Deco tip #9: 10 rules on how to make your house Airbnb-friendly

Airbnb…what we all love to hate.
A sign of the times or a trend, you may call it what you wish! One thing is for certain: If you’re going to do it, do it properly and professionally!
Many people lately are looking for extra income and resort to Airbnb. And it’s a good idea, since tourism is on the up even in Athens. If you’ve decided to Airbnb your place (get ready for a lecture) do it without being a miser about it.
To make a space pleasant and attractive there are many things you need to watch out for, from major things down to the details that make all the difference. You must not be blasé about it: “throw in a bed and a sofa and it’s fine.

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Today we’ll go through the steps you must follow so as to make an Airbnb place presentable and guest-friendly.

Rule 1

Try to target the people you want to attract. This way many things become clear and you have a focused agenda of what needs to be done. 25-year-old tourists that want to party and elderly couples that want to admire the sites, have very different needs. The photos you will put up must make what you offer, very clear to your potential guests.

Rule 2

What is your price range per day? The decoration (from basic furniture to toilet paper) must justify the price. It is important to not give the impression that you are trying to cheat people. Your customer must feel that he is getting a bargain…this way, you provide them with a sense of satisfaction and so have less of a chance for nagging and complaints.

Rule 3

Your space must be spotless. Everything must be super clean to the point that even your mother in law wouldn’t find fault! The overall set up, regarding furniture and decorative items should be kept simple, so as to minimize cleaning time and effort.

Rule 4

Clean, fresh sheets and towels. I’m not saying you should play hotel and change them everyday, but it would be nice to change them every second day. And not necessarily make the beds yourself…but at least give them the option to do it themselves.

Rule 5

Clean, renovated bathroom. In many such apartments you see old bathrooms being excused as vintage…mercy please!!! A horribly stained toilet and a washstand cracked from that perfume you accidentally dropped, is not vintage. The bathroom must be immaculate. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. vTFCgkT6VUuBkosD. It must smell fresh and actually be (not just seem) clean.

Rule 6

Kitchen… You don’t have to equip it as if you’re hosting Master Chef. What you need to focus on again, is cleanliness. “Vintage” plates, forks and pots should be exhibited in a glass door piece, properly labeled with dates and a list of previous owners. That would be great! And interesting! But for now, there are many reasonably priced options in the market, so that you can keep your end of the bargain with your guests. Don’t be cheap!

Rule 7

Storage space and wardrobes… Let the poor traveler put away his stuff somewhere. He walks into a house and finds locked wardrobes and padlocked drawers. Who will blame him if he breaks the locks and throws your stuff out the window?

Rule 8

Once you start adjusting your place to make it suitable for Airbnb, you must forget about your personal taste and start thinking professionally. You are not fixing up your house…not even a house. This is a place for paying guests!

Rule 9

Don’t take pictures with your phone! Have a professional hotel/house photographer do it.

They know how to showcase your rooms and their advantages. Even a wedding photographer would do it better than your smartphone!

Rule 10

If you see this only as a source of income, don’t bother. Go for a souvlaki or coffee shop. Put some heart and enthusiasm into it. Respect the efforts of the others and don’t give everyone a bad name. It’s for the common good.

A few words about our Décor artist who signs the above “Tip”:

My name is Dimitris and nobody can accuse me of being sane… Obsessed with everything beautiful, unique and black&white. I enjoy travelling, am hooked on coffee and vulnerable to yummy food. My favourite motto is: “be bold or italic. Never regular”
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Dimitris-Loukas-1514276162122122