How Much Does It Cost to Furnish an Airbnb?

There isn’t one correct amount to spend furnishing an Airbnb. A small one-bedroom cabin and a five-bedroom vacation home are going to have completely different budgets, even if both properties have a similar design style.

The type of guest you are trying to attract also matters. A basic budget-friendly rental doesn’t need the same furnishing level as a design-forward lake house trying to command a premium nightly rate.

Furniture isn't the only expense

Owners usually remember the large purchases first. Beds, sofas and dining tables are obvious. What often gets underestimated are all of the smaller purchases required to actually finish a property.

You may also need mattresses, rugs, bedside tables, lamps, artwork, mirrors, bedding, towels, cookware, dishes, coffee equipment, curtains, outdoor furniture and dozens of other small items.

Individually they may not seem expensive, but together they can represent a significant portion of the budget.

Decide where your money matters most

We don’t believe every single item in a vacation rental needs to be expensive. Instead, spend more on pieces that affect the guest experience or make a significant visual impact.

Mattresses are worth paying attention to because every guest uses them. The main sofa is important because it gets heavy use and often appears prominently in the listing photography. Lighting can also have a huge impact on how expensive and inviting a room feels.

A small decorative table, on the other hand, may be a good place to save.

Plan before you buy

One of the easiest ways to overspend is buying one item at a time without knowing the total furnishing plan.

If you establish the entire design and budget first, you can see where the money is going before purchasing begins. That makes it much easier to make adjustments.

Maybe you splurge on the dining fixture because it's a focal point but choose more affordable dining chairs. Maybe you spend more in the primary bedroom but keep the secondary bedroom simpler.

Good vacation rental design is about spending intentionally.