Top 3 Mistakes To Avoid When Furnishing Your Airbnb
So you’re ready to launch your first Airbnb and you know you’re going to have to spend some serious cash to get it up and running which you’re prepared to do but you want to spend it wisely.
You got into this Airbnb game because you know you can make some bank off of your property and are ready to start seeing those dollars roll in. You want to know where you should splurge and where you can save.
You know what you would buy for your own home but what about a property that is going to be treated like a hotel? I see you. And I was right there with you!
When I launched my first Airbnb I knew I could make some serious cash off of the property if I could get people to book my place over the guy down the road.
I did my research, saw what the other properties around me looked like then set out to make mine better. And I did! Within the first year and a half of launching I grossed over $85k off of my property.
Since then I have worked with investors to see them launch their own successful short term rental businesses.
With over a decade of experience in the interior design world I have worked with an array of clients, furnishing model homes, private homes and professional offices. Each project required different quality of furnishings based on its use and the budget.
Airbnb properties are a different ball game. They are investment properties which means you want to figure out how to spend as little as possible and see a huge ROI. That is the game. BUT your property can’t be treated like a model home, a place that is intended to only look good but not get any use.
Your property is going to be treated like a hotel. Think about the last time you stayed in a hotel with your kids. I can think about mine! The first thing they did was kick off their shoes and start jumping on the beds. Then they took their snack and dumped it on the floor right before they rushed to the bathroom to dirty the toilet and get water all over the sink area and floor.
Ok you may be thinking she needs to get a hold of her kids but everyone knows when you’re in a hotel you don’t treat it like your own home (or maybe you treat your own home this way) but the point is your Airbnb is going to get some serious use out of it!
You need to spend your money on the right furnishings that will look great and withstand 100’s of people.
Here are the top three mistakes to avoid when furnishing your Airbnb.
Airbnb Mistake #1: An uncomfortable mattress and pillows
Don’t skimp on these! It is going to be your great design that will get people into the door but the comfort of the beds is what will get you the 5-star review.
I once stayed in a beautiful Airbnb that was decorated to the max, was in the perfect location and had all of the necessary amenities yet the mattress was so rock hard the second night I found myself praying asking God to help me fall asleep because my back and hips hurt so bad!
You do not want this to be your guest's experience!
There are some very affordable memory foam mattresses on the market that will bring in those 5-star reviews. Here is the mattress I use in all of the properties I furnish. Also, don’t forget comfortable pillows and a good foam mattress topper.
Airbnb Mistake #2: A mashup of old furniture
If your mindset is “I will throw my old furniture I don’t feel like hauling off to the local Goodwill into my Airbnb and call it good” then you will not make it in this game. Your guests are bombarded constantly with images on social media and TV with exotic and inspiring places to stay. While these images may create unrealistic expectations, the reality is, the expectations are there and if you’re going to make that serious cash you’re dreaming of then you are going to have to spend some money on furnishings that create a cohesive design plan.
This doesn’t mean you need to buy all new furniture, I actually prefer to furnish my properties with a mix of furniture from Facebook Marketplace or Estate Sales and new pieces.
I teach my students how to do this in my self-paced interior design course for Airbnb investors. You can be one of the first to know when it releases by joining the waitlist now.
Airbnb Mistake #3: Cheap bed frame and couch
The number one mistake to avoid when furnishing your Airbnb is buying cheap bed frames and couches. I have made this mistake (and kick myself for doing it) all in an attempt to save a few hundred dollars.
There is nothing worse than having the center of the bed fall in as you get ready to go to sleep or you flop down on a couch and the center gives way. These pieces will get a lot of use and are worth splurging on.
I only use sturdy metal frame beds (be careful because metal beds can be deceiving and appear sturdy but are not). A way to avoid buying a cheap metal bed is by filtering through the price. If the metal bed is less than $200 at Target, Wayfair or Amazon it likely is not good quality.
Also, always check reviews, paying customers will usually give an honest evaluation on the product. Many online stores, like Wayfair, have a “commercial use” filter you can apply to your searches. This means this furniture has been qualified as a piece suitable for commercial spaces. I also only use solid wood bed frames and avoid particle board frames that can snap easily. Here are three of the top beds I use in my properties.
Avoiding these mistakes at the onset of your launch will save you time and money in the long run.
P.S. Ready to start designing your short-term rental? Not one that gets lost in the sea of listings but stands out from all of the rest? Join Je Ne Sais Quoi, a self-paced interior design course that will help you elevate your rental design, create a 5-star property and easily increase your profits. This program teaches you everything you need to design, source and install your short-term rental property. Join the waitlist now.
