It seems like everyone you meet is talking about setting up an Airbnb these days. It’s a great way to turn a spare room into some extra income, or earn a little extra money while you’re traveling. It seems like every house I drive past here in Nashville has a separate attic apartment added onto their bungalow.
As a customer, I have stayed in many (many!) Airbnbs in addition to hotels over the past five years. I see some real advantages and I understand why so many people prefer them. In my life, there is definitely a place for both, but when we have our kiddo or dogs with us, we almost always choose a home above a hotel.
Today, I want to share some of my tips that I’ve learned as a host and as a customer for setting up the ultimate Airbnb space!
This post is sponsored by Brooklinen, a company we use and love! It’s great to be able to buy something like bedding online and be able to trust the quality without having to go to a store. In fact, this quilt is so cozy I was tempted to steal it for my own bed. High quality bedding is a HUGE part of setting up a comfortable space, since many guests will do very little more than sleep in your space. It’s the one aspect of the house that everyone cares about!
Here are my five tips!
Tip 1: Think practical.
I am a person who loves art, little vintage finds, cute rugs and fancy espresso makers. I’m a detail person! But it’s important to remember that not everyone is. It’s important to remember that the decorations actually matter very little in comparison to the practical elements of the space. So nail down those first!
Here are few BIG ones that have made me CRAZY in past bnb stays when I couldn’t locate them.
-Wifi password … make it SO obvious and post it a few places.
-Spare towels and toilet paper. The essentials.
-A hair dryer (see below for the cute bag I found for mine!)
-Space to unpack bags and hang some things.
-Iron.
-Wine/bottle opener (lol … but seriously)
(Found these on Amazon—super functional since they make it so easy to find!)
A place to hang your clothes is an essential. It doesn’t have to be a full-size closet.
2. Decorate minimally.
Obviously, I want my spaces to be cute enough for my guests to take an Instagram in. But there is no need to overdecorate and overfurnish. Keep it simple and sweet.
3. Splurge on nice bedding.
There are so many things you can be thrifty with in a guest space, but I think it’s important to choose nice sheets, a quality mattress and good towels. Picking quality sheets can elevate the whole look and feel of your bedding. The sheets I picked from Brooklinen for this space are super cozy without being heavy, so guests will be comfortable regardless of the season they stay at the home. The comforter I picked is incredibly soft! Oh! And don’t forget a combination of soft and firm pillows.
Turning back the covers is such a nice touch! Bonus points if you leave chocolate or a nice note!
4. Minimize personal details and clutter.
It’s weird staying in someone’s space with a ton of family photos everywhere. So keep it chill. And if you are renting out a room in your home (or your whole home), go through and minimize the personal clutter before your guests arrive. They will appreciate the gesture!
5. Most importantly … always sleep in a room before your guests do.
You need to know about that weird creaky sound, or how hot it gets or if blackout curtains are necessary. Sleeping in the room helps you remember little details like adding a night light to an area with stairs or buying black wash clothes for removing makeup.
Thank you Brooklinen for sponsoring this post! As an extra bonus they’ve created an ABM promo code! Just use ABM20 at checkout and you can get $20 off your $50 purchase plus free shipping. It makes me so happy to work with brands that produce super nice products like these!
If you have any additional tips about how to set up a comfy Airbnb, I would love to hear them!!!! xx. Elsie
Credits/Author: Elsie Larson, Photography: Laura Gummerman.
Loved the article! I have a room with no closet and was wondering where you found that clothing stand? Thanks!!
I was wondering the same thing! It’s so cute!
I always like having a fridge and a microwave. It’s helpful to have a place to put items you might want from a grocery store.
Great post, I agree in general. However, the first AirBnB rental I ever stayed in was SO lacking in personal detail (although cute), that it lacked warmth and was eerie. I didn’t feel comfortable, and it made me wonder if anyone had ever stayed there before me – including the owner. It was surrounded by beautiful woods, not a place I wanted to feel eerie!
Hla from Spain. I love your blog. I love the wooden coat rack. where Can I get it?
gracias
I would also love to know where the ceiling fan is from!
Can you please tell me where you got the fan light combo? I’ve been looking for one that’s not ugly and I like yours! Thanks!
You mentioned a wine bottle opener & coffee but a small coffee pot was not on the list. That would definitely be something I would want in a space where I was staying, unless maybe you are within a mile of a coffee shop.
I forgot that you have an espresso machine in your bnb.
This is stunning!!!!! This would catch my eye when booking for sure. Wonderful job!
Can I ask where the bed is from? I’ve been looking for one like that-
Hi Sheree! It’s from Wayfair– http://rstyle.me/n/ctc4qpnr5e 🙂
Well noted, I have a plan to make my apartment as airbnb, so this post is really great reference 🙂
I never considered staying in the space beforehand but YES! Of course! Personally, I like having a binder with passwords, little notes, etc. AND a few cutesy framed signs with wifi info etc are extra handy. It makes it easy to get information late at night but also is a constant reminder for me that the kids need to take their shoes off. lol. I love when the binder has cute little notes about the best places to eat, events that are happening that weekend, and little notes about the house.
Hi! Where did you buy that adorable wooden rack for hanging clothes? Thanks!!
I just want to cozy right up in there! Seeing pictures of the bed/linens is ALWAYS a deciding factor for me in choosing an Airbnb!
I love when there’s a little guest book left in the home-it’s fun to read through and see what everyone says! We’ve gotten recommendations for local eateries and fun spots from the guest books.
Another tip–try to create several spots that could be used to get ready, not just a bathroom. When I’ve traveled with my girlfriends in the past we’ve had difficulties all getting ready at once because there weren’t enough mirrors, and lighting was scarce so putting our makeup on was not easy!
If you advertise it has “kid friendly” you might want to imagine a vacation mode, tired, sugar high 2 year old in the space 🙂 The first Airbnb we stayed in we had our 2 year old son. It was a great apartment in a great location but there was danger and anxiety at 2 year old eye level! Ahhhhh! Martini glasses with little cactus planted in it! Crystals, dvds and books perfectly placed for throwing off shelves. The dining table was a glass top with no back high bar stools. A beautiful space to most was our toddler nightmare! Lots of rearranging happened during that first nap. Now I know to ask more questions. And you are a momma to a 2 year old so you know! But I thought i’d Share 🙂
Love the white and gray color scheme and all that built in shelving!
One funny thing is that I recently bought the same bamboo clothing rack to house my textile in collection in my design studio- I am loving it an highly recommend it for many reasons- it’s compact, the designer look and it folds up- also affordable!
Hi! Just wondering where you got the bamboo basket purse on the bookshelves? Super cute! Thanks 🙂 love your blog!
LOVE what you did, I’m myslef am trying to figure out something with my small room !!!!!
you know what ? I usually don’t like when people give advice to other people, but when YOU give people decoration advices, it seems so legitimate to me. You’re my favorite decorator ever, so I drink your words (i don’t know if this expression exists in English), you’re sooooo talented that you can give me any lesson (and Laura can about DIY you know … )
Thank you girls, you’re my favorite blog since … I don’t remember when
Beautiful space! I never would of thought of staying in the space before hand, what a great idea!
Ahh I LOVE it.. it’s soo pretty!! I would absolutely love to stay at an airbnb that looked like this! <3
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com