With short-term rentals proving to be an ever-enticing alternative to traditional hotel stays, it takes something special to make your Airbnb stand out. So, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with a side hustle and seeking some simple tips to transform your humble home into an escape that will attract potential guests. Or, you simply want to elevate your interiors to enjoy the vacation vibes from the comfort of your own living room every single day, The Carousel is here to help.
Sweet Dreams
Investing in luxurious bedding and bedroom furnishings is one of the easiest ways to make your home (or potential Airbnb) look and feel a little more opulent. After all, how many people do you know who speak about how well or how terrible they slept and then attribute that to the bed!
The Carousel Editor Robyn Foyster renovated a run down country cottage in Murrurundi last year and now she rents it out on AirBnB. She recommends choosing sheets with a high thread count and tactile fabrics like Egyptian or organic cotton. “Opt for neutral colors like whites, creams, nudes to create a sense of calm and relaxation. Choose a mattress that the majority of people will like. Now is not the time to be polarising. And finally, finish with some soft furnishings like fluffy pillows, a woollen rug, and a cashmere throw to add a warm welcoming vibe to your short term rental sleeping spaces.”
It is advice that Robyn has adopted in her own business, with her popular rental “Murrurundi Cottage” in the gorgeous Upper Hunter town which is only a four hour drive from Sydney and has started to enticine guests with comfortable yet contemporary decor.
“As an avid traveller I always appreciate accomodations with a cohesive and appealing aesthetic. That’s why I try to adopt a similar approach to my Airbnb cottage – starting in the bedroom, where I’ve invested in plush bed sheets, extra pillows and flowers on display,” says Robyn.
Functional Furnishings
One of Robyn’s favourite Airbnb design tips is to opt for furniture that’s both sensible and stylish. After all, you want your guests to feel like they’ve checked into a five-star hotel, not a backpacker’s lodge!
Keep to clean lines and muted colours which will create a sophisticated and timeless look, whatever your overall aesthetic. Additionally, you don’t want guests to be dealing with clutter. So invest in pieces that provide storage that makes sense.
Consider investing in a high-quality sofa that is comfortable, a sturdy dining table and chairs, and even elegant outdoor furniture, so guests can treat themself to a resort-inspired afternoon cocktail.
“I added comfortable chairs with pillows on the front deck with three big plant pots featuring magnolias and an olive tree,” says Robyn. “And sitting on the front verandah watching the sunset has become one of the most relaxing ways to spend your team with views of mountains all around you.”
Show-stopping Statement Pieces
However, having said that, one of the easiest design tips Robyn can offer to make your homestay feel like a top-tier hotel is to also inject your neutral-base with a touch of dramatic decor. Think: unique light fixtures, colourful indoor plants, an interesting rustic-style bookshelf, a unique mirror such as Robyn’s antique Italian mirror which she bought at an auction, a stack of coffee table books and glossy magazines never go astray, and bold pieces of artwork. Robyn has four huge oil paintings of horses and Australian bush scenes adorning the walls. It is always a good idea to have a few focal points or a stand-out piece in the space.
Spoil them with a Spa-like Sanctuary
Robyn recommends you encourage guests to embrace every area of your home by transforming a basic bathroom into a relaxing resort-like retreat. “A few easy and affordable additions include plush towels, a fluffy bathrobe, scented candles and some high-end bath products to create a luxurious experience for your guests.”
Go Green
Robyn’s final design tip to transform your home into a hotel-like stay is to add plants or fresh flowers throughout. Whether it’s a bouquet of blooms on the dining room table or fresh ferns in the bathroom, a touch of green is all you need to take your property from good to great. They also have the power to provide a homely feel and a sense of calm.
“I ensure there is a feeling of being transported back to nature!” says Robyn. “As well as the obvious emerald tones woven throughout the decor, I like to make an effort to include greenery throughout. The feedback is always great from guests who often tell me it really helps elevate their overall experience into something special.”
More about Murrurundi, NSW
Murrurundi is an exceptionally pretty and welcoming town in the Upper Hunter, NSW. Just one hour south of Tamworth and half an hour north of Scone, it is surrounded by mountains, quaint cottages, antique shops such as Fox’s Store, Michael Reid’s Art Gallery, Magpie’s Gin Distillery, Paradise Park, and a refreshing local swimming pool for hot days in summer.
This is the last stop before heading over the ranges to Willow Tree in the north which is home to The Pantry cafe and award winning restaurant Graze’s at Graze Willow Tree Inn where you bid farewell to the Upper Hunter.
