How to Design an Airbnb Guests Will Love (and Give Five Stars Reviews)

A great short-term rental isn't the most expensive one; it’s actually the one that looks good in the listing photos, feels comfortable from the moment guests walk in, and holds up week after week. Here's how to get there.

What Guests Actually Want

If you have been a host for a while, you probably have a better idea by now what guests want but for those new to renting, it is important to remember that guests are booking an experience, not just a room (sometimes though they may only want a place to sleep if they are going to Vegas or a place where there is a lot to see and perhaps guests don’t expect to spend too long in the room). However, most times guests expect more and most reviews come down to a few things:

1. A great night's sleep - Comfortable mattress, quality bedding, blackout curtains, and enough pillows.
2. Cleanliness you can see - Light colors, simple surfaces, and fresh linens.
3. A place that feels like somewhere special - A sense of location and not just a generic hotel room.
4. Things that actually work - Fast Wi-Fi, strong water pressure, reliable A/C or heating, easy check-in and for the love of TV watching… a TV that actually has more than just 2 local channels.
5. Somewhere nice to unwind – After a long day of touring or at the beach, guests want comfort so having a comfortable sofa or armchair, good lighting, and, if you have one, a terrace or balcony that feels like a real extra room. Especially for those renting by a lake, sea, ocean, mountain, guests want to enjoy the view and nature so offering an outdoor space where they can relax, is a must!
6. Be Thoughtful – Even if may seem trivial to you, guests more often than not will delight in the small things you add because they will know you thought of them (e.g. a small welcome basket or bottle of wine with a personal note, a small guide for things to do, wifi information, etc.). It’s the little things that matter they say, which is so true for AIRBNB hosting.

Hosting well is mostly anticipation. Ask yourself what a tired traveler needs in the first ten minutes. For example, give guests a starter kit: toilet paper, soap, coffee or tea, and a bottle of water; Put a charging spot on both sides of the bed - Add outlets or USB ports and a small surface for a phone and glasses; Provide luggage space like a folding luggage rack or open shelf saves your bedding from suitcases; Stock a spare set of linens and towels so turnovers are fast and guests never run short; Add small comforts like a hairdryer, iron, beach bags or towels (if you are near the coast), and a few good hangers;

Maximize Every Square Centimeter/Foot

Small spaces feel generous when every square cm or inch are used effectively and you can do so by:

1. Choosing multi-function furniture like sofa beds, storage ottomans, nesting tables, and extendable dining tables all earn their keep.
2. Go vertical - Wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and tall, slim storage free up floor space.
3. Use mirrors - A large mirror opposite a window doubles the light and the sense of space.
4. Don’t use bulky nightstands but instead try wall-mounted shelves or slim tables to keep bedrooms open and more give a feel of more space;
5. Give guests clear storage options - Empty drawers and a few free hangers matter more than a full wardrobe.
6. Treat outdoor areas as rooms - A bistro set or lounge corner with good lighting adds real perceived value.

Decorate Without Breaking the Bank

You don't need a big budget, just a plan.

1. Start with paint - A fresh, warm neutral is the cheapest upgrade with the biggest payoff.
2. Choose one cohesive palette - Repeating 3–4 colors makes a mixed-budget space look designed.
3. Layer lighting - Skip the single overhead light (unless the space is darker) and instead use table lamps, wall lights, or warm string lights for a hotel-like glow.
4. Buy textiles that transform a room - Curtains, throw pillows, a throw blanket, and a rug do the most visual work per euro.
5. Frame affordable art - Large prints or local artwork in good frames read as intentional. Skip a gallery wall of tiny pieces; larger art is always better and even posters in frames will do fine.
6. Shop secondhand and sales – Sometimes you can find real treasures at secondhand stores or buy and sell groups.
7. Choose one hero moment - A statement headboard, a bold light fixture, or a feature wall gives guests something to photograph.
8. Keep decor edited - Fewer, better accessories look more expensive and are quicker to clean….in this case, remember less is more!

Where to Spend and Where to Save

Spend on what guests touch, sleep on, and notice like:

• Mattress and bedding
• Blackout curtains or blinds
• Lighting
• Seating that's comfortable and easy to clean
• Shower and bathroom basics (good towels, decent water pressure)
• Cooling and heating
• Kitchen basics that actually work: sharp knife, decent pans, good coffee setup, and offer as many utensils possible like a cork screw, bottle opener, and plastic containers as some do like to shop and take snacks with them so containers, aluminum and plastic wrap or begs are super useful.

Save on what's replaceable or purely visual:

• Decor and accessories
• Side tables and consoles
• Art prints
• Faux plants (skip anything that needs watering while you're away)
• Extra throw pillows

Choose durability: Performance fabrics, washable slipcovers, wipeable finishes, and flat-weave rugs hold up better to constant turnover than delicate pieces.

Design for the Photos

Your listing photos do the selling before anyone sees the space in person.

• Maximize natural light and open the curtains.
• Make the bed with crisp white linens and a couple of layers.
• Shoot from corners to show the full room.
• Photograph your best feature first, whether that's the terrace, the view, or the kitchen. If you can spend the money on a professional photographer, that would be highly desirable.

Design your rental for how guests actually live in it: sleeping well, relaxing easily, and finding everything without asking. Invest in comfort, keep the styling edited and durable, and add a few thoughtful touches. That combination earns the reviews and repeat bookings.

Furnishing a rental and not sure where to start? Book a consultation and we will build a plan that fits your space and budget.