Hosting my Studio Apartment on Airbnb

[Bianca760]

I finished furnishing my studio apartment. The issue is, because it is a studio, I was thinking how can I solve the sleeping area situation, since even a queen size bed would take up a lot of space. So I bought this modular sofa that is very versatile, it can become a bed, a hang out space and a sofa: https://www.instagram.com/p/Css80_oLsY6/

But I imagine guests might not fiddle with it by themselves... so I guess my question is, could there be specific demographics of people who would choose this type of more quirky sleeping situation? I would really like to not sell the sofa since I personally like it a lot and if i were to ever need to live in my apartment, I would be upset if wouldn't have it anymore.

The hosting company I've spoken with said that they only host apartments with real beds, since everything is standardised in their process, my couch would give them a headache. I was also considering speaking with another hosting company but I fear they would say the same thing.

Any advice?

[Shelley159]

Hi @Bianca760 

It's a very interesting concept, and as you like it, you should of course keep it!

For Airbnb guests, my advice would be to make it up as an ordinary bed and don't let them know that it can change into something else. The main problem I foresee is that it will get terribly dirty if you have guests changing it around and sitting on it and hanging out with their pets and their wine glasses as pictured in the photos! It would also be a challenge for guests to make the bed each time and store the bedding away when used as something else - they may very well avoid the effort and skip the bedding when they go to sleep. Unless you specifically love deep-cleaning furniture and/or having your bedding shoved around on the floor, having people convert the bed may not be ideal.

If you always keep it in bed shape for guests, you can cover it with a solid waterproof mattress protector and properly make the bed before check-in. You still get to keep the item for when you use the place yourself. My thoughts, hope it helps a bit!

[Bianca760]

Thank you so much for replying and you're right, pointing out to clients that they can use it multiple ways might create more problems. I could prepare the bed as you've mentioned, cover it with a mattress protector. I guess my concern was that people might be put off by the idea of not sleeping in a regular, traditional bed (even if these sofa's mattresses are more comfortable than most beds I've slept in). I guess the challenge then would be how to advertise this sleeping arrangement as something that they would be at least curious about and not just see it as a mattress on the floor...

The good thing about this sofa is that the colored covering can also be removed and washed if they do get dirty.

[Shelley159]

@Bianca760 Yes I agree, you need a clever way to market the bed. You're thinking things through properly, so that means you'll do well! I think you'll get some good ideas from hosts here ...

[Ahmed570]

I have a relatively small studio also, but using queen size. 

Some of the guests complained about the size, but most of the guests liked the place.

The idea is to remove unessissary furniture from the studio so that the guests will have more space to move around.