Your Airbnb space is gorgeous. You've read all you can about making the most of your space and writing a killer listing, buy you still can´t seem to book it as often as you'd like. Sometimes, you feel like there's something you're missing. A secret ingredient that would pull more renters or at least attract a few who would fall in love with your space and give it great reviews (and hence, draw more guests). It's almost as if there's a guidebook everyone else has, but you...don't.
We peeped through the top Airbnbs and identified the characteristics they share, and then we took it one step further. We asked the owners what made the difference in their rentals. It's easier than you think to take your Airbnb from often booked to always booked, and these 8 tips are what you need to get there. Best of all, they're easy and inexpensive.
Color with Care
Color is more than just an aesthetic touch. Humans are animals, and let's face it, our instincts regarding color are strong. Red wakes us up and makes us alert, green is inherently calming, and yellow activates the memory while stimulating creativity. Certain colors, like pastels and fluorescent tones, are perceived as youthful. Others, like muted grays and other neutrals, are viewed as more mature.
When you decorate your space, think about how you want your guest to feel. What emotion do you want the room or unit to create? Chose a color palette that matches, but don´t forget your location. When guests arrive at a beach house, they crave colors that remind them of summer holiday and the colors of the coast itself. Bright tones of blue, green, white, and light gray are good picks, as are bright pastels like lemon yellow.
If your primary vacation crowd arrives in winter, focus on bringing warmth to your space. Dark wood furnishings, dark orange, red and brown accents, and soft textures make a room feel warm and comfortable, and neutral accents keep it from feeling too heavy or dark.
Looking for year-round versatility? Consider a neutral wall color with seasonal accent pieces you can easily change.
Embrace Different Textures
Use a variety of textures in your space to create a cozy ambiance, but make sure that they combine well. Too much stainless steel can leave a room feeling cold, and few stone accents can create a homey feel but if you overdo it, the space becomes ostentatious and overbearing. Just as a pop of color makes a big impact on the feel of a monochromatic space, mixing textures can accentuate the overall design of a room - even if that design is minimalistic or modern.
Keep it Clean
Make a good impression by cleaning right before their arrival time, so that the smell of cleaning products still lingers in the air. A fresh scent and good maintenance of the facilities is vital. This is one area you can't afford to make any missteps, so be careful to keep your Airbnb spiffy.
Luxury is Affordable
Don't spend a fortune on the space. You're supposed to be making money on your Airbnb, not losing it. Shopping smart for luxe items at low cost is a great way to save money while creating a stunning impression.
Let There Be Light
A well-designed space that's poorly lit can feel like a prison. In best case scenarios, dingy lighting makes a place look dirty. Headaches, a bad impression, and even potential injuries can result if your lighting is too dim. A well-decorated Airbnb can feel instantly more cheerful when the lighting is bright and ample.
As much as lighting is important, the ability to customize it is equally valuable. Your guests will most likely prefer the ability to access different types of lighting, regardless of the size of your Airbnb space. One of the best Airbnb spaces we know of offered lamps for every bed, and a desk lamp, floor lamp, and ceiling lamps in every room.
The right amount of light won't make a good impression if you don´t use the right fixtures. Make sure you choose light fixtures that fit with your space; one that matches your design, budget, and the feel you want to create. Choose warm or cool options based on the color palette of the room and the emotional response you want to evoke. And if you're got the ability, a little natural light goes a long way - skylights and spacious windows are features to take advantage of in your Airbnb listing.
Cater to the Entertainer
Not everyone who travels wants to stay alone in their room. It's quite likely that your guests may want to bring over a few friends, relatives, or acquaintances. Although it isn't necessary, providing supplies and seating for entertaining is a good way to make a lasting impression on your guests. Add enough seats to the space that guests can easily accommodate the maximum number of people you are comfortable with them having over - don't provide too many seating options if you aren´t comfortable with a party in your space, however. New serving trays, cocktail supplies, and a music player are tiny touches that most guests will appreciate, and that can add a nice touch to their stay, even if they don´t make use of them.
Details Make the Difference
Do the little things - notes, flowers, personalized touches... they give your guests something memorable to comment about in a review. Airbnb rentals are special for the personal edge they provide. The company started as a way to rent out an airbed in some extra space in your own home. Today, it's obviously very different, but the personal connection is still something guest crave. If they didn´t, they'd stay in a hotel.
The details of your space, like the books you keep on any public reading shelves, the music you put on the player or make available to guests, and the toiletries you provide help guest to understand you and form a connection with your Airbnb. You don't need to spend a lot of money on these details, use items you already own, pick up a few special things at rummage sales or low-price retailers and add a little life to the place.
Some Airbnb owners have pets that live in their properties. If you have a four-legged, feathered, or scaled friend, make sure that info is in your listing. it will help you avoid any unwanted surprises, and may attract like-minded guests.
Most importantly, don´t put anything in the space that you wouldn't use yourself.
Divide and Conquer
Even a small space can feel big if you decorate it correctly. A rug can be used to create a division between the living and dining rooms in a space that serves as both. Waist-high bookshelves can serve a similar function, as can a dual-sided buffet or a dividing screen. If your space needs an office, a living room, or a dining room in addition to space to sleep create it using carefully-chosen accent pieces. Give each part of your rental a personality of its own, and make sure that the space feels comfortable and clean. Divide it logically, by thinking about how you would use it if you were a guest. Ask a few friends and relatives to give it a peek, too. You may see the space very differently than your guest will. More input improves the overall result.
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