Don't let a tight budget hold you back from improving your Airbnb. These cost-effective and simple enhancements will make a big difference in your holiday home's appeal. Helping you get more bookings, and provide better experiences for your guests.
Need help managing your Airbnb? - Bachcare can help with your Airbnb property management challenges and workload — from juggling multiple listings to hosting, finances , cleaning and keeping your short term rental property in tip-top shape.
Find out more about Bachcare membership
More info
There are expensive ways to improve your Airbnb holiday home, from full on renovations, adding fancy features such as an EV charging station to your Airbnb, solar panels, technology and home automation. But what about the small things? Below is a list of affordable improvements you can make to your holiday home that make it extra special for guests, without costing a lot of money.
Mirrors are a practical, yet great way to make your Airbnb look better as they can make a space feel larger and brighter. We suggest adding a large mirror to a small room, or hanging a group of smaller mirrors in a hallway or entryway.
Who doesn't love a room where you can set the mood? Adding indoor sensor lights is an affordable and practical way to help guests unwind and get cosy after a long day exploring. They are also quite useful as guests are in a new environment - it is frustrating trying to find a light switch in the dark! We recommend getting some that can be controlled via a remote, as smartphones will complicate the process of guests needing to connect to them.
Using a simple table cloth is a quick and easy way to update an older table and give it a fresh new look. Table cloths protect your table from spills, scratches, and other damage. If your table is older or has some imperfections, a table cloth can be used to hide them. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns, so you can choose one that complements your decor and adds some visual interest to your space.
You can find some very realistic-looking options for a low cost. These plants can be made of silk, plastic, or other materials, and they are an easy and low-maintenance way to add some greenery to your space. Dried plants and flowers add a natural and rustic touch to a space, Fake flower arrangements add colour to your space.
This makes a big difference to the overall appearance and comfort of your Airbnb. If your old chairs are uncomfortable or worn out, updating them will make your Airbnb more welcoming for guests. New chairs with good padding and support help guests relax and feel more at home. If your old chairs are outdated or don't match your decor, updating them gives your space a more cohesive and stylish look.
Adding some simple, inexpensive artwork to your Airbnb brings colour and interest to your space, making it look more welcoming and inviting. Choosing artwork that features bold or vibrant colours adds life and energy to a room. Even a simple print or poster with a splash of colour can help to brighten up a space - Especially a room with plain white walls.
Choosing artwork that reflects your personal style or interests, it will give your Airbnb a unique and personal touch.
We suggest looking for local artwork around the area your holiday home is located, but there are also many affordable options online for adding artwork to your Airbnb/holiday home.
Using either white or light colour paints make a big difference in the appearance of your Airbnb. A fresh coat of paint can brighten up a room and make it feel more open and welcoming. Light colours such as white, beige, or pale blue are especially effective at creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
If your Airbnb is looking a bit tired or outdated, a fresh coat of paint will give it a complete new lease on life, and hide scratches, dents, or other imperfections. You'll be surprised what a difference it can make throughout your Airbnb.
Adding simple and classic floor rugs to your Airbnb can help improve the appearance and functionality of your space. A rug can add warmth and comfort to a room, especially if the flooring is hard or cold. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns, so you can choose one that complements your decor and adds some visual interest to your space - or even help to define a space.
Rugs are also great for protecting floors in high traffic areas. This can be especially useful in an Airbnb setting where the floor may be subject to more wear and tear as they can protect your floor from scratches, dents, and other damage.
Having a fresh smelling Airbnb when guests arrive is a real winner for first impressions. There is nothing worse than arriving after a long drive to a house that smells musty as soon as you open the door.
Automatic air fresheners help to remove odors in your Airbnb, keeping them smelling fresh and clean. This creates a more pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
Updating the cushions on your couch will quickly give your room a fresh new look and make it more visually appealing.
Choosing cushions in a bold or vibrant colour adds life and energy back into a room. Especially useful if your couch is neutral in colour and you want to add some interest to the space.
Adding some new cushions with a pattern or texture can give more visual interest to your couch and help to break up the solid colour of the couch itself.
If your couch cushions are old or worn out, updating them will provide extra comfort and support mking your couch more comfortable for guests. Even a small change like this give your room a fresh new look and make it feel more updated and modern.
Having a comfy couch blanket is a great way to add some warmth and comfort to your Airbnb for guests, especially for during the cold, winter months. The small touches make all the difference!
They provide an extra layer of warmth for your guests, which is especially appreciated during winter, or if you're in a place like Queenstown. Creating a more comfortable and homely atmosphere. Who doesn't love snuggling up with a blanket after a long day?
Choose one that fits in with your overall decor and design aesthetic. The perfect simple and stylish way to update the look of your space, or to be used as a throw helping protect your couch from spills or stains.
If your Airbnb doesn't have a smart TV, adding a Google Chromecast to your TV allows your guests to stream their favorite movies, TV shows, and music from their own devices to the TV. This is a convenient way for guests to watch what they want, when they want.
Chromecast is easy to set up and use, and your guests should be able to start streaming content within a few minutes of setting it up.
Chromecast is small and portable - A quick hack: Chromecast devices come with a USB cable with a power adapter. This means you usually need to plug into a power socket and have cables everywhere. However, most TVs have built in USB chargers, so you can connect your Chromecast to the TV, and then also power it with the TVs USB input. No more messy wires around your Airbnb!
Having all-white and matching kitchen plates, bowls, and mugs gives your Airbnb a clean and cohesive look - Similar to what you might find in a hotel.
Using matching kitchenware will create a cohesive and unified look in your kitchen, which makes your Airbnb look more polished and well-maintained.
All-white kitchenware doesn't show stains or discolouration as easily as colourful or patterned kitchenware. This is especially useful in an Airbnb setting where the kitchenware gets used by many people.
Having all-white kitchenware will match just about any type of decor or design aesthetic, so it is a versatile and neutral choice for an Airbnb.
Providing big, fluffy towels for your guests will give your Airbnb a sense of luxury. It is a great way to make them feel comfortable.
They are soft and absorbent, making them more comfortable for your guests to use, while also generally being more durable than thin, scratchy towels. This can be especially useful in an Airbnb setting where the towels will last longer and hold up better with regular use and being washed very regularly.
You can get fluffy towels like this in a wide range of colours and styles, so you be sure to choose ones that fit in with your overall decor and design aesthetic. Keeping a cohesive look throughout your Airbnb.
Replacing old, plastic toilet cleaner brushes and holders with nicer, ceramic ones is a simple way to improve the appearance and functionality of your Airbnb bathroom.
Ceramic toilet cleaner brushes and holders tend to look much nicer than plastic ones, improving the overall appearance of your bathroom.
Ceramic is more durable - and easier to clean than plastic, so a ceramic toilet cleaner brush and holder will last longer and hold up better to regular use. Perfect for Airbnb holiday homes, and it means you'll be reducing plastic waste since you won't be replacing them as frequently.
Providing a shower caddy stocked with nicer shower gels and shampoos, such as those from Eco store, is an excellent way to improve the overall experience for your Airbnb guests and create a more luxurious stay.
Higher-quality shower gels and shampoos are more pleasant to use than cheaper, mass-market brands. They tend to have a better scent, lather better, and leave skin and hair feeling softer and more moisturized. Making your guests Airbnb shower experience feel more luxurious and spa-like.
They are often made with natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances - Environmentally friendly, gentler on the skin and hair.
Providing nice shower gels and shampoos to your Airbnb help to make it stand out. This can be especially useful if you are targeting a higher-end market or if you want to create a more luxurious experience for your guests.
Using couch covers to cover up an old couch is a fast and affordable way to update the look of your living space, providing a fresh new look making it feel modern and updated.
Couch covers protect your couch from spills, stains, and other types of damage, especially useful in an Airbnb.
You can quickly remove and throw them in the wash as needed. This makes it easy to keep your couch looking clean and fresh, even with regular use.
Decluttering your personal items that aren't needed for guests will help improve the appearance and functionality of your Airbnb.
Removing unnecessary personal items creates a more spacious and open environment in your Airbnb, which feels more welcoming and relaxing for your guests.
It is easier for your guests to find what they need, as they won't have to navigate around clutter, or feel like they are invading the property owners' personal space to get what they need. There will also be less risk of damaging items.
Decluttering makes it easier and faster to clean your Airbnb, as there will be fewer items to dust, wipe down, or vacuum. This saves time, effort and money while keeping your Airbnb looking clean and well-maintained.
Find out more about Bachcare membership
More info
