Affordable tips for the perfect, stylish short-let set up

Summary: If you want to create a cosy, stylish interior to your guests (or to yourself), but doesn’t have a huge budget, charity shops will be your best friend! Some small items, such as books, blankets, and tea sets can make a big difference in creating a feel of calmness and intention. Plants are also a great way to create a place which shows your guests your care, while lighting is cosy as well as practical. Read this short article to find out how these little things can help you creating the perfect short-let getaway.

Setting up the perfect short-let should not cost a fortune. Offering a homely and comfortable place at an affordable price is exactly why short-lets like Airbnb or Booking.com are so popular among travellers. But creating a homely, yet fashionable place can be difficult, especially if you don’t live in the property as it is easy to forget the tiny things which makes our everydays so enjoyable. So, in this guide we will offer 5 easy and cheap ways to facelift your property before putting it up on Airbnb.  

The power of books 

Isn’t it nice to grab an engaging novel, a cup of tea, and cuddle up on the cosy sofa after a day of exploring a new city? Adding a few books to your property is an easy way to add that homely feel. You can buy books second hand from charity shops, which makes it cheaper as well as adding a lived-in and homely feel. However, make sure the books are actually good. Don’t buy books for the sake of putting in some books up on the shelves, try things you would read yourself or something that is connected to the local area. Thinking about the length of the book is also important. Try shorter books, so it is more likely that your guests will be able to finish the book before needing to leave – a key thing to think about when setting up a short-let compared to accommodating tenants for a long term. Alternatively, ask your guests to leave a book if they want to take a book. This way you can offer a community feel to all your guests. You can also encourage people to leave little notes in the books they left with reviews, so your future guests can pick a read more easily. You only need a few novels from your local charity shop to get started. 

The cosy blanket 

Other than a good book and a cup of tea, you will also need a nice, warm blanket. Blankets are a perfect way to add colours to your property, as well as being functional and cosy. You can buy a few throws relatively cheaply from B&M or Amazon. If you are a knitter or like crocheting you can even make your own and then put some photos up about the process, showing the personal touch. By putting up artistic pictures about the blanket you can also add more accent colours, as the blanket itself will fit perfectly with the picture. But again, choose materials which are soft and cosy, but also easy to clean. Remember, this is something which will be used a lot, by lots of people, so choose darker colours which can hide stains more easily. Also, don’t forget to clean them regularly as part of your usual changeover routine. 

The perfect tea set 

Adding a fancy-looking tea set to your kitchen setup can add that special feel to your property without breaking the bank. It doesn’t have to be antique or even antique-looking. You can find a set that suits the feel of your property but has matching cups, saucers, milk jugs, sugar pots, and a teapot. It may not look like a big thing, but finding a proper tea set will make your guests realise the care you put into your setup, making them feel valued. Again, local charity shops can offer some great options, especially if you have a smaller property. If your house or flat can accommodate more people, you may need to buy new sets, but it still doesn’t need to break the bank. Just make sure you shop around to find the best deals. 

Nature inside 

Adding some plants is also a great way to create a homely feel. Here, size matters and unfortunately some of these plants can cost a lot. However, there are some good quality fake plants which can have a similar effect. Alternatively, you can put aside some of your income and build up your home jungle slowly. But, if you do choose to invest in real plants, keep in mind that they will require some extra care. Watering them regularly is essential, and if you have guests who are staying for longer than a couple of days, they may not do their bits. So, make sure to choose sturdy plant which does not require too much watering. Also make sure to place them where they get enough light, but not too much, depending on their requirements. You will also need to clean them sometimes – there is nothing worse than plants covered with cobwebs and dust. However, they can improve air quality in your property, add colour and stand as an unquestionable proof of your care. 

Mood lighting 

The final recommendation is adding some lights. A nice reading lamp on the bedside table, a standing light in the living room or some fairly lights on the balcony will make any space feel homely and relaxing. It gives guests the opportunity to diversify the space by using different lighting at different times. You can find some cheap, but good looking lights in charity shops or online or you can add some personal touches with some easy crafts to existing lights. Make sure to choose lights which has a warm colour.

Planning is key 

The above mentioned tips are all quick and easy fixes to make your short-let accommodation more appealing and homely for your guests. But they can be counterproductive without planning. Planning is the single most important element of interior design, and it includes everything, from colours through materials. A more eclectic style can be cheaper as you can fit together items you found cheap online or in shops, but it will require more research and time. Try to keep a unified feel throughout the property by using the same colours, styles or materials. 

For example, you can go for a homely, eclectic style with mismatched sofa and armchairs, different chairs in the dining room and cosy dressers in the bedroom. But make sure the sofa and the armchairs all have a similar style, even if they are not exactly matching, the dining chairs are all made from the same materials, and the dresser is from a similar period as well. Or you can go for a clean, modern look, in which case pick modern lights, all the same colour with minimal ornamentation, plastic chairs, and clothes rails instead of wardrobes. Then add a few cushions and throws of the same colour for the homely feel with modern cups and plates of a same colour. Both methods can be mixed and matched with second hand materials and will still look thought through and premium. 

If you need more tips on how to set up your short-let accommodation, make sure to get in touch with us. With our almost a decade-long experience in setting up short-lets as well as managing all aspects of short-let accommodations, we can advise you on interior design, photography, check-in set up and much more.