Genius Short Term Rental Interior Design Tips That’ll Boost Your Bookings Instantly
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Short term rental interior design can make or break your bookings, here’s how to get it right.
Designing a beautiful and functional short term rental is one of the most powerful ways you can stand out in today’s market. Whether you're hosting in the city, by the beach, or in the cozy mountains, a great short term rental interior design can boost your bookings, improve your reviews, and turn your property into a guest favorite. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to design a space that looks amazing, feels like home, and works for every kind of traveler.
This post is all about short term rental interior design.
Here's How to Create a Functional, Stylish Environment Your Guests Will Love
When it comes to short term rental interior design, it’s not just about making a space look good, it’s mostly about creating an experience. That starts with understanding who you're hosting and what kind of stay you're trying to offer. Before you even buy a throw pillow, ask yourself: What type of guest am I trying to attract?
Are you in a city that draws digital nomads or weekend travelers? Is your property better suited for families, solo adventurers, or couples on a romantic getaway? These questions shape everything, from your color palette to your furniture choices, and that's really the foundation of a smart, intentional design.
One of the most overlooked steps in vacation rental design ideas is thinking like a guest. What do they actually want? What would make them book your place instead of someone else’s? These are the questions that help you avoid wasting money. Instead, you’ll be building a space that feels like it was made just for them!
Now, let’s talk versatility. A good short term rental space should appeal to a wide range of guests not just your ideal guest. This doesn’t mean watering down your design. It means choosing finishes, furniture, and amenities that make more people feel at home. When you do that, you increase your chances of getting booked again and again, especially over your competitors.
But here’s something most new hosts don’t realize:
When it comes to your competition, you’re mostly competing with hotels. Which is actually a really good thing, because you already have advantages they can’t offer. You’ve got a full kitchen. A bigger space. A place that feels like home instead of a lobby. If your short term rental interior design is done right, you can offer a level of comfort and personality no hotel can match.
Well, is interior design really that important?
Absolutely!
Not even just for looks, but for your bottom line. When your space is thoughtfully designed and functional, it boosts your bookings and reviews. People remember it. They share it. And they choose you over the other options every time.
If you're aiming for the best Airbnb interior design or just looking for practical short-term rental ideas to stand out, it all comes down to one thing. How you make people feel when they walk through that door.
Design Tips Every Host Needs to Know:
Color, Essentials, & Comfort
Once you’ve figured out who you're hosting, it’s time to actually design. This is where short term rental interior design can really get fun.
Choose a Color Palette That Matches Your Location
One of the easiest ways to make your vacation rental feel cohesive is to choose the right color palette. Your color scheme should flow through every area of the home so that it feels intentional and styled, not random or thrown together.
Here are a few go-to color palettes based on your rental's vibe:
City Vibe
Go sleek and modern. Stick with:
Charcoal or deep gray
Warm taupe or greige
Clean black accents
This combo works well in apartments and photographs beautifully.
Beach or Tropical Vibe
You want fresh and breezy. Try:
Soft aqua or seafoam green
Sandy beige
Touches of coral or driftwood tones
This palette makes guests feel like they’re truly on vacation the second they walk in.
Winter or Cold Climate Vibe
Cozy and inviting is the goal. Use:
Rich navy or forest green
Warm wood tones or brass accents
These colors give off that warm cabin meets boutique hotel feeling that guests love in colder areas.
When you decorate, your furniture, artwork, throw pillows, and even the dishes should complement your palette. The more coordinated your space looks, the more polished it’ll feels and that makes a huge difference in both your reviews and your nightly rate.
Focus on Essentials, Not Extras
When it comes to short term rental interior design, less really is more, as long as you get the essentials right.
Your furniture should be:
Durable - it’s going to get used, a lot
Comfortable - even if it’s a budget piece
Easy to clean - because someone will spill something eventually
As much as we all love a beautiful, intricate decor piece, ask yourself:
Will this be a nightmare to clean? Is it fragile? Will my cleaner hate me for this?
You don’t want a delicate vase turning into a broken glass disaster mid booking. Remember, it isn’t your personal space anymore, it’s now a business. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be gorgeous. But everything you bring into the space should also be functional and easy to maintain.
If you want a full list of everything you need to furnish your short term rental without forgetting anything important, you can grab my free Short Term Rental Essentials Guide for furnishing made simple right here:
Comfort and Cleanliness
Once your space looks good, it also needs to feel good. A cute space means nothing if the mattress feels like cardboard or the couch sinks in like a deflated air mattress. Comfort matters. In fact, it’s one of the top reasons guests leave four star reviews instead of five.
That’s why every piece of your short term rental interior design plan should balance aesthetics with durability and comfort. It’s a bonus if it looks like it came straight out of a design magazine, but make sure it also passes the nap test.
And don’t forget: cleanliness is everything.
Most guest complaints, refund requests, and bad reviews trace back to one issue, cleanliness. If your place isn’t clean, nothing else matters. That’s why I created a detailed Hospitality Cleaning Checklist that I’ve used for years across all my vacation rentals.
You can grab it below to make sure your cleaners never miss a beat and to make your guests feel like they’re the first ones ever staying there.
Download the Hospitality Cleaning Checklist
Must Have Interior Design Essentials for a Comfortable Short Term Rental
Once you’ve got your style and layout in place, it’s time to focus on the essentials. The things that make your guests feel instantly comfortable, cared for, and at home.
Here’s a room by room breakdown of what you should include to create a 5-star stay using smart, guest focused short term rental interior design principles.
Bedroom:
Comfortable Bed and Pillows
The bed is everything. Always choose a high quality mattress and include at least four pillows per bed two soft and two firm so guests can choose what suits them best.
Neutral Duvet Cover
Choose a duvet cover in a neutral tone that blends with the rest of your design. White is always a safe, easy to clean option, but if you go with color, make sure it fits the home’s overall palette.
Two Bedside Tables and Reading Lamps
Every guest should have a place to charge their phone, place a glass of water, or read a book. Having a table and lamp on both sides looks better and functions better.
Blackout Curtains, Fan, AC & Heater
Comfort means temperature control. If your home doesn’t have central air or heating, consider adding a fan and a portable heater so guests can sleep comfortably no matter the season.
Full Length Mirror
This one is often missed, but it’s so important. Guests want to do outfit checks before heading out, especially for weddings, events, or nights out.
Living Room:
Washable Cushion Covers
Accidents happen. Washable covers help you protect your investment while still offering comfort and style.
Enough Seating for Everyone
If your home sleeps six, make sure there’s actual seating for six. It’s frustrating to book a place for a group and only have room for half the people to sit.
Coffee Table and Side Table
These give guests somewhere to set drinks, snacks, or remotes, and they complete the room visually.
Indoor/Outdoor Rug - Preferably Pet Friendly
Even if pets aren’t allowed, a durable rug is easier to clean and holds up better between turnovers.
Kitchen / Dining
Ample Counter Space
Guests often cook while staying in vacation rentals. Make sure they have enough room to prep and cook, even in small kitchens.
Pull Out Table or Dining Set
If you don’t have a full dining room, add a small pull out table or breakfast bar so guests can sit down and enjoy meals.
Fully Stocked Essentials
Stock your kitchen with more than the minimum. If your home hosts six, aim for at least 10 of each item plates, cups, forks, etc. This helps avoid constant dishwashing and makes guests feel like you truly thought of their needs.
Outdoor Space - If Available
Seating for Guests
Whether it’s a balcony or full backyard, include as much seating as the space allows. Even two cozy chairs can make a big difference.
Outdoor Dining Option
A small bistro table or full dining set helps guests enjoy their morning coffee or dinner outside.
Soft Lighting
Add string lights or solar lanterns for ambiance. No one wants to sit outside under harsh floodlights, especially in the evening.
Bonus: Pull Out Sofa Bed
A pull out bed is one of the most convenient short term rental ideas you can implement. It instantly adds guest capacity and gives you more flexibility with larger bookings.
These items not only elevate your short term rental interior design, but they also show guests you’ve planned every single detail with care. If you want to make this process even easier, grab my free furnishing checklist, it covers every single essential for every room:
Final Thoughts:
From thoughtful color palettes to functional furniture, every detail plays a role in how your space feels and performs.
Designing your space with intention means making smart choices that balance beauty, durability, and comfort. Leaning into a modern city vibe, a breezy beach aesthetic, or a cozy winter retreat, your design should always reflect the kind of stay your guests are hoping for, then exceed it.
If you can create a space that looks amazing, feels like home, and functions even better than a hotel, you’ll definitely win versus your competition.
So, take your time, follow these tips, and trust your instincts. You’ve got everything you need to turn your short term rental into a standout listing guests will love and book again and again.
Don’t forget to grab:
The Furnishing Essentials Guide
Want to see exactly what I use in my rentals?
You can shop all the go-to items right here.
Design well, host smart, and make it memorable.
This post is all about short term rental interior design.
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Host + Home Co.
Where decor meets real life, and hosting doesn't have to be hard. Here, I share home styling inspo, hosting hacks, and everything in between to help you make your space feel good and work for you.
