How to decorate an Airbnb apartment to attract visitors

Keep practicality in mind

When planning an Airbnb, you must plan how someone else will live in the place. If you are renovating a place just for renting out, it is a good idea to stay a few nights there yourself. It can help you determine little details that can only be noticed when the space is actively used. For example, you might find where is the best place to put a tea towel holder, or that the bathroom is missing a place where to put clothes.

Determine who are your guests

It is good to keep in mind who the majority of your guests are going to be. You can determine that by your location, your overall area, the activities and attractions near you, and just by your Airbnb vibe. For example, small city apartments will be suitable for couples or someone traveling for work. Bigger, outside-the-city houses will feel desirable to families with children or bigger friend groups. A mix of country chill and village life can attract digital nomads who want to spend some time in one place.

Here is a list of popular renter profiles and what are some elements they might appreciate:

• Couples. Spaces where to spend time together – sitting by a fireplace, outdoor patio, hot tub, etc.
• Families with children. Different children's accessories from feeding tables to toys.
• People with pets. A garden, pet food bowls, and overall pet-friendly Airbnb. Friend groups. Separate rooms with good soundproofing and enough dishes and silverware.
• Digital nomads. A workplace – a desk, and a comfy chair.
• A single person on a business trip. Cozy atmosphere and a workplace.

Storage and hooks

Remember that the Airbnb you see is a space without the items your guests will bring in. Make sure there is enough space where they can put their things. A dresser and a closet is a good place to start. Some open storage options can also be very practical. Think about where your guests will put their traveling bags, suitcases, and small accessories like watches, phones, rings, passports, and so on. Add hooks and rails in every room, so guests can easily hang or dry their clothes and towels.

Not too many decors

Adding some decor to the rooms is fine and even necessary, but don’t go overboard. Always keep in mind that people will bring in more items once they are using the space. Leave some surfaces totally decor-free, especially the ones that will be used by your guests frequently.

Invest in durable items

If everything goes well, a lot of people will use your Airbnb daily. They will walk on the floors, touch walls, sit on the couch, sleep in the bed, and use the shower. So you mustn't be stingy when choosing items that will be used the most.

High-quality key pieces

Make sure you invest in high-quality pieces that will be used the most. Here is a list of the items:

The bed

The bed has to be comfortable. People always notice a bad bed in rental spaces and they will write about it in reviews. Aim for the opposite! Great reviews of how good people slept at your rental are golden.

The couch

Your guests will sit on the couch frequently and it can wear down pretty quickly. So, make sure you invest in a piece that is in a color that doesn’t get dirty fast and that has some great, high-quality cushions.

Shower and bath

The shower and bath get lots of water damage and use, so make sure all the items in the wet areas are high-quality. They should be sturdy, easy to use, and easy to clean. Also, think about water spatter and cover everything with tiles to avoid mold.

Great flooring

A lot of people will walk those Airbnb floors. Make sure they are good-looking as well as durable. Choose materials that withstand wet conditions (people may spill or bring in rainwater and not clean it up immediately), scrapes, and overall foot traffic.

Scratch and dirt-free walls

Keeping the walls fresh at your Airbnb can be challenging. To make the scratches less visible you can try grey wall paints, but sometimes gray is not just the color for your desired design look. You can also plan to repaint the Airbnb once a year to keep it fresh. Or, you can try fun wallpaper that can hide some imperfections as well as function as a wall protector and decor element.

Not sure what wallpaper to try? Check out some of these options: Give a Toast, Green Foliage, or Petal Confetti.

Have a theme for your Airbnb

Once you have all the practical elements taken care of, you can start focusing on decorating your Airbnb. One way how to attract customers is to create something unique – something they will want to see and experience in real life. And that can be achieved through creating a themed Airbnb.

How to choose an Airbnb theme

When choosing an Airbnb theme try to draw inspiration from the surroundings. You want your Airbnb to stand out but you also want it to feel organic. For example, creating a farmhouse aesthetic in a city apartment would feel just off. However, the same aesthetic in a small house in the countryside would be just perfect.

Also, think about the space and exaggerate its vibe. For example, if the apartment is in an ArtNoveau building, go all in and create authentic ArtNoveau-style rooms (with a hint of modern electronics, of course). If the place reminds you of a spaceship – explore that idea.

There are two types of Airbnb themes – subtle and bold. Both are good! But they tell a different story. A Subtle theme can show up in some decor elements here and there that remind you of that motive. However, a bold theme is an experience that immerses visitors in a specific environment.

Either way, you can start by collecting interesting and authentic items that agree with your theme. It can be furniture, wall decors, functional objects, and so on.

Themed Airbnb ideas

Here are some fun and doable Airbnb theme ideas that you can use in your space!

Nautical theme by the sea

A nautical theme is quite popular but done right it can still excel you from your competitors. It is best done in places that have some connection to the sea or ocean, for example, an apartment by the sea or in a city that has a big port and a history of shipping.

A Nautical theme can be explored in different ways. You can go for the underwater world, mythical nautical themes, navigation, and shipping, or even a pirate theme. Choose different elements that go with the theme and start decorating! Just remember to keep in mind the practicality of an Airbnb as well.

To get you started here are some great nautical-themed wallpapers – Blue Octopus, Blue Jellyfish, Ocean King, Red Octopus, Fish in Wine, and Calm Waters.

Nature theme by the forest

The nature theme for an Airbnb can be very relaxing and peaceful. It will fit perfectly with a place in the countryside and near a forest. It will feel like the calmness of the outdoors has extended indoors. You can even bring inside some outdoor elements – use lots of wood in the interior, decorate with branches, and spoil the place with greenery.

Here are some amazing forest theme wallpaper to get your imagination going – Mystery Forest, Fern Herbarium, Tropical jardin, Magpie Floral, Forest Dream, Forest Delicacies, and Palm Leaves.

Bold themes for a surprise stay

Excited to awe your visitors? Hold on to your hats and explore these Airbnb theme ideas!

Vampire castle. Use mystical elements to create a dark, moody, and luxurious environment for those who love a thrilling stay. Start with this Dark Damask wallpaper!

Tarzan’s house. Explore the jungle with the iconic Tarzan! Create a jungle environment with greenery, animal decor, and monkey bars indoors. Check out these wallpapers for creating a jungle feeling – Layered Tropics, and Tropical Thailand.

Japanese calm. Transfer your guests to Japan by decorating your Airbnb as an authentic Japanese apartment. Use tatamis, lowered seating, and Shoji screens. As a final touch add this Japanese wallpaper!

In conclusion

When creating and decorating an Airbnb place you need to first and foremost think about your guests. So, bed, furniture, and overall freshness and cleanliness of the place will always take precedence. But after the basics are covered, you (and your guests) get to have fun! Try decorating the Airbnb in a fun and functional way and see what happens. Good luck!