Affordable styling tips to help you start hosting on Airbnb

Key overview: Affordable styling tips to help you start hosting on Airbnb

• Introduce character and personality with charming hits of colour and striking feature walls, including rich tones and an impactful metallic-effect finish in the living room.
• Bring in soft furnishings like rugs and cushions to add pops of pattern throughout the space.
• Place potted plants indoors and outdoors to lend a fresh garden flavour and create a welcoming feel.
• Keep the property tidy, well presented, clean, and free of dust, mould, and stray hairs – especially in the bathroom.

When homeowner Sarah decided to first start hosting on Airbnb, she started small, with a spare room in the new Adelaide apartment she had bought after moving from Taiwan in 2015. “It was very successful**,” she says. Then a guest who came to stay admired the apartment and suggested she list the whole place on Airbnb.

How to add character to your Airbnb home

The apartment started out with neutral decor, but Sarah was keen to introduce character and personality. “The property didn’t need a big renovation because it was brand new, but each wall was white, and though my budget was limited, I wanted to be creative,” she says.

Now, the pretty space has charming hits of colour, particularly in the striking feature walls. Rich tones form highlights throughout, including an impactful metallic-effect finish in the living room, which Sarah created using the Dulux Design Effects range. Soft furnishings bring pops of pattern, and potted plants lend a garden flavour to both indoors and out. “I wanted to create a welcoming feel,” she says.

Tips for being a great Airbnb host

As a Superhost Ambassador, Sarah now provides one-on-one support for those who want to start hosting on Airbnb, and is happy to share her hosting experience:

• Imagine yourself as your guest, she suggests. “Anytime I do anything I ask myself, ‘Would I be happy to sleep on this bed, to live here?’ If I weren’t, why would my guests pay to stay here?” she says.
• “Small, thoughtful touches can make a big difference,” she adds. “For example, a welcome basket with coffee, tea, snack bars, popcorn or instant noodles or bread, eggs, milk, yoghurt, fresh seasonal fruits. These are especially helpful for guests arriving late at night, leaving early in the morning or simply relaxing with a movie.”
• Provide a first-aid kit, USB chargers and common phone-charging cables.
• “A welcome booklet can explain where to shop, how to use public transport, nearby cafés and local services, as well as emergency contacts and the closest hospital or medical clinic,” she says.
• Make your property feel like a home. “I came from [another] country as a new migrant, so I want to treat my guests as if they are at home when they are visiting other countries,” says Sarah.
• Most importantly, cleanliness matters. “Make sure the property is tidy and well presented, with no stray hairs, dust or mould, especially in the bathroom.”

How Sarah manages her Airbnb property

Sarah manages her busy hosting calendar with careful organisation, keeping on top of maintenance with regularly scheduled tasks. “I’m the sort of person who likes to prevent the issue from happening,” she explains. “I would rather spend a small amount of money to regularly maintain the place instead of paying huge costs to replace or fix the problem.” Sarah’s strategy is a clever one as it also allows for planning repairs around hosting rather than trying to squeeze in a tradie visit when guests are expected.

For Sarah, hosting has had quite an impact on her life. “Building a relationship with people and having that long-lasting friendship is worth more than the money to me,” she says. “As a new migrant, I came here by myself and didn’t know anyone. Hosting has taught me that creating a home is a way of connecting with people around the world.”

Want to host but don’t have the time?

Find a co-host on the Co-Host Network at airbnb.com.au/host.

Looking for inspiration to turn a smaller space into an Airbnb listing?

Check out our article on how to turn your home into an Airbnb listing ready for guests.

**The information in this article is general in nature and for illustrative purposes only. Individual experiences vary. Earnings are not guaranteed and will depend on factors, including availability, price and the demand in your area. Your ability to host may also be subject to local laws. You should look at your own financial position and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions. 

Please note: Any plumbing or electrical works must be done by a licensed contractor.