How to Increase Airbnb Bookings: Design Tips That Actually Work

Designing a nightly rental is a different mindset than designing a home.

It’s not just about what you like (although that matters), it’s about what performs.

We work with a lot of clients, both internationally and locally in the Sea to Sky, who are renting their homes part-time or investing in short-term rental properties, like Airbnb, and one thing is always clear: the spaces that book well aren’t necessarily the most expensive, they’re the most considered.

Here are a few of the things that actually make a difference.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER MORE THAN ANYTHING

Most bookings happen online, which means your space is being judged in seconds.

Photos are everything.

Spaces that feel bright, layered, and intentional tend to stand out immediately. Flat, generic interiors, even if they’re new, get overlooked.

This doesn’t mean over-designing. It means creating a clear, cohesive look that reads well on camera and feels inviting at first glance. We love design features that are unique to each space we create.

Standout Design Features like wall panelling and colour-blocked rooms will create a lasting effect on your guest.

We want your guests to remember the space by a key defining feature, for example, the one with the slate wall, or the one with the wallpaper on the ceiling! Another key tip is ensuring you have stunning exterior shots to show the location and its surroundings areas and location.

This Pemberton Farmhouse aerial drone view captures renters with its picture-perfect backdrop. Once you're inside, it has personality and style to match its location!

IT NEEDS TO FEEL LIKE A HOME, NOT JUST A PROPERTY

The rentals that perform best have a sense of identity. The space needs to feel like you, as the owner, this is why no 2 properties that we have worked on look the same. Individuality is key.

They don’t feel like they were pulled together from a furniture package; they feel collected, considered, and a little bit unique.

Antique furniture allows this space to feel like it looks, a stunning country farmhouse with modern touches.

This is where we often lean into mixing materials, incorporating vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces, and building a palette that feels warm and grounded. It gives guests something to connect with and something to remember.

A brand new custom sofa with a vintage design element paired with an antique credenza and a new rug and accents.

DURABILITY IS PART OF THE DESIGN

Turnover is real in short-term rental.

Furniture gets used heavily, finishes need to hold up, and everything has to be easy to maintain....ALSO KNOWN AS BOMB PROOF!

The goal isn’t to make it feel “commercial,” but to be smart about where you invest. Upholstery, flooring, and high-touch surfaces need to be chosen with longevity in mind, while still feeling elevated.

Good design in this context is about balancing beauty with practicality.

We use all these tools when designing for nightly rentals and Air B&B properties, check out some of our projects

https://www.clarerileydesign.com/pinnacle-ridge

https://www.clarerileydesign.com/luxury-whistler-townhome-renovation

Bomb proof furniture is key to long lasting furnishings in a rental

LAYOUT AND FUNCTION DRIVE THE EXPERIENCE

A well-designed layout can make a huge difference in how a space performs.

Things like:

• Enough seating for the number of guests

• Functional dining areas

• Thoughtful bedroom layouts, sufficient space for heads on beds.

• Good lighting (especially in the winter months here)

These are the details that impact reviews and repeat bookings.

If a space works well, guests notice.

Small details make a big impact

You don’t need to overcomplicate things, but the details matter.

Layered lighting, quality linens, well-placed art, and thoughtful styling all contribute to how a space feels. These elements photograph well, but more importantly, they elevate the guest experience in a subtle but meaningful way.

Designing with performance in mind

At the end of the day, a successful nightly rental is one that people choose, and choose again. We often add in personal touches, true to the owner or the location, that remind people why they booked with you.

Check out our nightly rental for the Beer Farmers Project, this project stays true to creating a special space that reflects the location and embraces a1960's revival design style https://www.clarerileydesign.com/beer-farmers

You can visit the Beer Farmers, year-round in Pemberton https://www.thebeerfarmers.com/

A mixture of new and old furniture gives this project layers.

Design influences how a property photographs, how it feels in person, and how it’s remembered after a stay.

When done well, it can directly impact occupancy, nightly rates, and overall return.

Looking ahead

If you’re planning on purchasing a nightly rental or embarking on a renovation of an existing one, taking a more strategic approach to design can make a measurable difference.

We work with clients across Sea to Sky on both residential and rental properties, creating spaces that feel considered, functional, and built to perform.

If that’s something you’re exploring, we’d love to be part of the conversation.

Western Living Designer of the year awards. We were nominated for our work on the Beer Farmers Nightly Rental in Pemberton.