How to “equip” your vacation rental for success

Understanding the mindset of a short term rental customer

People who rent short term rentals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com don’t simply want a bed to crash after a day of business meetings or theme parks. They actually want to spend time on your property with their friends and family, playing games, enjoying nature, and soaking in the local culture.

You must equip your rental to meet those expectations.

Deliver what vacation rental guests expect

If guests show up and they don’t have everything they need, they are going to be ticked.

For example, they may have chosen a house on Airbnb over a hotel because it has a full kitchen. They want to buy groceries at their destination and avoid the expense of eating out for every meal.

But if they come back from the grocery store, ready to prepare a meal for their family members, and don’t find all the cooking accessories they need, that can ruin their experience.

Bad experiences lead to bad reviews, which leads to lower rental frequency and lower daily rental rates.

Here are some items you should consider including in your vacation rental property to make your guests feel very well taken care of:

• Kid-friendly equipment such as a high chair and a pack-n-play.
• Sound Machines and small fans for the bedrooms.
• A charging station with multiple chargers and adapters .

So it’s not just about decorating. It’s about providing all the stuff your target market expects.

Making sure it’s well equipped is just as important as making sure it’s well decorated – in fact, they go hand in hand.

In a vacation rental property, more is better

Vacation rental properties are often used by large families or multiple families at once. So you have to have more places to sit, more dishes, more towels, stronger wifi, etc.

I provide a vacation rental interior design service from my office in Branson, Missouri. I work both in-person with local clients and virtually with out-of-state clients to prepare their short term rentals for frequent booking and happy guests.

With my experience and industry-specific training, I can recommend the best items to purchase in the right quantities.

Consider the destination of your vacation rental property

People renting your short term rental are likely traveling to that part of the world for a reason. Think about why people are searching for a place near your property. 

• They are excited to see a local tourist destination.
• They are attracted to natural resources like lakes, beaches, mountains, etc.
• They are drawn to the local culture: music, food; art.
• They are fans of the local sports teams.

Add features that attract people with those interests

If your property is out in the wilderness, it’s great to have some hiking sticks and a pair of binoculars near the door.

If your property is in a family-friendly area, it may draw family reunions. Consider adding a pingpong table in the house or even in the garage. Provide board games and maybe a video game system.

If you’re near a lake (or pool), you shouldn’t encourage your guests to bring your plush bath towels outside. Instead, add a basket of clearly labeled “lake towels” near the door – separate from the bath towels.

Choose amenities that add value and increase the enjoyment of their stay. A professional short term rental designer will think of these little details that enhance the rental experience.

Get “in the head” of your short term rental clients

You’re not traveling to that destination, and you’re not staying at the property on a regular basis. In other words, you’re not the target audience.

It’s an interior designer’s job to conduct research and understand the psychology of your ideal guest.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and special certifications as an Expert Psychological Stager and a Short Term Rental Stylist. I use the science of visual perception, furniture placement, and color psychology to influence an “emotional attachment” to your property.

I think about how to make your renters feel better in your space, to create an increased sense of enjoyment.

This can often be accomplished by properly decorating and equipping your property.

If you’d like help with your short term rental investment property, schedule a design consultation today.