Furnishing an Airbnb: Ultimate Guide & Design

How you furnish your property is one of the main factors behind the success of your Airbnb business. The interior design and level of furnishing affect the type of guests that you’ll be able to attract, the daily rates you’ll be able to charge, the bookings that you’ll be able to generate, and - ultimately - the revenue that you’ll be able to earn.

This guide provides short term rental investors, hosts, and property managers with all the information they need to design and furnish their property for success. We’ll discuss the step-by-step process of furnishing an Airbnb, the importance, the required furniture, and the cost. We’ll also offer proven tips on choosing the best furnishing company, selecting the right furniture, and protecting items to last as long as possible.

If you want to set up your Airbnb rental with expert design help and products tailored to your space, guests, and budget, check out Showplace. Contact us now to uncover the full potential of your short term rental property.

How to Furnish an Airbnb

The process of furnishing an Airbnb property is not an easy one because there are so many factors and considerations that need to go into it, such as the property type, the local market,  the available budget, and others.

To make the process more manageable and less overwhelming, let’s break it down into a few actionable steps:

1. Analyze your market and local trends: Before you get started, you need to conduct analysis of the local Airbnb market, how competitor listings are furnished, what amenities they offer, and what guests seem to demand. This analysis should form the backbone of designing and furnishing your property in order to make it attractive to guests and competitive in the area.

2. Work out a budget: Next, you need to check out your finances and set up a budget that makes sense. While the cost depends on the size of the property and the number of rooms, among other things, you should not spend more than you can afford because this is not a smart investment decision and can lead to negative cash flow.

3. Choose between DIY furnishing and professional services: Third, you need to decide whether you will work on the design and furnishing on your own or seek the help of a professional. This decision should depend largely on your skills, experience, time availability, property type and needs, market complexity, and - of course - budget.

4. Develop a design concept: We are coming to one of the most exciting steps in the process - working out a concept for the design of your Airbnb. Whether you own a small studio or a large house, it’s important to develop a comprehensive concept that you follow across all rooms and outdoor spaces. This step includes developing detailed floor plans and 3D renders that cover both furniture and decor items. Even if you operate on a very restricted budget, it’s important to add some decorations around your property to create an atmosphere and provide guests with a positive experience.

5. Come up with a list of required furniture items: Next, you have to write down a list of all the furniture and decor items that you need to source and buy. It’s a good idea to organize this by room to make sure that you’re not missing anything.

6. Shop around for the best stores or furnishing companies: Furniture prices can vary widely from one store or company to another, so you have to check out both local and national, physical and online options to choose the best one for your needs and budget. It’s recommended to focus on furniture brands with reputation for durability and longevity - as well as comfort - rather than luxury names that your guests might not be familiar with and appreciate anyway. In case you decide to shop from a few different stores, make sure all selected items match and work well together. If you’re working with a professional Airbnb furnishing company, they’ll help you greatly with the furniture selection.

7. Purchase the furniture: Once you’ve chosen the necessary furniture and decoration, you need to buy them and arrange the delivery.

8. Get the furniture delivered and installed: Most furniture stores and companies will deliver the furniture and decor pieces to your Airbnb. Standard delivery takes anything between 1-2 weeks and 6-8 weeks, depending on the store, the pieces, and your location. Some companies install and mount all furniture, while in other cases you’d need to do it yourself or hire a handyman to assemble and install the furniture.

9. Professionally clean the Airbnb property: The last step in furnishing your Airbnb property is to remove all packaging and debris and to get it professionally cleaned to take photos for your listing and start welcoming guests.

Once you’ve furnished your Airbnb, you have to do everything possible to protect the furniture by getting Airbnb insurance, vetting guests, cleaning the items, performing regular property inspections, and doing all necessary maintenance right away. In this way, your Airbnb furniture will last you long without frequent need to change items which unnecessarily inflates the operating costs of a host or a property manager.

Why Airbnb Furnishing Matters

To put it simply, the purpose of furnishing your Airbnb in the best possible way is to maximize profit. But how exactly does the design and furniture of your vacation rental impact ROI?

Airbnb design and furnishing has a direct impact on:

• Type of guests: The style and quality of furniture affects the type of guests that choose your rental. For instance, a home office will attract business travelers and remote workers, while a kids bedroom and children play area will bring in families with children.

• Listing ranking: The attractiveness of the photos and the listing title and description impact how well your listing performs in guest searches on Airbnb. Thus, listings that boast unique designs and high-quality furniture perform better. Moreover, better furnished properties get more 5-star reviews from guests, which further enhances their rating and ranking.

• Bookings: Airbnbs that are well furnished get more reservations than competitors.

• Daily rates: If you put extra effort into creating a good guest experience with the choice of the right style and furniture, you can charge more for your listing.

• Revenue: The combined effect of more bookings and higher nightly prices is enhanced income, which means that furnishing an Airbnb has a positive effect on the money that it can earn.

• Running costs: Furnishing your property with strong, durable pieces that are easy to maintain and do not require frequent replacements will help you bring down Airbnb rental business operating expenses.

• Profit: With higher revenue and less operating costs, you will end up generating a better ROI from a well furnished short term rental than a mediocre one.

All these factors make it worth spending some extra time and effort on designing and furnishing your Airbnb in a way that’s optimal for your market and target guest audience.

Tips for Selecting Furniture

There are a number of factors that go into the selection of quality furniture for an Airbnb.

Here are 7 proven tips to select the best Airbnb furniture for your property:

1. Remember Airbnb is a business: First of all, don’t forget that owning an Airbnb property is a business, so the furniture selection should be driven by what makes sense for your business rather than what you like the most. This means focusing on the furniture style and items that will resonate with guests, improve their experience, and last for long.

2. Prioritize comfort and durability over luxury: In the choice of Airbnb furniture, go for brands and items that are comfortable and easy to maintain rather than expensive and overly luxurious (unless you specialize in luxury Airbnbs). Choose metal frames, solid wood, and sturdy upholstery rather than fancy, delicate materials that will break in a few short months. If possible, test the chairs, sofas, couches, and other pieces yourself to make sure they are truly comfortable.

3. Go smaller rather than bigger: Select furniture items that are rather small and compact as furniture always ends up looking bigger at home than in the showroom. It’s better to leave some space empty than to clutter your Airbnb with unnecessary pieces and make guests feel clustered.

4. Ensure unison between spaces: Make sure that the furniture you select creates flow from one room to another. This is particularly important for small properties and houses with a lot of open space. You don’t want spaces to clash with one another and create a sense of disorder.

5. Shop around: Don’t go for the first store or company that comes your way. Check out a few different physical and online shops and compare materials, guarantees, prices, and customer reviews before deciding where to buy your Airbnb furniture from.

6. Do due diligence: Ask friends for recommendations, consult with local Airbnb hosts, and do online research to find the best Airbnb interior design and furnishing services and companies in your area. It’s crucially important to check out customer reviews on third-party, reliable websites, such as Trustpilot and BBB, before choosing where to furnish your vacation rental from.

7. Stick to your budget: You’ve created a budget for a reason - to ensure the financial feasibility and profit of your Airbnb enterprise. Don’t let yourself fall for furniture that’s beyond your budget. Keep in mind that this is a rental property that will be occupied by guests rather than you (at least for the majority of time), so don’t allow your emotions to drive its furnishing.

With these tips, you’re guaranteed to make smart decisions when choosing the right furniture for your short term rental property.

Total Cost of Airbnb Furniture by Room

Typically, the total cost to furnish an Airbnb property ranges between $5,000 and $50,000, but it can be a bit lower or significantly higher depending on your property, guest persona, and budget. One of the main determinants of the total cost is the number and types of rooms.

You can expect the following Airbnb furnishing cost by room:

Table: Cost of Furnishing an Airbnb by Room

With these average costs to furnish a room, you can calculate the expected overall price of furnishing your Airbnb based on its size and your budget.

What Furniture Is Needed for an Airbnb

Each room within an Airbnb property comes with its own list of furniture and decor items. Of course, exactly how much and what furniture and decoration you decide to put in an Airbnb room depends on the available space, your design concept, and budget, but there are the basic requirements you need to cover in order to ensure functionality and comfort for your guests.

Following is a list of the typical items in a well-furnished Airbnb property by room:

Master Bedroom

• Queen or king bed frame and mattress

• Nightstands

• Wardrobe

• Dresser or chest

• Vanity with chair

• Mirror

• Ceiling light fixture and bedside table lamps

• Window treatments

• Rug or runner

• TV

• Fan and heater

• Decor items

Guest Room or Kids Bedroom

• Baby crib, twin or full bed frames, or bunk beds and mattresses

• Nightstands

• Closet

• Dresser

• Desk with chair

• Baby changing mat

• Ceiling light fixture and bedside table lamps

• Window treatments

• Carpet or rug

• Fan and heater

• Decorations

Full Bathroom or Half Bathroom

• Bathtub or shower with glass door or shower curtain and shower liner

• Toilet with toilet sit

• Sink with faucet

• Bathroom vanity

• Shower head

• Mirror

• Shower caddy

• Shampoo and soap dispensers

• Toothbrush holders

• Towel bars or rings

• Waste basket

• Toilet brush

• Plunger

• Bath mat

• Exhaust fan

Kitchen or Kitchenette

• Kitchen cabinets or kitchen island

• Pantry

• Sink with faucet

• Fridge with freezer

• Oven or stove

• Hot plates

• Hood

• Microwave

• Dishwasher

• Toaster

• Coffee machine

• Water kettle

• Water cooler

• Cooking pots and baking trays

• Knives and cooking utensils

• Plates, dishes, and bowls

• Glasses, cups, and mugs

• Can opener and bottle opener

• Ceiling light fixture

• Window treatments

• Garbage bin

• Waste basket

• Wall art

Living Room

• Couches or sofas

• Armchairs or wing chairs

• Coffee table

• Side tables

• TV

• TV stand or console

• Steaming device

• Bookshelves

• Ceiling light fixture, table lamps, and floor lamps

• Window treatments

• Carpet or rug

• Throw blankets and throw pillows

• Fan and heater

• Wall paintings and other decor items

Dining Room

• Dining table

• Dining chairs

• Buffet or china cabinet

• Console table

• Ceiling light fixture

• Window treatments

• Rug or runner

• Fan and heater

• Decorative items

Foyer

• Coat rack

• Hallway bench

• Umbrella stand

• Mirror

• Key holder

• Ceiling light fixture

• Runner

• Door mat

• Welcome sign and other art pieces

Gym

• Treadmill or stationary bike

• Dumbbells or kettlebells

• Weight bench and weights

• Yoga mats

• Exercise balls

• Mirrors

• TV or sound system

• Water cooler

• Rubber flooring

• Ceiling light fixture

• Window treatments

• Motivational wall signs and art pieces

Game Room or Home Theater Room

• Gaming console

• Controller charging station with controllers

• Game selection

• Gaming PCs

• Gaming chairs

• Projector

• Streaming device

• DVD player

• Media player

• Sound system

• Speakers

• Sound bars

• AV receiver

• Remote control

• Surge protector

• Acoustic panels

• Reclining seats

• Snack station

• Popcorn machine

• Mini fridge

• LED adjustable lighting

• Carpet or rug

• Fan and heater

• Wall art

Home Office

• Desk

• Office chair

• Desktop or laptop

• Printer and scanner

• Filing cabinet

• Bookshelves

• Ceiling light fixture and table lamp

• Window treatments

• Rug or runner

• Power strips

• Extension cords

• Waste basket

• Fan and heater

• Decorations

Laundry Room

• Laundry machine and dryer

• Drying rack

• Iron and ironing board

• Clothes hangers

• Cabinets

• Ceiling light fixture

• Waste basket

• Art prints

Balcony

• Bistro set

• Loveseat

• Cushions

• Outdoor space heater

• Fire pit

• Awning or canopy

• Ceiling light fixture and and solar lights

• Outdoor rug

• Weather-resistant decorations

• Potted plants

Backyard, Deck, Porch, or Patio

• Dining table with dining chairs

• Bistro set

• Picnic table

• Swing

• Hammock

• Umbrella, canopy, or gazebo

• Grill or barbeque with accessories and utensils

• Outdoor lighting

• Outdoor heater

• Garbage bin

• Sports equipment

• Outdoor games

• Dog house

• Fence

• Decorative sculptures

• Potted plants

Pool

• Swimming pool or hot tub

• Pool safety fence

• Pool cover

• Pool signs

• Pool maintenance kit

• Ring buoys

• Lounger chairs

• Umbrella

• Poolside bar

• Fridge

• Towel rack

• Towel basket

• Pool floats and noodles

• Outdoor lighting

Outdoor Kitchen

• Cabinets

• Grill

• Pizza oven

• Side burners

• Smoker

• Vent hood

• Utensils

• Countertop

• Outdoor fridge

• Ice maker

• Garbage bin

• Outdoor lighting

Outdoor Children Play Area

• Slide

• Swing or seesaw

• Climbing structure

• Playhouse or tent

• Mini basketball hoop or soccer goal

• Sandbox

• Mini picnic table or benches

• Toys

• Umbrella or canopy

• Outdoor lighting

When furnishing each room in your Airbnb, you should choose items that fit the space, match the overall style, and bring comfort to guests.

Where to Buy Airbnb Furniture

With thousands of furniture stores in the market, featuring both US and international brands, hosts and property managers need to choose shops and marketplaces carefully.

Following are the best stores when furnishing an Airbnb for different types of hosts, properties, and furniture:

Best Online Marketplaces

You can consider the following online stores for the diversity which they offer:

• Amazon: Being the largest online marketplace, Amazon offers everything from couches and bed frames, to towels, linen, and decor items.

• Wayfair: This online store brings together 5,000+ indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances, lighting, linen, and decor brands.

• HostGPO: This Airbnb host-dedicated platform helps hosts access discounts and deals based on collective purchasing power.

Best for Low Budgets

Airbnb investors and hosts operating on a limited budget can consider the following stores when furnishing their property:

• Ikea: With its diverse options, Ikea furniture and decor is able to fit any budget without compromising quality.

• Target: Hosts with really low budgets can find affordable choices at the local Target store.

• Bob’s Discount Furniture: This chain is well-known for low prices and additional discounts that makes it a perfect choice for furnishing an Airbnb on a budget.

Best for Second-Hand Furniture

Since Airbnb properties host frequently changing guests, it makes sense to use second-hand or refurbished furniture and decor to save on the cost. However, you need to make sure that you go for stores that offer quality pieces.

The top choices for second-hand Airbnb furnishing and decor options include:

• AptDeco: This is one of the best-known platforms for buying used furniture and decorations for all rooms and all needs.

• CORT Furniture Outlet: This store offers various furniture and decor items in new, used, and bargain condition to meet the needs of hosts with different budgets and preferences.

• Reperch: Hosts and property managers can choose from different pre-owned furniture essentials, appliances and electronics, and art and decor items.

Best for Luxury Furniture

While regular Airbnb hosts should prioritize durability and value-for-money when furnishing their property, the owners of luxury vacation rentals need to buy high-end items to match the overall style of their property and the experience promised to guests.

The best stores for luxury furniture for Airbnb include:

• West Elm: West Elm furniture and decor feature contemporary and inspiring designs and colors but cost more than the average furniture in the US market, which makes it a good option for hosts specializing in luxury short term rentals.

• Sundays Company: Sundays focuses on the design and production of beautiful, functional, and family-friendly furniture and decor that come with a hefty price tag.

• LuxeDecor: This online showroom specializes in high-end indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, and decor that makes it ideal for luxury Airbnb rentals.

Best for Appliances

In addition to furniture and decor, Airbnb owners and property managers have to purchase various appliances and electronics too.

Popular appliances and electronics stores that could work out for Airbnb hosts include:

• Best Buy: Hosts can choose from hundreds of thousands of items to buy all appliances and electronics that their short term rental needs.

• The Home Depot: This is yet another popular marketplace that allows Airbnb investors to buy all types of electrical appliances online or in-store.

Lowe’s: The diversity available at Lowe’s helps hosts furnish their property with all the appliances and electronics that it needs to ensure the comfort and safety of their guests.

Airbnb Furnishing and Design Services

Owners who don’t have interior design and furnishing experience are advised to consider hiring professional services when furnishing their Airbnb. This can help optimize the performance of their short term rental in a way that more than compensates the extra cost associated with working with a professional designer and furnisher.

The best Airbnb furnishing services include:

Showplace

Showplace is a top-ranked rental property design and furnishing company that works with both hosts and property managers to help them boost revenue by an average of 22%. Unlike alternatives that focus on more traditional methods, Showplace works with technology-backed design concepts that are optimized for the available space, guest personas, and the owner’s budget.

Showplace offers end-to-end Airbnb design and furnishing services, allowing hosts to save 75 hours of their time. Customers can be as involved or uninvolved in the process as they would like.

Hosts and property managers can choose between:

• Showplace Pre-Made Designs: Showplace offers 10+ design styles specifically developed for vacation rentals and mid-term rentals including but not limited to Modern, Modern Minimalist, Mid Century Modern, Bohemian, Coastal, Cabin, Scandinavian, and others. Pre-made designs are customizable, so hosts can add and remove items to fit their space.

• Showplace Custom Designs: Showplace can provide design and furnishing services from scratch to meet the exact visions and needs of any property and investor. The process involves an introductory call, expert designs with options to customize, sourcing, delivery, installation, and final cleaning. Hosts can choose between DIY and white-glove setup.

Showplace design and furnishing services are a good fit for both refreshing an existing listing and launching a new one. Furnishing an Airbnb property takes up to 4 weeks with the premade design packages and about 6 weeks with the custom services.

Interested hosts and property managers can use the free Showplace furnishing estimator to set up expectations based on their property address, size, and rooms.

STR Cribs

STR Cribs is another company specializing in the furnishing of Airbnb properties. What makes them different from other options is that they offer large-scale renovations as well as standard design and furnishing options.

STR Cribs design and furnishing services are available for all rooms and outdoor spaces in addition to Airbnb amenities. The process includes a discovery call, budget and timeline estimate, design approval, and implementation. It’s not clear whether hosts can choose a more hands-on approach where they source the furniture and coordinate delivery and assembly themselves to save on the cost.

STR Cribs does not provide a range for the cost of furnishing an Airbnb. The price is likely to depend on the property, market, services, and quality of furniture. The budget is discussed during the initial call.

Furnishr

Furnishr designs and furnishes vacation homes and short term rentals as well as primary homes, which makes it a bit different from Showplace and STR Cribs which specialize exclusively in Airbnbs. Customers can start with a readily available style or get customized design.

The Furnishr process comprises a one-on-one call, comprehensive interactive design package, customization options, shopping, shipping, assembly, and clean up. Completion takes 4-6 weeks.

The cost of Furnishr furnishing services for Airbnb is determined by the property type, location, rooms, and furnishing level.

Renting vs Buying Airbnb Furniture

When furnishing an Airbnb, hosts can choose between buying and renting the furniture. Each of these two options comes with its own pros and cons that owners need to take into consideration when choosing the best route for their situation.

Generally speaking, renting Airbnb furniture could be a good idea for:

• Hosts who are getting started on a very tight budget and cannot afford to buy furniture at the moment. They can hire furniture to get their STR business going and use the revenue to invest in their own furniture down the road.

• Airbnb arbitrage investors who lease long term rentals from landlords to rent them out on a short term basis to guests.

• Investors who are willing to get a flavor of the vacation rental industry to decide if this is the strategy they want to go with in the long term.

• Owners who specialize in ultra modern Airbnb rentals where styles change all the time, so they need to stay on top of current trends.

Meanwhile, buying Airbnb furniture is the right choice for:

• Investors with some budget to furnish their property. Keep in mind that some stores and companies offer competitive financing options.

• Hosts who are determined to remain in the short term rental business for the long haul.

• Owners who want to create a unique space and offer unique experiences.

All in all, while renting furniture might be a plausible option to get started on a low budget, it ends up costing a lot more in the long run. Thus, Airbnb hosts are generally advised to buy their own furniture. If your budget is tight, you can start out with the minimum amount of furniture needed to provide a comfortable space and continue making your space more finished and decorated over time.

How to Protect Airbnb Furniture

Airbnb hosts and managers need to put extra effort into protecting the furniture in their short term rental to avoid negative reviews by guests and costly replacements.

Here are a few things you can do to elongate the lifetime of your Airbnb furniture:

• Carefully vet guests to avoid high-risk renters causing excessive wear and tear

• Get Airbnb insurance policy that covers your personal property including furniture and appliances

• Set up and communicate clear house rules to prevent guest reckless behavior

• Use protective covers on applicable furniture items

• Be proactive about furniture inspections and maintenance to extend the lifespan of items

While the average lifetime of most Airbnb furnishing items is 5-8 years because of the frequent guest turnover, you can easily make a lot of your furniture last 10+ years with the proper rules and care.

Replacing and Upgrading Airbnb Furniture

No matter how well you care for your Airbnb furniture, soon or later the time to replace or upgrade it will come.

Some firesure tips and tricks to optimize results when changing the furnishing of your Airbnb include:

• Check guest reviews and explicitly ask for guest feedback to upgrade your property in line with guest expectations and demands

• Consider refurbishing - rather than replacing - items that are not broken beyond repair

• Remain truthful to the original style of the property when doing a partial replacement or redecoration

• Focus on timeless, neutral styles that never get old or look irrelevant to avoid the need for frequent updates

• Look for modular furniture that can be mixed and matched without redoing the whole space

Whether you are furnishing an Airbnb for the first time or upgrading worn out items, your decisions should be driven by what makes the most sense for your business and prioritize comfort, durability, and value for money.

Bottom Line

While furnishing an Airbnb property is an exciting endeavor, it should be handled with the required level of rationality and financial consideration to generate the optimal results for your short term rental business. In the choice of the design concept, you should be guided by the demand in the local market and the preferences of guests who frequent the area. In the selection of furniture and decor items, you should focus on functionality, comfort, and longevity.

If you need professional help in the optimization of your Airbnb design and furnishing to boost ratings, increase bookings, and make more money, check out Showplace. We’ll tailor the design to your space, guests, and budget while helping you save time and launch faster.