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At Our Little Lifestyle, I have countless free resources for new and seasoned Airbnb hosts. Today, I want to focus on one of my favorite parts of the Airbnb process: setting up my space! As you can see in my 5-star Airbnb listings, I love creating a welcoming yet efficient space for my guests and always ensure each space is unique. To help inspire you, I just put together five coastal design ideas for your Airbnb vacation rental living spaces.
These design boards below are shoppable Amazon images, making it easy to source the exact items. Just click on each image to see the items, including reviews, costs, and variations. I use many of these pieces in my own vacation rentals and always make sure products are top-rated!
Coastal Design Ideas
Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves, sipping your morning coffee with an ocean view, and feeling the gentle sea breeze. A guest wants to experience that at your beach house or condo.
But what if you are not beachfront? Most aren’t! The key is to bring the beach inside, whether boldly or in a subtle manner. Your rental guests want to feel like they are on vacation, and a cozy coastal design will help achieve that goal.
While I know many of you find inspiration in my actual Airbnb listings, there are so many other options, and my mind is always racing with excitement as I think about future Airbnb design projects! I keep all of my furniture and decor favorites in my Our Little Lifestyle Amazon storefront, both for myself and for you! It is a valuable resource for those seeking to bring these design ideas to life.
The Essence of Coastal Design
First of all, I am not an interior designer. But, I am a top-rated Airbnb host who frequently gets positive feedback on the cozy, uncluttered spaces I design for my guests. I am very qualified to share this information today!
Designing each space in your Airbnb needs to be done with intention. Careful consideration should be given when determining if the item is comfortable, functional, and, of course, easy to clean.
Less is more when designing your Airbnb space, so picking out a handful of high-quality, coordinating, functional pieces is all you need!
Focus on one color palate and keep about 50% of the pieces neutral. I first focus on one piece of furniture, usually the cabinet under the TV, and then build my space around that. I add pops of color where I can but do not over-decorate. Too many items on surfaces gather dust and get in your guests’ way.
Furthermore, fewer items on the walls will make your space feel bigger. I like to have one gallery wall and a mirror in each room. I have the same old Florida black-and-white photos from FloridaMemory.com in all my units. However, I use different frames in each unit to coordinate with the rest of my furniture and decor.
The two photos below are actually identical spaces in neighboring one-bedroom 30A condos. Notice how different they look simply by choosing different staple pieces?
Inspiration Boards: Coastal Design Ideas
Each board below includes some of the essential items you’ll find in each living space. I often have a Roku smart TV over the main cabinet and my gallery wall over the sofa, as you can see in my units above.
You may notice that I do not have sofas shown here. We use a sleeper sofa in our studio and one-bedroom Seacrest Beach vacation rentals to maximize space. I purchase these locally and recommend you do as well. It’s essential to sit on the sofas to test them out and check the sleeper component’s ease of use.
Coastal Design Ideas 1: Cozy, Charming Pink and Blue
I love this design board because it is almost a perfect blend of my two one-bedroom 30A rentals. In fact, I use this same Chevron Jofran cabinet (in a different color) in one of my units, and it is my favorite piece! The quality is very high, and I like putting sofa bedding in the left two cabinets and books and children’s toys in the right compartment.
I have a similar chair, and these exact mermaid bookends are also in that unit. And I am obsessed with this adorable rug!
LINK TO SHOP THIS IDEA BOARD: Charming Pink and Blue
Coastal Design Ideas 2: Coastal Modern Farmhouse
This Well Woven Jolena rug, lighter than it looks in this photo, was in the Airbnb my family rented last month while visiting Seattle. I liked it so much that I came home and bought it for my living room! It looks perfect with my Ashley Furniture Cambri sectional.
This specific rug is excellent for hiding messes and is a great rental option. I used it on two boards here because I love it so much!
As you can see, the design inspiration was centered around rich neutrals with pops of gold and pink. A lightweight coffee table like this one is also critical if you offer a sleeper sofa. Guests will quickly become frustrated if they need help to move a heavy coffee table so their young children can sleep each night.
LINK TO SHOP THIS IDEA BOARD: Coastal Modern Farmhouse
Coastal Design Ideas 3: Colorful and Chic Tropical Vibes
Consider the fun prints below on a gallery wall if you want a bright, upbeat, entertaining space. To avoid the room becoming too cliche, use airy whites and neutrals along with the fun pops of color.
Of course, you see the chevron Jofran cabinet again. I love it, and I think you will, too!
LINK TO SHOP THIS IDEA BOARD: Colorful and Chic Tropical Vibes
Coastal Design Ideas 4: Browns and Blacks, a Regal Seashore
I am again incorporating some of my personal favorites in this design board, including the Well Woven rug and the chevron cabinet. But here I am, keeping it rich and upscale with black and white accent pieces. You can use one or many of these photo frames and choose images that will tie back to your rental location. That is a sure way to impress!
The large mirror helps brighten up the space. Also, incorporating the leather pouf and top-rated faux plant adds some texture, which is always essential.
The lightweight coffee table on this board is the same one that you saw in my Airbnb listing above!
LINK TO SHOP THIS IDEA BOARD: Browns and Blacks, a Regal Seashore
Coastal Design Ideas 5: Soft Sand Neutral Beachy
When I saw this piece of wall art, I knew I wanted to build a space around it! I enjoy the blue, white, pink, and tan blend here. The Hawaii pillow ties it all in nicely, too!
Consider a navy blue sleeper sofa in this space, like the one you see in one of my rentals. Or, opt for a nice cream neutral and add a couple of blue and pink pillows to compliment the wall art.
LINK TO SHOP THIS IDEA BOARD: Soft Sand Neutral Beachy
Designing Your Perfect Vacation Rental Space
As you can see in all my designs, simple lines and vibrant statement pieces are essential. Make sure your space remains uncluttered and easy to clean. Look for ways to incorporate textures reminiscent of the outdoors.
I encourage you to explore my Amazon storefront for products that match your preferred coastal design style. Every day, I add new things as I come across them. I also have sections there for vacation rental bedding, bathroom items, Airbnb essentials, and more!
Additionally, I welcome you to share your coastal design experiences or questions in the comments on my blog. Or, better yet, join my brand new 5-Star Airbnb Hosting Facebook group. I answer every question and love sharing my knowledge with you there!
Are You Looking For More Airbnb Resources?
The Airbnb section of my blog is full of helpful tips and first-hand experiences! Here, you will find everything from choosing the best mattress for your Airbnb to why I recommend a mini crib over a pack-and-play.
There is so much to consider when setting up your first Airbnb, and I take the guesswork out of it for you! Learn precisely what TV you should buy for short-term rentals, and even steal my Airbnb welcome message! And as always, thank you for being here!
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