Design by White Dahlia Design & STR Design Lab
Investing in a short-term rental property like an Airbnb can be a great way to make some extra cash, but the key to really making it work is all in the interior design. A well-designed space not only attracts more guests but also commands higher rental rates and better reviews. Furnishing a rental property from scratch can be expensive, but if you get the key pieces right you can elevate your guest's experience from basic to luxe, creating a stylish and cohesive look without breaking the bank.
Today, we are sharing a space we created in which we blend both new and existing pieces to create a cozy, welcoming, and hip space in the beautiful condo towers at Circa 1877 in downtown Waterloo, Ontario. Let's dive into our design ideas behind this space including costs, timeline, and of course, the before and after photos we all love to see!
Top 4 Reasons Why Interior Design Matters
Every listing space is different and unique! When we're setting up vacation homes, we always keep in mind key things like location, target market, style, budget, timeline, and of course, functionality and looks. A successful short-term rental needs to balance all these to be a great investment for you.
Most people take their time and put in the effort to find the perfect vacation home, so you’ve got to make sure your listing ticks all the boxes! As designers, we know how to do this, and even though each space is different, they all need to have four main must-have elements for a successful investment property:
First Impressions Count: Potential guests often choose a property based on the photos they see online. A beautifully designed space with professional photos will stand out and attract more bookings.
Guest Experience: A well-thought-out interior design enhances the guest experience. Comfort, functionality, and aesthetics play a crucial role in making guests feel at home, leading to positive reviews and repeat bookings.
Branding Your Property: Unique and attractive interiors can help brand your property, making it memorable and distinguishing it from the competition.
Higher Rental Rates: Properties with appealing designs can command higher rental rates. Guests are often willing to pay a premium for a space that looks and feels upscale.
The Case Study: Downtown Hip Condo
Developer Renderings & Photos - Condo Culture
Our clients came to us for help creating a beautiful, functional space in a brand-new condo development in the city. Waterloo is a hotspot for students, tech businesses, remote workers, and university events, attracting people from all over the country. So, making a space that appeals to a wide audience was a must. These condo towers also offer awesome, luxe amenities like a huge pool and stunning city views that elevate the stay. The interior needed to match these amenities, so we started brainstorming ideas and got to work!
Blending Existing Furniture with New Pieces
Before Photos
We had plenty of existing pieces the client wanted to keep to reuse and reduce investment costs. Large items like the sofas, dining set, and bedroom set are usually some of the most expensive investments, so the client wanted to keep these. We started creating a design concept around these pieces always using the 5 key factors below to stay within budget and to create a cohesive seamless look:
Take Stock of What You Have: Start by taking inventory of the furniture and décor you already own. Identify pieces that are in good condition and can be integrated into the new design. This can include sofas, chairs, tables, and even artwork. When styled properly, you elevate the overall look of these pieces so they feel upgraded.
Create a Cohesive Color Palette: Choose a color scheme that complements your existing pieces and ties everything together. This helps create a unified look even when mixing old and new items.
Focus on Key Areas: Prioritize the spaces that guests will spend the most time in, such as the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Invest in new, high-impact pieces for these areas, like a stylish coffee table, comfortable bed, or modern dining set.
Accessorize Smartly: Use accessories to bridge the gap between old and new. Throw pillows, rugs, curtains, and artwork can refresh the look of your existing furniture and make the whole space feel more cohesive.
Invest in Timeless Pieces: When purchasing new items, opt for timeless, versatile pieces that can easily blend with various styles. This ensures that they remain relevant even if you decide to update your décor in the future.
From Vision to Reality: The Design Concept
Design by White Dahlia Design & STR Design Lab
We came up with a design concept that mixes classic furniture with trendy decor and accessories. When it comes to short-term rentals, we always keep functionality in mind, choosing materials that are durable, pet-friendly, easy to clean, and stain-resistant. For the look, we went with a mix of warm and cool tones to create a bright and playful vibe that’s cozy and inviting. Taking inspiration from the existing wood tones and textures we carefully selected new pieces that bring in a more organic, nature-inspired feel with greenery, stones, and cool textures while combining black and brass accents for a more trendy look.
Navigating Budget and Timeline
The client wanted to have the listing up and running within a month, so we focused on finding items that could ship quickly and were available right away. They also needed help with furniture assembly, so we included 2 hours of on-site work in the price.
Here’s the cost breakdown:
Design Time: $2,400
Decor, Furniture, and Accessories: $8,500
If your budget doesn’t allow for everything right away, we’ve got a few designer tips to make redesigning your property a bit easier on the wallet:
Upgrading Over Time
Once your rental property starts generating returns, you can gradually invest in upgrades to enhance its appeal further. Here are some tips for phased improvements:
Set a Budget and Timeline: Determine how much you can reinvest from your profits and plan a timeline for upgrades. This helps you manage expenses and avoid disrupting bookings.
Upgrade High-Traffic Areas First: Focus on areas that have the most impact on guest satisfaction, such as upgrading the bathroom fixtures, and kitchen appliances, or adding luxurious bedding.
Incorporate Guest Feedback: Pay attention to guest reviews and feedback. Use their insights to guide your upgrades and improvements, ensuring you meet their expectations and enhance their experience.
Stay Trendy Yet Timeless: Keep an eye on interior design trends but prioritize timeless elements that won't go out of style quickly. This helps maintain the property's appeal without frequent overhauls.
Before And Afters
Design by White Dahlia Design & STR Design Lab
The Takeaway
Investing in a short-term rental property is a smart move, but to really make it shine, you need great interior design. By properly styling your existing furniture with new pieces, you can create a beautiful space without spending a fortune. Plus, you can upgrade over time as your returns grow. Stay away from only covering your basics and make your space feel bland. You want to aim for curated lived spaces that feel warm and inviting. This way, you’ll have a stunning property that attracts guests and keeps them coming back for more.
Interested in more articles like this one? We invite you to read our Elevating Your Airbnb To Become A Super Host post or Designing an Airbnb Plus Property for more ideas and pro tip insights. If you want to find out more about our business and how we work you can read our How Online Interior Design Works post as well. Thank you for sharing some time with us today.
See you soon!
White Dahlia Design & STR Design Lab Team
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