The process of selecting the perfect place to stay can be overwhelming, especially for Airbnb first-timers. With hundreds of amazing listings to choose from, how can you make your home stand out?
To help, we talked with Meridith Baer, founder of the world's #1 home staging company, Meridith Baer Home. You may have a fantastic design sense and deliver incomparable hospitality to your guests, but thoughtful home staging can help you attract guests in the first place—and provide a great experience when they stay in your home.
People have trouble imagining how they would be comfortable in your home, so spell it out for them. Open a cookbook on the counter or put a carafe of water and a novel by the bed.
Imagine the novel you could write here. Honeymoon suite, Nassau, Bahamas.
There's a difference between showing personality in design and a filling a space with personal items. If a space is meant for guests, too many pictures of your dog and family might make them feel uncomfortable, so replace them with local art and photos to add a sense of place.
Show your style with some thoughtfully chosen local art and posters. Fab apartment in the heart of SoHo, Hong Kong.
It sends the message that your home is well cared for. This will definitely make your home stand out among the others!
Be the house with the hot pink door. Villa with pool "Le Sourire," Kuta, Bali.
Everyone loves a clean, crisp looking bathroom—something hotels know well. Make sure your counter is free of products except a couple that have pretty packaging. Provide other necessities you would expect in your own home, but they can be tucked away in drawers or baskets. Place rolled up white towels in a basket and add a potted plant to brighten the room.
Clean, appealing, and filled with the comforts of home. Stunning ocean penthouse, Marina del Rey, California.
Big mirrors make a room appear more spacious and they look great in ANY room! Placing a mirror next to a window brings in more light, and acts as an added window when placed opposite an existing one.
Add a sense of open space with mirrors. Beautiful apartment in La Frontera, Medellin, Colombia.
Airbnb guests search through a lot of homes, so making yours unique is key. If a fun little figurine in the photos of your home or something makes your place stand out, all the better!
Quirky and local. A saltwater front stay, Samish Island, Washington.
It seems counterintuitive to pack in more furniture, but if you have the space put an upholstered bench or two, a chair and a side table in a corner. If you're offering a studio, this step is necessary. It makes the room look and feel more spacious!
Even a small desk adds a sense of space—and is useful for travelers. Double room, Piccadilly Circus, London.
No one wants to stay in a home without some decor. I use white orchids in homes I stage because it's a clean flower that gives an upscale look to any room.
A simple bouquet brightens up any room. Quiet central Copenhagen flat.
Ambient lighting sets the stage. To give potential guests a real feel of your home, you'll want to post pictures of your home during the day and night. If your home gets a lot of natural light, open the blinds and take pictures of each room lit up. Dim the lights for evening pictures to give your home a softer look.
Show off you space in different lights. Designer house, Highland Park, Los Angeles.
Your yard says a lot about your home. Before snapping a photo of your home's exterior, make sure the landscaping is done. If possible, add an outdoor seating area (a cushioned bench, a small table and two chairs). Planted flowers and a door mat keep the yard looking fresh and inviting!
A beautiful outdoor space is a big plus for many guests. Su Casa, in historic Old San Juan Puerto Rico.
Meridith Baer is an American home stager, interior designer, and HGTV star who founded the world's #1 staging company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Connecticut.