For over ten years now, AirBnb has disrupted the hotel industry and made it possible for people all over the world to discover new cities, new experiences, and new places to stay. The concept behind the site is simple: match people with homes or rooms to spare with travelers looking for a place to stay.
The idea was formed in 2007 by two roommates who were struggling to make rent. They saw that a tech convention was coming to town and had the idea to rent out their living room and a few air mattresses to those coming in from out of town.
After a few years and failed attempts, Airbnb was born, and now, the once-struggling roommates are worth billions of dollars.
If you’re looking for a side hustle to increase your income or help pay your mortgage, becoming an Airbnb host might be the right move for you. Before you dive in, there are a few things to consider!
In order to make money, you’ll have to attract renters. This can take some significant time and effort.
If you don’t quite know where to get started, think about how your home or apartment is currently furnished. Is it accommodating to visitors? If not, or if you’re looking to take it to the next level, we have some ideas on where to start.
How To Become an Airbnb Host
It’s relatively simple to join Airbnb. Their website has a simple application where you can answer the prompts to share information and list your property. Let them know if you’re offering an entire house or apartment or a few rooms in your home. Maybe you have a cute cabin or an extra apartment that you want to rent out while you’re not using it. These make perfect Airbnb listings!
Be sure to look into local laws and regulations relating to Airbnb. You don’t want to be surprised if you put a lot of effort into getting your space ready, only to find out that they’re not allowed in your neighborhood.
Take good photos for your listing, set your prices, make sure to decide on your cancelation policy, furnish your place with fun furniture, and then you’ll be all set and ready to start hosting guests!
Add Extra Sleep Spaces
When it comes to Airbnb, the more, the merrier! Guests tend to look for affordable homes that can fit their family or whole friend group. If you don’t have extra guest bedrooms, don’t count yourself out quite yet. There are still solutions for you to upgrade your space and make room for more guests.
Airbnb caps the number of “guests” you can filter results for to 16 on its listings. But when you search, you’ll find that many homes advertise comfortably sleeping 20 or even 30 guests (despite only having four or five bedrooms).
Don’t take the easy way out and fill your residence up with air mattresses or futons. Instead, consider another great alternative: convertible chairs. These super comfortable chairs help save you space and increase the number of beds you have available in your home.
What Is a Convertible Chair?
A convertible chair is a bean bag that can turn into a mattress by simply removing the outer cover. This is the perfect addition to any Airbnb because of their versatility and ease of use. There are multiple sizes, styles, and colors, so you can add them to any room in the house and double or even triple your sleeping space!
Convertible chairs come in four sizes:
- Youth
- Full
- Queen
- King
To maximize your space, be sure to check out the size of both the chair and the inner mattress before purchasing. No matter which size you choose, you can delight your guests by allowing them to bring along their whole group.
How To Convert the Mattress Back into a Bean Bag Chair
When your guests go home, or if they want to convert their mattress back into a comfortable bean bag chair, there are just four simple steps to make that happen.
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Taco. Fold the mattress up from both ends like a taco.
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Sock. Pull the cover back over the mattress as if you were pulling a sock on over your foot.
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Rotate. Flip the mattress over to the other side and prepare for the final step.
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Bounce! This last part is a fun one; just bounce the mattress up and down until it fits back in place.
There you have it. Headache-free and back together in no time.
Convertible chairs make for a great way to add extra seating and sleeping space inside your home, making it perfect for guests!
Spice Up the Outside
Now that you’ve upgraded your sleep spaces, it’s time to head outside and turn it into the perfect getaway. No matter how much land your home is on, you can find some great ways to make it special and comfortable.
Consider adding a fire pit complete with a s’mores station so your guests can have a night outside by the fire. Or, if you have trees in your yard, you could provide a hammock or two for rest and relaxation in the fresh air.
The more you can encourage your guests to spend time outside, the better! Being outdoors has a variety of health benefits, including improved heart health, lowered stress rates, and a boost in overall happiness. Even if you don’t happen to have the perfect hammocking tree in your yard, you can always get a hammock stand to put on the patio.
Our hammocks are perfectly crafted from organic colored cotton and recycled cotton. This makes them extremely sustainable because the processes do not require water.
They are designed to comfortably distribute weight across the entire hammock. You can also flip it inside out for an additional color option, depending on the vibe of your outdoor hideaway.
No matter what you add to your outside space, be sure to take great photos to make it look even more inviting! Most Airbnb hunters make their final decision on many factors, and looks are definitely one of them. The better the photos, the more likely you are to attract renters.
Make Your Space Tech-Friendly
After a year of work-from-home, this one is especially important. More than ever, people are looking for remote work opportunities and jobs that allow them to work from new places each week. If you turn your space into the perfect home office, your chances of bringing in renters will definitely increase!
Here are some things to consider offering to your guests:
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High-speed internet of WiFi. This is pretty much a given these days, but some hosts don’t think to offer internet. Many renters won’t even consider your place if they can’t get online.
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Lots of chargers. Most adults have at least three devices that need to be charged almost daily. Between laptops, iPads, smartphones, and more, there is sure to be a need for extra chargers in the home (it’s one of the items people leave behind the most)!
- Device docks and holders. Introduce your guests to a new home must-have. Leave a few PUKs around the house to help hold tablets, smartphones, or even just your drink.
What Is a PUK?
A PUK is the perfect addition to any living space. On one side, it is a simple drink coaster. On the other side, it becomes the perfect device stand. You can even use it for books!
Use it to watch movies, film TikToks, or FaceTime a friend while your phone is charging. It comes in multiple colors to fit any space. Choose from multicolor, white, brown, black, or orange-blue!
Other Amenities To Add to Your Airbnb
After furnishing your Airbnb, there are a few other things you should consider adding to make it more attractive to renters.
There are some basic amenities that are a given:
- Towels (one per every person you plan on hosting)
- Cozy Blankets
- Extra Pillows
- Toilet paper (more than you think you’ll need)
- Bathroom Toiletries
But you can add a few extra special touches to make sure you get a good review from your renters!
Consider providing:
- Television with streaming services
- Local snack and drinks
- Cleaning supplies
- Access to the washing machine and dryer
- Guide to the local area
These little details can set you apart from other hosts and get you the reviews you need to bring in more guests.
Five Stars
Renting your house or apartment on Airbnb can be a great option to bring in some extra money! However, with over four million listings to compete with, it’s important to do anything you can to set yourself apart.
Try adding extra amenities and fun furniture that will delight your guests. Convertible chairs, hammocks, and PUKs can help take your listing to the next level in no time!
Sources:
The History of Airbnb, From Air Mattresses to $31 Billion Company | Business Insider
How to Become an Airbnb Host and How Much Can You Make? | Nerd Wallet
It's Official -- Spending Time Outside is Good for You | Science Daily
