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Airbnb Furniture: What to Consider and Where to Buy It
Today’s guests aren’t just looking for a place to crash for the night, they’re looking for an experience. Every great host knows that the key to positive reviews and profits is guest experience and how you decorate and furnish your space not only affects the aesthetics but helps set and match guest expectations.
The furniture you pick for your Airbnb needs to balance style, comfort, quality, and price. You should put the same level of thought and care into crafting your rental space as you would your own home. A cozy Victorian will feel empty with a minimalist scheme, for example, and you would feel uncomfortable and out of place in such a space.
While you focus on the finer details of your furniture selection, take the hassle out of your day-to-day hosting by automating it with iGMS.
Yes, furniture is functional and there are essential bases that need to be covered, but it is also an opportunity to craft an identity as a rental destination. Let’s look at some considerations for choosing furniture for your vacation rental, what to include, and where to buy it.
How to Choose Airbnb Furniture
Choosing your furniture is all about knowing your guests. Are they looking for a budget rental? Do they have kids? Is this a luxury stay? All of these experiences need different furnishings. So take a moment to really consider who your target audience is and what their needs might be. This will help you decide if a quirky antique coffee table is really appropriate for the family of four looking for a cheap and safe stay, or if the budget IKEA sofa bed really adds to the romantic feel the newlywed couple is looking for.
Once you know what sort of Airbnb guests you are looking to attract, set your budget and try and find high-quality furniture that fits both your needs and their expectations. Of course, not all your furnishings need to be expensive to be high quality, and there are plenty of affordable furniture stores that can help you fill out your space. Mix high-end pieces with affordable basics to make your budget stretch.
When buying furniture, you should keep these elements in mind:
Aesthetic
We’ve already talked about how important having a cohesive aesthetic is to ensure that your short-term rental is a hit when guests arrive. But the aesthetics are also important for promoting your Airbnb property. When it comes to photos for your listing and the actual impressions of guests, Airbnb furniture plays a major role in defining the quality of your listing. Good photos of the space are as important to creating a successful listing as a great location.
Function
Your guests have needs when it comes to furniture and it is up to you to create a comfortable and convenient experience. For example, if your vacation rental is geared towards business travelers, you’ll want to think about prioritising a good desk setup over a king-sized bed. Choose furniture that offers built-in charging for gadgets, as well as, ergonomically-designed chairs.
Safety
When considering furniture, you should also keep safety in mind. Make sure that all the furniture that you purchase can be placed without creating safety hazards. While reasonable caution is always important, take extra care to make sure that your furniture is safe for families with young children if you frequently receive these types of guests.
Convenience
Convenience is also a major factor to consider in selecting furniture for your property because you want Airbnb furniture that is easy to clean and can stand up to regular wear and tear. Remember that the costs of purchasing furniture can add up quickly so it’s always best to invest in quality pieces that are cost-effective to maintain.
Airbnb Furniture Checklist:
As much as well-placed rugs and floor lamps can really tie a room together, you need to make sure you have the essentials covered. You can use this as an Airbnb host checklist while furnishing the entire house.
Bedroom
Bedroom furniture, more than most furnishing, is dependent on the target guests. Do you want bunk beds? Will an extra pull-out sofa bed be appealing? Balance maximising your space with making sure your guests are comfortable and have everything they need. At the very least you will need the following items:
- A bed frame. Unless you’re staying in a college dorm, people expect a real bed. It can be a double bed, a king-size bed, or even a pull-out mattress. This will depend on your target guest and your budget.
- A mattress. Memory foam, spring mattresses, whatever you decide is best.
- Storage. At the very least some bedside tables and a dresser or wardrobe. Guests have clothes and need somewhere to put them.
Make sure to have some lighting, bedside lamps are great, and some decorative items, or even an alarm clock and tissues to make the space welcoming.
Kitchen
Besides the basic amenities (guests need something to cook on, store their food, and clean up) the kitchen can range from bare bones to cozy breakfast nooks with coffee makers. The details are what really make it stand out. You can use this guide to make sure all the essentials like cups and plates are included. As always make sure there is ample lighting.
Kitchens need decor too. Even a small kitchen can be styled and you shouldn’t overlook the difference even one decorative item like a nice vase with flowers can make.
Living Room
Your living room should be functional and comfortable. Even a small living space can be made into a wonderful relaxing haven with some clever furnishing. Consider a coffee table with storage built in, or look into sofa beds if you want to accommodate more guests. Most people treat the living room as their central hub, so make it inviting and easy to use.
- Storage is key in every room.
- Having at least a comfortable and stylish sofa, if not a few chairs is non-negotiable.
- Coffee tables may seem like an extra but they’re a convenience that makes the room usable.
Even if the space is small you can find a stylish area rug to really tie the room together.
Dining Room
If your room has a designated dining room you’ll want to consider any extras that can add to the comfort of guests but even if you have a fold-out table in the living room, every dining room needs at least the following:
- Table
- Chairs
- Storage such as a side table.
Bathroom
In addition to the basic amenities, extra storage is always a good idea so your guests
Outdoor Spaces
- Outdoor furniture such as a set of chairs and a table can make even the smallest balcony feel comfortable.
- Consider an outdoor cooking facility or barbeque if your garden or patio allows.
Decor and Interior Design
“The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live.” – Albert Hadley
What really makes a difference is the interior design and decorative items. This doesn’t have to be expensive either, even a postcard can be great art with an interesting frame. Good overhead lighting in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom is preferable, while living spaces like the bedroom and living room should have lots of ambient lighting and lamps where people are most likely to use them such as in a reading nook.
Remember, think of how you want people to use the room and how it should make them feel. You can play with size and proportion in your decor and furniture to really bring interest to the room. Even something as simple as the size of your coffee table can be the difference between a functional and comfortable space and something that just looks good.
Where to Buy Airbnb Furniture
Right, so now that you know your target guest and the kind Airbnb furniture you want, where should you actually go to buy furniture? You could pop over to your local furniture store but here are some other options. Remember to also keep an eye on listing sites like Facebook Marketplace – you can find some great deals.
CasaOne
CasaOne is a furniture rental service that allows you to obtain designer furniture at just a small portion of the actual cost of buying furniture. They include delivery and the furniture is readily assembled for you so that you don’t have to worry about you’ll install it.
The best part of this arrangement is that you can upgrade the furniture at any time thanks to CasaOne plans. That will allow you to change the furniture seasonally if you prefer. Additionally, it will also keep you from ending up with outdated furniture that you’ve spent thousands on and no longer want.
IKEA
IKEA is the go-to furniture store for functional pieces at reasonable prices. While IKEA furniture is economical, some Airbnb hosts recommend using it sparingly so that your property doesn’t end up looking like an IKEA showroom.
If you use their furniture, make sure to mix it up with some decorative pieces you’ve purchased from elsewhere to make your property seem more personalized.
Pottery Barn
If you’re looking to buy Airbnb furniture that is homey and high quality, then you should consider Pottery Barn. They have stylishly crafted furnishing and decor for every room from the patio to the bedroom.
Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture is an increasingly popular option for those looking for an easy shopping experience and a good deal. They regularly have discounts and specials for both online and in-store purchases.
Final Tips For Buying Airbnb Furniture
- If you can qualify, consider seeking out 0% interest deals that are offered by many furniture stores. This can help you minimize your upfront investment when it comes to purchasing new Airbnb furniture.
- Remember, in some cases where your vacation rental is a business, your Airbnb furniture will be deductible from your taxes so factor this in when considering the cost.
- Don’t try and furnish the entire property at once, from one store. This will make the space feel cheap and uninteresting and will mean you might miss out on deals and unique items. Just like your home, your Airbnb furniture should be collected with thought and purpose.
- Balance budget-friendly and higher-quality items when you furnish your rental.
- The best furniture is the furniture that your guests will actually use. Always keep them in mind as an Airbnb host.
Let iGMS handle all of your hosting tasks so you can focus on picking the perfect furnishings for your Airbnb.
