The Importance of Finishing Touches in Making Your Airbnb Stand Out
Thinking of hosting your property out to guests?
When you host your home on Airbnb, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to meet people from across the globe, all while making a gradual return on investment.
If you’re not sure about the differences between becoming a private host and letting on a professional platform, it’s important to learn before diving into the business. Whether you’re an experienced host with an existing portfolio or you’re only just getting started with holiday let investments, knowing the difference between the two could determine your future profits.
What is an Airbnb?
Airbnb started as one single booking when three guests stayed in the San Francisco home of two hosts. Since 2007, the platform has grown from an independent startup to an international corporation with over four million hosts.
A few of the perks of using Airbnb as your holiday letting platform include guest identification, damage protection – including pet damage – and advanced screening to prevent disruptive reservations.
Any property owner in the UK can join Airbnb for free as a host, but you should expect to pay a flat service fee each time you get paid for a reservation. And once you’re registered, you can get creative with your lettings. Let anything from terraced houses and modern apartments to weird and wonderful lettings like this tiny airship house.
How to give your property more appeal
Keep the colour palette neutral
Garish colours could put off potential visitors from the moment that they click on your property listing, so you should always try to decorate with warm, inviting, and neutral shades.
However, if you’re a visual artist or you work in interior design, you might be able to make an exception. When bold, bright colours are used effectively, they can create the sort of alluring effect that’s often seen in boutique hotels across the globe.
Create a welcoming outdoor space
Whether it’s a pretty patio or a luscious lawn, a property instantly becomes more attractive when it comes with a pleasant outdoor space. Laying new paving stones could help to make your outside space more accessible, appeal to those who’d like to socialise, and elevate its appearance too.
Finished with sturdy garden furniture and outdoor lighting, providing this space will be invaluable through the spring and summer months – and could help you to make a better nightly rate too.
Add all the essentials
Supplying a property with a kitchen won’t reflect well on your guest rating unless you ensure that it’s fully equipped. With your guests’ convenience in mind, try to fill your holiday let with the daily amenities and little bits of equipment they’ll need. From bottle openers to mugs and drinking glasses, it’s crucial to factor in every detail.
Furthermore, many guests appreciate basic cleaning supplies too. And ensuring a plentiful supply of washing-up liquid and surface cleaner could work in your favour too, preventing the end-of-stay clean from becoming a momentous task.
Add plenty of comfortable seating
Airbnb hosts often travel in groups, so it’s absolutely vital to provide enough seating for everyone. And even if your apartment only sleeps two people, offering a variety of seating options will help your guests to feel more relaxed in the space.
Don’t overcrowd the floor space to the point of inconvenience. Try to aim for at least one seating option in each room, stretching to at least two types in larger living rooms or entertainment spaces. Plush footstools, beanbags and armchairs all help to make a space look cosier.
Add finishing touches
Finally, the added extras might seem like a minor thing, but getting it right could make the difference between a good stay and an excellent one. Items like boardgames, a collection of books, fresh flowers and toiletries all contribute to your guests’ overall comfort during their stay.
If you’re keen to go the extra mile, providing a welcome hamper will certainly encourage positive feedback. After checking dietary requirements in advance, supplying your visitors with a few fresh foods – and local produce, if available – will certainly be a gesture that’s appreciated.
