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When it comes to accommodation, a picture really IS worth a thousand words!
How many times have you trawled through picture after picture of possible AirBnB sites, and chosen a place based on the photos?
We all know that beautiful photos and great reviews are the best way to get bookings on AirBnB, but do you go about styling your AirBnB property so that when prospective guests are looking for a place, your listing jumps off the screen and grabs their attention?
Wellington builders Orkney Group Limited have come up with a list of suggestions for how to best style your property to get noticed and increase your bookings:
IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET GUEST
It really helps to know who you’re trying to target before you go spending money on furniture and paint. If your home is in the inner city, then your target market is likely to be people who are visiting town on short business trips or for an event. Your property could be in the countryside with surrounding farmland; your target could be families with young children or people who love nature.
Knowing your target market will help you identify the most suitable style and furniture.
THEME
Choose a theme for your property and stick with it throughout. Of course, if you’re going with a beachy vibe, you don’t need to have fish-patterned curtains and blue walls everywhere. But having a theme will tie everything together and create a cohesive look and memorable experience for your guests.
If your home is in a remote part of the countryside, for example, you may want to frame professional photos of the surrounding hills, and perhaps use colours in your furnishings that reflect the outside. Wherever your property is, tying in the location will help to personalise and create an unforgettable experience that’s unique to you.
COLOUR
Now that you know who your target market is and the theme of your place, you can choose colours accordingly. Although white is a blank canvas that many appreciate, bear in mind that when it comes to furniture, trying to remove dirt and stains will cost you more in cleaning fees. You might want to consider choosing fabrics such as leather or linen-blend that can be cleaned easily.
If you prefer a calm, relaxing feeling to your home, then go with neutrals in your palette and use colour as an accent.
Colour can help your listing jump out at prospective clients, but be sure to choose tones that enhance the mood you’re trying to create. Do you want your property to appear cosy, modern, relaxing? For a luxurious feel, go with a rich colour palette.
Be sure to also keep in mind the location of your property. A quiet suburban home might suit pastel hues, but a city apartment might look great with brightly patterned wallpaper (keep in mind that too many patterns and colours can make a space feel smaller).
FURNITURE
There are a lot of cheap furniture options available these days. However, we recommend investing in items that will wear well with lots of use. Buying cheap will only cost more in the long run because they will need to be replaced sooner.
Remember that good quality doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. Second-hand and op shops often have hard-wearing, solid pieces of furniture that won’t fall apart after a few months. A mix of new and vintage items can work well and add more personality to the home.
TEXTURE
Using a variety of textures can help to create a feeling of luxury in the home. Remember to add texture to create an inviting space - not an overwhelming one; so don’t go overboard on this. Texture can be added by way of throws, cushions, and rugs. In the cooler months, a basket with thick woollen blankets in the lounge or thrown over an armchair can make a place feel very welcoming and cosy.
If you can splurge on the budget, go with floor-to-ceiling-length curtains. Not only will this keep the space warmer in the cold months, but it also gives the feeling of luxury. Don’t forget sheer curtains for privacy.
Pro tip: Hanging your sheers in front of the curtains (rather than closest to the window) adds a romantic, dreamy look.
PERSONALITY
Have you ever stayed in a home that was filled with someone’s personal items? Did it give you the feeling that you were invading someone’s private space?
When styling your home, be sure to add personal touches that reflect you and the location, but avoid displaying personal items such as photos. Items like local ceramics or artwork are ideal.
NATURE
Plants always make a place feel more comfortable and homely and contribute to purifying the air. The best type of plants are hardy, low-maintenance ones such as the following:
Succulents – need to be soaked not sprayed and then completely dried out before watering again (need 6 hours of sun).
Snake Plant – can go for weeks without watering! Indirect sunlight is best.
Split Leaf Philodendron – water every 10 days. Indirect sunlight is best.
Zamioculas Zamiifolia (ZZ plant) – water every 1-2 weeks. Likes medium to bright indirect light.
Monstera Deliciosa – water every 1-2 weeks. Likes medium to bright indirect light.
Rubber plant – water once a week. Likes medium to bright indirect light.
Yucca – water once every 2 weeks. Thrives in medium to bright indirect light.
LIGHTING
Be sure to have more than one source of lighting in each room. Along with ceiling lights (whether LEDs or pendants), use a mix of table and floor lamps for task and accent lighting. This helps to create a warm and stylish atmosphere and ensures that the area is adequately lit.
A good, affordable way to bring more natural light in, is to place a big mirror next to a window. This will also help the space to feel bigger.
OUTDOOR AREAS
If you have an outdoor area, whether a small apartment balcony or a backyard, be sure to buy water-resistant furniture and appliances. If you have a larger garden space, consider planting low-maintenance plants or bushes for privacy. Outdoor space can really sell a property, so we recommend talking to a landscaper for the best advice.
SURPRISE FACTOR
Creating a “surprise” element in your home can be an unexpected bonus that will attract guests and make your listing stand out. An “instagrammable” area in the house could be a window seat guests can enjoy while gazing outdoors, a cosy small reading nook beneath the stairs (or an otherwise unused small space), an oversized piece of artwork, or vintage rocking chairs on the deck. Creating something unexpected will delight your guests – something they will remember your listing by, and hopefully, share with others.
Here at Orkney Group, we love home and all there is to it. If you need help with construction, design and architecture services or painting and decorating to "spruce up" your property for more views, give us a call at 0800 368 470 – we’d love to help!
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