Yes, property styling matters for Airbnb and short-term rentals. It affects first impressions, listing photos, perceived value, guest comfort, reviews and the type of bookings your property attracts.
For Airbnb owners, styling is not just decoration. It is part of the guest experience and part of the commercial setup of the property. A well-styled short-term rental looks more trustworthy online, feels more comfortable in person, and helps the property compete against similar listings in Perth, South Perth, East Perth, Scarborough, Fremantle, Mount Lawley and other popular short-stay areas.
At Sepal Stays, we often see stronger guest responses when bedrooms feel calm, living areas are photo-ready, kitchens are equipped for real stays, and the property looks exactly like the listing photos. This is especially important in the Perth Airbnb management market, where properties attract families, business travellers, FIFO workers, relocation guests and longer-stay visitors.
Does Property Styling Really Affect Airbnb Bookings?
Airbnb property styling can influence whether a guest clicks, enquires or books. Guests are image-driven. When they compare multiple short-term rentals, the first few photos often shape their opinion before they read the full description.
A property that looks clean, coordinated and comfortable is more likely to feel like a quality stay. A property with mismatched furniture, worn bedding, cluttered rooms or poor presentation can make guests hesitate, even if the location and price are good.
Styling also affects review quality. Guests do not only review whether a property is functional. They respond to whether it feels cared for, comfortable and as advertised. Airbnb notes that guest ratings include areas such as cleanliness, accuracy, communication, location and value, and that guests expect photos, amenities and descriptions to match the actual space. That means presentation is not separate from management. It is part of delivering what was promised.
If you are preparing a property for short-stay use, styling should sit alongside Airbnb pricing strategies, photography, guest communication, cleaning standards and maintenance. These are all part of a professional short-term rental management approach.
Why Photos Matter in Short-Term Rental Listings
The living room, bedroom and kitchen photos are often the make-or-break images in a short-term rental listing. Guests want to imagine themselves using the space. They want to see where they will sleep, where they will relax, where they can eat, and whether the property feels suitable for their group.
Booking.com tells new partners to upload photos of the inside and outside of the property because guests like browsing photos when choosing where to stay. This is why styling for photos matters before the photographer arrives.
If you plan to list across more than one platform, presentation should also be considered alongside Airbnb, Booking.com and Stayz fees, because each channel can affect pricing, guest expectations and net return differently.
Before taking listing photos, check:
- Is the room clean, uncluttered and well lit?
- Does the furniture layout make the room look spacious?
- Do colours, cushions, throws, rugs and artwork work together?
- Is every bed properly dressed with quality linen?
- Are cords, bins, cleaning products and personal items hidden?
- Does the lead photo show the strongest feature of the property?
The property must also look like the photos when guests arrive. Over-styling a photo shoot and then removing items later can damage trust. If the listing shows bedside lamps, cushions, outdoor seating, kitchen equipment and artwork, those items should remain part of the guest experience.
Choosing Colours That Appeal to Guests
Colour has a strong effect on how a room feels in photos and in person. For short-term rental styling, the goal is to appeal to a broad range of guests rather than designing only for the owner’s personal taste.
Bedrooms should feel calm, clean and restful. Soft blues, greys, greens, whites and warm neutral tones usually work well because they create a peaceful base. The Sleep Foundation notes that colours such as blue and green are commonly associated with calm and relaxation, while highly stimulating colours such as red can be harder to settle around.
This does not mean every Airbnb bedroom needs to look plain. Texture, quality linen, bedside lighting, artwork and gentle contrast can still give the room personality. The key is to avoid bright, busy bedding and harsh feature walls that dominate the room.
Living areas can carry more colour. Cushions, throws, accent chairs, rugs and artwork are good places to add warmth and personality. If the property has coastal appeal, heritage character or a city apartment feel, the styling can reflect that. A Scarborough apartment might lean into light, coastal colours. A Fremantle property might suit warmer textures and character pieces. An East Perth apartment may need a sharper, more contemporary look for corporate and event-based guests.
The safest approach is to keep walls and large furniture pieces relatively neutral, then add colour through items that can be cleaned, replaced or updated without major cost.
Furnishing for Style, Comfort and Durability
Short-term rental furniture needs to look good, photograph well and survive frequent guest use. This is where Airbnb furnishing differs from furnishing a private home. The property may host families, work crews, corporate travellers, wedding guests, holidaymakers and long-stay visitors across the year.
A common guest complaint in poorly prepared short-term rentals is that the furniture feels like leftover items from the owner’s home. Guests notice sagging couches, unstable dining chairs, scratched tables, flattened pillows and mattresses that have lost support.
The goal is not to buy the most expensive furniture. It is to choose pieces that balance comfort, durability, easy cleaning and presentation.
Choose Durable Furniture for Frequent Guest Use
Invest in the pieces guests use most:
- mattresses
- couches and armchairs
- dining chairs
- outdoor seating
- coffee tables and side tables
- bedside tables
Choose fabrics and finishes that can handle regular cleaning. Removable cushion covers, washable throws, hard-wearing rugs and sturdy tables will usually perform better than delicate pieces that only look good in photos.
Avoid thin rugs that curl at the corners, especially in high-traffic areas. They can look untidy and may create trip hazards. Avoid unstable furniture, sharp edges in tight walkways, and heavy decorative objects that can be easily broken.
Invest in Mattresses, Pillows and Linen
Sleep is one of the main reasons guests book accommodation. A short-term rental can have beautiful styling, but if the bed is uncomfortable, the review may still suffer.
Low-quality mattresses can lose shape quickly under frequent use. Once a mattress bows, dips or feels uneven, guests notice. Quality mattress protectors and pillow protectors are essential because they extend the life of bedding and support hygiene standards.
For Perth short-term rentals, comfortable bedding matters across many guest types. Families want proper rest after travel days. FIFO workers and business travellers may be staying for work and need reliable sleep. Longer-stay guests expect the property to feel more like a home than a basic overnight stop.
Use quality linen, supportive pillows, spare blankets and a consistent bed presentation across all rooms. This helps the property feel professionally prepared.
Match Furniture and Equipment to Guest Capacity
A short-term rental should be styled around the number of guests it is designed to host. If a property sleeps six people, it should not only have sleeping space for six. It should also have practical living, dining and outdoor space for six.
For example, a three-bedroom Perth Airbnb might use:
- three queen beds
- two queen beds and two single beds
- one king bed, one queen bed and two singles
The best configuration depends on the likely guest market. Families may value twin singles for children. Corporate travellers may prefer separate adult beds. Couples travelling together may prefer queen or king beds.
Once the bed configuration is set, check the rest of the property:
- Can every guest sit in the living room?
- Is there dining space for the maximum guest number?
- Is there enough outdoor seating if the property has a balcony, courtyard or garden?
- Are there enough plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery?
- Is there enough towel supply for full occupancy?
Do not rely on beds alone to increase advertised capacity. If the living room, dining table and kitchen supplies do not support the guest count, the stay will feel cramped.
Are Bunk Beds a Good Idea in Airbnb Properties?
Bunk beds can increase sleeping numbers, but they are not always the best choice for short-term rentals. They can be harder for cleaners to make, may not suit adult guests, and can create safety considerations.
In Australia, ACCC Product Safety guidance warns that poorly made or incorrectly used bunk beds can cause serious injuries, including falls, fractures, concussion and entrapment. It also notes that the top bunk is not recommended for children under nine years old.
For many Perth Airbnb properties, separate single beds are more flexible than bunks. They are easier to clean, easier to photograph, more suitable for a wider range of guest groups, and less likely to create concern for families.
If bunk beds are used, they should comply with Australian bunk bed safety requirements and be positioned away from ceiling fans, blinds, cords, heaters and other hazards, as outlined in the ACCC safe-use guidance.
What Every Short-Term Rental Kitchen Should Include
Many guests choose an Airbnb or short-term rental because they want more than a hotel room. They want to cook, prepare breakfast, store groceries, make coffee, and eat together.
A well-equipped kitchen is especially important for families, FIFO workers, business travellers and longer-stay guests. It can also help the property feel better value because guests do not need to eat out for every meal.
At a minimum, a short-term rental kitchen should include:
- coffee pod machine
- kettle
- toaster
- microwave
- oven trays
- frying pans and saucepans
- chopping boards
- knives and cooking utensils
- grater, peeler, strainer and can opener
- baking dish
- salad bowl and salad servers
- enough plates, bowls, mugs, glasses and cutlery for full capacity
- wine opener and bottle opener
- tea, coffee, salt, pepper and basic pantry items where appropriate
Kitchen styling matters too. Benchtops should be clear, appliances should be clean, and open shelving should look organised. Mismatched, chipped or tired kitchenware can make the property feel uncared for.
Bathroom and Laundry Essentials Guests Expect
Bathrooms and laundries are often overlooked in Airbnb interior design, but guests notice them quickly. A clean, well-lit bathroom with quality towels can lift the whole stay. A tired bathroom with mould, leaking taps, deteriorated grout or poor lighting can trigger negative feedback.
Before listing the property, check:
- grout and silicone are clean and in good condition
- shower heads and taps do not leak
- hot water is reliable
- mirrors are clean and well positioned
- lighting is bright enough for grooming
- there is space for guests’ toiletries
- towels are good quality and enough for the guest count
- a hairdryer is provided
- bins, toilet brushes and basic supplies are clean and presentable
Laundry facilities are also a strong feature for many short-term rentals. Perth properties that attract families, relocation guests, business travellers or longer stays should ideally provide:
- washing machine
- dryer
- drying rack
- iron
- ironing board
- laundry basket
- basic cleaning supplies
Guests often choose short-term rentals because they need to wash clothes while travelling. A dryer is particularly useful when guests do not have time to wait for clothes to dry on an outdoor line. This is one practical reason many travellers compare short stays differently from traditional leasing, which we cover in our short-term vs long-term rental guide.
Add small styling touches here too. Artwork, good lighting, hooks, storage baskets and clean presentation can make practical spaces feel considered rather than forgotten.
Do Not Forget Wi-Fi, Smart TVs and Entertainment
Styling is visual, but the guest experience is also practical. Reliable Wi-Fi and a smart TV are now expected in many Airbnb and short-term rental properties.
Poor Wi-Fi can lead to frustration, especially for business travellers, FIFO workers, remote workers and families with multiple devices. If your property is positioned for longer stays or corporate bookings, Wi-Fi quality is not optional.
A smart TV also matters because guests expect to access streaming services, especially during family stays or quiet nights in. If the property caters to children, board games or simple family-friendly entertainment can add value without much cost. These practical features are part of a great Airbnb guest experience.
The key is to make the property feel easy to live in. Good styling gets the booking. Good function supports the review.
Final Styling Checklist for Airbnb Owners
Use this Airbnb property styling checklist before photography, listing or handover to a short-term rental manager.
- Use calm, neutral colours in bedrooms.
- Add accent colours through cushions, throws, rugs and artwork.
- Choose durable furniture suitable for frequent guest use.
- Invest in quality mattresses, pillows and mattress protectors.
- Match dining, lounge and outdoor seating to the guest capacity.
- Provide a well-equipped kitchen with cookware, utensils and serving items.
- Keep bathrooms mould-free, well-maintained and well-lit.
- Provide quality towels, a hairdryer and storage space.
- Include a washing machine, dryer, drying rack, iron and ironing board.
- Provide reliable Wi-Fi and a smart TV.
- Remove clutter, personal items and anything that does not photograph well.
- Avoid fragile, unstable or hard-to-clean furniture.
- Make sure the property looks exactly like the listing photos.
When Professional Styling and Management Make Sense
Some owners enjoy setting up their own Airbnb. Others prefer to have the property assessed, styled, photographed, listed and managed by a professional team. This can help reduce common short-term rental management challenges around guest communication, cleaning, maintenance and consistency. For more details, see how professional Airbnb management in Perth works.
Professional support can be especially useful when:
- the property is new to short-term rental
- the owner lives interstate or overseas
- the property needs to compete in a strong Perth Airbnb market
- the property is suited to premium or longer-stay guests
- the owner wants help with furnishing, pricing, guest communication and cleaning standards
Sepal Stays helps Perth property owners prepare and manage short-term rentals with a focus on property care, guest experience and revenue performance. You can learn more about being managed by Sepal Stays, review our Airbnb management services, or request an estimate through the contact form.
If you want to see how well-presented properties appear to guests, you can also explore Sepal Stays properties or view the Large Family Airbnb Near Perth: Wattle Grove 5-Acre Retreat and 3 Bedroom Family Airbnb in East Perth with Parking | Bishops Escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does property styling improve Airbnb bookings?
Yes. Property styling can improve how a short-term rental presents in listing photos, which can influence click-throughs, guest confidence and perceived quality. It also helps guests understand the style, comfort and value of the property before they book.
What colours are best for Airbnb bedrooms?
Soft blues, greys, greens, whites and neutral tones usually work best because they create a calm, restful feel. Bright colours are better used as accents in living areas through cushions, artwork, throws and rugs.
What furniture should I invest in first?
Start with mattresses, couches, dining chairs and outdoor seating. These items affect comfort, reviews and guest satisfaction. Durable, easy-clean furniture is usually better for short-term rentals than delicate pieces that are hard to maintain.
Should an Airbnb have a washing machine and dryer?
For many short-term rentals, yes. A washing machine and dryer are strong guest-experience features, especially for families, business travellers, FIFO workers and longer-stay guests.
Are bunk beds a good idea in short-term rentals?
Usually not. Bunk beds can be harder for cleaners to make, may not suit every guest group, and can create safety concerns. Separate single beds are often more flexible for short-term rental properties.
How can I style an Airbnb without overspending?
Spend more on the pieces guests use every stay, such as mattresses, couches and dining chairs. Save on easily replaceable items such as cushions, throws, prints and decorative pieces. Keep the look coordinated, clean and practical.
What is the biggest Airbnb styling mistake?
The biggest mistake is styling for the owner’s personal taste instead of the guest market. A successful short-term rental needs to photograph well, appeal broadly, function properly and feel consistent from listing photo to check-out.