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Making Your Short-Term Rental Feel Like Home: A Guide For Landlords

Running a successful short-term rental property is more than just having a place for tenants to stay. You want them to feel at home, even if it’s only for a few nights. As a landlord, you have an opportunity to create that perfect environment desired by your tenants. It will help you get the best reviews and make sure that your tenants come back again. Here are some useful tips that can help you make your rental feel more like a home away from home. 

Airbnb host welcoming guests

Understanding the Needs of Your Tenants 

Northern Virginia property managers suggest understanding tenants is key to maintaining a successful rental property. This is where you put yourself in the shoes of tenants. Consider why they are renting your property in the first place. Are they traveling for business, a quick getaway as a couple, or bringing the whole family on vacation? Identifying the purpose of their trip and who they are traveling with will help guide what amenities and layout would work best.

If the guests are mostly business travelers, they’ll appreciate spaces that allow them to be productive, like a desk or table. For couples, settings that facilitate relaxation, like comfortable seating areas, are key. Families will look for kid-friendly features like books and games, along with enough beds and linens to accommodate everyone.

When preparing the rental, provide the basics like toiletries, hangers in the closets, laundry supplies, and a well-stocked kitchen. Check that all light bulbs work, appliances function properly, and everything is clean. These little details go far in helping guests truly settle in during their stay.

The Impact of Quality Furniture

The furniture and decor you choose say a lot about the vibe of your rental. Opt for timeless over trendy and ensure pieces are good quality. Durability is important since they’ll get more use over time compared to your own home. Neutral-colored furniture and accent pieces provide a calm backdrop tenants can personalize with their belongings.

For landlords, understanding what furnished and unfurnished means is essential when deciding on furnishings. Important furniture considerations for rentals include:

  • Beds

Comfort is key here. Mattresses should be new or gently used, always with mattress pads and clean bedding. Consider options like rollaway beds or sleeper sofas to accommodate groups.

  • Seating

Include seating for both relaxing and dining. Styles like wooden chairs or cushioned armchairs hold up well. An extended dining table or island provides mealtime and workspaces.

  • Storage

Dressers, nightstands, closets, and shelving allow tenants to unpack and avoid living out of suitcases during longer stays. It is better if you can also take a look at custom bedroom closet solutions. They offer practical and stylish storage options. 

  • Coffee and side tables

Convenient surfaces for placing food, drinks, and personal items close at hand. Choose materials like wood, metal, or stone that are more stain-resistant.

  • Décor

Wall art, mirrors, lamps, throw pillows, area rugs, and live plants quickly transform vacant space into an inviting home-like atmosphere.

First Impressions Matter

Airbnb host welcoming guests

The rental’s exterior and entrance sets the tone when tenants first arrive. A freshly painted front door or decorative wreath signals a welcoming environment even before they walk inside. Ensure exterior lighting works to brighten walkways and entries for arriving after dark. Keep the yard or building exterior tidy and the rental’s doorbell in good working order.

Inside, keep the rental layout open and free of clutter. Upon entering, guests should have a line of sight throughout the space. This allows them to quickly scan the rooms to find what they need. Contain kitchen gadgets and cleaning supplies in cabinets or drawers to keep counters cleared. Store extra linens, toiletries, or supplies out of sight in closets.

Provide Flexibility for Personalization

While a comfortably furnished space meets most needs, tenants staying for longer periods may want to incorporate more personal items. Offer hooks, organizers, containers, and drawer dividers for guests to unpack clothes and toiletries during an extended stay. Space for food in both the refrigerator and cabinets gives options for those who plan to cook meals.

Welcome tenants to adjust the decor to suit their tastes by rearranging art, using candles or adjusting lighting. Let them know it’s fine to place a few personal photos around too. Providing this flexibility empowers longer-term guests to settle into their own customized nest.

Customizing Space for Tenant Needs

Along with flexibility, identify any opportunities to customize portions of your rental to serve tenants better. For example, can closets contain toys and games for family visitors or office supplies for business travelers? Would installing a projector or screen meet needs for corporate retreats or entertainment?

Other customizations include:

  • Murphy beds or trundle beds to accommodate larger groups
  • Smart home technology like smart locks, voice assistants, smart lighting
  • Charging stations for multiple devices
  • High-speed WiFi and computer workstations
  • Sound systems like Bluetooth speakers or TV audio connections
  • Accessible features for guests with disabilities

Even small touches to make tenants feel cared for can customize the experience. This could be a welcome basket, providing local guidebooks, or a guestbook to leave recommendations for other visitors.

Conclusion

Creating an enjoyable stay for your short-term rental tenants is important whether they are with you for a single night or several months. Follow tips on furniture selection, first impressions, flexibility, and customizations to transform vacant space into a true home away from home. Getting to know your guests and purpose for visiting helps tailor an environment that meets their needs. The extra effort pays off with 5-star reviews and repeat visits from tenants who look forward to returning to their home between homes.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best ways to learn about tenant needs and preferences?

The rental listing should include detailed descriptions of amenities, number of beds, layout, and any special features. Encourage potential tenants to ask questions before booking. Provide an on-site guestbook for visitors to leave comments and recommendations. Track any consistent requests from tenants to identify desirable missing features.

How often should furniture and decor be updated for a short-term rental?

Plan to replace or refresh around one-third of the furniture and half of the accent decor, like throw pillows, every 2-3 years. This rotation helps keep things looking clean and contemporary. Higher-use items like dining chairs or adjustable beds may need more frequent replacement.

What technology do tenants expect in a modern rental?

Travelers increasingly expect conveniences like smart locks granting keyless access, voice assistants to control lighting and temperature, USB charging ports everywhere, and strong, reliable WiFi to power multiple devices. Even basic amenities like a television and coffee maker should be updated to current models.

What are the 5 must-have amenities for family vacation rentals?

Traveling families will look for:

  1. Kid-friendly features like books, toys, game consoles
  2. Outdoor spaces like yards, patios for play
  3. Streaming channels and reliable WiFi
  4. Well-stocked kitchen tools and dinnerware
  5. Convenient laundry with supplies included

What are the top tips for customizing spaces for accessibility needs?

Consider lowering shelving and clothing rods in closets, installing grab bars in bathrooms, providing shower seats or hand-held showerheads, adding lever-style handles on doors, ensuring pathways are wide and clear, supplying bed assists like bed rails, and getting adjustable beds easier to get into. Clear labeling and lighting also help guests navigate.

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