I’ve been keeping a little secret… we bought a house! We sold the Riverside Retreat to purchase this home in April, and we’ve spent the last two months furnishing and setting it up as a vacation rental.
To be completely honest, I wasn’t planning on sharing this project publicly. Our intent was to keep the house as is and spend as little time as possible furnishing it, so we could move onto our big Spanish home renovation.
This blog is meant to share inspiring design ideas and document our DIY projects—this house is not that (think: modern, generic house flipper/HGTV style). However, the bedrooms were a blank canvas.
Although these aren’t the dramatic transformations I normally take on, I think they’re valuable as practical and attainable design ideas, given our budget and time constraints.
Many of you on Instagram expressed interest in learning about the business side of owning vacation rentals, so today I’m divulging all my secrets including the bedroom essentials + tips, links to every source and total cost below. Let’s take a look at three bedroom Before & Afters!
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Primary Suite
The primary suite in this home is quite spacious, measuring 15’8” x 15’8” with 9’4” ceilings. It was large enough to comfortably fit a king bed, plus a twin trundle bed to sleep four guests total.
I searched far and wide to source the most affordable furnishings online and locally secondhand, without sacrificing comfort and style. Here’s how the room looks now:
The biggest score was this Crate & Barrel canopy bed that I bought off Facebook Marketplace for $350. I love using canopy beds in primary suites for an elevated, boutique hotel feel.
A gallery wall is a great way to add a personal touch and fill a large space without spending a fortune. I found free vintage Tampa postcards on our county’s public library online, edited the color and size, printed and hung them in affordable Ikea frames.
If a bedroom is large enough, we like to add a trundle bed to sleep additional guests. This is typically preferred over a pull-out sofa so each person can have their own separate mattress.
I put together a spreadsheet with links to all of the bedroom sources for you to download below!
Total bedroom furnishing cost: $3,831
King Guest bedroom
Our second guest bedroom is 11’x12’, just large enough to fit a king size bed (keep reading to learn why king beds are important!)
This was our most affordable bedroom, coming in at under $1,900 total:
I went with a neutral and minimal setup in here, with affordable furnishings from Amazon and thrifted art. I love using plug-in wall sconces to elevate the style of the room without the cost of hardwiring.
The design style is earthy and serene with a subtle coastal feel—perfect for a relaxing Florida vacation.
Total bedroom furnishing cost: $1,880
Queen Guest bedroom
The third guest bedroom measures 11’x13’2”, and just needed a quick paint job before furnishing it:
I opted for a queen bed in this space to keep it from feeling too crowded. The house has navy blue kitchen and bathroom accents, so I incorporated the color into the bedroom with this $120 upholstered bed.
Oversized vintage photos of Tampa give the space a thoughtful and welcoming feel. Recognize the DIY canvas art over the bed?
There was just enough room for a small desk and chair underneath the window, which is a great amenity for guests who need to work while they’re away.
Total bedroom furnishing cost: $2,294
Airbnb Bedroom Must Haves
Here’s a list of essentials to include in each bedroom:
- Bed
- Mattress
- Pillows (two per guest)
- Mattress and pillow protectors
- Bedding: sheet set, duvet + cover, quilt
- Night stand/side tables
- Sconces or table lamps
- Light blocking shades or curtains
- Rug
- Artwork
- Closet or hanging space
- Luggage rack or bench
Other amenities guests love:
- TV
- Full length mirror
- Desk and chair
- Nightstand charging ports
Bedroom Furnishing Tips
The goal with this house was to furnish the bedrooms as inexpensively as possible, while using carefully selected furniture that will stand up to lots of wear and tear, and stand out from the competition. There are many factors at play with different trade-offs, and we’re constantly learning and adjusting. We’ve gained a lot of knowledge over the years, and here are my biggest tips:
Mattress & Bedding
A comfortable mattress and bedding are the most important things in the room—don’t skimp on this! We’ve tested several and finally landed on a winning combination.
These 12″ cloud memory foam mattresses are incredibly comfortable and the price can’t be beat. A king bed is one of the most requested items and a deal breaker for some guests, so we make sure to include at least one in each home (the more, the better!)
When it comes to sheets, you’ll find many differing opinions from hosts about which fabric to use. Personally, I’ve learned to avoid cheap microfiber and stick to 100% cotton. Do not spend a fortune on sheets, because they will get stained and need to be replaced.
I love the quality of linen sheets but not the price point—and I found the perfect compromise! These 100% cotton percale sheets are ‘vintage washed’ so they have a similar look and feel to linen, but they’re softer and a fraction of the price.
We use these sheets in the Hacienda Hideaway (& our own bed) and they’ve laundered beautifully, and don’t wrinkle like most cotton or sateen sheets. They’re truly the perfect sheets for Airbnbs, IMO.
I also use a linen-washed cotton duvet cover with a zipper for easy laundering, paired with this lightweight comforter ideal for warmer climates. It’s nice to have an additional layer for extra warm or cold nights, and I love the texture of this waffle weave quilt.
A note on bedding color: I always go for white or a light neutral color because it looks cleaner and fresher (there’s a reason hotels use white!). Some hosts and property managers prefer darker bedding because it doesn’t have to be replaced as often from stains. Personally, I’d rather spend more each year for a nicer aesthetic.
Also, it’s nice to have all of your bedding consistent if possible. Cleaners won’t necessarily remember which bedding goes with which room, and will use them interchangeably.
Two bed pillows per guest is standard, and both the pillows and mattress will need to be protected with waterproof covers.
Fans & Lighting
In addition to overhead lighting, be sure to include bedside lamps or sconces. I love using inexpensive plug-in wall sconces to elevate the design of the room without the additional cost of hardwiring (tap the photos to shop):
In warmer climates, guests expect ceiling fans installed in bedrooms. Though they aren’t my first choice, we kept the original ceiling fans that came with the house. I used this fan in the Hacienda bedrooms and love it as a stylish, affordable option:
Window Treatments
One of my biggest pet peeves when staying at rental homes is a lack of room darkening shades or curtains (especially when traveling with a baby!) Always make sure you have either blackout curtains or blinds/shades installed.
You don’t have to use both, but I typically do because it gives the room a finished, designer feel and they can be very affordable (if you know where to look!)
I like to use blackout roman shades, and then I can pair them with less expensive curtains. In this house, I chose these budget custom bamboo shades for all of the bedroom windows. I also sourced these affordable pinch pleat drapes in blue and natural.
You can find more of my favorites + tips in this window treatment roundup post!
Art & Decor
This is your opportunity to give your guests a more personalized experience! I like to incorporate local art such as maps, old photographs, drawings or paintings specific to the area.
For this house, I downloaded free vintage photographs and postcards from my county’s online public library. (learn how to source free vintage art online!) I adjusted the color/size, had them printed and framed in inexpensive Ikea frames. A gallery wall is a great way to fill a large space while adding a personal touch.
Also consider adding decor like books, antiques and wall hangings that reflect your location’s history and culture.
Other Amenities
One of our most asked questions is if there’s a TV in the bedrooms. This one I originally pushed back on because we aren’t big TV watchers and they aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing, but apparently lots of people can’t sleep without one in the room.
So, I gave in and installed them in two bedrooms at the Hacienda Hideaway, and two of the bedrooms in this house as well. We use these Samsung Smart TVs so guests can login to their streaming services and enjoy their own shows while on vacation.
Speaking of technology, make sure there are easily accessible outlets for charging devices near the bed. I found these great affordable nightstands with built-in USB charging ports. They’re a nice size for queen and king beds, look great and feel much more expensive than they are. So good I used them in two bedrooms!
A full length mirror is always appreciated. If there’s no space on the wall, you can get one that hangs over the door. Here are a few nice budget options I used in this house (tap the photos to shop):
You should also have a place for luggage and hanging clothing. If there’s no closet, you can get a small freestanding garment rack. I also keep two folding luggage racks in each bedroom closet.
Finally, if there’s enough space, a small desk and/or chair in the corner is a great amenity to include. Many people work while traveling, so having a desk is an added bonus.
Guest Experience
Before you plan anything: start with the big picture in mind. Guests want a unique experience, something Instagrammable, with all the amenities and conveniences of a luxury hotel. Consider your location, your target audience, and what the home will primarily be used for. Design your environment intentionally and thoughtfully.
The vacation rental market is more competitive now than ever before, and it’s critical to go above and beyond to stay in business. What can you offer to set your home apart from the rest?
Where to shop for Airbnb furnishings
If budget is your top priority, you can’t beat Facebook Marketplace. I also utilize OfferUp and local thrift stores. This does require a lot of time and energy though, and can become a full time job.
Here are my favorite things to shop for secondhand:
- Sofas
- Beds
- Tables
- Dressers
- Cabinets/consoles
- Desks
- Chairs
- Artwork
- Mirrors
- Decor
I spent countless hours on FBMP over the last two months, but ended up saving thousands.
For everything else, Amazon is my go-to for many reasons: largest selection, fast shipping, free returns, ease of re-ordering, and often the lowest price. The convenience can’t be beat when buying a large volume of supplies at once and easily keeping track of orders.
I also frequently check Walmart, Wayfair, Target and Ikea for deals.
Any other questions? If you found this post helpful and want me to share more vacation rental behind the scenes, let me know in the comments!
Michelle says
Do you include dressers in the bedrooms or just luggage racks? Thanks!
Jenna Sue says
Luggage racks and hangers in the closets. Most reservations are only for a few days so we find that dressers aren’t utilized.
Jill says
Such a detailed blog post with tons of practical info. Thanks for taking the time to put it together! I’m curious, is there a particular brand of pillow that you recommend? Thanks Jenna!
Jamie says
I ordered the duvet cover and received it today. We love it! Don’t love wrangling the comforter into it…it’s always a challenge but so worth it. 🤣 Thank you for sharing your favorites Jenna. Saves me so much time.
Jenna Sue says
Yay, so glad you love it! There’s definitely an art to duvet covers and practice makes perfect 😉
Danna says
I LOVE posts like this and would love to see even more behind the scenes for short-term rentals. Like more specifics on how you manage them/do you hire someone to do that part? Monthly, bi-annual and annual maintenance you stick to? And I always love the design side – your tips are so practical!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks for the comment, Danna! Putting together an FAQ post for next week and I’ll make sure to address those 🙂
Kelly says
Great post and I’d love to see more as I am getting involved with helping investors design their short-term rental properties. Thank you for the details, links, and recommendations Jenna Sue!
Mary says
Really enjoyed this. The spreadsheet is a great idea. Thanks!
Jenna Sue says
Glad you liked it! I thought that might be helpful 🙂
Michelle Martin says
Love seeing and learning more of the short term rental side! Very helpful thank you! Hope you share more tips and info! 🤍
Jenna Sue says
Always happy to share my experience!
Chelsea says
Thank you so much for all of this. Would
Love to see your take on a common area/family room/ living room as well!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Chelsea!