Transform Your Airbnb: Essential Tips for Setting Up Inviting and Comfortable Living Areas

The following sections provide guidance on setting up the living areas of your Airbnb based on successful, award-winning properties. By following these recommendations, you can maximise the booking potential of your Airbnb.

Couch(es)

When selecting a couch, consider the capacity of your Airbnb and aim to provide enough seating for everyone. While you don’t necessarily need a couch that seats your maximum capacity, offering a range of seating options is important—this could include additional chairs or even bean bags on the floor for children.

If your budget allows, leather couches are an excellent choice as they are easy to clean. Guests on holiday often indulge, which can lead to chocolatey fingers or the occasional wine spill on the couch. If you have a fabric couch, consider applying fabric protection to make cleaning stains easier.

For affordable and stylish options, consider checking out Fantastic Furniture or IKEA. Both stores offer a wide range of couches that can suit different styles and budgets.

Chairs

Adding an easy chair or lounge chair can create a cozy spot for guests to relax or read a book. Leather is again a practical option due to its ease of cleaning.

Coffee/Side Tables

One way to reduce spillages on couches and chairs, and to make your guests’ lives easier, is to provide side tables near couches or armchairs. If you have wood floors, make sure that the tables have surface protectors on the feet to prevent scratches.

Lamps

Provide a range of lighting options for your guests to create different areas to relax in. For example, a cozy armchair might need a reading light, and ceiling lights can be too harsh while watching TV. Dimmer switches can also be a good way to create ambiance.

Bookcase/Shelving/Storage

A storage area for books, magazines, and board games is recommended. Enclosed storage is preferable to prevent a cluttered look. Books and magazines not only create a homely feel but also provide guests with leisure reading material during their stay.

TV and Streaming Services

Having a large, high-definition smart TV is a must for modern Airbnbs. Ensure that the TV includes apps for streaming services such as Netflix, Stan, Disney+, or Amazon Prime. Many guests prefer the convenience of these streaming services over traditional cable or satellite TV. It’s important that you pay for the streaming service accounts rather than expecting guests to log into their own. Not everyone has accounts for these services at home, and providing them can enhance the guest experience.

If you currently have Netflix at home, you can simply upgrade your package to the Premium package, which costs $22.99 per month, only $6 more than the Standard package. This allows you to share the benefits of a higher-quality streaming experience with your guests. For more information, visit the Netflix Help Center.

A guest shared this feedback:

“We stayed at a multi-million dollar waterfront Airbnb. We couldn’t believe it when we tried to access Netflix that the owner hadn’t paid for an account. It seemed stingy and left a bad taste in my mouth.”

DVD Players and Foxtel

DVD players and Foxtel are not required at your Airbnb. With the prevalence of streaming services, guests rarely expect these amenities anymore.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is essential and is now an expectation for all guests. NBN Wi-Fi with a minimum speed of 50Mbps is highly recommended for your Airbnb. If your Airbnb does not have Wi-Fi, you should make arrangements to have it installed. You can compare providers at WhistleOut.

Board Games: A Popular Addition

Board games are very popular with guests and can significantly enhance the experience for families and groups staying at your Airbnb. Providing a selection of classic and modern board games can encourage quality bonding time and create lasting memories for your guests.

Most Popular Board Games to Include:

• Monopoly: A classic game of strategy and finance, perfect for families and groups.
• Scrabble: A word game that is both educational and fun, ideal for all ages.
• Catan (formerly The Settlers of Catan): A popular strategy game where players trade, build, and settle.
• Cluedo: A mystery-solving game that’s engaging for both kids and adults.
• Uno: A fast-paced card game that is easy to learn and fun for all ages.
• Jenga: A game of physical skill where players remove blocks from a tower and place them on top without making it fall.
• Chess/Checkers: Classic strategy games that appeal to a wide range of players.
• Pictionary: A drawing game that’s perfect for larger groups and parties.
• Trivial Pursuit: A quiz game that tests players’ general knowledge and is great for friendly competition.

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth speakers are a must-have at your Airbnb. They are reasonably easy to operate and affordable (consider options from Kmart or JB Hi-Fi). This allows guests to enjoy music via their mobile devices.

Pictures/Photos/Artwork

When decorating your walls, strike a balance between too little and too much. Not enough decoration can make your Airbnb look stark and unfinished, while too much can make it look cluttered and unkempt. A rough guide is one to two good-sized pictures per room. Consider using art or pictures that reflect the local area. Local photographers may be keen to showcase their work for free in exchange for some advertising at your Airbnb.

For affordable and stylish artwork, consider checking out IKEA or Kmart. Both stores offer a wide range of options that can suit different styles and budgets.

Ornaments

Avoid the temptation to fill your Airbnb with too many knick-knacks. A few small ornaments that reflect the local area are fine, but too many can make your Airbnb look untidy. Keep any ornaments out of reach of small children and the wagging tails of passing dogs.

By following these guidelines, you can create a comfortable and appealing living area that enhances the overall guest experience, leading to better reviews and more bookings for your Airbnb.

Get the Ultimate Holiday Home Setup Checklist To ensure your Airbnb is fully equipped and ready for guests, you can get a copy of our ultimate holiday home setup checklist on our Google Drive. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to set up a successful and inviting holiday home. Access the checklist here.