Four Things I Wish People Knew Before They Started Their Airbnb Business
By: Marguerite Faure
Tags: Side Hustle, Startup Lessons, Entrepreneurship, Startup, Airbnb

#1 Interior design spelled backward is neat and neutral.

I’ve observed that you do not have to have the newest, grandest building on the block to have a successful Airbnb rental. In fact, you could have a cottage, nestled in nature, that is somewhat rustic on the outside and still be booked up months in advance. But, if the insides are tired, don’t even bother listing your space.

Keep your interior design simple, fresh, and impersonal. Avoid personal photographs on the walls as you want the guest to feel at home, not in your home. Also, art is subjective, and unless you are making a statement and appealing to a specific niche of people, less is more.

When it comes to the walls, white paint allows for natural light to ricochet off the enclosed areas. Consider adding mirrors to make the space feel larger. They also help the light bounce around the room which is particularly helpful during the photography phase if you are taking the pictures of the Airbnb yourself.

Don’t get me wrong, you don’t need to create an all-white museum here- feel free to add pops of color that match the tone of your surroundings. But generally speaking, neutral items could be the safer choice, as they are often easier to replace than colorful one-of-a-kind additions.

Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash

Whites may be difficult to clean, but the atmosphere it adds to any space, even small spaces, makes it difficult to not consider it. I have seen an Airbnb use accent walls that introduce a pop of color, so if the majority of your walls are white, but you add one dark, or one colorful wall, but tie it all together with neutral furniture, then you should be ok.

Also, note that small spaces can be made to feel larger by using furniture that looks light and that you can see through rather than blocking out visual space. And, if your room, apartment, or home is older, freshen up the interior with elements of modern touches. A new lamp, crisp carpets, and plants all add to what could be a dull room. And, on the topic of plants, if you are planning to purchase fake plants, get input from family and friends to see if they pass as an addition to your room because fake can often cheapen up space if not picked correctly.

Don’t forget to focus on the key rooms which, from my research and personal preference are the bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms.

Let’s talk about the bedroom quickly, personally, I cringe if the linen on the bed is not of great quality. It’s a giveaway that you are trying to save a buck if you choose cheap linen. At least for the main bedroom, invest in a bedding that you would want to pay to sleep in. If you have sleeper couches or options for additional sleeping arrangements, it’s understandable that those options may not be A-grade, but don’t skimp on the main bedroom- it’s not worth it. After all, many people spend most of their time adventuring in the surrounding around your space, and when they are at the Airbnb, most of their time there may be sleeping or resting. Allow that part of their stay to be memorable.

Pro-tip: Because so many people are now working from home, a mid-week space has become increasingly popular because rates may be lower. I’ve seen some Airbnb’s incorporate a work-from-home nook into their homes. Ignore this if you’re wanting people to stay for a short time only, but this extra little touch increases the value of a space that I would personally rent.