My Latest Airbnb Design Turns 1 and is Still Booking!

Last year around this time my husband and I made the move to Atlanta, GA and we could not be happier. We found a funky little 80’s house and LOVE it. It is quirky and perfect! The bonus is that it also has a mother-in-law suite in the basement, which we have been able to turn into an Airbnb. Read on for more details!

Airbnbs are always a little tricky in that you want something stylish and eye catching, but you also need it to be sustainable as renters can be hard on your furniture. You need things that will hold up or be easily replaceable. I love to do my short term rental shopping at Target, Wayfair, At Home and Amazon Prime.

The entryway to our little rental abode has a wide hallway next to the kitchen. I originally planned to put the dining table here, but it was just not going to allow for any space to walk around it. Instead I decided to add a bench for taking off shoes and a desk that looked out the window for a small work space. A lot of our travelers are working so having that desk area is a huge bonus. I suggest anyone considering doing Airbnbs add a space where a laptop can easily be used.

To the side of the entryway is the kitchen. There is a window pass through that highlighted the stove sticking over the ledge. Talk about an eye-sore! Rather than buying a new stove I opted to camouflage it with some fake plants. The kitchen was already painted white and I knew I didn’t want to spend the time or money on remodeling it so I just addeda colorful rug some wall art and a mirror over the sink to help brighten it up and give the illusion of more space (Mirrors are great for this!)

As you walk farther into the space you enter the main living area that look out onto a small deck. I divided the living area in two spaces with a round dining table and green velvet chairs. The bright green adds a pop of color and ties in the green from outside into the indoor space.

The living room is tight so smaller furniture was used. A multicolor area rug adds additional color and is paired with a navy couch and yellow accent chair making for a visually interesting color palette. On the wall is a gallery of prints with local themes, like and Atlanta skyline and fresh peaches. Local touches help make a space feel more curated and special when renters are looking for a fun place to stay.

The master bedroom is really quite large and was able to fit a king sized bed! King sized beds are highly sought after on Airbnb, so if you can fit - one it is a must. I again tied in yellows greens and blues with pops of bright multi-colored art work to add to the visual aesthetic. Luscious velvet curtains in teal with chartreuse tassels are one of my favorite items in the room. For the nightstands I chose ones with USB hook ups, this makes a renters life easier. How many times have you somewhere and needed to plug in your phone for the night with no outlet in sight?

We are fortunate that this little mother-in-law suite also comes with some backyard space. There is a lovely deck off the back that faces a quiet wooded area. I added an area rug, bright pillows and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy in the evenings when the southern sun is not too hot.

We were a little nervous when Covid hit if our Airbnb would suffer, but it has actually be thriving! We have had a fair amount of travelers trying to avoid crowded hotels and looking for a safe place to stay. We are so fortunate for our guests and are delighted to have added to our rental properties!