How to Decorate a Short Term Rental Bedroom
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I know not everyone finds decorating their short-term rentals as much fun as I do, and for some folks, it can be downright intimidating to tackle short-term rental interior design. For me, one of the easiest places to start is the bedrooms. This is where your guests will spend a good portion of their time, and you want to make sure it’s a really inviting and comfortable space. I like to pick an interior design theme for each home to tie everything together, with a central color to add bright and exciting touches. This is really easy to do with my 6 big tips for styling your short-term rental bedroom.
1. Pick a theme
The theme of your bedrooms should tie into a larger theme of your vacation rental. For instance, if you have a farmhouse, then the bedrooms should have farmhouse decor, you know, shiplap, galvanized pots, tea towel pillows (think Johanna Gains.) However, each room should have a touch of its own style that ties into the larger theme. It is important to make each bedroom look different so people don't think they are all the same room in your Airbnb listing photos.
Here are some popular themes to pick from:
Farmhouse
Modern
Rustic
Industrial
Traditional
Boho
In this article, I feature photos from Kona Landing. This is my short-term rental in Kona, Hi. The theme for this house is Modern Beach Boho. This bedroom is the master room. The color scheme is pulled from the rug you see in the below photo, and the main color is blue along with the wood tones.
2. Make sure you have the basics
When setting up a guest room, it's essential to ensure it has the basics, no matter how beautifully decorated it is. A full-length mirror allows guests to see how they look before heading out. Providing plenty of hooks is great because guests can hang up towels, helping them dry between uses and keeping items off the floor. Velvet clothes hangers are a thoughtful touch, allowing guests to unpack their suitcases without worrying about wrinkly clothes. These hangers are particularly effective because they prevent clothes from slipping off and ending up on the floor. A luggage rack is another must-have, as it prevents guests from placing their suitcases on the bed, which can damage your duvet covers. Blackout curtains are invaluable for ensuring a good night's sleep, blocking out any light. This is especially helpful for guests traveling with children, as it allows babies to nap during the day. Finally, a trash can helps keep the space tidy and clean, especially in the bedroom.
3. Style the bed
Start your styling with the bed. A comfortable mattress is a must. Choosing the best mattress for Airbnb ensures your guests have a restful sleep. Use white hotel-quality sheets and nice full pillows - don’t skimp here. You need more than two pillows on each bed for comfort. Add a white comforter. Using all white linens keeps the space feeling clean and fresh and you can bleach those items if they get stained or dingy. Top off the white bedspread with on-theme accent pillows and throw blankets to add some personality and connect back to your overall concept. The bed is the focal point of the room, so making it look clean and inviting is crucial.
4. Provide Nightstands
If at all possible, have a nightstand on each side of the bed with a lamp so guests have a place to put their personal items (water, phone, watch, etc). Nightstands can be expensive, so feel free to buy used or get inventive. I used two garden tables in one of my vacation rentals and they were only $30 each. Make sure you have a charging station or accessible plugs near each nightstand for your guests to charge their phones.
5. Unify the look
After the bed is done focus on other furniture in the room (dressers, desks, etc.) Add a few items to help pull the theme together but keep it simple. You could use a fake plant (or a real plant if someone will take good care of it), a lamp, a few books, a basket, or a tray for belongings.
6. Add Artwork
Using attractive artwork in your bedroom is a great way to pull your theme together. These little touches could be something like the macrame hanging I snagged off of Amazon. These little details add a unique flair and tie each room to your overall interior design theme. I enjoy looking for these items wherever I can, the cheaper the better.
Some good places to shop for art:
Make it! - If you’re the crafty type, what better way to get unique design elements than making them yourself? Pinterest is loaded with great DIY decorating ideas
Thrift Stores - Hunting through Thriftshops never fails to turn up great decorating finds
Discount stores (Marshalls, T.J. Max, Homegoods, etc.)
Yardsales
Facebook Marketplace
Things to avoid when styling your bedrooms
Live Plants
Plants seem like a nice, easy, way to add a little “life” to your decorating. The problem is, that every living thing, even a cactus, needs care. Adding watering and general plant maintenance to your “to-do” list might not be something you want to do as an Airbnb host. And, if your plant gets neglected, nothing is more unappealing to guests than a dead or dying plant. Luckily if you still want to add a little plant life to your decor, fake plants have come a really long way in the past few years, especially succulents. Just be sure to use them sparingly. And if you have your heart set on live plants make sure you have someone with a green thumb to take care of them.
No Candles
Candles set a nice mood, especially in the bedroom. Candles are also messy, and a serious fire hazard, especially if your short term rental is kid-friendly. If you would like candles to be a part of your aesthetic, battery-powered flameless candles are a great way to go, with a lot of varieties to choose from. Do not put real candles in your short term rental.
No Clutter
The last thing your bedroom space needs is a lot of clutter. Too many elements make things seem crowded and busy, and you run the risk of the decor looking tacky. Too much “stuff” also creates more work for clean up - dusting, putting things back after guests leave, etc. A clean and simple aesthetic means less work for you in the long run.
Want more help decorating your short-term rental? Download my free Interior Design Style Template. You can read more about that here.
