We decorated the space for our family's needs and tastes because we use it part time. We call our place "mother-in-law" approved. A number of people wrote in our guest book that it felt like being in a home instead of a rental space. Here's some tips:
1. Decorate to please yourself. I have booked sterile (but attractive) Airbnb's and they don't feel comfortable. Just feels like a Residence Inn or an Embassy Suites. I much prefer the ones that feel like you can sink into a couch and be "at home" temporarily.
2.Don't scrimp on high quality items. They hold up better to abuse and use than low budget stuff. If it's particle board or MDF - you'll eventually be sorry. They break easily and are susceptible to moisture. Go for high quality fabrics and hardwood furniture frames when possible.
3. My secret weapon? Estate Sales from upper income homes/neighborhoods. Shop the ads and look at the photos. If you see something that fits your needs and it's in your budget buy on first day. Designers will be competing to get the best things for their clients. If not, see what is left on the last day of the sale (half-price day). Be first in line (In the U.S. you can put a marker down then go sit in your car). If the house is packed sometimes things are marked down 75% on the last day since the remains will be sold for pennies on the dollar to liquidators. Do not forget to poke around in the garage or basement for odds and ends you didn't know you needed until you saw it. Many times you can find things with the tags still on them.
4. Decorate - Put pictures on the wall. Or mirrors. Or clocks. Those things make it feel like a home.
5. Use IKEA or other stores for things that are less important (plates and silverware, for example). Although we found bone china by Mikasa at Costco on clearance for less than IKEA was charging for plastic dishes. We found a full set of Corelle dishes and bowls at a thrift store for $5 total.
6. IKEA has reasonably priced curtains. Use white sheers beneath them - they'll cast brighter light into a room.
7. Keep tinkering. As you find better things, donate what you have been using and trade up.
8. Sheets and towels from Costco have lasted for a long time. When they go on sale we buy multiple back-up sets and put the extras away in case of accidents on existing inventory. We keep an iron and an ironing board on site because iron the pillow cases to look more crisp after they come out of the dryer. (we hang them in the closet for the next time they are needed.)
9. Games, books, DVD's are helpful. We took over games we liked to play but were not attached to (in case pieces were lost) and supplemented with others we found when thrifting. A number of families left notes about being able to play board games at the dining room table.
10. Whiteboard you can use to greet guests. We write the names and a welcome on the board. Sometimes people erase it and leave us a note of thanks when they check out.
11. Put a patterned rug inside the door to catch muddy boots and shoes.
12. Put security cameras on your front and back door. You'll thank me later.
I love your list and think it's fantastic advice. Not sure there's much I can add.
A few suggestions:
I think the bed is probably the most important thing in terms of a guest's comfort, but also the aesthetics of it can make a huge difference as it's usually the largest item in the room.
1. All the bedrooms have beautiful beds. One of these is repro and was a bit pricey, but bought brand new at a huge discount on Ebay. The other two are vintage finds that were in excellent condition (one newly reupholstered). You want your guests to see the bed and WANT to sleep in it. However, I would add that upholstered bedss are maybe not the best option for an Airbnb. Mine have lasted okay, but I know it's going to be very expensive to have them reupholstered as that's crazy pricey here. I do always vacuum the upholstery whenever I clean the rooms, so I think that has helped keep it in good shape for longer.
2. I bought the thickest mattress toppers I could find and this has made a huge difference. Guests always tell me the beds are really comfortable, even though the mattresses are not actually particularly expensive. The mattress toppers were inexpensive but, as @Branka-and-Silvia0 pointed out to me, that is not the case everywhere!
3. I used to iron all the bedlinen, but this became too time consuming. So, now I iron the pillow cases, but make up the bed with the sheets and duvet/duvet cover and then iron it in situ before adding the extra bedspread or quilt. The photo below was taken when I still had a housemate living in that room, so the bedlinen was hers. Oh how I wish I'd taken the time to iron it before the photographer came round!
4. I always have extra bedding in the cupboards, in case the guest wants an additional duvet or pillows.
5. Always clean under the bed in between stays. You want it dust free because some guests will maybe store their suitcases there, but also because you never know what the previous guest has left lurking under it.
Thank you! I think I would have a go at the one pictured above, but this one, no I don't think that's a job for first timers! Also, it's currently upholstered in silk, which I imagine would be tricker. I have noticed that the silk has started to wear away in places.
BTW, I normally make the bed up nicer than this. The photos were taken when I was starting out and still had long term tenants staying in the rooms so I had to improvise a bit on the stying.
