Design Tips

Blank Space to Fully Furnished: The First 5 Steps to Take When Furnishing Your Vacation Rental

Blank Space to Fully Furnished: The First 5 Steps to Take When Furnishing Your Vacation Rental

This is the third article from our short-term rental design series. We’ve consulted several professional STR designers in the Minoan community to bring hosts the best design advice from their experiences. Their expertise is invaluable to both new and seasoned hosts, and you'll see their projects highlighted throughout this series. 

There’s so many steps to take when getting your first vacation rental up and running. When it comes to design and furnishing, where do you even begin?! Paige Hayes, the mastermind behind interior design firm Hayes & Co. is here to lend her expertise in the short-term rental industry to help hosts start off on the right foot. Following these steps can ensure you stay organized, on budget, and on schedule with your investment!

#1 Research the surrounding area and understand your target audience.
A deep understanding of the local area allows you to tap into the unique features and attractions that might draw travelers. Whether it's proximity to popular tourist sites, scenic views, or access to recreational activities, incorporating these aspects into your rental's description can significantly enhance its appeal. 

Equally important is knowing your target audience because each type of guest may have varying preferences and expectations. Families might look for spacious and kid-friendly accommodations, while solo travelers or couples might prioritize cozy spaces with privacy. By understanding your target audience, you can tailor your vacation rental's amenities and interior design to cater to their needs and desires.

Paige’s advice on researching your audience: Knowing who will be coming to stay with you and tailoring your property’s design to fit their needs makes all the difference. The phrase “you can’t please everyone” is so true, so it’s critical to focus on the people you WANT to please, and make sure you do everything you can to attract and stand out to those guests specifically. If you can connect with your target guest through your listing and create a story that your guests want to be part of, then it will instantly make you stand out among other properties. 

#2 Create a budget
A clear and well-defined budget is a roadmap that outlines the limits of your spending and guides your purchasing decisions. A budget helps ensure you do invest in essential furnishings like comfortable beds, quality linens, and functional kitchen appliances but that you don’t overspend on unnecessary items.

Failing to allocate your design budget properly can significantly impact your ROI, especially if your rental property doesn't generate expected bookings and income as it’s becoming more established. 

Paige’s budgeting advice: While you want to avoid spending excessively and be mindful of your overall investment, it’s also critical to view the design of your property as the biggest part of your investment rather than an expense that needs to be minimized and undercut at every opportunity. Research your market in order to understand what guests expect, what your nightly rate will be, and what amenities you’ll need to add (if you have bonus areas like game rooms, hot tubs, etc., that will need to be included in your budget). 

You’re going to have to spend money, so I advise hosts to find a designer or to take a course about Airbnb design and furnishing. There are people who are experts at achieving this balance and working with them will save you thousands.

#3 Establish the mood of your property and come up with a theme
The theme of your property sets the tone for your guests' stay, whether it's a cozy beach retreat, a rustic mountain cabin, or a chic urban apartment. This thematic consistency helps curate a specific atmosphere that resonates with your target audience. Consistency in theme, down to the smallest details, adds to the property's appeal and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. The theme can also guide your design decisions and help keep you focused on the end goal! 

Paige’s design and theme advice: Every property should have a theme – it doesn’t have to be a heavy, immersive theme, but a theme that reflects the property itself like the location, target guest and design style. That theme will tell the story through design and stand out to your target guests. Don’t just wing it – if you plan it effectively, you’ll be amazed at the results!

#4 Plan your layout and find applicable pieces
Planning the layout and selecting appropriate furnishings for your vacation rental is crucial for maximizing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the space. The layout determines the flow of the property, ensuring that each area is utilized effectively and that guests can navigate the space comfortably. 

When you don’t adequately plan your layout and take inventory of the allotted space, it will be evident to guests. On top of that, you could waste ample money and time by making incorrect decisions by not taking the time to measure and plan. 

Paige’s layout advice: I am the world’s biggest fan of space planning. Do not just guess what will fit, because 9 times out of 10, it won’t. If you plan your space, you will optimize your occupancy and gathering spaces, see what will fit before you purchase items, and go into the sourcing process with confidence. 

It may seem time consuming to plan so thoroughly, but if you don’t do it upfront, you’ll waste time sending furniture back or wind up having a poorly designed space. I would highly suggest taking a course on space planning that is made for STR hosts, or I would hire or consult with a designer! The money and time you spend on this will come back to you tenfold.

#5 Set a schedule and timeline and stick to it
Instituting a schedule allows you to break down the furnishing process into smaller and more manageable tasks. With a structured timeline, you can better coordinate activities like purchasing furniture, painting, and decorating, aligning them in a way that maximizes productivity. This organized approach not only saves time but also prevents unnecessary delays, allowing you to open your rental to guests sooner and make money quicker!

It’s important to remember that owning a vacation rental property is a major time commitment in itself, so be patient and realistic when setting a schedule for your design tasks. 

Paige’s scheduling advice: Everyone wants to launch ASAP and begin getting that return on their investment. But your timeline can’t just be arbitrary, it has to be realistic! If you want things to be done well, get the best deals and get quality work done, you simply can’t rush it. If you are in a time crunch, there are options like shopping for in-stock items and shopping with quick-ship retailers only. Minoan can help you shop to stick to your timelines. 

Paige’s bonus advice: Sign up for Minoan!
Signing up for Minoan is a total given! They have taken something challenging for all of us as STR hosts and made it significantly easier AND less expensive. Plus, it’s free. Why wouldn’t you use them?  

I use Minoan on my personal STR projects, ALL of my client projects, and advise all of my students and community members to sign up for Minoan as well. On average, clients and students save $5k-$10k per project simply through the discounts Minoan offers. They also have the added bonus of great customer service, orders all in one place, and a dedicated team to help if anything goes wrong. Every single vacation rental host should be using Minoan!

Don't miss out on the action. Become a Minoan member now and snag incredible deals on stunning design pieces for your property. From artsy decor to funky furniture, we've got you covered! Join today.