How to Furnish an Airbnb
Furnishing an Airbnb presents challenges that you may not encounter when furnishing your own home. For many people, setting up an STR means starting from scratch, which is both expensive and time consuming. Unlike furnishing your own space, you can’t close off an empty spare bedroom or get by with an old futon while you hunt for the perfect sectional. Your Airbnb has to be ready before you create the listing, which means investing in your future success before you’ve earned a dime.
This post guides soon-to-be hosts through the process of furnishing your vacation rental, including:
Getting ready to furnish your Airbnb
Where to shop for for furniture
How to choose furniture
Getting Ready to Furnish Your Airbnb
Identify Your Target Market
First, you need to determine who your ideal guests are and what their needs are. If you’re not sure, consider the location of your short term rental and its size and layout, as well as any desirable amenities such as a hot tub or swimming pool.
Some of the most common types of vacation rental guests are:
Couples
Young families
Large groups
Business travelers
Digital nomads
While it may be tempting to try and attract all of these guest types, I suggest picking one or two and keeping them in mind as you continue planning, and eventually start shopping. Trying to accommodate every imaginable type of traveler is not only very difficult, but it will also likely lead to a very generic and uninspired space — which is not what anyone is looking for!
For example, if your ideal guests are families and large groups, you will want to maximize the number of beds — think twin beds, bunk beds, trundle beds, and sleeper sofas. If your goal is to attract couples and business travelers, set aside some budget for a king sized bed.
Define Your Interior Design Style
Once you have identified who your ideal guests are, it’s time to choose an aesthetic. The interior design style of your Airbnb should be determined by its location, the architectural style and period, and your own preferences. It’s worth taking the time to do some research into popular interior design styles to find the right match for your space — this will make shopping much easier when the time comes. I encourage people mix and match styles, such as combining contemporary and traditional decor (known as transitional) or adding a splash of mid-century modern design to your farmhouse to create an Americana look.
Regardless of your style, I highly recommend The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstet for a crash course in interior design and styling. It teaches the core principles of good design — what looks good and why — with tips from choosing a color palette to hanging a gallery wall. No one is paying me to say this, I just really love this book!
Make a Shopping List and Set a Budget
Walk through the space room by room and make a list of all of the furniture and decor you need to buy. Tables and chairs, floor lamps, rugs — everything. As you make your list, keep in mind the number of guests you can accommodate. This is especially important for your dining table and living room furniture.
On a recent family vacation to Montana, we stayed in a vacation rental that slept 10, but the only seating for meals was 4 stools at the kitchen counter. We made do with some people eating in the living room, but it wasn’t ideal and left the impression that the host hadn’t stopped to consider how their guests would actually use the space.
Once you know what you need, you can set a budget and identify priorities if you’re not in a financial position to purchase everything before you start accepting guests. While your STR will need to be furnished enough to meet guests’ needs and to create a welcoming space, you can add in less functional accent pieces and decor over time as you start to generate revenue.
When setting a budget, keep in mind that the quality of your furnishings should be directly tied to your nightly rate. An Airbnb full of pieces from West Elm or Pottery Barn commands a higher price than one filled with items from Target or Ikea. No matter your budget, it’s possible to create a stylish space and provide a five-star guest experience, but a mismatch between price and quality could result in a poor value rating — a measure of whether or not the property met guest expectations.
Take Measurements
I can’t stress this enough! Take thorough measurements before you buy any furniture — even in large rooms where space isn’t an issue. When I was furnishing the dining room in my Airbnb, I ordered a 6 person dining table online only to have it delivered and discover that it was way too small for the room. A table for 8 would be a better match for the space, in addition to the obvious benefit of seating 2 more people. I had to exchange the table, which was a major hassle. Scale and proportion are key components of good design and can throw off the entire vibe of the room if you get it wrong, so get out your tape measurer and check the specs before you buy anything!
Where to Shop for Your Airbnb
The retailers below are my go-tos for furnishings and decor for any STR. They offer a broad range of home products at a reasonable price with (mostly) fast and free shipping.
I also love antique stores, flea markets, yard sales, and farmers markets for furnishings and decor. This can be a great way to fill in a space and add some character and charm without spending too much. Shop your own home for items that can be repurposed and possibly refreshed with a fresh coat of paint or some new upholstery. Downsizing parents and grandparents can be a great resource as well!
Choosing Furniture for Your Airbnb
Look for Furniture That’s Durable, Stain Resistant, and Easy to Clean
The durability of a piece of furniture comes down to the materials used and how it’s made. Solid wood and sturdy metals like steel are built to last, whereas particle board and composite materials will eventually end up in the trash. Although materials like solid wood are more expensive, it can be refinished or repainted and can last a lifetime with proper care. High quality furniture also has a much higher resale value if you decide to swap it out for something new.
For upholstered items, look for fabrics with a high rub count. This refers to how many times the fabric can be rubbed back and forth before showing signs of wear. A double-rub is one complete back and forth motion.
Light Duty: Up to 9,000 double rubs; best for furnishings used occasionally like a bedroom accent chair
Medium Duty: 9,000 to 15,000 double rubs; appropriate for daily use furniture like dining chairs or headboards
Heavy Duty: 15,000 to 30,000 double rubs; appropriate for furniture used daily for long periods of time, such as a sofa.
Leather and vegan leather, velvet, microfiber, and tightly woven cotton and linen are some of the most durable options on the market. Look for “performance fabric,” which means that the fabric has been treated to repel liquid, grease, and other stains.
Regardless of the fabric, make sure that any cushions on upholstered seating have removable covers so you can spot clean, dry clean, or wash them if you need to. Slipcovers are another great option and can be replaced if they are beyond repair.
When to Splurge and When to Save
As a general rule, I recommend spending more on Airbnb furniture where guests will spend the most time and have a reasonable expectation for comfort — for most properties, this will mean the beds and living room furniture.
If you’re ordering a mattress online, Wirecutter has a great list of their favorite mattresses, all of which have been independently tested. Upholstered headboards are often more expensive, but much more comfortable for people who like to read, watch TV, or scroll Instagram in bed (me).
When shopping for upholstered living room furniture, avoid foam cushions. Foam is the most common (and the cheapest) filler, but to me it’s not worth the cost savings. Low density foam is too squishy and high density foam is hard as a rock! It softens eventually, but not uniformly. Look for poly fill, which mimics the feeling of down and is much more comfortable to sit on.
Lighting, storage, and accent furniture don’t need to break the bank. They are less susceptible to wear and tear so construction isn’t as important. You can find stylish options at any of the retailers listed above. Dining tables, bookshelves, dressers, and nightstands can often be purchased second hand with minimal signs of wear.
How Can Splendid Host Help?
Splendid Host offers furnishing and styling services for Airbnb hosts in Vermont and parts of New Hampshire, whether you need help with a single room or the whole house.
How does it work? First, I meet the property owner on-site to learn more about the property and to discuss ideas for how the space can be prepared for guests. We begin this process by creating a mood board to capture your aesthetics, and then give you digital floor plans and a detailed shopping list for everything you’ll need to create a stylish and welcoming space—from furniture to decor to amenities. When you’re ready to shop, you will have access through Splendid Host to exclusive discounts, saving you up to 40% off from retailers such as Crate & Barrel, West Elm, and Brooklinen.
Get in touch to learn more and schedule a free introductory call.
