9 Airbnb Ideas To Launch Your Listing

Starting an Airbnb is insanely exciting and overwhelming. There are probably so many Airbnb ideas you’ve looked up and wondering what is going to be the best for your property and your area. I have properties in different markets across California and I get it!

Each market guest is different but I’ll break down a process you can use to take you through a successful start up and launch of your listing.

This post is all about Airbnb ideas.

9 Airbnb Ideas

1. Location and Guest Avatar

The most important thing to consider, is why are guests traveling to your area in the first place? Then look at the property you are working with. What type of guest are you going to attract to stay at your property?

For example, one of my listings is right outside Yosemite National Park. My guests are going to be visiting the park. The cabin is tiny and will only sleep 2 people plus a baby. So my guest avatar is a couple on a getaway trip.

Nailing this down will inform the rest of the way you set up the listing, what amenities you include, the design and how you furnish.

Are you new to Airbnb? Use my referral link and I’ll coach you through setting up your first listing! Airbnb will give you a $48 bonus for using me as your Airbnb ambassador for listing set up after hosting your first guest!

2. Unique Airbnb Ideas

The best way to stand out in a crowd of listings is to have unique ideas around design and create a theme. The goal is to stop the scroll! When a guest is looking for a listing in the midst of many, you want them to stop on your listing and book it.

This could be having great design, unique amenities or a great theme that guests are looking for in your area. Some hosts I follow go all out with Airbnb themes. Nashville is one of the top destinations for bachelorette parties so the listing is themed exactly for a super girlie bachelorette experience.

3. Airbnb Interior Design Ideas

Once you know the two things above, having a great interior design plan is next. There are so many companies out there that will specifically design your short term rental for your market and guest avatar so if budget allows, consider using one of these services.

Furnishings are a huge investment, companies like Minoan are here to support in the costs. Consider installing their extension for extra savings while furnishing a property.

4. Small Airbnb Ideas

These are the best listings, it’s what I personally specialize in, putting together a small listing is a fun and quick set up. There are always solo or couples traveling so curating a space for them specifically is always a great strategy.

In fact, Forbes published an article in 2024 saying that 50% of travelers in 2024 were solo travelers. This has grown from 27% in 2017, making small listings on Airbnb highly attractive moving forward.

Curating a small space is more lucrative as a host and your guest issues tend to be way less with a smaller listing. Something to consider as an Airbnb idea!

5. Airbnb Decor Ideas

Having a well designed listing, like mentioned above, is crucial to your listing success. It’s not only important to nail the theme, but to nail the design and decor.

These decor tips are great for anyone wanting to tackle the decorating on their own. Some of the best decor tips are contrary to what you would do in your own home.

1. Have the house theme cohesive.
2. Leave blank space, guests need somewhere to put their stuff.
3. Decorate less, less is more.
4. White bedding always, this is a hospitality hack for cleanliness.
5. Same for towels, always white.

6. Airbnb Bedroom Ideas

The bedroom is crucial to any listing. You want to ensure you’re getting the right mattress, sheets, pillows and furniture for the most comfortable stay. Everything else about your listing can be average but having a great nights sleep will elevate the experience.

These are the Airbnb bedroom essentials I swear by for every listing.

1. White bedding
2. Somewhere to sit besides the bed
3. Zinus memory foam mattress from Amazon
4. Extra blankets
5. Two pillows per person
6. Lock on the door

7. Airbnb Welcome Basket Ideas

Another great idea to elevate your listing is to provide a welcome basket for your guests. There are so many different ways to do this and should cater to the guest avatar that you are attracting.

Small things like providing a bottle of wine, a basket of snacks and bottled water go a long way to a guest who is traveling. We always provide coffee and sugar so they can wake up and have a nice cup of joe before starting the day.

The best way to see what guests want is to look at what other listings in your area provide. This is a big differentiator in any market and you want to make sure you’re staying competitive.

8. Airbnb Amenities List

Providing great amenities for your guests stay can be overwhelming as a host. What amenities do they want and expect? Again, the best way to determine what guests want is to do market research. Airdna is a great tool that will tell you what amenities are in the listings in your area that guests are booking.

The other way to fine out what amenities guests want is to look at the other listings in the area. What do the reviews say about the amenities they provide?

Once you decide what you’re going to offer, make sure you set your guests up for success with clear instructions on how to use and a checklist for ensuring they don’t break it or injure themselves.

9. Airbnb Essentials List

The last and best thing you want to think through when setting up your Airbnb listing is all the essentials your guests will need. There are basics that Airbnb wants you to provide and then there’s essentials you need to be prepped for for your market.

I have a beach listing and “essentials” in this market include beach chairs, towels and toys for the family. What essentials are guests going to expect in your market?

What other Airbnb ideas would you add? Let me know in the comments below!

This post was all about Airbnb ideas.