Before you can think about posting your space and sharing it with the world, there is one important hurdle to cross: furnishing your rental.
So how do you pick the best furniture for your rental property? While the blank slate of an empty property is a dream for some homeowners, it fills others with dread to think about the mammoth task of searching for suitable rental home furniture.
There’s no question that the rental industry is growing and becoming increasingly competitive, so the best thing you can do is make sure your property stands out — and that’s all about interior design. The decor makes a big impact — not only on first impressions, but also in attracting return guests and great reviews. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and have no idea where to start, DON’T WORRY — we’re here to help. Keep scrolling to learn some tips for how to best furnish your rental space.
Decide on a Design Theme
To narrow down your decor decisions, begin by picking an overarching design theme most appropriate for your target renters. The furniture and style choices will depend on whether you’re catering to families, digital nomads, or solo travelers. Consider the properties surroundings for design cues. For example, a rental in the mountains may channel an adventurous, outdoor feel, while an apartment downtown may be more modern and minimal.
Landing on a theme in advance will help streamline furniture decisions so you don’t spiral down a rabbit hole shopping and save you time.
Stick to Neutrals For the Main Pieces
Unless you picked a radical, psychedelic theme (if you did, more power to ya), a neutral palette will have an overall appeal. More neutral tones make it easier to work as a base and allow you to throw in pops of color or statement pieces (which can always be easily swapped out to keep things fresh or you have a change in taste down the road).
Pair old and new furnishings
You don’t have to drain your bank account to furnish your rental with quality. If you’re styling on a budget, mixing store bought items with secondhand pieces is a great way to bolster up your space. Your local thrift and consignment stores can be a goldmine for unique pieces that compliment your locale (for example – vintage road signs or artwork).
While it may be convenient and inevitable for many, we caution against buying everything at IKEA (we do love you, IKEA) to avoid become a cookie-cutter “IKEAbnb”.
Show Personality With Details
Home rentals are often more preferred (and comfortable) over generic hotels because of their personality. Use select statement pieces and textures to add warmth and interest to a room. Low maintenance plants or mirrors in smaller spaces will open and brighten up spaces. Local art is also a great way to add character while also supporting your community!
Remember: Keep personal items out of sight. We know you love MeeMaw and GamGam, but their photos lording over your guests while they sleep might not be appreciated (also if you have a collection of scary dolls or clowns, maybe put it in the attic during the rental).
Living Area
Consider your largest spaces first. First impressions are often made by the living room since it’s the primary space your renters will gather. The living room should share your design vision and personality more than any other room.
Kitchen
Access to a kitchen is a big factor when potential renters are choosing between a home rental and an extended stay hotel. Keep your kitchen stocked with basic appliances and tableware. And don’t forget to supply some kind of coffee maker for those bleary-eyed late flight folks!
Bedroom
The bedroom is the most important room to consider when it comes to comfort. Comfortable beds and linens are essential along with items for convenience like bedside tables, lamps and chargers.
A good rule of thumb to follow for every room is to minimize clutter, but this is especially true for bedrooms. There should be enough breathing room to move around, unpack, and store belongings without feeling like claustrophobic.
Tip: If there’s extra space, consider adding a table and chair that can be used as a workspace. Travelers working remotely will appreciate space to focus.
Bathroom
Provide complimentary toiletries in the bathroom and essential towels. Soft, matching towels can do a lot to create a clean bathroom aesthetic.
Last but not least: Don’t overdo it
Let your renters truly enjoy your home by keeping worktops as clear as possible and spacing out decorations such as mirrors, art and plants.
Furnishing a rental is one of the most creative tasks of being an owner. It can be really rewarding to see your hard work come together to make your home warm and welcoming.
Embarking on furnishing a rental? MOBLHOM can help. Drop us a line at hello@moblhom.
