How to be a successful Airbnb host: Setting up your space

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How to be a successful Airbnb host: Setting up your space

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Becoming a host on Airbnb means opening up your home, vacation rental, or extra room to guests from all over the world. Whatever type of space you share, there are simple things you can do to make it even more inviting as you get ready to welcome your first guests. This 5-step guide will help you create an Airbnb-ready space, one that will help your guests enjoy a great stay and help you attract more bookings.

 

Step 1: Choose your amenities

 

Let’s talk about the must-haves first. There are five essential amenities guests tell us they expect in order to have a comfortable stay: 

 

  1. Toilet paper
  2. Soap (for hands and body)
  3. One towel for each guest
  4. One pillow for each guest
  5. Linens for each guest bed

 

Once you include these basics, you can add that detail to your listing (you’ll need to select each amenity you provide in the Amenities tab), which will help you stand out to potential guests. When looking for a place to stay, guests can see the amenities you offer and filter their search to only see listings that offer the amenities they want.

 

Beyond the basics, you may want to provide a few extras to make your space even more comfortable for guests. Here are some extras guests tell us they want: WiFi, a hair dryer, and a laptop-friendly workspace. You may also consider adding shampoo and conditioner, cozy blankets and pillows.  Some hosts even offer local chocolate and coffee. As Airbnb host Melanie puts it, think about what you’d want if you were traveling. Here are a few more tips from Melanie—who’s part of Airbnb’s Plus program that spotlights high quality homes—and interior designer Bobby Berk.

 

 

 

Step 2: Consider design details

 

A nicely designed space with thoughtful touches can help create a welcoming home. If you’re looking for design inspiration, Airbnb homes like Melanie’s are a good place to start.

 

Just as Melanie used artwork she created to decorate her Los Angeles loft, you may want to feature things that showcase your own personality in your listing: mementos from your travels, perhaps, or plants and greenery. Individual design elements can help your space feel more homey and inviting— and they don’t have to be complicated or expensive. DIY touches, such as a bouquet of flowers picked from your yard, and simple accents, such as throw pillows can go a long way. Learn more about how Pygmalion designed his space to welcome guests:

 

 

 

Airbnb Plus hosts Sam and Chad have more tips for adding personality to your home. Their suggestions include avoiding sterile or empty spaces and, instead, livening up blank walls with collections that highlight things you love, such as album-cover art, if you’re passionate about rock music. Get inspired by Sam & Chad’s ideas in the video, below.

 

 

 

Step 3: Create a cozy bedroom

 

Since this is where your guests will sleep and store their belongings, comfort and storage are key here. Let’s talk storage first. A dresser with empty drawers or closet with hangers is helpful, or you can take a cue from hosts Beverlee and Suzie and add a luggage rack to your listing. A bedside table with a lamp is key, too, since guests will want to access things like eyeglasses, their cell phone, and a book when they first wake up or right before they go to sleep. To make the space extra welcoming, you could also add some plants, a mirror, a carafe for water, an international adapter, and a multi-phone charger.

 

And of course you’ll want to pay special attention to the bed itself. Adding a few extra pillows and blankets and making a tidy bed can go a long way toward making guests comfortable. Here are Airbnb Plus host Katrina’s top tips for a well-made bed.

 

 

 

Step 4: Get the bathroom ready

 

We can’t talk about the bathroom without a quick mention of cleanliness. Of course it’s important to keep your whole home tidy, but guests have told us that they especially appreciate a clean bathroom. Different hosts have different methods for keeping their homes and bathrooms guest-ready: some do the cleaning themselves, or you could add a cleaning fee and hire a cleaning service to save yourself time.

 

Besides the essential bathroom amenities we mentioned before (toilet paper, hand and body soap, and one towel for each guest), there are some additional items you may want to think about including in this space, such as shampoo and conditioner. Get more ideas in the video, below.

 

 

 

Step 5: Add the finishing touches

 

Depending on the type of space you share, there may be additional areas beyond the bedroom and bathroom to think about. If there’s a kitchen available to guests, for instance, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and that guests know how to operate any shared or available appliances, such as a coffee maker. (You can include those kinds of instructions in your house manual.) The same goes for a living room or outdoor area: Try to look at it with fresh eyes, as a guest who’s just arrived would. Does it feel welcoming? It can be helpful to approach your whole space this way. Hosts Beverlee and Suzie recommend staying in your listing, just as a guest would, to help figure out what’s needed or what could be changed.

 

If you’re sharing a space you live in, it can be hard to know what to keep in the space and what to put away. Airbnb Plus hosts Sam and Kirsten have a simple solution: simplify. Decluttering can help make your space feel more open and inviting—and ensure your guests have space to store their own belongings. Here are some more tips from Sam and Kirsten.

 

 

 

Recap & next steps

 

We hope these suggestions and resources gave you some good ideas as you get your listing ready for guests. To recap:

 

  • Think beyond the essential amenities and consider what guests need for a comfortable stay at your space.
  • Decorate your home with an eye toward thoughtful design details.
  • Create a comfortable bedroom with plenty of storage.
  • Prepare the bathroom with cleanliness and essentials top of mind.
  • Look at your space as a guest would and tidy it with fresh eyes.

Update your amenities now

 

Review

 

Check out the other two articles in our “How to be a successful Airbnb” host series:

60 Replies 60

That sounds great Maggie - I’m really keen to be as eco friendly as possible, I’m going to check out Public Goods & see if they supply to Northern Ireland - thanks fir the top tip!!

Linda1736
Level 2
Oromocto, Canada

This is my first year as a host (and I’ve never been a guest).  When setting up our small 2 bedroom cottage, I tried to look at it as a guest and what amenities I would appreciate.

 

Most of the guests have seemed to appreciate everything, but I’ve gotten slammed in reviews by others.  Too cluttered, looks as if I had just left.  Even too many coffee mugs.

Right I had guest say I didn’t have coffee filter and  abs another one day I had no pots and pans I’m like I ask all the time is everything okay do u need something everyday it’s fine  when all they had to do is look or ask me but inside smile in your face n talk trash later 

Nadira7
Level 2
Sacramento, CA

I been a host 4 months I found if u tell someone no or don’t let them do things there way they will smile in your face and act like every thing okay and give a made up b.s review and Airbnb cannot do anything about but give u a instant bad score.  I have a book where guest can write  Tips and suggestions and I take them out into consideration one guess she just said that I should get a mirror in the room. I said that’s a easy fix put a mirror up in the room.they all say oh I love your place but I want Wi-Fi so I finally and Wi-Fi Internet. up the charge To cover the internet. Add all the amenities they want but they don’t even want to pay half of what a motel costs and I just find that absurd. I have a tips and suggestions and I take them all into consideration. I decorated my house with live plants and  it’s a remodeled home extra clean extra  all the time. self entry and u still have people making lies on u and not giving u 5 star. I had guest bully me in my house and say if u do this I give u 5 star and good review bending my houses. They know our business thrives off of the reviews they give us and use it against u

Helen899
Level 1
Research, Australia

Fantastic article and great ideas!!

Florence46
Level 3
London, United Kingdom

Am I the only one who feels a bit sad to read this? I’m sharing my home, and welcoming guests to live with us the way we live, not trying to win a design magazine fashion award or even just running a fancy hotel from home. Whatever happened to the spirit of the first bookings, people able to book affordable spaces for a comfortable and clean place to sleep? 

It's true. My place is like a 5 star hotel. Better bedding and pillows and mattresses than most have at home but I don't always book every weekend. They want you to provide all that for $35 a night.  I can't even purchase the groceries I supply for that amount.  Plus offer Wifi, Cable, Netflix, a 47" TV, and an on-demand hot water unit. Took me months to save up for all the drapes, rugs, lamps and bedding I provided and they're asking for a discount because they're staying 3 nights. Then Airbnb sends you an email that you could book more if you reduce your price. If I go down any, I'll be paying them.

Hell-o Florence. We keep our prices in Flagstaff,az (near the grand canyon & Sedona) very close to Motel 6 prices and do not change our prices on the weekends or holidays. We provide more amenities than all hotels do also. Enjoy London for us as we will visit again soon. Sincerely Hosts Tom and Jill of RT 66 Airbnb

I think that's the beauty of Airbnb - you can find exactly the booking you want to find - if it's a home share or more of a "hotel" like stay. Just stay true to yourself and make sure its clear in your profile what guests can expect and I think its just brilliant. 

Fantastic info!

Jill195
Level 3
Flagstaff, AZ

Thank you for these very important messages for our guests comfort and conveniences.

Andrea2841
Level 2
Austin, TX

Helpful videos, thanks Airbnb and thank you hosts for your comments and suggestions!   

I see one major oversight. Being hosts for almost 4 years, we've learned that most guests don't unpack their suitcases, especially if they're only staying for just a few days.   I personally think it's very important to provide 2 luggage racks so guests can access their things easily, if they don't want to unpack and put things in drawers.   I can't tell you how many times I've stayed in a rental with no place to put my suitcase, only ending up placing it on the floor & having to get on my knees to get things.   I've also put my things on an ironing board and washing machine!  Very inconvenient. 

We enjoy anticipating every need for our guests!  Our bathroom drawers have a first aid kit with bandaids, alcohol, peroxide, antibiotic cream, Q-tips and cottonballs.   Because we live in a rural area, many folks come here to explore so we provide a small cooler, camping chairs, and umbrellas.  We provide white robes to make guest feel extra cozy, especially in the winter months.  Hope these suggestions help!  Happy hosting to all 😉 

I agree. We have mostly short stay guests and so we've provided a luggage rack, plus the coffee table is low and sturdy and could also be used for luggage. 

 

But I hadn't thought of bandaids! We advertise as child friendly and have literally a whole playground, I will add kid friendly band aids right away!

Malu24
Level 2
Naples, FL

Thanks for the helpful tips.

We've been hosting guests for quite sometime now and have hosted a lot of foreign guests.

.i normally provide extra towels, even some beach towels, chairs and umbrella and bikes and bottled water aside from all those amenties mentioned above. They always appreciate extra towels and an efficient kitchen. I  love to cook so I make sure our kitchen is fully functional and well stocked with all things that they might need, I also  leave some homebaked goodies or a bottle of wine or bowl of  assorted fruits as welcome amenities.

We also leave them some local.maps and brochures that they can peruse and give them.some.ideas and if time permits  welcome.them.personally and.brief them.about our area and give them.helpful insights where to go like beach access and local restaurants. 

As much as possible I do establish their arrival time particularly for foreign travellers.and ask them what they might need like any snacks or a few groceries esp. If they are arriving late at night from a.long flight. 

We also equipped our place with small touches like a full length mirror, pack and play, a high chair  plus linens, extra.sheets  pillows and blankets . 

I always wanted our guests to feel at home and comfortable, like it is their home away from home.

K-R1
Level 1
Dehradun, India

The tips were really helpful. Thank you for that. V will surely incorporate the suggestions. Thanks once again.