Whether people travel for pleasure or business, most guests are looking for a homey and memorable feel when booking a place to stay on Search and Stay, choosing your holiday 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 holiday home is the 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 holiday rental on Search and Stay, a welcoming place for your guests.
Elements of a Welcoming Space
Before jumping in and completely restyle your holiday home, it’s important to know what design elements create 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 holiday home 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 well-being and relaxation.
Warm colour tones
Designing with colours that are warm will make a space feel inviting and cosy. Choose warm colour tones throughout your holiday rental 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 holiday home 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. Having music in your holiday rental for your Search and Stay guests 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 holiday accommodation that you list on Search and Stay. 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 choosing soft white lighting.
Eliminate clutter
Keep your holiday rental clean and free of clutter. You also want to create a feeling of spaciousness by removing unnecessary furniture so there’s at least a metre of free space for your guests to walk and move around in.
Redecorate with the right colours
Paint your holiday rental with warm colours, adding pops of contrasting colours 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 colourful throw pillows on couches and chairs and cosy blankets for your guests to use.
Diffusers and candles
The subtle use of scent can go a long way in making your holiday house 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 an atmosphere with music
A great way to create a relaxing atmosphere is to have 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 cosy 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 Christmas or Summer holiday– If you have guests booked over the holidays, decorate your Airbnb with a few festive elements, such as seasonal throw blankets, scented candles, and a basket of fresh-baked cookies.
- 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 neighbourhood.
- House guidelines– Leave an easy-to-access binder or notebook that provides your guests with house guidelines, including WiFi information, maps, and bus schedules.
As a holiday rental owner, 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 rebooking on Search and Stay and coming back time and time again.