2 level century home decor

[Crys816]

I have my first Airbnb listing with two levels. It is a century home but I feel like the second floor living room “needs” something for decor. (Eagles Nest) and also the first floor entry table set up. (Horse& Harness) Any decor ideas would be appreciated! 

[Helen3]

Hi @Crys816 

I have no clue what a century house is but why not have a look at what your competitors with similar properties offer to give you ideas on what you might do.

[Crys816]

@Helen3 Thanks for the reply! We are in the country so there aren't to many rentals around us. The ones that are are so different than us. A century home is a home that has aged over 100 years. Our home was built in 1880 🙂 We keep adjusting our prices and hoping the warm weather will spur people to book a vacation with us 🙂

[Elisa]

Hi @Crys816 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this marvelous question here!

A century house is an incredible piece of heritage to have. 😍 Would you like to share a picture of the second floor? That way, our hosts can better advise you.

@Helen3 I looked up what a century house is and found this definition:

"A century house is a term commonly used to refer to a house that is at least 100 years old. These homes often have historical significance, with unique architectural features, craftsmanship, and character that reflect the time period in which they were built."

@Crys816 Can you confirm if this is what you're referring to?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Crys816]

Yes! Correct.

Second floor (looking for living room decor) 

https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings/editor/1305739676523934454/details/custom-link

First floor (entryway deccor)

https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings/editor/1303865417740863974/details/custom-link

[Elisa]

Hi @Crys816 😊, 

Thank you for sharing more information and confirming what a century house is.

When did you start hosting?

I’m tagging a few hosts here to see if they have any advice for you: @Marie8425, @Karen114, @Patricia2526, @Oksana127, @Tara0 and @Till-and-Jutta0.

Thank you in advance, everyone!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Crys816]

Started hosting just 3 months ago! Took us about 8 months to renovate!

[Marie8425]

@Crys816 

I think your entry way is great.  Too much can be a negative, you I think have targeted right.  Not boring but also not distracting.

Not having coffee tables an showing the sleeping set up in the living rooms is a big plus.

I would suggest maybe end tables or someplace to put my drink why I relax in the evening in the living room.  Also if some one is sleeping in the living room clothing storage of some type.

Lack of bookings causes a lack of traffic in Airbnb Search Display so your seen less because your on like page 4 or 5.    Just a little effort to fix, your rentals look great.

Airbnb Search will ;push your listing higher if you turn on Airbnb New Listing Discount and Airbnb Instabook.  When I use the Instabook tool I increase my notification days and my minimum stay days just avoiding same day bookers.

Turn on Airbnb Profesional Mode then you will have the Menu option Insights.  

Try tweaking .like your title. You are able to see if views go up or down.  Tells you if your title and cover photo are encouraging potential Guests.  I suggest measure over 48 or 72 hours don't expect instant results on the interne.

[Crys816]

O yes @Marie8425! We have a storage rack/hanging stand in the bathroom for 3/4th guests. I need to check if I have the Professional Mode. Yep we have Instagram book so we are good to go 🙂

[Tara0 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Crys816 I'm a superhost in the UK, with over 10 years experience, and my current listing is a period house in Oxford, built in the late 19th century.

I've also travelled quite a lot as an Airbnb guest, so my comments come from both a host and guest perspective. The following comments are about Eagles Nest.

1) Delete the b&w photos in 'Photography studio' section. They are not appealing nor relevant to guests booking your place.

2) Delete the photo with the sign saying Clark Family Cemetery (if this is a massive selling point, then just mention in the description) . Delete the baffling photo of the road sign place (most guests won't click through to see the caption). Ditto, delete the photo of the mining sluice. Remember, your primary goal is to sell the living accommodation, not random niche tourist attractions.

3) Interior decor. I like the kitchen and dining room, and they're what you expect from the exterior photos. 

Tone down the bedroom, to make it chime with the kitchen/dining/exterior house look. It's too 'fancy' and fussy [with the candelabra light, too]. Go more homespun LL Bean. (And you're already selling homespun with the photos of the farm animals, right?)

One huge improvement you can make to the bathroom - the black shower curtain is so depressing, get a white one. And show the interior of the shower.

Living room: are there original floorboards in that room? If so, sand and oil them, because the grey carpet is depressing. Paint the walls off-white, clean the windows, bring the light in, make it simple and airy. Get rid of the pouffes, they are everywhere! Get rid of the heavy gothic drapes. 

Basically, you have a gorgeous home and it's ruined by the faux luxe vibe. It should be homely and sort of a bit rustic. 

[Crys816]

Checked out your home @Tara0! I love love your floors! The Eagles Nest does have original  flooring in the living room but we decided on carpet due to it being on the second floor. Bummer is it was a lot more blue grey than what I picked so I tried really hard to pull the room together to make it all “blend”. Lol. I feel like the right corner by the tv needs something? Anyways, we were going for a “homey hotel” feel as its name after a historic building that was once in town. That may be the faux luxe feel you are getting which actually is exactly what I was going for! The Horse and Harness is the “country feel” and so we wanted to provide two opposite experiences in order to possibly get repeat customers wanting to try the upstairs 🙂 
It took me a few minutes to figure out what pouffes were! Pillows! I do debate repainting the walls in the living room because of the issue with the carpet color. We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars and 8 months of renovations so redoing the floor will have to wait but any small changes I think I can do for sure 🙂 I will have to disagree on my velvet drapes tho. Velvet is popular in the U.S. right now and being the home was after the civil war and I love Gone with the Wind, I love them 🙂 The wallpaper we found behind two layers and its original. I restored any damage by painting the small areas to match myself 🙂 Labor of love 🙂 

[Tara0]

Hi @Crys816 By pouffes I mean those stand-alone round foot-rests, not pillows on a sofa or bed. 

In my experience, I get return guests because they really liked the experience they had and wanted the same thing again. So I'm unconvinced by the idea that they'd want to try a different 'look' next time.

You'll find out soon enough which look is more popular. I'm pretty sure it's going to be the less fussy and more homely Horse & Harness, especially if you put furniture on the porch (and I see you've now added a photo of the shower). 

[Crys816]

@Tara0 Good points about the return stays. We do have one end table in the living room next to the couch. The Pouffe is just for relaxin 🙂

[Tara0]

Critique of Horse & Harness to follow...have to go make dinner now.

[Elisa]

Hi @Tara0 😊, 

thank you for helping our host!

What did you make for dinner?  😍

Warm regards 🌻,