This is the first article from our series on short-term rental design. We’ve consulted several professional STR designers in the Minoan community to give hosts like you the best design advice. Their expertise is invaluable to both new and seasoned hosts, and you'll see their projects highlighted throughout this article.
If you’re new to the short-term rental industry, your experience furnishing a property likely extends to when you were filling your personal space with personal tastes! At your home, there is flexibility to throw together cost-effective items while you evaluate what you want in the long-term. You also likely only have a handful of individuals in your space on any given day sitting on your couch and eating at your dining table.
When it comes to vacation rental furnishing, forget everything you know from your personal experiences! As a host and business owner, shifting your mindset to adopt these new furnishing rules will help you succeed. You may be nervous about taking risks in your short-term rental business — it's a huge investment after all! But if you furnish your property the same way you would your own home, you may require replacements and wind up spending more money in the long run.
1. Remove personal preferences and design for your target audience
When you prioritize designing for your target guests desires, you ensure your rental property appeals to the masses - not just your personal taste. Incorporating elements that have broad appeal attracts more guests, leading to higher occupancy rates and ROI.
So how do you learn what your target guest wants in a vacation rental? By combining data-driven research with insights from travelers and other hosts, you can make informed decisions about the type of vacation rental that will perform well in your area.
- Look at what already exists in the market and examine the properties with high ADR (average daily rate) and booked calendars. Take note of the design and amenities at these properties as they show what guests like!
- Analyze reviews of successful vacation rentals in your area and see what insights guests share – both positive and negative. You can use this to guide some of the decisions you make at your property.
- Network with other hosts that are willing to share their experiences. The host network has valuable insights on guest preferences.
It may seem like there is a lot of leg work before you can begin furnishing! But we promise that doing your research will pay off. The time spent setting a foundation for success will save you time and money once you get started.
2. Prioritize visual appeal and ‘Instagrammable’ moments
In the age of social media, guests are looking for visually appealing and photograph-worthy spaces to stay in because they can envision unique and memorable experiences.
Vacationers seek a break from their daily routines. A lively and unique design can help guests escape, transporting guests to a different world and enhancing their overall vacation experience. Hosts should elevate their rental properties above what their personal home would look like and give guests exciting moments throughout the property. These types of projects don’t have to bust your budget or give you a headache. Try and find inspiration from your destination, local attractions or nature!
Check out some of the ways our design professionals have accomplished this feat in their own short-term rentals:
Feature Walls
Create a feature wall that can be a focal point for guest photos. You could paint an accent wall, install wallpaper, hang a sign - anything that serves as a visually appealing backdrop that guests will want to take photos with.
Art and Statement Pieces
Short-term rentals are the perfect outlet to be bold! Your design should take some chances rather than go a neutral, safe route. Striking art, vintage pieces, patterned rugs and fun amenities can make a statement and help your property stand out.
Unique Glassware and Dinnerware
Funky glassware and dinnerware that strays from the run-of-the-mill sets make the simple task of eating and drinking more enjoyable and photo-worthy!
Outdoor Spaces
Guests expect outdoor spaces to be an extension of the inside of the property. Whether you have a large yard with a pool or just a small patio, you’ll want to have some form of seating and an amenity like a fire pit, umbrella, or games.
Spa-like bathrooms
While a bold and colorful design can serve you well to entice guests, some travelers might prefer a more serene and neutral environment. You can strike a balance by creating spa-like bathrooms that put guests at ease with additions like fluffy white towels and high-quality soaps.
In the highly competitive short-term rental market, having a visually appealing and Instagrammable space will help differentiate your property from others.
3. Invest in durable and high-quality furniture pieces
Rental properties experience high guest turnover, which puts your furniture through much more wear and tear than furniture in a typical household. Plus, it’s a safe assumption that guests will not take care of your space as if it were their own homes, so you need items that can handle some wear and tear. Investing in durable and high-quality pieces ensures longevity and the ability to withstand frequent use, reducing the need for constant replacements.
So what do we mean when we say durable and high-quality? Let’s use the heart of the home –the sofa – as an example!
White linen sofas are all the rage and would look great in a rental property. But instead of thinking about what is trendy in the design world, hosts must evaluate what fabrics and colors will serve them best in the long run. The best sofa fabrics for a vacation rental are microfiber and leather, as they’re stain resistant and easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and frequent use.
Another key furniture piece to invest quality in are the mattresses. Comfort is important, but durability reigns supreme. In a personal home, you can prioritize your own sleep preferences, comfort requirements and budget. In a vacation rental, the mattress needs to withstand frequent use, maintain its quality over time and appeal to all types of sleeping preferences – this is not a time to cut costs.
It’s not easy to find a mattress that is universally loved, but hybrid mattresses come pretty close, which is why that is our top recommendation for vacation rentals. Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam with innerspring coils for a balanced feel. You should also consider adding hypoallergenic covers that kill dust and mites, and are easy to clean so guests' germs aren’t overstaying their welcome!
Investing in low-quality, cost-saving pieces may initially save money, but they often require frequent maintenance and repairs. This mindset can result in additional expenses and inconvenience for hosts and guests. Selecting durable and high-quality pieces in different materials than you would in your personal home helps minimize additional costs in the future.
Designing for a short-term vacation rental and a personal home requires different considerations, as the goals and needs of these spaces vary. The design choices you make for a short-term vacation rental should align with the goals, functionality, and intended experiences of the space.
When you’re ready to begin designing your STR, there’s one piece of advice that applies to ANY host – join Minoan! We help you save a large percentage of money on all the essentials you need for your property. It’s free to join and free to use, sign up today!
