Therefore, it is better to invest in reasonably priced rather than luxury furniture.

#4 How to Get More Bookings on Airbnb With Your Furnished Rental Property

How to get more bookings on Airbnb does not strictly depend on your furnishing abilities. Your marketing strategies for vacation rentals also play a significant role.  Once you know how to furnish a vacation rental home, you should take and publish nice photos to portray your rental property online. Having a great photo gallery that your guests can have access to will have a positive effect on your Airbnb occupancy rate.

Moreover, do not forget to provide outstanding service. There is nothing more disturbing than having an Airbnb host that does not reply when a problem pops up. This will lead to bad Airbnb guest reviews and a decrease in your Airbnb occupancy rate.

Owning an Airbnb property is not as easy as it seems. It is not enough just to purchase property and put it online. You should think of your values, consider your target group and furnish the property accordingly. You cannot simply have everyone in your focus group.

Guests want to have personal attention. Thus, selecting a target group and knowing how to furnish a vacation rental home according to their needs is crucial for attracting more guests and receiving a higher ROI.

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Yoana Leusin

Yoana is an experienced content writer with a BA in leisure studies who enjoys giving tips to beginner real estate investors.

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