In the world of hospitality, first impressions are everything. A bland space filled with IKEA furniture might be functional but is certainly not what potential guests are dreaming of when they plan their getaway escapade. If you want to be noticed and remembered as the owner of a holiday home, you need to look at your property in a different way: not as a functional place, but as an aspirational space that fulfils the expectations of a variety of travellers. Rethinking the design of a rental apartment to create a more defined identity can be done in many different ways, from involving a professional interior designer to investing in unique pieces of furniture. Let’s set realistic expectations: for most AirBnB rental owners, any improvement needs to be done in a cost-effective way. We all know that money is tight, so we need to come up with something effective without breaking the bank.
The most effective tool in the interior designer’s arsenal
There’s one tool in the arsenal of designers that provides results at a manageable cost, and it’s the skilful use of wallpaper. Quite unlike any other element in interior design, the transformative power of wallpaper is incredibly suited for creating a unique identity in your AirBnB rental. Its versatility lies not just in the myriad of colours, patterns and textures available, but in the emotions and narratives it evokes, serving as a visual anchor for a cohesive aesthetic that guests will remember. A single wall decorated with wallpaper can tell a story—a tale of elegance with intricate damask, a touch of nature through botanical motifs, or a burst of urban energy with vibrant, contemporary designs. Let’s see which steps to take to make an informed decision!
Know your guests: aligning your design with your target audience
When deciding on how your holiday home should look, and therefore which wallpaper to use as a design anchor, your personal taste and sensibility will always play a role. However, your choices should not be merely driven by aesthetics but reflect a solid understanding of your guests' wishes. A little bit of research can go a long way to achieve a better feel of what the main target group for your rental could be and aligning your design choices to their needs. Here’s some tips on how to get started:
- Do your market research
Begin by analysing the types of guests frequently visiting similar rentals in your locality. Learn about their demographics, interests, and reasons for travel. To do so, look into online platforms, social media, and travel forums to gather insights. - Check what your competitors are doing
Look into successful Airbnb listings in your area. Read their guest reviews and feedback to understand what made them satisfied customers (or not!). - Take into account local events and attractions
Consider local festivals and attractions in your area, as different types of events attract specific demographics. Think about what brings visitors to your neighbourhood. - Don’t forget to look into AirBnB analytics
Often overlooked by owners of holiday properties, the AirBnB host dashboard provides you with a variety of analytics and insights that can tell you many details on who are the guests viewing your listing. From their age group to their countries of origin and booking patterns, there’s a lot to discover there.
It can involve a bit of work, but it will pay off: once you have a better understanding of who you should be catering for, you will know which design idea has the best chance to make an impression on your target group.
The psychological impact of different wallpaper colours and patterns
While we seem to notice the pattern or motifs of a wallpaper first, it is its base colour that has a profound effect on a subconscious level. Colours are deeply rooted in human emotions and perceptions; understanding how they can influence the experience your guests will have is pivotal when choosing the appropriate wall décor for your holiday rental redesign.
- While serene shades of blue and green evoke feelings of calm (making them ideal for bedrooms), warm colours such as reds and oranges elicit feelings of energy and excitement (making them more suitable for social areas like living rooms).
- Patterns add an extra layer to this psychological impact, either boosting the base colour or dimming its effect. For example, floral patterns infuse a sense of tranquillity and harmony, while bold geometric designs convey modernity and creativity, appealing to guests seeking vibrant and trendy environments. You need to learn to harness the psychological impact wallpaper colours and patterns have in shaping your guests’ experience.
- The same space can look dramatically different with a strategical placed wallpaper: a colourful model featuring whimsical designs makes it suitable for families with children, while elegant and understated patterns in earthy tones create a sophisticated atmosphere for couples seeking romance and relaxation. Before picking a wallpaper colour and pattern, always ask yourself what the intended emotions are which you would like to convey in that room; it will help you create an immersive environment that will resonate with your guests.
Choosing the right lighting to make your rental property wallpaper truly shine
Like any piece of design, a wallpaper can only exert its full power when properly lit. The interplay between wall décor and lighting significantly impacts the way a space is perceived, and you’d be wise not to underestimate it. First of all, consider the amount of natural light your property receives, as well as the dimensions of the rooms. As a general rule, lighter-coloured wallpapers tend to reflect more light, making a room appear brighter and more spacious and are therefore more appropriate for spaces where natural light is limited. On the other hand, darker wallpapers absorb light, making the room feel cosier and more intimate, but they are more suitable for a single feature wall in larger rooms.
Artificial lighting plays a huge role in holiday rentals since most guests are away during daytime hours and only come back at the end of a long day, when for most of the year the sun has already set. Investing in good lighting can be incredibly transformative.
- Combine a variety of light sources
A strategic combination of task and ambient lighting creates a cosy and welcoming atmosphere in your AirBnB property while at the same time enhancing the functionality of different spaces within the rental. Use task lighting to illuminate areas such as reading nooks, workspaces, or kitchen counters; ambient lighting will set the overall mood, creating a gentle glow that envelops the entire space, making it feel intimate. - Highlight your holiday rental’s best features
If your apartment has unique features, e.g. artwork, interesting architectural elements, or a wallpaper feature wall, highlight these with dedicated lights positioned above or below. - Position LED lights to emphasise your wallpaper
To draw attention to your wallpaper you can install LED strips hidden behind furniture or along the edges of the walls to cast a diffused glow, highlighting the intricate details of the wallpaper without overwhelming the space. For darker wallpapers incorporate layered lighting, using a combination of ambient, task, and accent light sources to balance the overall illumination. Wall sconces or picture lights can be strategically placed to highlight focal points, drawing attention to the most interesting design elements. If the wallpaper extends all the way up the wall, I recommend using recessed spotlights in the ceiling to provide indirect lighting, casting a gentle glow on the wallpaper without creating harsh shadows. Use dimmable LED bulbs to adjust the brightness according to the desired mood and ambiance, allowing guests to tailor the lighting to their preference. - Add light fixtures that complement your feature wall
Complete the light setup using fixtures that complement the theme of the wallpaper and the overall interior style. For instance, contemporary wallpapers pair beautifully with sleek, minimalist fixtures, while vintage or ornate wallpapers can be accentuated with classic chandeliers or elaborate pendant lights.
Spice up your rental with creative wallpaper concepts
Modern wallpaper offers many creative avenues to help you define an atmosphere that your guests will perceive as unique and memorable. The beauty of it is that even a limited investment can really pay off. Let’s look at a couple of possible ideas:
- Add a chalkboard wallpaper to personalise the space for your guests (and let them have fun, too!)
Leaving a personalised note for your guests which they will see when they first open the door is a great way to set the right tone from the start. It makes them feel welcome and creates an emotional connection to the property. That is why Tinta Lousa chalkboard walls are a real game-changer for AirBnB owners, as they let you design a unique and personal message for visitors, written on a large, colourful chalkboard wall! A chalkboard wall gives you the option of thematic personalisation, like writing down upcoming local events (e.g. festivals) or decorating it according to the season. Chalkboard walls also offer an interactive experience for your guests: they can leave messages, doodle, or even jot down reports of their local explorations. It's an effortless way to cater to both adults and children as the kids can unleash their creativity, drawing to their heart's content while the parents relax. - Use a wallpaper backsplash to turn an ordinary kitchen into a memorable space
Kitchens are the heart of the home and key in creating an inviting atmosphere for your guests. This is, after all, where their day begins and ends. A full kitchen renovation is an extremely costly and time-consuming endeavour. If you are looking for a cheaper yet effective way to give it an uplift, you could decorate the backsplash area with a vibrant and whimsical vinyl-coated wallpaper. Easily cleanable and resistant to water and heat, backsplash wallpapers [Link to Ask the Expert answer] are an excellent way to infuse the kitchen with heaps of personality. If the kitchen cabinets are a bit dated you can complete the make-over by decorating their doors and surfaces with wallpaper, turning less-than-attractive feature into a wonderful furniture upcycling project! - Bring the outdoors in with a botanical wallpaper and some greenery
To fight a perceived lack of light and colour in your AirBnB property, an effective trick is to transform it into a nature-infused ambiance by incorporating real plants to match a botanical wallpaper. The synergy between natural patterns and the lush greenery of pot plants creates an oasis that contributes to a sense of well-being. Strategically placing potted plants or hanging gardens near a botanical-themed wall décor enhances its effect, creating a multi-sensory experience that resonates with nature lovers and urbanites alike.