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Interior Design for AirBnBs and Short Term Rentals: How to Increase Bookings and Boost ROI

  • Writer: Olive & Wilde
    Olive & Wilde
  • May 1
  • 2 min read

Strategic Interior Design for AirBnBs and Short-Term Rentals


Green room, big bed,coffee set in foreground,
The Loft, a part of the Olive & Wilde Stays portfolio

When people talk to me about designing their short-term rental, the conversation often starts with cushions. Cushions!


Meanwhile, I’m thinking about guest psychology, booking conversion, and your average nightly rate.

Because in the short-term rental market, interior design isn’t just aesthetic, it’s a business tool.


And using it strategically? That’s how you move from filling dates to building a brand.


Strategic Interior Design for Airbnbs and Holiday Lets That Actually Convert

You are not just furnishing a property. You’re creating a guest experience that books, photographs, and gets shared.

Here’s what good interior design does for your short-term rental:

  • Increases your nightly rate Properties with distinctive design consistently outperform the local average.

  • Reduces decision fatigue for guests Clear layout, good lighting, and zoning = better reviews.

  • Creates ‘Instagrammable moments’ Think: vignettes, texture, and layout that invite the camera in.

  • Tells a story worth remembering Guests might forget the mattress brand. But they’ll remember how the space felt.



pillows and cushions on a bed in shades of cream, linen, orange tan leather and palm trees
The Bouji Bolthole, a tiny house in the Olive and Wilde Stays portfolio

What Most Hosts Get Wrong

A lot of STR owners come to me with “beige on a budget” energy.

They think design is about what fits, not what flows.

They put the sofa against the wall. The TV opposite. The dining table squeezed in wherever it fits.

And guess what? The space looks like everyone else’s.

And the bookings feel…meh.


Here’s What I Do Differently

As both an interior designer and a holiday let owner, I design for ROI with soul.

That means:

  • Zoning the space around guest behaviour

  • Creating focal points that translate beautifully to listing photos

  • Choosing colours that evoke emotion and confidence

  • Styling for comfort, connection, and calm


It’s not about over designing. It’s about intentional layers that invite guests in and make them want to stay (and rebook).



Dining table set up for 4 people with wine glasses.
A styled dining table at The Loft, selling experiences through Interior Design

Why Your Space Needs to Feel Distinctive

In a world of copy-paste Airbnb's, your stay needs a signature.

You don’t need wild colours or gimmicks. You need thought. Flow. Design that supports your brand values and attracts your dream guest.


And yes—design can do all of that.


Start with The Framework - A full-strategy eDesign plan built around your STR goals

Upgrade to The Full Story - Our done-for-you, high-touch experience—perfect for ambitious hosts ready to invest

Not sure where to start? Book The Wilde Call , Let’s talk it through, 1:1, and build a space that’s as smart as it is beautiful.



a picture of laura, smiling into camera with paint charts next to her
Laura, the Creative Director at Olive and Wilde Interiors


short-term rental design | Airbnb design tips | holiday let interiors | interior design for STRs | how to increase bookings on Airbnb | STR design ROI | boutique Airbnb interiors

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