It’s a competitive world out there in the rental industry, and Airbnb is about as competitive as it gets. Everyone is looking for that one-of-a-kind accommodation that mixes the good old homey feel with a hint of the exotic and the unknown, and if you want to revolutionize your Airbnb property and attract top tenants to your doorstep, you need to decorate the place accordingly.
There’s no room for flimsy kitchen cabinets, cracked window frames, or switches that don’t do anything – your Airbnb rental needs to boast that highly sought-after “wow” factor with its functionality and unimpeded beauty. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five decorating tips that will maximize the property’s potential and, most importantly, your ROI.
Maximize the outdoor potential
If your short-term rental property has a private outdoor space, then there is no excuse not to spruce it up and introduce a homey vibe to charm prospective tenants. After all, the outdoor space will become yet another valuable asset you can proudly display on your Airbnb account – an asset people will gladly pay extra to enjoy. You can start by determining the core functions of the outdoor space. If a backyard is all you have, then go ahead and make an outdoor lounge area complete with a brand-new patio, comfortable outdoor furniture, and lots of greenery complemented by floral arrangements. Go for that intimate oasis feel that will inspire people to enjoy some quiet time under the stars.
Set the tone with an appealing color scheme
Once they venture inside, whether in person or on the website itself, potential Airbnb guests want to be greeted by an open space imbued with positivity and serenity. One of the best ways to create this feeling is to let plenty of natural light permeate the setting and fall onto a fresh coat of paint on the walls. You can choose to paint the walls in a myriad of hues, but note that a neutral color scheme will give you the freedom you need to decorate the space any way you like later on. Plus, a neutral color scheme tends to perform best with visitors, as it’s inherently unobtrusive, so you can’t go wrong with a pure-white wall. From this neutral foundation, you can choose to bring in colorful decor, hang vibrant artwork, or even introduce a statement wall in a completely different pattern – the interior will become your playground!
Create a focal point in every room
This is where things get interesting. Your Airbnb rental is a place where people want to feel right at home. It needs to boast an innate homey vibe that will inspire people to stay here longer than they anticipated and fall in love with their new living environment. To achieve this, you will need a focal point in every room. Look for pieces such as those offered by King Living that are meant to bring people together, incentivize socialization, inspire leisure and restorative alone time, and imbue the place with unhindered comfort. Consider a leather sofa in the living room, for instance, and a grand queen-size bed in the bedroom.
Build a focal point in the kitchen with an island, and give the bathroom an up-scale vibe with a freestanding bathtub. Strive to bring a focal point to every area in the interior in order to bring the desired homey vibe to life.
Accents can make all the difference
Along with the focal point, accents will play a vital role in creating a unique look and feel in the interior of your Airbnb investment property, and the exterior for that matter. These items should boast a general aesthetic purpose, and in no way should they give out a feeling that someone else lived here before. This is simply because renters want to create their own memories here. Consider modern artwork on the walls instead of pictures with people or events. Add greenery throughout the interior in order to frame the design and introduce a calming feeling. You can also introduce a bold contrast by accentuating a piece of the interior with a distinct hue, such as the cabinets in the kitchen or a colorful Moroccan rug in the living room.
Raise the green flag
Speaking of greenery, modern tenants love short-term rental properties that stand for something. Particularly, they love rentals that support environmentalism with their built-in features. By making simple eco-friendly changes such as adding faucet aerators and introducing a low-flow toilet, or upgrading the energy-efficiency of the place, you can easily boost financial savings while adding value to the entire property and even increasing your Airbnb occupancy rate!
Getting ahead in the Airbnb world is not easy, especially as the platform is becoming increasingly popular with each passing year, offering potential tenants more and more appealing properties. Nevertheless, by implementing these simple tips, you can maximize your rental income and return on investment while creating a trending offer on Airbnb.
This article has been contributed by Tracey Clayton.
