Furniture may be the last thing in your mind when hosting Airbnb guests, but it is one of the things that separates a good Airbnb host from a bad one. It is one of our top Airbnb host tips, the thing that can help you become a Superhost faster. Take a moment to remember that your guests will be interacting with your Airbnb furniture more than you. So no matter how nice you are or how great your breakfast cooking may be, that uncomfortable bed or ratty couch may have the most effect on your guest’s review. Don’t just look at these pieces for their function, but take their form into consideration as well.
Function
This one is pretty self-explanatory. When considering a piece of furniture for your Airbnb listing it must answer the question “Which of my guests’ needs will it fulfill?”. Consider the needs and wants of your target Airbnb market and try to get furniture that they will want to use. If you are in the city and you find yourself catering to business travelers, then getting pieces that promote productivity and comfort are what you need. If you are by a ski resort and attract snow bunnies looking to ride the slopes for a week, then look for a combination of highly functional drying racks for their gear and some cozy pieces to warm themselves on.
Use your budget wisely. Spend the money on furniture that your guest will find the most useful for. Make sure that your pieces, no matter how good looking they may be, are easy to use and operate. There’s no point in getting a fancy Murphy bed or high tech blender if they can’t get it open or started.
Form
When purchasing pieces, you must strike the balance between how good they look and how much they cost. You do have a budget after all. Perceived value is the name of the game here. Remember that guests will first see your home through the pictures in your listings profile. Just like location and amenities, the look of your place through these pictures is a factor in dictating the price. If you want to charge top-dollar, then your listing must look like it deserves your guests’ hard-earned money.
Imagine the wear and tear that sofas and beds alone suffer under the use of hundreds of people. Keep this in mind when you choose furniture. It is good practice to get the highest quality (read: sturdy and long-lasting) you can afford for your listing. Think of it as an investment, as re-purchasing broken pieces of furniture can add up quickly.
Our best Airbnb hosting tips: Furniture
- Avoid getting pieces that need a lot of time to clean. Of course, ovens and fridges need to be cleaned, but ornate chandeliers, figurines, tchotchkes and the like eat into your time and/or cleaning budget.
- Avoid furniture with tons of nooks and crannies as they are magnets for dust and debris.
- Consider the needs and wants of the fairer sex. Studies show that leisure trips are usually planned by women. Be sensitive to their wants and needs.
- When purchasing furniture, try to see if you qualify for a long term payment plan with 0% interest for 12 months or more.
- Try to find one or two pieces that will add some pizazz to your Airbnb rental. These focal points will linger in the minds of your guests and they may even share them on social media sites like Instagram. Can you say ‘free advertisement’?
- Ambiance. It’s not just a fancy word. Make sure that your listing is enjoyable for all senses. The look and smell of your place should be clean. The textures of your furniture should be warm and inviting.
- Don’t reinvent the wheel. Check your competition’s listings, read their reviews and see what pieces of furniture their guests enjoyed. Then copy them.
Good luck, and happy hosting!