Do you know that hotel bookings are going down? Today’s travelers are getting smarter. They want a larger space, more amenities and less cash to pay for it. There is a market as well for luxury rooms. The Airbnb market is definitely growing. I won’t get into the specifics of how to get started because Airbnb certainly has that covered. A few guidelines to remember is that you need to establish your target market (don’t target everyone) so you can find out their needs and design your space accordingly.

How do your guests choose you?

Travelers base their decisions on the photos of your place, your facilities and amenities, and your reviews. Before anyone even attempts to click on your ad, the first thing they see will be the photos.

How do you start?

1. Find out their needs.

Look back at your target market. What do they want? Check out the Airbnb site and see who has the most reviews for the target market you’re aiming for. This will tell you what they like about the place, what they don’t like about it. It gives you a good insight on what your market wants.

Are they millennials, gen Xers? Do they have children traveling with them? At what age are they? If you have space for a family of four, then you need to think of beddings for four. You can have a main bedroom that can sleep two. Perhaps a trundle sofa (this is a sofa with a pull out) will work – you get a sofa by day, and 2 beds by night. This will also dictate that you need a dining table for four. Are you targeting business travelers? Then, you will need a desk where they can work. Think of function and convenience!

2. Find out what design style you’re aiming for.

Don’t decide based on what you want but again, look at your target market. What do they want? Are they business travelers? Do they want something modern? Or are they tourists looking for a home away from home?

3. Decorate with your location in mind.

Think about your location. Are you in the city, by the beach, in the mountains? You can narrow down your design style too with this. Go local and check out what your town has to offer. If they are tourists, look out for souvenirs and knick-knacks they will appreciate. It might seem kitschy to you, but they may be attractive to tourists. Check out the local handicrafts and artwork. Decorate with macramé. If you have a beautiful view, take a professional photographer to get you those photos and hang it in your living room.

4. Look for sturdy furniture.

Don’t buy cheap furniture. They may be cheap but they won’t last. Good furniture does not mean expensive. Some guidelines to remember:

a. If you’re opting for wood furniture, use solid wood! Pls. don’t use MDF or particle board, they will break. I am all for recycling but what’s the use if this only lasts a month or two. How do you find out? Knock on the wood. Not for luck but to check the hollowness of the material. Or you can check the underside (sometimes they are left unfinished and you’ll see if they aren’t real wood). Remember not all guests are very careful with your things. That’s just the way it is.

Particle board is waste wood product pressed together with synthetic resin. Photo from Wikipedia.

b. When buying dining chairs, check out the construction of the chair carefully. If it’s those assemble your own chair types, do back away… far away! Those joints will give! A well constructed chair uses a mortise and tenon joint. How will you know? Look at the section where the legs and the seat meets. Same advice goes for other furniture like the dining table.

5. Use furnishings and accessories that can be cleaned easily.

a. Pick out fabric that will hide stains. That means go for patterns or use a good German leather (that’s leatherette or synthetic leather) to upholster your furniture.

b. When choosing rugs, look again for patterned ones that can hide marks. Remember the purpose isn’t for your place to hide the dirt but rather to look for something that you can maintain easily.

Shayne Drop-Leaf Table from Pottery Barn

6. Don’t have enough space? Use convertible furniture.

There are extendable dining tables, or those drop-leaf tables. They can accommodate more people. Or choose a table you can mount on the wall and pull down.

Coffee tables with a pop-up mechanism works as both storage and a table.

7. Remember to have sufficient outlets.

One of the things we need when travelling is charging our gadgets. Make sure to have enough outlets near the bedroom and the living area.

8. Go the designer way and create lighting for moods.

Designers use lighting to create a variety of moods. Use cove lights to soften the space and not have anything glaring on your eyes. Create a cozy reading area with a floor lamp in a corner. Add a track light to accentuate your wall art.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning and make yourself some extra cash!