Are you thinking about jumping on the Airbnb bandwagon and want to know how to set up the master bedroom?
Like to learn more on how to inject some styling secrets into the space?
In this post I want to take you through the steps I considered to turn a slightly tired looking bedroom space into the fresh Airbnb coastal boudoir I knew it could be.
The backstory to the Airbnb worthy makeover.
You may have already read about this in previous posts, but in case you haven’t…
The unit had been the home of my sister in law until she had decided to rent it out. And to recap on my previous blog post, she had approached me with the idea of turning it into a seaside Airbnb. She asked if I could help her bring the future holiday rental to life and of course I said yes!
I needed to turn this little unit into something that would appeal to the holiday rental market – and I didn’t have a lot of time or budget on my hands to make it happen.
My tips to achieve a coastal Airbnb master bedroom.
Here’s the steps that helped move me from underwhelm to inspiration as I tackled the transformation of the master bedroom. I hope these steps are helpful if you’re considering your own coastal Airbnb makeover and you’re not sure where to start, or if you’d just like to know more about how I pulled it off…
The best layouts for Airbnb master bedrooms.
The aim with your layout for a master bedroom is to keep it spacious and cosy at the same time. We can fall into the trap of stuffing too many things into a small space, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The layout should exude a feeling of breathability and flow, no one wants to stay in a cluttered Airbnb.
I find the best layouts are ones where you walk into the room and view the bed and bedsides as you enter. Even better is the use the space above the bed for some artwork to draw the eye immediately. Ensure that the bedsides are close to the bed, not floating in space off to the side (it helps to think about the bed, bedsides, art and rug almost as one item).
A second zone for relaxing in the master is a real luxury. It doesn’t have to be a huge space, just enough to comfortably sit and not block access to doorways and the sleeping zone. Lastly, if you have a view and/or lots of windows, orientate this zone towards it. This increases the relaxation factor automatically.
Specifically, for a small Airbnb master bedroom:
1. Have artwork above the bed be the hero piece as you enter the room. (and it needs to be in proportion to the bed, not teeny tiny!)
2. Incorporate a second zone into the bedroom if you’re able – a seating nook is perfect.
3. Include ample layers. Always plan to include those important extras such as rugs, different sized cushions, throws. Your aim is the comfort of your future guests.
Coastal style touches.
Typically, a coastal/Scandinavian look is light and airy, fresh and textured. Think about how your layout can highlight those styling choices best as your guests enter the master bedroom.
1. Position furniture so guests can see all your cushions/throws on entry. It’s these items that pick up your coastal colours and textures.
2. Have lightly toned furniture as a feature (I used the bed in this way), and remember the blond timbers contrast beautifully with darker tones in the room.
3. Always feature texture in your layout. Mix up your use of textures to bring automatic comfort and warmth. This is especially important when your colour choices are more muted and understated (I used a rattan side table with a luxurious leather chair, alongside a textured rug and bedding).
Here I’ve placed the large artwork above the bed as a focal piece as you walk into the bedroom.
The best Lighting for Airbnb master bedrooms.
One of my pet hates is only having that one central overhead light in a bedroom. What are people thinking?! Thinking about the comfort of your guests means that dimmable warm LED bedsides lamps are a must, along with a dimmable overhead light if that’s an option. It’s all about making this space feel like home, and giving your guests the best chance to have a restful sleep. If you have the space think about including a combination of floor lamps, bedside lamps and overhead lighting to give your guests options to suit a variety of tasks.
Coastal style touches.
When choosing a lighting fixture that is in keeping with a coastal style think about the material type.
1. Table lamp bases made out of rattan, lime-washed ceramics or glass would all fit nicely within a coastal aesthetic.
2. Aim to choose light fixtures that are cohesive to the overall coastal inspired colours you are using within your living space. Remember that the lighting should complement your furniture choices.
The muted grey and blond timber bedside lamps both suit the style of the room and are functional for the space.
The Best Art choices for Airbnb master bedrooms.
You can never have enough well-placed art in a space, and art really does make a rental feel like a home away from home. Choose artwork that ties in with your scheme, and for me using art from an Australian photographer show casing local beaches was a must. The artwork needs to make sense in the room, and if your personal taste is quite specific it may be helpful to choose art that appeals to a broad market (keep your quirky pieces for your own place). It is also an extra tick if you can choose art that references your location in some way, think about what makes your holiday rental special and unique and choose artwork that reflects that individuality.
Coastal style touches.
For a more sophisticated take on coastal style, branch away from the typical shells, beach hat, footprints in the sand type of artwork.
1. Artworks that references the texture of rope or driftwood reminds us of the beach without it being too obviously beachy.
2. Abstract pieces with curves that connect to the shape of waves could also work nicely.
3. Consider the colours of the coast; greens, blues, browns and whites all speak of a coastal vibe.
You catch a glimpse of the artwork here, large piece showcasing some horses in the ocean (see @loveyourspace).
The Best Styling tips for Airbnb master bedrooms.
It’s all about the details when it comes to styling for cosiness. Perhaps for all the spaces in an Airbnb, the master needs to be enveloping and cocooning, so paying attention to styling makes all the difference on this front. Consider elements like the extra throws for the bed, ample cushions, meaningful book choices in keeping with the aesthetic and good quality artificial flowers (it really is tricky keeping real plants alive in a rental). Think about all your styling items as one group as they need to be cohesive and add to the overall vibe of the bedroom.
Coastal style touches.
If you love the coastal, Scandinavian style choose styling items that are within this style’s colour palette. Colours like pale blues, greens, creams and whites always feel coastal and fresh. You can also contrast these soft colours with some depth found in rust, terracotta, beige and greys. These colours can be sprinkled amongst your bed linen, cushions, lighting, furniture, art, rug and styling accessories.
Style every zone in your master Airbnb so that it is welcoming at first glance to your guests.
The Best Comfort tips for Airbnb master bedrooms.
One cushions on the bed isn’t going to cut it. We all know that most of the cushions we dress the bed with aren’t slept on, but if guests are reading in bed they need those extra cushions. Also consider the material type; for a bedroom it helps to have soft cottons and velvets in the mix. Try to pre-empt the needs of your guests and they will thank you by coming back. Another comfort tip to think about is different weights of blankets and quilts, having lighter and heavier options means guests sleep comfortably regardless of the weather.
1. Aim for at least five cushions for a bed (consider a larger European pillow at the back, with smaller square or rectangle ones at the front) with one-two throws.
2. Two cushions for an occasional chair, and a small side table within easy reach.
The next must have is a rug for underneath the bed. Even if your bedroom is carpeted a rug works wonders in grounding the bed, and adds even more softness under foot. Another big plus for rugs is that they reduce echo and absorb sound. These qualities are key for guests to feel comfortable and secure.
1. Your rug needs to be large enough to sit under at least the foot of the bed with enough width for guests to comfortably stand on.
2. The rug needs to be large enough to not look like a runner under the bed.
Coastal style touches.
Mix up your patterns and textures with your cushions and throws. This adds to the comfort level in terms of interest and depth.
1. Move away from the overdone blue and yellow coastal colour theme (unless you absolutely love this combo, then go to town). Rather think about highlighting different textures that you might find in a coastal environment such as rope patterns or baubles.
2. Choose a rug that highlights coastal elements such as jute or sisal if appropriate.
Don’t skimp on cushions and throws for a comfortable Airbnb space. These types of soft furnishings really do elevate your rental to the next level.
It’s a wrap….
There you have it, all the goodness on how you can go about creating a beautiful master bedroom that is perfect for a holiday rental getaway. Follow these tips for your own Airbnb master makeover and feel confident that you have done things right!
Did you know that I love helping people with their Airbnb projects? I will be sharing more in future blog posts on how to ‘Airbnb ready’ other rooms in the home to help you feel confident in this quite specific market, so follow along to learn more.
If the overwhelm is real and you’d like specific help for your holiday rental project then reach out to me at bec@designrelease.com.au or find me on Instagram or Facebook. I look forward to helping you bring your Airbnb vision to life.