Be A Great Host: Tips To Make Your Airbnb Warm And Welcoming
This guest blog post comes courtesy of ForSaleByOwner, the world’s largest by-owner house listing site.
Whether people travel for pleasure or business, most guests are looking for a homey and memorable feel when booking a place to stay, choosing your Airbnb over a cold and unwelcoming hotel room.
Creating an inviting and comfortable space is one of the top ways to make your listing stand out from the rest. You want the first thing guests notice when they walk into your Airbnb to be a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes them feel relaxed and welcome.
You can create this hospitable environment by using these tips and styling concepts to make your Airbnb a welcoming place for your guests.
Elements of a Welcoming Space
Before jumping in and restyling your Airbnb it’s important to know what design elements go into creating a sense of hospitality to make guests feel welcome and at home in your space. You don’t need to shell out a lot of cash either, small tweaks can go a long way.
Warm lighting
Bright rooms with good lighting make people feel at ease and can lift their spirits. Bad lighting and shadows do the opposite by making your guests feel uneasy and closed in.
Clean, spacious layout
Keep your Airbnb spacious and free of clutter. Spaces that are cluttered can feel uninviting and too busy. Aim for a natural flow through your space to promote feelings of wellbeing and relaxation.
Warm color tones
Designing with colors that are warm will make a space feel inviting and cozy. Choose warm color tones throughout your Bnb such as rich shades of brown, orange, and red.
Soft, comfy textures
Spaces that have soft textures throughout are soothing and comforting. Including soft elements in your space, like fuzzy blankets, will make your guests feel warm and protected.
Scent therapy
Aromatherapy can instantly infuse your Airbnb with good feelings for your guests. Scent plays a big role in both mood and emotions, evoking good memories and promoting better sleep and relaxation.
Mood-boosting music
Sound also has a way of affecting emotions and mood. Music can help people relax and reduce stress. Using music in your Airbnb is a good way to make your guests feel comfortable and at home.
Putting Styling Concepts Into Action
It doesn’t take a lot of time or expense to make a few styling changes to your Airbnb. Start with these basic concepts.
Lighting
Create a relaxing and warm atmosphere with ambient lighting. This means avoiding the use of harsh or overhead lights that can leave a room full of shadow and instead choose soft white lighting.
Eliminate clutter
Keep your Airbnb clean and free of clutter. You also want to create a feeling of spaciousness by removing unnecessary furniture so there’s at least two to four feet of free space for your guests to walk and move around in.
Redecorate with the right colors
Paint your Bnb with warm colors, adding pops of contrasting colors here and there to create a bright and welcoming space.
Add throw pillows and blankets
Build on the concept of soft textures with a few colorful throw pillows on couches and chairs and cozy blankets for your guests to use.
Diffusers and candles
The subtle use of scent can go a long way in making your Airbnb warm and inviting. Turn on a diffuser filled with lavender before guests arrive to infuse the space with a calming and relaxing scent. Have a selection of other essential oils and candles available for your guests to use.
Create atmosphere with music
A great way to create a relaxing atmosphere is having music playing when your guests are due to arrive. A CD of classical music playing softly can be soothing after a day of travel.
Adding the Final Touches of Hospitality
Along with designing your Airbnb to be cozy and welcoming, use these tips to make your guests comfortable so they enjoy their stay:
Welcome basket – Leave a welcome basket for your guests, filled with local chocolates, cheeses, wine, and jam. If you’re on a tighter budget, a simple card and small treat is a great option as well.
Fresh plants or flowers – Placing one or two small vases of fresh-cut flowers or pretty potted greenery in the sitting area and bathroom adds charm to any space.
Decorate for the holidays – If you have guests booked over the holidays, decorate your Airbnb with a few festive elements, such as seasonal throw blankets, holiday scented candles, and a basket of fresh-baked cookies.
Note: Not all guests will have the same religious beliefs so it’s best to keep your decor secular. Some secular symbols include snowflakes, holly, gingerbread, pines, etc.
Recommendations – Print out a handy poster to easily display useful information for your guests, such as your recommendations for great places to dine, the best cafes, and must-see places in your neighborhood.
House guidelines – Leave an easy to access binder or notebook that provides your guests with house guidelines, including WiFi information, maps, and bus schedules.
Use these printables to create a welcoming home for guests, provided by ForSaleByOwner.
As an Airbnb host, your guests come first. Making people feel warm and welcome when they stay with you is a great way to provide an exceptional guest experience. Use the tips here to turn your space into a welcoming one that keeps your guests coming back time and time again.