If you’ve been following me for long, you know that my past career was in consumer finance and I’m very passionate about healthy money habits, financial freedom, and wealth building. So, when I was approached about helping a client create passive income through Airbnb-ing her new bungalow, I was so excited to jump on board!
Lindsey is a tech professional and first-time homebuyer! Although she lives states away, she has roots in Atlanta, Georgia where she decided to buy her first home. The recently renovated bungalow is nestled in the City of Atlanta’s Mozley Park, a historic westside neighborhood less than two miles away from Lindsey’s alma mater, Spelman College. The location was perfect for her when visiting family and friends and returning for her annual homecoming but would also be an excellent rental for short and long-term stays based on its proximity to the AUC (Atlanta University Center), Mercedes Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena and all of the tourist attractions Downtown Atlanta has to offer. The property would be a very profitable investment, but needed a little color, décor, and style on the inside to attract both local and visiting Airbnb guests.
BEFORE:
The vacant house was painted a light gray with white molding and hardwood floors throughout and needed to be completely furnished. Lindsey found a tufted chesterfield sectional sofa to add to the living space but needed BLB’s help selecting furniture and décor for each room. Like most first-time homebuyers, money was tight post-closing, so it was important that we stay within a reasonable budget. Additionally, Lindsey hoped to quickly furnish the home within 4 to 8 weeks so the rental could be listed by fall. For these reasons and the ongoing furniture delays triggered by the pandemic, we decided to keep things simple depending on Big Box and online retailers for the larger furnishings and local stores for all the decorative accents.
MOOD BOARDS:
I built mood boards for each space with a color palette of cool blues, teals, and grays. I sourced all the upholstered beds (a king, full and two twins) from Wayfair and Target that would provide a comfortable and inviting place for guests to rest. I also found abstract, patterned, and watercolor area rugs for each room in the house from Home Goods and T.J.Maxx. With Lindsey out of town, I accepted her packages and delivered furniture throughout the summer and my friend, MaJazz at All Hands assembled each item we ordered for the home. MaJazz also painted the living room’s fireplace accent wall and kitchen island my favorite navy paint, Salty Dog by Sherwin-Williams to give the main floor a gorgeous pop of color! As each piece of furniture was positioned in place, I filled in the blanks with artwork, knick knacks and faux greenery. When Lindsey returned to town, we added layered bedding, fresh linens and all the modern conveniences guests love at Airbnbs to make the space feel clean, welcoming, and safe.
DURING:
If you’re thinking about Airbnb-ing and don’t want to spend a ton on furniture and décor, here are a few tips to ensure the space you’re creating is appealing without breaking the bank:
The High-Low Approach
Invest in the things that matter to guests like mattresses, seating, and amenities. For example, buy a reputable bed-in-a-box (Saavta, Ghost Bed, Nectar, Zinus, etc.), but get Amazon Basic sheets. Make sure there’s a Keurig in the kitchen but provide IKEA plates and cutlery. If you have a small budget, focus your attention on the bigger, important things as smaller décor such as trash cans, artwork and baskets can easily be found bargain shopping. You can also find great antiques like mirrors or console tables to add a little character on FB Marketplace, in Habitat for Humanity Restore locations or at a neighborhood yard sale.
Aim for Picture-Perfection
When you walk into a hotel, you’re likely to see clean lines, tidy floors, and white sheets, but the best spaces like boutique hotels and fun Airbnbs have a bit of flair and personality. Ask yourself, “Is this space Instagrammable?” Would someone want to snap and share a photo of its cuteness? Would it photograph well and attract the right guests that would leave positive reviews? Select a gender-neutral color scheme and attractive décor that anyone would love. Retailers like Home Goods, Target and Wayfair are great places to start. Also keep in mind that cuteness doesn’t have to be new or cost a fortune! I stacked a few dozen used hardback books found in Goodwill in the fireplace to add a creative and colorful conversation starter for less than a hundred bucks.
Don’t Forget Fung Shui
Regardless of what you put in your Airbnb, be mindful of the white space, energy, and flow throughout the home. Clear the clutter, balance colors, add natural elements, remove obstacles, and position furniture and focal points in plain sight from each entryway. Lastly, create designated areas for entertainment, meals, work, and rest that are both comfortable and adaptable to anyone staying for business or pleasure.
By incorporating these best practices, I hope you’re able to create an inviting home for your Airbnb guests like we did in Lindsey’s new bungalow. Take a look…
AFTER:
Thank you, Lindsey for allowing me to be a part of this huge chapter of your life as a first-time homebuyer and investment property owner! You’ve inspired me so much and I can’t wait to purchase my own rental on the west side too! As this was BLB’s first Airbnb project, I’m officially HOOKED and excited to help future BLB clients with their rental properties and Airbnb hosting in Atlanta and across the country.
To view more photos, checkout Mozley Park Airbnb in my Portfolio and #ProjectMozleyPark on Instagram. AND if you’re interested in lodging at this darling bungalow, check out the new listing on Airbnb!
Be Blessed,
ACG
Design Deets:
Accent Paint - Salty Dog by Sherwin Williams
Accent Chair - Wayfair
Coffee Table - Home Goods
Area Rugs - - Home Goods
Console Table - Target
Throw Pillows - Home Goods
Dining Table - Wayfair
Dining Chairs - Wayfair
Counter Stools - Overstock
Kitchen Canisters - Wayfair
Shelving - Wayfair
Decorative Accents - Home Goods
Wall Mirrors - Home Goods
Desk - Overstock
Desk Chair - Home Goods
Upholstered Beds - TOV Furniture, Wayfair, Target
Nightstands - Home Depot, Home Goods, Overstock
Table Lamps - Overstock, Home Goods
Floor Mirror - Wayfair
Curtains - Home Goods
Curtain Rods - Home Goods
Bathroom Accessories - Target
Professional Photography - Focus Frame Media
