The way you furnish your short-term rental property can have a large impact on success! Wow-worthy furnishings will make your listing stand out and generate more bookings, while cookie cutter furnishings could have potential renters scrolling on by.
Fear not, there are many ways to make furnishing your rental property easy! We’ve put together our top three tips for furnishing your short-term rental to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Invest in the right areas
While meticulously furnishing your entire rental is vital, there are four areas you should dedicate initial focus to. You can feel confident investing the most amount of money in these spaces because they are where guests spend the majority of their time.
- Dining space – Guests on group trips want to enjoy meals together, so having a dedicated space to eat with enough seating for maximum occupancy is a detail not to miss.
- Seating – Comfort is the name of the game with seating, from dining chairs to sofas to barstools. It’s important to invest in comfortable spaces for your guests to relax after a long day of travel or adventure.
- Bedrooms – Guests always rave about a good night's sleep. Make sure you select high-quality mattresses from brands like Purple, Casper and Bear. Don't forget - you can shop these brands at a discounted rate as a Minoan member!
- Bathrooms - Towels and toiletries are items that guests will not only appreciate, but expect! Make sure towels are fresh and plush, and toiletries aren’t just generic brands. Guests want to feel pampered, and this is an easy way to ensure they do.
Select high-quality materials
Your rental is a revolving door to new guests, which means your furnishings need to stand up well against wear and tear. Furnishing a property is pricey no matter what, but it’s important to choose materials that will last. Like we say at Minoan, ‘buy nice or buy twice!’ If you think you can get by without investing in the right items, you’ll likely have to purchase them again sooner than expected.
Choose real wood – Medium density fiberboard (MDF) or particle board is popular and affordable, but it tends to fall apart easily when compared to real wood. (It’s also difficult to repair).
Invest in contract grade or performance fabric – For upholstery, select fabric that is durable. Brands perform something called a “rub test” to see how many rubs it takes to degrade the fabric. (Performance or contract grade fabrics typically have 100K rub count, vs the standard 50K). These fabrics tend to also be stain-resistant, fade-resistant and are easier to clean. This will help your furniture look newer to avoid the need for frequent replacement.
It can be tempting to go with the least expensive options available, especially when you have a limited budget. However, cheaper furniture is often made with low-quality materials that don’t last as long. Minoan members can save money by shopping for these types of investment pieces on our portal where we have exclusive discounts from our brand partners.
Maximize perceived value
Small items can make a big impact! Splurge on special kitchen gadgets like a high-end coffee maker from Fellow and Ratio to enhance your rental. While these items aren’t particularly expensive compared to large furniture, they will make your guest’s experience extra special.
In contrast, there are ways to save when it comes to furnishing your short-term rental, like on decor and soft goods from brands like Society6. Items that guests won’t be directly using like wall art, lamps and rugs can be easily found at a friendly price point and transform a space.
Struggling to furnish your property? We want to help!
With Minoan, you can furnish your entire property on our platform with one single payment. If you’re not already a member, join today and get started!