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According to research, more than 70% of people enjoy staying in an Airbnb over a hotel. This could be because renting an Airbnb feels more like a temporary home away from home.
Owning a rental home can be a great source of extra income, but not if you're not attracting many guests. If you have your property listed in the short term rentals section and no one is booking, you may have to reassess some things.
For example, re-examining how it's decorated, what needs fixing, and what appliances and amenities you offer. Updating several of these can leave your guests with an entirely different experience.
Your booking rate will increase if you give your rental unit a makeover. Keep reading to learn how to set up your rental to be as homely as possible.
Add Comforts of Home
While hotels often have lavish furniture, they're not always cozy, but with your vacation rental, you can make it as comfy as you want. You can add items like additional pillows, throws, and blankets.
You should also reconsider the lighting. For example, ceiling lighting can often be very bright and harsh on the eyes unless you have a dimmer. Instead, add floor or table lamps for softer lighting to make your rental property feel like a temporary home away from home.
- Lighting Tip: Remember to choose energy-efficient warm light bulbs (approximately 2700-3000K color temperature)
Add or Upgrade Appliances
Next, you want to look at what appliances you have to offer. Do you have enough air conditioning if your rental home is in a warmer climate? If you live in a cold environment, is there a gas heater or maybe even a fireplace (with wood provided) for your guests to keep warm?
A refrigerator, microwave, tea kettle, and coffee maker are standard things to offer in a rental unit; however, you can upgrade some of these kitchen appliances to put your property above the rest. For instance, you can switch to a fridge with a door ice dispenser or add a Keurig or Nespresso coffee maker. Furthermore, offering extra items like coffee creamer, regular mugs, and to-go disposable cups can make your guests feel more at home.
- Pro Tip: Offering free wifi can also help attract more guests
Consider Your Decor
Decorating a rental home can be tricky because you don't want to make it too personal. Unfortunately, putting family photos around the property won't make your guests feel like they're staying in their own home.
Instead, try to use decor that highlights the area's natural beauty. For example, if you have a seaside rental, decorating your photo frames with pictures of coral and ocean creatures can make it feel more cozy and inviting.
However, you want to be careful not to cram your rental full of pictures and kitschy items. Your guests should feel like they have enough space to unpack their stuff and move around comfortably.
Make Your Rental Their Temporary Home
Decorating your rental to feel like a temporary home can be tricky. Adding extra comforts like comfy pillows, large throws, and plush blankets can help guests feel at home while relaxing. Also, upping your appliance game by offering the latest tech, like Nespresso machines, can make your listing more attractive.
If you have an Orange County short term rental vacation unit that needs rental property management, contact us today. We also offer a free rental analysis with our market analysis experts.
