To know more about
- Airbnb & Short-Let Hosts
Guide
Air BnB Furnishing guide
A practical furnishing guide for every Airbnb host.
Introduction
Today's Airbnb guests are spoilt for choice, as too many options are available, making the competition for short-let hosts extremely intense. The expectation is no longer just a clean and available space to lodge but an experience worth flexing about with their Instagram friends and followers. This shift in guest expectations is why Airbnb or short-let hosts must adopt a different approach to styling and presenting their properties as luxurious abodes instead of standard stays.
While you might think it is expensive, our result-driven design and furnishing ideas are cost-effective and curated by expert designers with years of experience styling short-let houses and apartments across London. Here's how you can turn your Airbnb into a booked-out rental that attracts quality guests who will appreciate your property in the reviews they leave behind.
Why Does Furnishing Matter in Airbnb Success?
High-quality furnishing and interior design are key differentiators between booked-out and overlooked short-term rentals. According to the short-term rental data analytics platform AirDNA, thoughtful furnishings and interior design can increase a host's Airbnb revenue by up to 50%. Furthermore, properties with well-executed design themes, such as biophilic, Scandinavian, and modern farmhouse, have timeless styles and appeal to a broad range of guests.
Hosts looking to stay ahead of the curve regularly scan what competitors are offering and try to create a unique experience that seamlessly merges aesthetics with functionality. Whether it is a riverfront property or a charming village cottage, London offers a diverse landscape. By incorporating elements that reflect the location and its surroundings, Airbnb properties can create an instant and intimate connection with guests.
Premium furnishing and innovative decor ideas are strategic investments that shape positive guest experiences and result in top-rated reviews and rebookings. People genuinely look forward to exclusive holiday experiences, and providing that can set you up for success as a Superhost.
Up to 50%
Potential Airbnb revenue uplift from thoughtful furnishings and design (AirDNA)
Essentials Every Airbnb Must Have
While there is no limit to how detailed a host can be to make the guest experience memorable, a few essentials are a must — and if missed, they can be detrimental to building a good score. Here's a quick room-by-room checklist of your Airbnb's must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Must-haves
Bedroom
- Bed and mattress
- Bedside tables and lamps
- Wardrobe and hangers
- Blackout curtains
Living room
- Sofa
- Coffee table
- Lighting and rugs
- Units for smart TV / Wi-Fi setups
Dining
- Table and chairs
- Placemats and coasters
- Ambient lighting
Kitchen
- Refrigerator, hob and microwave
- Kettle
- Cookware and utensils
- Plates and glassware
Bathroom
- Shower and toilet
- Mirror and toiletries
- Towel rack
- Bin
Safety and compliance
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguisher / blanket
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Anti-tip fixtures
- Visible exit instructions
Nice-to-haves
Bedroom
- Reading desk
- Additional pillows
- Arty throw blankets
Living room
- Board games and books
- Artwork and accent walls
- Bluetooth speakers and plug-ins
- Ambient lighting features
Kitchen
- Dishwasher and toaster
- Spice rack and basic condiments
- Wine glasses and a corkscrew
Bathroom
- Cotton wipes
- Robes and indoor slippers
- Hairdryer
- Shower settings and grooming kits
Outdoor
- Comfortable patio seating
- Barbecue grill
- Fairy lights
Design That Converts — Guest-Loved Styling Tips
The top 10% of Airbnbs in the short-term rental space go beyond comfort and function to craft a visual story through aesthetics. Your guests are the main characters of that story, and pictures taken at your property will be important for their albums. It can also help you drive clicks, bookings and reshares.
When picking colours, opt for neutral shades like grey, beige and taupe, which have a broader appeal. Layering bolder accents like emerald green, royal blue and ruby red for minor things like throw cushions can create the perfect balance for likes on the gram.
Innovative storage options like ottomans, fold-out units and wall-mounted shelves are ideal for smaller spaces. Most importantly, your interiors should match the preferences of your target guests. Whether adding sleek desks for professionals and business travellers, playful child-friendly themes for young families, or cosy elements for tourists — always know your audience.
Durability and Maintenance Made Simple
One of the biggest concerns most Airbnb hosts have when starting is the safety and maintenance of their furniture. While guests will not intentionally damage items, spills and stains are common when hosting. Here's where the expertise of a professional furnishing and interior design partner is needed.
Practical aesthetics — such as stain-resistant and easy-to-clean performance fabrics like polyester blends and velvet-like microfibres — come in handy. Surfaces with scratch-resistant or matte finishes can also hide wear and tear more easily.
See InStyle's dedicated Furniture Care Guide to help keep your investments safe for the long term.
Speed and Practicality — Get Guest-Ready Fast
Furnishing your short-let doesn't have to be slow and stressful if you collaborate with the right partner. At InStyle Direct, we handle everything end-to-end to ensure a seamless setup journey for our clients. Many of our clients are overseas and appreciate our one-stop service.
From picking the right furniture for your unique layout to safe delivery and installation within 24–48 hours, waste removal and adhering to the host's pre-check-in checklist, we ensure your property is ready from day one. While the before and after images are a testament to the turnarounds we achieve, we do it quickly to maximise rental periods.
Case Studies
We can go on about how we can help you, but it's better to share real-life success stories.
Kent holiday let
Seaside penthouse transformation
A private client with a three-bed unit in Kent was looking for cost-effective furniture packs and used our Upgraded Gold Package to create a fun yet welcoming space for guests. Ample storage solutions combined with thoughtful aesthetic touches led to a quick rental, within just a week of furnishing.
“It was a pleasure to work with Emma and James on our first holiday let (Bowen House in Hythe). We knew the apartment had so much potential and as much as I have good ideas, I felt that I needed some professional help as it had to be exceptional! I was not disappointed at the results… Top quality service.” — Chris Stace
Overseas host
Effortless one-stop service for an overseas Airbnb host
An overseas host with a ground-floor one-bedroom apartment on Campden Street was looking for an end-to-end partner that would take care of everything from refurbishment to painting, furnishing, interior design and window dressing. With the help of our elite Diamond Package, the apartment received a quick rental within just a week.
“Just used InStyle Direct to furnish our rental apartment in London. I found them to be extremely professional and competent. The whole process ran very smoothly. I am very happy with the result and we managed to let the apartment in a very short time… I highly recommend InStyle.” — Tracy Marks
Notting Hill
Enhanced functionality for an apartment in Notting Hill
Another private landlord requested to improve the space and functionality of a one-bed apartment at The Pembridge in Notting Hill. Our teams combined forces to create an enhanced look with the help of our hybrid Gold and Diamond furniture packs and a beautiful, earthy design theme to optimise Airbnb bookings.
“InStyle has truly exceeded expectations with their exceptional work on my Notting Hill apartment. They transformed the entire house, which started as just bare walls, into a beautifully designed and functional space… I highly recommend InStyle for anyone seeking high-end, beautiful interior design.” — Vasundhara Singh
FAQs Airbnb Hosts Ask About Furnishing
Do I need to furnish fully or partially?
For Airbnb hosts, providing fully furnished units is recommended, as guests are looking for a comfortable and peaceful stay and appreciate luxurious or well-designed interiors.
Can I reuse what I already have?
If the furniture and decor items you already have are of high quality, you can reuse them with light refurbishments.
How quickly can you furnish?
Depending on the availability of furniture and access to your property, we can install hard furniture packs anywhere in London between 24 and 48 hours.
What's the difference between staging and furnishing?
While furnishing focuses on personalising a space to make it ready for living, staging is more about presenting a property for sale to maximise its potential and appeal to buyers.
Do you provide rental furniture?
No, we do not provide rental furniture. Packing, delivering, installing and dismantling too frequently increases wear and tear and is also wasteful in the long run. Buying furniture outright is a better option.
Do I need to be in London during the install?
You need not be in London at any time, as our professionals have the required skills and expertise to manage everything from consultations to execution and post-project formalities remotely for overseas clients.
How much does a full furniture pack cost?
Depending on your location, preferred design theme and budget, we have furniture packs starting from £3,395 + VAT.
How We Can Help
With InStyle Direct, Airbnb hosts get a one-stop solution for all their furnishing and home styling needs. Our curated furniture packs offer free design consultations to tailor furnishings according to your property size, layout and desired outcome.
Our white-glove delivery service through our fleet further ensures that all items reach your property safely, while express and efficient installation make your Airbnb guest-ready in no time. This seamless coordination and project execution is preferred by overseas owners looking for a local expert.
Bonus Checklist
Here is a checklist of 10 essentials to double-check before you welcome your first guest at your short-term rental.
- Fresh linens and clean towels are stacked neatly
- Wi-Fi name and password are visible
- Smart lock or key handover is ready
- Kitchen stocked with essentials
- Toiletries and toilet paper are available
- Smoke detectors are properly tested
- Lighting, heating and AC are working
- Rubbish bins are lined and emptied
- Welcome guide and house rules printed
- Clean, clutter-free, well-styled interiors
Contact Us
So, are you ready to start planning the right furnishings and interiors for your next Airbnb venture? Contact us today, and we can discuss the next steps.
Speak to the InStyle Direct team about Airbnb and short-let furniture packages for London properties.