Furnishing your vacation rental property: what should you invest in?

There is no question that elevating the interior design of your space will promote your listing to attract the most desirable guests. 

Investing in high quality furnishings will extend the lifespan of the items and improve the overall cleanliness of your short-term rental. That being said, it doesn’t have to break the bank to furnish and style your home.

But what items do you invest in, and what can you spend less on in order to keep within your budget? My rule of thumb is to invest in the high-touch items: beds, sofa, dining room table and chairs.

Your beds in particular will be a “make it or break it” for your listing. If your guests have an uncomfortable sleep, your reviews and ratings will show it! A sturdy, durable, high quality bed frame, a supportive mattress and luxurious linens are requirements for your guest’s comfort. I also recommend that you purchase the largest size of mattress your space can accommodate. Don’t worry about taking up too much space in the room. Just ensure that you measure to make sure that guests can get around comfortably with their suitcase. You will also have to leave enough space for a bedside table on both ends of the bed. Do not shove the bed against the wall! The cleaners need that space to make the bed properly, and nobody wants to be the guest that has to sleep on the end of the bed where they are trapped against the wall.

Guests will search for properties with king beds, or at the very least queen size. So measure your rooms and maximize the space.

With respect to linens, look for high-performance but luxurious WHITE linens. This may seem absurd to the first-time short-term rental property owner – white fabric is the easiest to stain, after all. But that’s also exactly why it is essential. No guest wants to wonder what stains are hidden in those dark sheets! White linens are used because it does not hide any stain. Hence, they prove the standards of cleanliness in your rental. The guests can rest assured with that fresh, crisp and clean feel of your bedding.

Next let’s talk about the sofa, dining room table and chairs.  If your listing advertises that it sleeps 10 people, you need to ensure that your property can comfortably seat the same number of guests! The common space should have a quality, comfortable sofa and chairs with durable, easy to clean fabric or leather. These items should take the larger part of your budget for furnishings. You can spend less on items such as the coffee table, lighting and décor. **One big tip I received with respect to saving money on wall art is to purchase art digital downloads from Etsy.com. Print them yourself at your local printshop, and find an inexpensive frame! **

A great way to ensure you have enough space for all the seating required is to remove any furniture that you don’t actually need. For example, mount the TV on the wall and remove the TV stand.

When I think about the different dining tables at all the vacation properties we’ve stayed at, there’s a flash of memories of sitting around the table with my family and friends, eating, playing games, talking and laughing. It is important that there is enough seating for the number of guests that you advertise for to ensure that everyone can be together around the table. Utilizing dining benches can provide more seating, or storing foldable dining chairs in the rental can also ensure that your guests have the seating available to them if required. 

Much like the sofa and bed, your dining table and chairs are the most used in your rental. You don’t want to go cheap on these items because they will get a lot of use and abuse over time. Stick with quality and durability. Spending more money will save you money in the long run.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with setting up your vacation property for your guests, I am here to help! contact me to inquire about my services to level up your listing, attract bookings and receive 5-star ratings!