3 Best Airbnb Furnishing Services: Design, Delivery and Installation
The designing and furnishing of an Airbnb is the second most important factor for success in the short term rental industry, right after choosing the best market and property. That’s why investors, hosts, and property frequently resort to the help of professionals when getting their properties ready for listing and welcoming guests. But what are the top choices for vacation rental furnishing in the US market?
The 3 best Airbnb furnishing services for hosts and managers include:
How to Choose the Best Furnishing Services for Airbnb
When selecting the top Airbnb design and furnishing companies, we focused on the following criteria:
Available services: We prioritized companies that allow hosts to choose between partial services (mostly design and furniture sourcing) and end-to-end services including white-glove delivery and assembly.
Pricing: We focused on services with clear and competitive prices.
Market coverage: We selected companies with national coverage to offer value to hosts across the US market.
Average project duration: We ranked Airbnb furnishing services that have reasonable project completion timelines so that hosts can launch their business and start making money as soon as possible.
Process and host involvement: We chose service providers with clear and transparent processes that allow investors to be as involved or uninvolved as they’d like.
Terms and conditions: We gave priority to Airbnb furnishing companies with host-friendly terms and conditions.
Portfolio of completed projects: We went for service providers whose portfolios really stand out from the competition.
Customer reviews: We checked out the average ratings of short-listed companies on third-party review websites to ensure quality of services and commitment to promises.
Value for money: Finally, we made sure to include services that have a proven track record of boosting STR performance while charging reasonable rates for the best value for money.
Based on these factors, the best Airbnb interior design and furnishing services are:
Showplace: Best Overall Airbnb Furnishing Company
Our nationwide research and analysis ranks Showplace as the best overall Airbnb furnishing service for offering the best value for money. Hosts are able to save up to 75 hours in getting their rental guest-ready, with 83% of owners seeing an increase in their listing rating and an average owner experiencing a 22% boost in revenue.
Justin Miller and Dan Palumbo founded Showplace in 2020, with headquarters in Denver, CO. The company specializes in designing and furnishing rental properties, with focus on short term and mid term rentals, tailoring products to the space, guests, and host budget. They have launched more than 1,000 rentals which allowed them to streamline and optimize the entire process for maximum customer benefits.
Under the Host Tested, Host Approved program, Showplace works only with products that have been tested by hosts for hosts to help owners provide incredible guest experiences while saving money.
Showplace Services
Showplace offers comprehensive, yet completely customizable Airbnb design and furnishing services that are a great option for both refreshing an existing vacation rental listing and furnishing a brand new one.
There are two main packages that hosts can choose from:
Showplace Pre-Made Designs
With Showplace Pre-Made Designs, customers can choose from 10+ readily available styles including but not limited to:
Midcentury Modern
Bohemian
Modern
Cabin
Modern Minimalist
Transitional
Coastal
Scandinavian
Each of these packages contains a comprehensive list of all the furniture and decor items needed for a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, and an outdoor space. Showplace customizes each list based on the specifications of the property which the owner provides during sign up. Airbnb investors can choose which furniture and decor items to keep, which to remove, and which to replace based on their space and personal preferences.
In addition, hosts get access to the Showplace Essentials List which includes all operating supplies they need, such as linen and cleaning supplies.
Moreover, some add-on services available with Pre-Made Designs comprise:
Space-planning
Hourly design revisions
Floorplans
Making sure all furniture fits the floorplan
All this makes Showplace Pre-Design Designs a quick and cost-efficient way to launch an Airbnb property while still benefiting from a customizable design.
In terms of receiving packages and staging, Airbnb hosts and property managers can connect with professionals from the Showplace Preferred Contractor Network if needed.
Showplace Custom Designs
With Showplace custom Airbnb design, the company provides a personalized design that is built from scratch based on the host’s space, typical guest persona, and budget. The design is reviewed by the customer and necessary changes are made until you are completely satisfied with the final result. Customers partner with Elissa Hall, Showplace Expert Designer, to focus on the design details that have the biggest impact on guest experiences while ensuring that items are easy to maintain.
Then, Showplace curates a list of the essential products and gets bids from partners. Furniture and decor items sourced by Showplace are of the highest quality and come at the best price through direct negotiations with brands.
Airbnb hosts and managers can choose their preferred installation option, from DIY to white-glove service depending on their skills, availability, location, and budget. White-glove services are provided via the Showplace Preferred Contractor Network.
Showplace Costs
Showplace has different pricing plans for the Pre-Made Designs and custom designs.
Most Pre-Made Designs cost $12,000-$15,000 for a 3-bedroom home, which is very affordable considering the average Airbnb furnishing cost by bedroom. The exact price depends on the bed configuration and the items that you decide to purchase. This cost does not include receiving the furniture and assembling it.
For custom designs, the Showplace design and procurement fee is calculated by the square footage of the home. The overall cost of furnishing an Airbnb is determined based on the size, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the number of guests, the purpose (short term rental vs mid term rental vs long term rental), and the level of furnishing (refresh vs full furnish). In general, prices do not exceed $50,000 for houses. In all cases, Showplace works with the budget available to the host to provide the best possible design.
You can use the free Showplace furnishing estimator to get a sense of what cost you should expect for your specific property.
Showplace Terms
Showplace does not accept furniture and decor returns except in case of manufacturer defects or damages during shipping. Items that do not fit the space or that hosts do not like cannot be returned. That’s why the company emphasizes the importance of making sure that all selected products fit the designated space and offers an add-on service to ensure this.
Showplace Timeline
With the Showplace Pre-Made Designs, it takes 1-3 days to receive the custom initial design after submitting the design quiz. Hosts can check out products as soon as they’ve reviewed and approved the list. Delivery takes 3-4 weeks after check-out.
Hosts and property managers who opt for the more customized approach can expect their rental to be launched within 6 weeks.
Showplace Design, Selection and Installation Process
The Showplace Airbnb design and furnishing process differs depending on the package that you choose.
With Pre-Made Designs, the process involves the following steps:
Create a free account on the Showplace website
Select your preferred design style
Review the design and the itemized list of products
Decide on the items you want and approve them
Check out
Receive, set up, and go live. While the Showplace team does not offer assembly and setup, they can connect you with professionals from their vetted Preferred Contractor Network.
Hosts who opt in for entirely customized Airbnb design and furnishing services can expect the following:
Meet the Showplace team to provide information about the rental, the goals, and the budget
Get a proposal including designer-made mood boards and product lists
Collaborate with the Showplace expert designers to focus on the details that have the biggest effect on guests
Sign off the design
Receive bids from delivery and installation Showplace partners and choose your preferred setup method
Receive the products and complete installation to start welcoming guests
Showplace Geographic Coverage
Showplace Airbnb furnishing services are available across the entire US market. Some of the most popular markets for the company include the best short term rental locations, such as Florida, Texas, the Pacific Northwest, the Poconos, the Phoenix Area, and Gatlinburg.
Showplace Portfolio of Work
Check out some examples of short term rental properties designed and furnished by Showplace to see why we head the list of the best Airbnb furnishing services in the US market.
How to Get Started with Showplace
To get started with Showplace, you can schedule a call with the Showplace team using the online form available on the company website. You can also sign up for free to start exploring the Pre-Made Designs.
STR Cribs: Best for Large-Scale Renovations
STR Cribs provides Airbnb design, furnishing, and renovation services to hosts. What makes them different from other companies in the space is that they have the capacity to work on large-scale renovation projects, while most Airbnb furnishing companies focus on design and furnishing only.
STR Cribs was founded by Joshua Lewis in 2020, with headquarters in Clearwater, FL. The company has completed 200+ projects and relies on data-driven designs. On average, STR Cribs-renovated and designed short term rentals generate $50,000 more in annual revenue.
STR Cribs Services
STR Cribs services for vacation rentals are divided into two main categories:
STR Cribs Design Services
STR Cribs design services include full-service design for passive investors and remote e-design services for hands-on hosts.
In all cases, the Airbnb design and furnishing services provided by STR Cribs comprise the following elements:
Design visualization including 3D renderings, mood boards, and 3D home scan
Space planning and layout including floorplans, space layout flow plan, cabinetry plan, built-in plan, and landscape plan
Architectural detailing and design including interior elevations, lighting plan (RCP), and exterior elevations
Material and fixture selections including in-person material selections, paint and wall covering selections, finish selections, lighting selections, and plumbing fixture selections
Furnishings and decor selections including furniture selections, window treatment selections, art selections, and accessory selections
STR Cribs Renovation Services
STR Cribs renovation services for Airbnb properties feature:
Interior services including cabinetry, carpentry and woodwork, closets, countertops, flooring, insulation and drywall, painting and finishing, shower walls, stairways, and vanity walls
Utilities and systems installation including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and solar panels
Structural and exterior services including gates and fencing, general construction, glass, roofing and gutters, structural engineering, stucco, and windows and doors
Outdoor and landscaping including decking, landscaping, pools, and tile and masonry
Amenities including mini golf, pickleball/basketball, outdoor bowling, fire pits, disc golf, playsets, hot tubs, giant chess, and others
Specialized installations including audio and video, noise reduction, and smart home automation
Safety and environmental services including demolition, removal, mold, lead, and asbestos
STR Cribs Costs
The STR Cribs indicates that their design fees average $20,000, with the overall project cost typically exceeding $100,000. This represents the highest cost option in the industry.
STR Cribs Terms
STR Cribs does not specify the terms and conditions of working with them on the company website. Interested hosts are advised to ask for a copy of the agreement to review in detail before deciding if the terms are reasonable and host-friendly.
STR Cribs Timeline
The entire process of designing and furnishing an Airbnb property with STR Cribs takes 3-12 weeks. The timeline for renovation services is likely to be longer.
STR Cribs Design, Selection and Installation Process
The process of getting a vacation rental designed and furnished by STR Cribs entails the following steps:
Have a discovery call with the STR Cribs team to discuss the property, the amenities, and the right budget
Make a decision if this is the right fit based on a rough idea of the scope, timeline, and budget
Pay a deposit and sign an agreement
Receive design and renovation plans and provide feedback on them while working with a dedicated project manager
Review and approve final proposals and bids
Get weekly updates and progress photos while the design or renovation is underway. Final clean, photography, and supply stock can be included in the STR Cribs Airbnb furnishing services.
STR Cribs Geographic Coverage
STR Cribs Airbnb design and furnishing services are available nationwide.
How to Get Started with STR Cribs
To get started with STR Cribs as the best Airbnb furnishing services for large-scale renovation projects, interested hosts and property managers can book a call via the link on the company website.
Furnishr: Best for Portfolios
Furnishr provides white-glove design and furnishing services to short term rentals, vacation homes, and primary homes. While the company doesn’t specialize exclusively in Airbnb furnishing services, it has significant experience in the space.
Michael Van and Karen Lau founded Furnishr in 2018, with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The company operates as a turnkey furnishing platform that aims to help owners furnish and launch their property remotely.
Furnishr has experience working with real estate developers with multiple properties, which makes them one of the best Airbnb furnishing services for hosts and property managers with portfolios.
Furnishr Services
Furnishr offers custom, end-to-end interior styling and furnishing services. The company focuses on providing hands-free experiences for owners by handling style curation, project planning, sourcing, budget tracking, logistics, shipping, setup, and cleanup. Meanwhile, hosts are involved in the design process and can provide as much feedback and ask for as many adjustments as they would like.
Some of the most popular styles offered by Furishr include:
Bohemian
Coastal
Contemporary
Glam
Industrial
Mid-Century Modern
Scandinavian
Transitional
Each of these Airbnb design and furnishing styles is accommodated to the specific needs of the property and preferences of the owner.
Furnishr Costs
Furnishr does not provide an average cost per property type or a range of typical costs. Hosts can estimate the price for designing and furnishing their Airbnb property using the Furnishr cost calculator based on:
Property type
Location
Number of rooms and room size
Furnishing level: Essentials vs Essentials with some accessories vs Essentials with all accessories
Meanwhile, Furnishr charges a $300 design fee.
Financing options are available via Acorn.
Furnishr Terms
Furnishr offers product replacements and exchanges arranged with the help of a designer to select the new product(s). Customers are informed of price differences between the products before proceeding with the exchange and are responsible for covering them.
In terms of product returns, rejections or cancellations on or before the delivery day are subject to a 15% return or cancellation fee, while returns within 10 days of the delivery day are subject to a 15% return fee and a $150 pickup fee. Products need to be in the same condition as on the day of delivery to be eligible for returns. If a product is part of a set, all products within the set need to be canceled or returned.
In case of damaged or defective products, customers need to contact Furnish within 10 days of delivery with photos or videos documenting the damage. The company will provide a replacement or issue a refund.
Furnishr Timeline
On average, getting a short term rental property ready with Furnishr takes 4-6 weeks.
Furnishr Design, Selection and Installation Process
Furnishr Airbnb design and furnishing process requires the following steps:
Fill out a design questionnaire to provide information about the space after which Furnishr will craft a few personalized mood boards
Have a one-on-one call with the Furnishr team to discuss style preferences, plans, and budget
Receive a comprehensive interactive design package with different options for products, layouts, and pricing after paying a $300 design fee
Add, remove, and change individual products within the package
Approve the design package
Furnishr provides shopping, shipping, assembly, setup, and cleanup services.
Furnishr Geographic Coverage
Furnishr delivers furniture to all US states except Hawaii and to parts of Canada.
How to Get Started with Furnishr
To get started with Furnishr as the best Airbnb furnishing services for multiple properties, vacation rental property owners and managers can complete a questionnaire available on the company website.
Airbnb Furnishing Services Expected Costs
On average, professional Airbnb design and furnishing services cost about $12,000-$15,000 for pre-made design packages and up to $50,000 for custom designs. The cost depends on multiple factors including the property type and size, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and other rooms, the market, the style, the services, and the owner’s budget.
In other words, the cost of having your short term rental professionally designed and furnished is comparable to the average price of getting it ready for listing on your own. The reason for this is that the design and furnishing fee charged by companies is compensated for by the industry discounts that professionals benefit from due to partnerships and economies of scale.
Pros and Cons of Professional Airbnb Furnishing Services
Opting for Airbnb design and furnishing services provided by professionals comes with advantages and disadvantages that you need to take into account when choosing the best option for your situation.
The main pros of working with a professional Airbnb furnishing company include:
Optimized Airbnb listing performance due to industry data-driven decisions
Passive investment through turnkey solutions
Cost savings due to access to industry discounts
Time and effort savings
No need to work with multiple vendors and contractors
Possibility to furnish properties remotely
Continuous flow throughout the property
Compliance with hospitality industry safety standards
Customization options
Meanwhile, some major cons of hiring professional Airbnb furnishing services are:
Some loss of control over the property design
Loss of uniqueness as similar designs might be applied to multiple Airbnb properties
Professionals’ limited knowledge of your specific Airbnb market and guest expectations
Occasional delays beyond the promised timeline
Sometimes inflexible return and exchange policies
Potential discrepancies in the final layout and delivered products
Design fees and hidden fees
Alternatives to Professional Airbnb Design and Furnishing Services
Airbnb owners, hosts, and property managers who would like to avoid the downsides of hiring professional Airbnb furnishing services can choose an alternative approach to get their property ready for guests.
The 3 most popular alternatives to working with an Airbnb design and furnishing company include:
Designing and Furnishing an Airbnb Yourself
First and foremost, many short term rental investors decide to furnish their property on their own. This is usually a good option for those who live close to their investment, who have the necessary time to select furniture and decor items, shop around, and deal with contractors, and who have some experience in interior design.
The process entails:
Studying the local market to gain an understanding of the preferred styles and the most popular amenities
Working out a budget
Preparing a design concept
Listing all necessary items
Shopping around online or in-store
Purchasing furniture and decorations and arranging delivery times
Receiving products
Assembling and installing the furniture and decor
The pros of being a DIY Airbnb designer and furnisher include:
Knowledge of the local short term rental market trends
Matching your personal style and preferences
Full control over the design and furnishing process
No professional design fees
The cons of furnishing your Airbnb property on your own are:
Active work
Impractical approach for remote investments
No knowledge of the hospitality industry to boost STR income
No access to industry discounts
All in all, this method could be a good fit for hosts with multiple properties who already have some experience in the field and connections with stores.
Using AI-Based Interior Design Apps
Airbnb owners who don’t want to work with professional service providers can subscribe to interior design software apps that use AI. Some popular options include Arch, RoomsGPT, and Room Planner.
With the help of these apps, you can develop a design concept based on your property specifications and prepare a list of necessary products. Then, you have to find the furniture and decor in online or in-store marketplaces, procure them, receive them, and set them up.
The pros of designing your Airbnb with an app are:
Flexible designs
Alignment with your preferences
Efficiency compared to drawing designs by hand
Affordable subscription fees
The cons of using AI interior design software include:
No access to professional recommendations
Need to do the sourcing, receiving, and assembly
No industry discounts on products
Risk of overreliance on AI
In general, this could be a working option for hosts who enjoy using software in optimizing their property management decisions and who don’t mind putting significant effort into furnishing their rental.
Hiring a Freelance Interior Designer
Finally, instead of hiring an Airbnb furnishing company to deliver end-to-end services, hosts can work with an interior designer who can provide the design but not be involved in the entire process. There are numerous freelance experts who specialize in the design of vacation rental properties that can be found on Upwork, Fiverr, and other similar platforms.
If you choose this strategy, search for an interior designer who has specific experience with short term rentals, preferably in your area. There are major differences between furnishing a home, a long term rental, and a short term rental. There are also serious discrepancies in the most demanded styles and amenities across vacation rental markets.
The pros of working with a freelance Airbnb interior designer include:
Custom-made design
Lower fees than furnishing companies
Professional design based on best practices
The cons of hiring an individual designer for your Airbnb property comprise:
No help beyond the design stage
Lots of active work on behalf of the host
Paying a design fee without gaining access to industry discounts
In sum, working with a professional Airbnb interior designer could be a good fit for owners who need assistance in the design stage but don’t mind handling the rest of the process on their own.
Bottom Line
These are the 3 best Airbnb furnishing services available to hosts and property managers in the US market. What makes Showplace the top choice for vacation rental property operators is the comprehensive designs based on the space, guests, and budget, the access to industry discounts, and the flexible installation options. As a result of Showplace professional services, hosts witness an average boost in revenue of 22%. Contact us today to get your property ready for guests in less than 6 weeks.