How to Create the Perfect Airbnb (with product links!)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. However, I only recommend products I use and love.
A quick note from Gretchen…
Since this post went viral, I decided to expand on it. After you finish reading the original post—which only covered bedrooms—you’ll find my recommendations for setting up the rest of your Airbnb house or apartment. Here’s a link to view my Airbnb listing if you’d like to get even more ideas.
Airbnb has become extremely popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise — more people are working remotely than ever before, and so many of us are eager to return to travel after living with Covid restrictions for the last few years. As a host, it can be an amazing source of income.
How amazing? My 750 sq ft, 1 bedroom Airbnb in NYC brought in an average of $3500 a month in profits. That is no joke for a side hustle! What could you do with an extra $500, $1000 or even $3500 every single month!?
(A quick note for those who are curious.. I had to stop renting out my apartment in New York City because recent legislation made Airbnb illegal here—but I love Airbnb hosting so much that I bought a home upstate in Rhinebeck, New York to convert to a vacation rental. The profits from Airbnb cover the mortgage and maintenance and then some, allowing me to own a weekend home that I otherwise could not afford while also paying steep NYC rent! After the house has been on Airbnb for an entire year, I will share the profits with you here.)
My man is a veteran Airbnb Superhost, so when the opportunity presented itself to start my own Airbnb, he taught me everything I needed to know. Thanks to his coaching and my hard work, I also earned my Superhost status after my first quarter! Now, I’m paying that knowledge forward to you.. so you can start getting 5 star reviews whether you’re doing Airbnb as a full-time job, or a side hustle.
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Choosing a Theme
Our former Airbnb in NYC (Airbnb is no longer legal in NYC)
While it’s not required, choosing a theme can be a fun way to decorate your Airbnb, while ensuring the space doesn’t end up looking too random. Especially if your Airbnb has more than one bedroom, choosing a different theme for each room is a fantastic way to differentiate the rooms in the listing photos. If all the rooms are decorated similarly, a potential guest might think there is only one bedroom. Don’t assume people will be thorough when reading your listing; it’s better to make things obvious!
The easiest theme is a color. Our Connecticut Airbnb has a Blue Room and a Black & White Room.
Some popular themes are.. boho, glam, Victorian-era / antique, modern minimalist, beachy, nautical, and rustic / farmhouse. Just make sure the theme you pick isn’t too weird, or so niche that it will deter anyone from staying there. You want to appeal to a broad demographic to ensure a high occupancy rate. (I wouldn’t do a Mickey Mouse themed room.. unless your property is in Anaheim!
If you’re still struggling with this, one of my favorite interior design strategies is to choose a statement piece for each room, and design the room around that piece. This makes it easy to decide what to buy, because if something matches the statement piece it will work, and if it clashes with the statement piece, don’t get it. A statement piece could be a fun throw pillow, a unique piece of furniture, a piece of art, or even a rug. I’m personally obsessed with everything designed by Jonathan Adler. 🤩
Some hosts take their Airbnb to the next level of professionalism with a logo or professionally branded guestbook. If this is something you’re interested in doing, send me a message!
Here are some of my favorite throw pillows you can buy from my Airbnb Amazon shopping list, for every budget.
Our Airbnb in New Haven, CT
Color
When it comes to Airbnb, always keep in mind you’re designing a hotel room alternative. As a general rule of thumb, bedrooms should be light and bright with lots of white, and it’s wise to stick to one or two hues for that pop of color. (Unless your theme is rainbow, of course!) I read once that people are most drawn to blue bedrooms on Airbnb.
Having said that, I went really dark and bold with the teal master bedroom in my upstate New York Airbnb, and while I absolutely LOVE this room and have no regrets, it is more difficult to photograph well than a white or light color room. Just something to keep in mind for you bold maximalists!
Regardless of what you decide, you must use all white sheets for two reasons.
1. It gives that high-end hotel look (you would never see color or patterned sheets in a hotel, would you?) and
2. You can bleach white bed linens if they get stained or begin to dull or yellow over time. Which you will need to do!
Some people choose to stay at Airbnbs over hotels because they appreciate staying at a place with charm and character. It’s okay to show some personality, and one great way to do that is with unique quilts, throw pillows and blankets.
Mattress & Bedding
Do not skimp out on this.
If there is one piece of advice you take from this blog post, please let it be this. I’ll repeat myself. DO NOT BE TOO FRUGAL on your bed situation.
The bed(s) absolutely have to be super comfortable, from the mattress to the sheets and everything in between. A bad bed experience could take an Airbnb from a 5 star review to a 1 star.. and in the Airbnb world, 5 star reviews are your best friend and your #1 marketing tool.
I’ll make it super easy for you and tell you exactly what we use. The bed has to be great, but you don’t have to break the bank. Here’s the breakdown.
Our Airbnb in New Haven, CT
Mattress
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this inexpensive mattress from Amazon, it is shockingly comfortable for the price point. I added this memory foam pad to all of our mattresses for extra comfort. Guests have left reviews mentioning how comfortable the beds are, and I bet they would never guess how little I spent on them!
Bed Frame
The sky is the limit when it comes to bed frames, but if you can upcycle a used one, that’s the most environmentally friendly and also probably the cheapest. Here are the inexpensive beds I currently have in my airbnb!
Mattress & Pillow Protectors
Make sure you protect your mattresses with a waterproof mattress protector. This is SO important because unfortunately accidents happen, from kid pee to red wine... and this will ensure the longevity of your mattress investment. The same thing goes for pillows, which I’ll say more about in a minute... I recommend these pillow covers because they have zippers to ensure total protection. When you protect your investment with the right covers, you only have buy mattresses and pillows once.
Sheets
Sheets must be soft.. there is nothing worse than trying to sleep on rough, scratchy sheets, or ones that don’t breathe and make you hot all night. These Bamboo sheets from Luxome are hands down my all-time favorite sheets I’ve ever owned, because they are incredibly soft and breathable, plus they are cooling. I can’t even tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten on these sheets! And they are the only ones I ever have on my own bed at home. You will need at least 2 sets of sheets per bed in order to do quick turnovers between guests, but I recommend buying 3 sets per bed, to be safe. An easy way to remember is, one set on the bed, one set in the laundry, and one set clean, folded and ready to be used again.
Comforters/Blankets
Changing a duvet on a down comforter is a huge pain in the ass. (I know you know what I mean.) If I’m not willing to do it, I’m not asking my cleaning gal to do it either. I came up with a better system that allows guests to control how warm the bed is, and nobody has to mess with changing a duvet.
The sheets go first (obviously), and then next I put down this inexpensive all season down-alternative comforter, without a duvet. (Make sure your cleaning person knows to check it for stains each time they clean, since we aren’t using a duvet they will have to spot clean it and then put it in the wash. For this reason, I recommend buying 2 for each bed. If your Airbnb is successful, you will have same-day turnovers.)
On top of the down-alternative comforter, I put a beautiful quilt. This is the fun part. Each room in my Airbnb has a different color scheme, so here are the 3 I’m currently using:
• Plush white velvet quilt and sham set (Classic, matches everything and you can’t go wrong with a white on white bed situation)
• Teal velvet quilt and sham set (I love this one in my kind bedroom because it reminds me of Don & Betty’s bedroom on Mad Men... 60’s vibes)
• Burgundy embossed quilt and sham set
On top of each bed, I put this cute decorative throw blanket, just to give it a more finished hotel-type look. The 50 x 60” size fits perfectly on a Queen bed.
Pro tip: I suggest keeping a few additional blankets or down comforters in dresser drawers, in case guests get cold. These can be whatever you want, as long as they are clean, since they are just backups. I also provide a few of these fuzzy white throw blankets for people to use on the couch.
Pillows
Let me remind you.. let’s NOT be cheap with the bed situation. We are creating a 5 star experience, after all! A flat, shitty pillow that hurts my neck would easily take me from a 5 star to a 4 star review. Don’t be that host! My guests absolutely love these cooling memory foam pillows.
Make sure you have a minimum of 4 standard pillows on each queen bed, because many people sleep with 2 pillows under their head. It’s OK to use cheap pillows for the front set, just make sure there are two behind them that are high quality. **Throw pillows don’t count for this, those go in front of the 4 standard pillows.
Throw / Decorative Pillows
This is the fun part, where you get to make the bed pretty and inviting. I love these hotel-looking white pinched shams and these light gray oversized throw pillow covers so much, I used them in our master bedroom at home, too. I also love these cheap but gorgeous West Elm dupes.
Throw Blankets
I also recommend including a soft, cozy throw blanket in each room. It looks nice and gives the room an elevated touch. Here are two I love that you can buy on Amazon.
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Use this guide to make sure you’re using the right number and size of throw pillows for each bed!
Artwork & Mirrors
Please do you not leave your Airbnb bedroom walls bare — you’re designing a hotel experience remember, not a sterile hospital room! The good news is you don’t have to break the bank for this. I highly recommend going to local GoodWill and thrift stores to find unique items to put on the walls. You can even get creative and make an awesome gallery wall with vintage odds and ends from garage sales and thrift stores. (See the pink photo below of what I did in an old San Diego apartment!)
Mirrors are a great way to make any space feel larger, and guests will especially appreciate a full-length mirror for getting ready. I love this oversized round gold mirror so much, we have two of them in our apartment! It looks just like West Elm at a fraction of the price.
On that note, this is great time to mention that you should remove (or hide) all personal items. While your family photos are precious to you, your Airbnb guest doesn’t want to be reminded of the fact that they’re staying in a stranger’s home.
Nightstands with Reading Lights & Phone Chargers
Whenever possible, it’s ideal to have a nightstand or small table on both sides of the bed. It’s generally a good idea to NOT push beds up against walls, unless you have no other option. People often travel in pairs and it sucks when you can’t get out from one side of the bed without crawling over your partner. GoodWill and thrift stores are a great option for finding inexpensive used nightstands and lamps. If you’re handy, upcycle a tired old nightstand with a fresh coat of paint and some new knobs. Bonus points if they match your theme!
Adequate ambient lighting is an important part of a 5 star Airbnb experience. This beautiful brass globe table lamp is a great option for nightstands because it gives off a soft light that’s perfect for reading before bed.
Also, make sure to include at least one iPhone charger in each room.. a nightstand is a great place for this. People do have a tendency to snag them though, so buy a colored one to make it less tempting and harder to mistake for their own.
Here are some great nightstand / end table options from Amazon that I LOVE, including some West Elm dupes that are spot on!
Clothing Storage
Like in a hotel room, guests will expect a designated place to store their clothes. An empty closet is great, but you may not have that option if you also live in the space you rent out.
Since I lock the bedroom closet in our NYC Airbnb (I have to use it for storage), I provide guests with 2 empty dressers and a freestanding clothing rack.
I also highly recommend providing a set of chic luggage racks so people don’t have to keep their suitcases on the floor. It’s the little touches like this that will earn you 5 star reviews! And since my guests have plenty of places to keep their clothes, no one has complained that they can’t access the closet.
Our Airbnb in New Haven, CT
Night Lights
It’s a great idea to provide your guests with nightlights throughout the home, since it can be tricky and dangerous finding their way to the bathroom or another part of the Airbnb after dark. These inexpensive nightlights only come on when the room is dark, and they are a great budget option.
Blackout Curtains and Sheers
While we’re on the topic of light, there’s nothing worse than being on vacation and getting woken up by sun pouring into your bedroom at 6am. Especially if you had margaritas the night before! For this reason, blackout curtains are a much appreciated feature (and selling point!) that you can add to your airbnb for very little cost.
I personally love these West Elm-inspired blackout curtains and they come in a bunch of different colors and sizes, so you can find the perfect ones to suit your unique Airbnb. You also can’t go wrong with these velvet blackout curtains for a more luxe/glam look!
In rooms that aren’t bedrooms (such as living rooms and dining areas), sheers may be a better option because they don’t prevent natural light from coming into the room. (We love natural light!!) It’s amazing how just adding sheers can elevate any room from plain and unfinished to chic and fabulous! I recommend these linen-textured sheers, which are very modern and pretty, and come in a variety of on-trend colors for 2023.
Accent Chair
If space permits, it’s a classy touch to provide an accent chair. Especially if the Airbnb is a studio or a room you’re renting without access to the rest of the home, it’s nice for guests to have somewhere to sit, besides on the bed. This is also another opportunity to integrate your theme and color scheme.
Our former NYC Airbnb Bedroom (Airbnb is no longer legal in NYC!)
Rugs
A room without a rug looks unfinished. Unless your Airbnb has carpet, make sure to put rugs in every room. Or, if you have old, ugly or stained carpet, a cute rug is a great way to hide it!
Make sure the rug is the right size for the room. Here’s an article from Wayfair on how to do that like a designer, if it doesn’t come naturally.
Rugs don’t have to be expensive to look nice. Here are a few stylish and inexpensive area rugs I have purchased from Amazon and have been super happy with!
Decorative Objects
This part can be tricky, because you certainly don’t want your Airbnb to feel cluttered. However, it’s a good idea to choose 1-3 fun decorative objects to make the room feel finished, and look like it was designed with intention by a pro. Again - think about what a hotel might do.
You’ll want to put these items on dressers, nightstands, end tables, coffee tables. Limit one item per piece of furniture to avoid clutter. Items like this can look great on top of a small stack of oversized coffee table books, or standing alone.
Here is a random assortment of super fun decorative objects I LOVE from Amazon that would look GREAT in an Airbnb bedroom. Again, use this as an opportunity to tie in your theme! Click on an image to see pricing and more info. You can view a whole lot more in my Amazon store.
Extra Special Touches.. to go above and beyond!
While the following items are certainly not required, guests really appreciate it when their host goes above and beyond. Providing your guest with any or all of the following items is sure to get you 5 star reviews. As a frequent traveler myself, I get a ton of personal satisfaction knowing I made someone’s trip extra special. :)
I highly recommend including a mini fridge preferably stocked with water, seltzer, soda or other beverages. I gift an alcoholic beverage (usually a bottle of wine) for guests who spend $1000+ on their booking, but it’s a personal choice. You’ll get bonus points with guests if you message them a few days before their check-in to ask what their adult beverage of choice is. ;)
If your Airbnb guests don’t have access to a full kitchen, you really should provide them with a mini fridge stocked with water, at the very least. People who are traveling go out to eat a lot, and it sucks getting back to your room and realizing you have to throw away those leftovers you went to the trouble to save, because you don’t have a fridge to store them in. This is the one I have and highly recommend.
A safe for guests to store their valuables is also great for Airbnb. This is especially important if you are renting out a room in a shared space, but it’s still good to have one if not, since guests realize that you have access to the Airbnb while they’re gone (in case of an emergency, etc.)
I can’t think of a more fun touch than these washable, reusable spa slippers and a hotel robe. What makes you feel like you’re on vacation more than a robe and slippers?! As an added bonus, guests will likely take their shoes off to wear the slippers, which will save you some time in cleaning your floors. Make sure the robes you buy are white so you can wash and bleach them along with your towels.
Here are some additional items I highly recommend if you want to go above and beyond and earn 5 star reviews and Superhost status!
Individually wrapped bamboo toothbrushes
A hair dryer
A Keurig or Single cup coffee maker
This gorgeous tea kettle
Wine opener and unbreakable wine glasses
Hand towels
Premium bamboo face washcloths
Feminine products - this variety pack is perfect
Disposable shower caps
A Ferrero Rocher chocolate on each pillow
A gift basket with snacks, hard candies, disposable eye masks, and ear plugs
Board games - I pick these up for practically nothing at Goodwill stores
Books - pick them up for pennies at garage sales
Cleanliness
Before I let you go, I want to touch on the topic of cleanliness, because it is essential for running a 5 star Airbnb. If you do everything I recommend above, but the room doesn’t seem clean, you will not receive 5 star reviews, period.
Hair often gets stuck to clean laundry due to static. If bedding is clean, but a guest sees a hair stuck to it, they’ll assume the bedding hasn’t been laundered and will leave you a negative review — or worse, they’ll contact Airbnb for a refund or discount. They may even win the case!
The best way to avoid this all together is to use a lint roller on the sheets and pillowcases (both sides) after they’ve been washed, while making the bed for the next guest. I know this may sound tedious, but this type of attention to detail is what sets a Superhost apart from a regular host. Superhost status means more bookings, and more income. It’s worth going the extra mile!
Aside from checking for hair, just make sure to vacuum under the bed and wipe down all surfaces with a non-toxic cleaner between each guest, and you should be good to go. This pink Method brand all-purpose cleaner is my favorite and it smells fantastic.
Here are some more of my favorite cleaning supplies and products:
Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs
Rubber cleaning gloves (protect your hands!)
This chic Broom & Dustpan set
Dyson Cordless Vacuum
Cordless Mini Vacuum Cleaner
Extra sticky Lint Rollers (to make sure there are no hairs stuck to bedding after washing and making beds)
Extra Special Touches
Are you starting your own Airbnb?I would love to hear about it and answer any questions you have. Click here to get in touch with me! Enjoy this type of content? You’ll love my emails. Subscribe here.
x, gretchen
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I’m a Brand Designer and Strategist living in NYC. 9 years ago I quit my job to start this business, and now I’m here to help you do it too! I specialize in helping established female millennial entrepreneurs transform their brands.. to attract Dream Clients and grow their businesses, so that they can make more money, be their own bosses and live the life they deserve!