The Airbnb trend is certainly on the rise, and knowing how to stage an Airbnb can be a quick way to boost your, or your clients, bookings.
For travelers, Airbnb is an excellent way to discover new places while staying in great-value accommodations, chosen to perfectly suit their needs. From romantic breaks in tiny city center apartments to sprawling country mansions the whole family can enjoy, there are so many options.
On the other side, owning an Airbnb can be a highly profitable regular source of income. However, it’s always wise to remember that you’re in competition with all the other similar properties in the area. What makes your Airbnb stand out from the rest? What makes someone choose to book your property?
There are several factors that influence bookings, such as the location, the size of the property, and the facilities. For anyone browsing online for accommodation, they will be quickly scrolling through property listings, so you need to make yours stand out from the crowd. The key to capturing the eye of a potential booker is with your photographs.
It is the photographs that sell the property. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the rooms are if the photos are bad. So let’s learn more about how to stage an Airbnb to take the very best photos to bring in those bookings…
Don’t cut costs when it comes to photography
When we’ve all got phones with high-quality cameras right there in our hands, it can be tempting to simply snap our own photos, but while the camera might be exceptional, are your photography skills really first-class? These photos really are make or break. It doesn’t matter how amazing your accommodation is if no one books it due to sub-par photography!
A low-quality photograph gives the impression of low-quality accommodation. If you’ve scrimped on the photographs, where else might you have cut corners? A potential guest needs to be able to see the accommodation in detail, to see the amazing features, and to reassure themselves that the accommodation will be both comfortable and spotlessly clean.
Money spent on a professional photographer is money well spent. They’ll know all the tips and tricks to ensure every room in your property is showcased perfectly. They’ll highlight the exquisite details, and they may use special lenses or unique filters to make the images more appealing. Attention-grabbing, professional images get bookings, and that’s a fact.
Choose the right time for your photoshoot
You’re not just selling a place to stay, you’re selling a vacation. People need to be able to imagine themselves having a wonderful time in your Airbnb. If the photos are taken on a dull day, or after dark, it may look gloomy and dismal. No one wants a dull and dreary vacation, so choose a beautiful sunny day to take your photos.
When it comes to staging an Airbnb and organizing the photographer, I’d even go so far as to suggest canceling if you’ve scheduled a photo shoot and the weather takes a turn for the worse.
You want the building to look bright and airy, fresh and inviting. Make sure the curtains and blinds are all fully open to get the most from the natural light. If you have windows on either side of the property, it can be a good idea to make a note of when each room has the most sunlight pouring in and schedule your photos to tie in with the very best lighting for each area.
Carefully chosen accessories can transform your listing
When you’re setting the scene, you need to take your time and try to view your home through the eyes of a potential guest. Of course you know each room should be exceptionally clean and tidy, you also need to ensure the property is uncluttered, yet still feels comfortable. This can be harder than you might think. You need to achieve the perfect balance. Too minimalist and the accommodation can look stark and unwelcoming. Too many knick-knacks and it starts to express too much of the owner’s personality.
When you’re involved in your own property, it can sometimes be hard to take a step back and view it as if for the first time. It’s a good plan to get other people involved. Ask friends and family to visit and be brutally honest with you. Do they simply hate the pictures on the wall? Does a room have too much furniture and feel small and enclosed?
To iron out niggles, we always suggest you actually stay in the property yourself and invite people you know to do the same. You’ll soon discover that the second bedroom needs a blackout blind, or that there’s no corkscrew in the kitchen! You can then fix any issues before they get you a bad review.
Add a pop of color for striking photos
Muted color schemes are popular, and give a room a stylish, timeless look, but this can result in boring, washed-out photos. By adding in some colorful accessories such as scatter cushions, or a vase of bright flowers, you can draw the eye, and the attention, of your potential guests.
Focus on the features
If you’re offering something special, be it a top-of-the-range coffee maker in the kitchen, a spectacular panoramic view, or a relaxing hot tub, do make sure these special details are featured in the photographs on your listing, not just mentioned in the text. Many people will look at the photos first, then check out the details later. Draw them in by highlighting the very best of your property.
Go the extra mile with the details to set the scene
Little extra touches make an Airbnb feel luxurious. If you’re going to provide toiletries, hot beverage facilities, or fluffy robes, be sure to place them in the rooms before you take your photographs. You’re setting the scene for an idyllic vacation. You can even go a little further with your photos by suggesting a lifestyle, for example, by placing a wine bottle and glasses on the table, you’re putting across the idea of a relaxing, indulgent escape.
Now it’s time to deliver
There’s just one final point that does need mentioning. Once you’ve had your stunning photos taken, you’ve set the bar high, and your guests will have certain expectations. You now need to ensure that you deliver the experience you’ve sold to them through your photos, so make sure everything offered in the photos is actually available to them. If you’ve shown luxury toiletries in the bathrooms, they need to be there, if the expensive coffee machine has broken and been removed from the property, remove the image of it. A disappointed guest will not leave a good review, but if your guests leave happy, they will hopefully leave a positive review and recommend you to others.
