When it comes to designing a successful short-term rental, it’s all about maximizing the guest experience. First impressions matter, and bad design choices – or even lack of intentional design – can mean fewer bookings and lower star ratings.
The most successful short-term rental owners know that good design and thoughtful touches can turn a lackluster rental into a five-star guest experience. So what are these common design mistakes that could be driving away prospective guests?
1. Prioritizing Budget Over Comfort
Furnishing a short-term rental can be expensive, so it’s natural to want to save money where you can. However, choosing to prioritize your budget over the quality of your furnishings can end up hurting you in the long run.
When designing a high-quality vacation rental experience, opt for comfortable mattresses and sofas, cozy bedding, and fluffy towels. Comfort and good night’s sleep can make a big difference when it comes to reviews and repeat bookings!
By investing in quality furniture and linens up front, you’ll boost your bookings, earn better reviews, and maximize your income potential. Avoid stiff sofas, cheap mattresses, and scratchy sheets, even if it means investing a little more into the project upfront – you’ll be happy you did, and so will your guests!
2. Not Designing For Your Ideal Guests
Before you start purchasing furniture, determine who you’re designing this space for. Are you located in a vacation hotspot that welcomes a lot of young families? Is your rental close to a city center that appeals to busy business travelers? Could your unit be a romantic getaway for couples looking to relax?
Figure out who will be renting your unit and then make every single subsequent decision with that guests in mind. Make every item that you purchase, including furnishings, lighting, rugs, lamps, and decor, appeal to what that ideal guest is looking for in a rental.
Once you have identified your target renter, consider what little details you can add to enhance the guest experience. If you’re catering to busy professionals, a well-appointed workspace, fast wifi, and a coffee bar can take your rental up a notch. If you’re designing for families, consider adding games and movies for guests to enjoy, along with a portable crib and high chair for guests with young children.
3. Bad Lighting Choices
Good lighting can turn a mediocre rental into a cozy, romantic space. Relying only on overhead lights makes a space feel dim, outdated, and sterile. Use a thoughtful mix of natural, task, and accent lighting in addition to the built-in overhead lights in your rental unit.
Think about how your guests will use the space at various times of the day, and add lighting options that can enhance the comfort and functionality of the space. Consider installing dimmable switches in living areas and bedrooms, stylish and functional bedside lamps, and warm-toned LEDs to make the space feel welcoming. Don’t forget to add a few floor lamps throughout the unit to help fill empty spaces and give guests control over the ambiance.
4. Overcrowding Rooms
Just like how too little furniture can make a room feel cold and incomplete, overcrowded spaces make a rental unit feel cramped and overwhelming. Opting for a minimalist approach when designing your short-term rental and using lighting and mirrors strategically can actually make your vacation rental unit feel more spacious.
Choose comfortable and functional furniture that fit the dimensions of each room, and be thoughtful when deciding what size beds are appropriate for your unit’s bedrooms. A comfortable Queen with luxurious linens may be a lot more comfortable for your guests than a King that overcrowds the room. Be sure walkways are clear and that your unit is easy to navigate for guests who may have walkers or wheelchairs.
5. Forgetting Key Amenities
The difference between a vacation rental you’ll forget about versus a vacation rental that you’ll rave about often comes down to the little details. Adding blackout curtains, a well-stocked coffee station, streaming service availability, and plentiful cooking utensils makes guests feel valued and helps your unit stick in their mind. And when you forget to include these amenities? Well, guests notice and will rate your rental accordingly.
As you consider who your ideal guest is, think of a few extra touches you could include that can help your short-term rental stand out from the competition, whether that’s an Instagram accent wall for bachelorette parties or lawn games for young families. Don’t forget to stock extra towels, toiletries, bedding, and even cooking oil before listing your unit for rent.
6. Poor Listing Photos
Now that you’ve put so much time and effort into thoughtfully designing a short-term rental that appeals to your ideal customer, don’t forget to take high-quality photos of the space that will draw in prospective guests.
Opt for natural evening lighting when you take photos, and consider how furniture and accessories are framed in each shot. Be sure to move clutter out of the way and highlight amenities that guests care most about. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos of bedrooms, bathrooms, and main living areas so guests can fully evaluate whether your rental unit will work for their needs. The more accurate your listing photos are, the more likely you are to earn positive reviews and return guests.
Make Your Short-Term Rental More Memorable With Set The Stage®
Furnishing and managing a short-term rental that guests love can feel like an overwhelming task. Utilizing these expert vacation rental design tips can help you earn more bookings, improve your ratings and reviews, and keep guests coming back. By focusing on guest-centric design and choosing furnishings that your ideal guests would want to use, you’ll create a rental unit that guests want to tell their friends about – how’s that for a great investment?
Need expert help furnishing your short-term rental? Contact Set The Stage for wholesale buying power and professional rental unit styling services!
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Contact Us: Avoid these common short-term rental design and staging mistakes that could be turning guests away. Plus, get expert design tips to increase bookings and ratings!
