Starting an Airbnb doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Making smart, affordable choices from the beginning can make your place look amazing, even if it didn’t cost a lot. One of the best choices you can make is picking the right kind of place to rent.
For example, think about renting a studio apartment instead of a one-bedroom. There are a few good reasons for this. First, studios are generally less expensive to furnish. A studio might cost about $4,000 to furnish well, while a one-bedroom could easily be $6,000 or more. This extra money can be used for other important things for your Airbnb. Second, studios have fewer walls and rooms, so you don’t need to buy as much stuff. This makes furnishing simpler. Lastly, studios look great in photos for your online listings. Their open design often makes them look bright and spacious, which really attracts potential guests.
Timeless Trends: Decorating That Lasts
When you’re decorating your Airbnb, try not to follow the latest design trends. Trendy looks can quickly go out of style, making your place look old and dated in just a few years. Instead, aim for a timeless design.
This means using neutral colors, classic furniture shapes, and decorations that feel cozy but not old-fashioned. Think about simple pieces like a beige couch or a wooden coffee table; these things always look good. By choosing timeless pieces, your Airbnb will stay appealing to guests for many years, so you won’t need to redecorate often, which saves you money. It also appeals to more people, bringing in more guests.
Ceiling Paint for a Wow Effect
You don’t need an expensive light fixture to make your Airbnb stand out. A simple but very effective and cheap trick is to paint the ceiling. While white ceilings are common, using a soft grey or even a dark blue can totally change how a room feels. Darker ceilings can actually make a room seem taller and more welcoming, adding a touch of class.
The cost difference is huge: a can of good ceiling paint might be around $50, but even a basic light fixture can easily be $500 or more. Besides saving money, painting a ceiling is a DIY project you can finish in a weekend. It’s rewarding and adds a unique touch that guests will remember.
Plants and Mirrors for Style and Space
When furnishing your Airbnb, think about what short-term guests really need. Big dressers, for example, are often not needed since guests usually live out of their suitcases. Instead, choose light, impactful decor like large fake plants and tall mirrors.
A big fake plant instantly makes a room feel more natural, warm, and lively without needing water or worrying about it dying. Good quality fake plants look almost real and last forever. Tall mirrors do two things: they make the space look much bigger and brighter by reflecting light, and they give guests a full-length view.
Both items are surprisingly affordable, especially if you find them at thrift stores or online marketplaces, often costing less than $100 for both. This simple approach makes your place look great while saving money on heavy, expensive furniture.
Vintage Finds for Unique Style
To give your Airbnb personality and charm without spending a lot on art or sculptures, look for vintage finds. Things like old books or interesting items from a thrift store can add color, texture, and character to shelves or coffee tables.
For instance, stacking a few colorful paperbacks or old hardcover books can create a focal point for less than $10. These items not only look interesting but also tell a story, making your place feel special and less like a standard rental.
Check out local flea markets, antique shops, or secondhand stores for unique deals. Finding these items can be fun, and the character they bring is often more powerful than store-bought decorations.
Do-It-Yourself Instead of Contractors
One of the biggest ways to save money is by doing things yourself (DIY) instead of always hiring contractors. For jobs like painting walls, putting together furniture, or hanging pictures, you can save a lot. For example, painting a room yourself might cost around $600 for materials, but a contractor could charge $3,000 or more.
The internet is full of free help; YouTube videos can show you how to do almost any home improvement task. Spending a little on basic tools and putting in some time can save you a lot of money, which you can then use for other things in your Airbnb or even to invest in more properties.
There’s also a great feeling that comes from improving a place with your own hands.
Bulk Toiletries for Savings and Better Look
Guests appreciate nice touches, but buying tiny individual toiletry bottles for every stay can quickly become very expensive. Instead, buy toiletries in bulk and put them into reusable pump bottles. This saves a lot of money, often making the cost per ounce much lower than small bottles.
Besides saving money, this approach looks nicer and more high-end. Clear, refillable pump bottles can give your bathroom a fancy hotel feel, are better for the environment because they reduce plastic waste, and stop guests from taking bottles home. You can even add custom labels to match your Airbnb’s brand or just give a clean, professional look.
Hourly Housekeeping for Efficient Cleaning
Hiring cleaners for each job can become very expensive, especially as you get more bookings. A cheaper and more efficient way is to hire hourly housekeeping staff. This means you only pay for the actual time they spend cleaning, instead of a set fee for each turnover.
A good hourly cleaner can get to know your property well, leading to faster and better cleanings. If you manage a few properties close by, an hourly cleaner can often clean several places in one day. This saves you money on cleaning while making sure every guest enjoys a spotless place. This method gives you more control over costs and more flexibility than paying a fixed fee per job.
Shared Streaming and Wi-Fi to Cut Bills
Today, offering streaming services and reliable Wi-Fi is expected for Airbnb guests. But you don’t need a separate Netflix account or internet plan for every single unit. Think about sharing streaming subscriptions across multiple units. For example, one premium streaming account might be enough for 8-10 TVs, as it’s unlikely every guest will be watching at the same time.
The same idea applies to Wi-Fi: if you have two units close to each other, see if you can share a strong internet connection between them.
This smart sharing can lead to big savings, possibly cutting your streaming and internet costs by up to 80%. It’s about using your resources wisely to make sure guests have what they need without spending extra money.
Rollaway Beds for Guest Flexibility
While sleeper sofas seem like a good idea for extra guests, they are often expensive, heavy, and not very comfortable. A much more practical, affordable, and flexible choice is to buy rollaway beds. These portable beds are cheap, easy to move, and can be stored neatly in a closet when not in use, freeing up space.
For less than $200, a good rollaway bed gives you a comfortable extra sleeping option for unexpected guests or larger groups, helping you get more bookings. They are easy to set up and store, making them a better choice for short-term rentals, offering flexibility without the bulk or cost of a regular sofa bed.
Final Thoughts
Making your Airbnb a popular spot for guests doesn’t mean you have to empty your wallet. By using clever decorating tricks, smart ways to save money, and a little effort with DIY projects, you can create a place that’s welcoming, useful, and very profitable.
The key is to start small, try out these practical ideas, and keep improving what you do. Every smart choice, from picking a studio apartment to decorating with unique vintage finds, helps you build a more efficient and successful Airbnb business. As you use these tips, you’ll likely see more bookings and bigger profits.
