Braw House’s Principles of AirBnb Interior Design

How to make sound decisions

What do Airbnb guests look for in a rental?

Gone are the days when Airbnb still felt niche. “I prefer hotels,” your friends used to say. Now, the only stragglers dedicated to checking in at the front desk are people forced to travel for work. Everyone else has caught on to the magic of an entire flat or house to themselves. Property owners continue to look at short-term rentals as worthy money makers and while location and demand play their roles, crafting a space with a solid interior design is a surefire way to drive rates and keep guests coming back.

After over 10 years in the business of interior design and renovation management, we’ve taken our fair share of rental properties from blah to beautiful, and seen guests and property owners reap the rewards. When designing a short-term rental, there are five key principles to keep in mind that will ground you in the long-term vision of an inviting, comfortable, and intentional space guests can’t wait to return to.

If you're thinking about starting an Airbnb in 2026, read this first!

The Braw House Interior Design Framework: B.L.I.S.S.

You read that right, we’re suggesting that the process of curating a stunning rental property can, in fact, be blissful. We like to think we play a big part in such a positive experience (we’re around for a chat when you need us), but let’s break down the practical principles that will help you make some sound decisions.

Belonging

A space that belongs is one rooted in time and place, connected to the surroundings and genuinely reflective of real life. We’re talking about spaces that allow guests to sink into the romanticized idea of what their lives might look like if they moved to the south of France, took up with a lover in Tuscany or relocated their family to Bangkok. 

A Paris flat featuring a vintage sideboard and a subtle nod to cafe fantasies. We’ll take it. 

Lasting

Let’s get practical. Choosing furnishings and finishings that are durable and pleasing to look at it is possible for any budget. Reclaimed materials and second-hand pieces with a solid foundation will open the doors to built-in character. You can find new, quality pieces on affordable sites, just pay attention to what things are made of. Or, let Braw House take care of procurement for you. 

A compact kitchen re-do that will stick around and earn its keep.

Improvement

At the end of the day, comfort is vital. It’s impossible to please everyone, but a lumpy mattress will send guests running for two and a half stars every time. Make the improvements that matter to solidify your space as optimized for living, working and sleeping. Without this foundation, you’re putting lipstick on a pig. Check out more tips from us on other investments in your short-rental that are worth the squeeze (and what's not).

Sweet, sweet dreams.

Striking

Speaking of lipstick, sometimes a pop of red really does do the trick. But there are countless other ways to bring visual interest and balance to a space that, importantly, makes it incredibly photogenic. We always suggest investing in professional photographs for your AirBnb listing (included in our packages). The difference is well… striking. Testing out how photogenic a room is also a great reflection point to identify where there might be too much or too little going on.

This chair under this painting is a memorable moment, and it photographs super well.

Significant 

You know that dusty, fake plant on the bathroom vanity? Throw it out. A memorable space displays intentional, meaningful details. There’s no meaning in a plastic cactus. 

Any old storage cabinet would have served the same purpose, but this one looks intentionally sourced. The contents inside, and the surrounding decor, are also curated for the vibe. And it works!

Name a more unexpected statement than a hidden door to the loo? Can’t wait, gotta go

How we help: Braw House Airbnb Care Package 

Let’s take your property from underperforming to fully booked!

1. Proper assessment: Let’s examine your market, target guests, and realistic nightly rate to craft a strategic direction. 

2. Complete design plan: We deliver the concept, moodboard, product suggestions and 3D-visuals that map out the space.

3. Procurement and install: We’ll secure the products and execute on the entire vision. 

4. Brand your listing (optional add-on).

   1. Our in-house copy team will write your listing and coordinate cross-platform setup. Professional photography included. 

 Learn more about how we can help or book a free 30-minute consultation. 

By the way, you wouldn't happen to be getting ready to rent out a tenement flat in Edinburgh, would you? If so, check out our tailored guide for renovation. Braw House works worldwide, but we're based in Edinburgh. So, let's just say, we know EXACTLY what we're talking about.