How to Stage Your Home For Airbnb

Listing your property on vacation rental sites like Airbnb can be a great way to supplement your income. It can also be a great way to earn a full-time living, especially if you’ve got a handful of vacation properties on the go.

But whether you’re collecting rent on properties as part of an investment business or are just looking to rent your own home only parts of the year, your Airbnb listing needs to attract clients. Creating a welcoming, tastefully designed space for your guests will not only attract them the first time they come across your listing but will have them coming back for more every time they visit the area.

Not only should your property capture people’s attention online, but it should also impress them once they’re there. The place should be uniquely designed and furnished, but it should also include all the necessities and conveniences of home.

If you’re thinking of putting a property up for rent on a vacation rental site like Airbnb, consider the following tips to make sure it’s staged appropriately to attract a ton of business.

Leave a Welcome Gift When Guests First Arrive

Welcoming your guests with a special treat will definitely leave a great impression the moment they walk through the door. Whether it’s a few homemade cookies or a bottle of wine, guests will certainly appreciate the gesture and will be more inclined to leave you a raving review after their stay.

Fully Equip the Kitchen and Bathroom

If you were to stage your own home when selling, the kitchen and bathrooms would be the spaces that would require plenty of attention given how commonly used and important these particular rooms are. With Airbnb properties, kitchen and bathroom staging is just as important.

You want to make sure that these particular spaces are as clean and well-equipped as possible. Clear the clutter and free up counter space. Equip the kitchen with all the dishes, cutlery, and cookware that guests would need, and fill the bathroom with all the towels and soaps required. Think of all the amenities that you would find in a hotel room and try to emulate that.

Offer Attractive and Comfortable Bedding

The bedroom is another key space that deserves plenty of attention. In particular, the bed should be prepared for guests accordingly. Obviously, you want to make sure the bed is properly made and is decked out in attractive linens and pillows.

But you also want to make sure it’s comfortable as well. Consider splurging on high-thread-count sheets, extra plush duvets, and a plethora of pillows for the ultimate in comfort.

While you’re at it, make sure you’ve got extra linens and pillows tucked away in the closet just in case, and flank the bed with convenient an esthetically pleasing end tables. Ensuring that your guests get a good night’s sleep is crucial so, don’t overlook the comfort factor on the bedroom.

Highlight Special Features

If your property has some sort of feature that isn’t typically found in other rental properties, take the time to highlight it. It might be a pool table, hot tub, or gaming console, for example.

Whatever that feature may be, make sure you advertise it in your listing description and create a space around the feature that makes it more inviting. Be sure that the space is free of clutter and offers plenty of comfortable seating to make the area more comfy and usable.

Incorporate a Few Local Pieces

No matter where your Airbnb rental property happens to be, try to add a few local touches to the space to make your guests feel at home. Whether it’s a book on local attractions, a guide to the top-rated restaurants in the area, or some artwork created by local artists, these local touches can go a long way at helping your guests quickly adjust to their new – albeit temporary – surroundings.

Keep Out Fresh Flowers or Hardy Plants

Adding some greenery to a space can instantly make an interior feel warm and welcoming. It’s also a great way to incorporate some vibrant color.

If you live nearby your Airbnb rental and have the time available, consider leaving out fresh flowers for each new guest. If not, put out a few hardy succulent plants that can withstand long periods without being watered and still thrive even in low-light conditions.

Stock Up on Outdoor Equipment

If the place you’re renting out has an outdoor space, consider outfitting it with some items that will allow your guests to enjoy the outdoors. You might want to deck out the yard with a patio table and chairs or some comfy outdoor sofas.

If you’re close to the water, leave behind some lawn chairs, an umbrella, and even some floaties or wave boards. You might even go so far as to adorn your yard with a fire pit and a few sticks to roast some marshmallows. Outfitting your Airbnb so that guests can enjoy both the indoors and outdoors can help maximize their enjoyment and overall experience.

The Bottom Line

About 2 million people stay in an Airbnb every night across the globe. Clearly, there’s a huge market for travelers who prefer the commodities of “home” as opposed to staying hotels that typically offer fewer amenities.

Given such a market, there’s no reason why you can’t take your own piece of the pie. And if you stage your place appropriately and allow your guests to make the most of your space, you should experience frequent bookings and make a pretty penny while you’re at it.