Are you new to the holiday lets industry or searching for ways to improve your property's marketability and performance? We have compiled a list of 8 easy rules to help you achieve those goals!
First Published: 29/08/2023 Last Updated: 06/03/2025
The Holiday Lets industry has flourished in recent years, fuelled by the rise of staycations across the UK. People are attracted to it due to its flexibility and ability to cover demand in areas that are otherwise lacking in other hospitality options. As the industry has expanded, so has the competition, with many newcomers subletting their homes part-time. Nowadays, a successful full-time holiday let needs to be distinct from the rest of the market. It has to make a lasting impression from the moment vacationers see its photos online. The way to achieve that is by investing in furniture and interior design that stand out for their quality and flair. It is the first thing to do to attract more guests, generate outstanding reviews and increase the value of your bookings.
At Base Furnishings, we have decades of experience in designing and furnishing attractive properties, including holiday lets. We offer bespoke interior design solutions as well as a range of complete furniture packages at different price points, tailored to key demographics. We know how to create interiors that sell and are practical and durable. If you are looking to take the next step with your holiday let business, here are some things to consider, based on our experience:
You should start off by considering how you want your guests to feel when booking and arriving at your holiday let. The first thing they will consider is your Airbnb's photos, so you want to take clear and high-quality images that showcase the strong points of the property and show vacationers what to expect. The next thing, from their perspective, is the check-in, which is very important to nail down, especially if they have to do it on their own. You want to make it as easy and convenient as possible and make certain that they will arrive at a homely and well-kept accommodation.
Invest in furniture that feels and looks inviting and comfortable. Our talented Interior Design team helps you choose the correct colours, choosing focal points and accents that give your property a feeling of harmony. We advise you on the best fabrics and materials for your accommodation and chosen style. This will let your guests relax and enjoy their visit from the moment they step in through the front door. Their satisfaction will lead to stellar reviews, bringing in a higher turnover of vacationers.
Practical furniture may not be glamorous or Instagrammable, but guests will immediately notice its absence. Make sure there is enough storage for their belongings – shoes, clothes, toiletries. If you are open to accommodating visitors for longer periods you need drawers and wardrobes to let them unpack and declutter. Consider the layout of the rooms and make sure that they are easy to navigate, child safe and have functional dining, lounging and sleeping areas.
Bigger properties allow you to accommodate more guests, but you also need to ensure that they are comfortable and that there is enough space and facilities for everybody. Parties of 4 and more are usually families with kids or groups of friends. They are likely going to relax in the lounging area in the evening – play a game or watch a movie and unwind before going to bed. Make sure there is enough seating to fit them all – occasional armchairs, a large sofa and a coffee table for their drinks or for playing. Investing in an extendable sofa, such as the Blake Corner Sofabed, will be very useful in the long run. It will allow you to create a hub that people will gravitate to in the evenings and host larger groups, making the most out of your property's space.
Multi-purpose furniture like sofa beds offer practical solutions to tackling space and storage issues. An ottoman with extra storage can also be a useful addition to your holiday let, providing additional room for storing house essentials such as extra bedding. An extending, dining table can be used to free up space while maintaining the option to host bigger parties.
The most important furnishings in your holiday let and the ones who will see the most use are the beds. You need a high-quality bed like the Cooper Double Divan bed – well-built and sturdy. We can also offer you a variety of ergonomic mattresses to give your guests a good night's sleep. Make sure you buy mattress covers to protect your investments.
Installing quality window dressings is also important to make sure visitors are happy. Many people have trouble sleeping if too much light is filtering in through the blinds. Base Furnishings has an in-house team that produces and installs made-to-measure window dressings to help avoid those kinds of situations. We inspect your property, take measures, and give you advice about which kind of blinds are best suited to your spaces. We take care of the process from start to finish and provide you with bespoke window dressings that will leave your guests happy.
There are months when you will naturally have more visitors than average. People prefer to take time off in the summer and holiday seasons, increasing demand for holiday lets. To avoid any last-minute situations, it is advisable to keep a larger inventory of items such as bedding and kitchen essentials. Bedsheets and pillowcases, in particular, have to be changed after the end of every occupancy so you should keep at least a pair of them at hand for every bed you offer. This will make it easier to accommodate back-to-back bookings, without rushing.
Sometimes accidents happen and a piece of furniture can be damaged beyond use and repair. For those cases, we offer our replenishment services. We can deliver the new item to you promptly and collect the older piece of furniture for disposal, taking it off of your hands. We hold large amounts of stock in our warehouse and can offer a quick turnaround on orders of this kind, making sure you have the replacement furniture ready for future bookings.
Vacationers usually choose holiday lets over other types of accommodation because they offer a one-of-a-kind, cosy experience which is not available in a standard hotel. One way to curate the feel of your property and make it more attractive is by showcasing the charm of the destination. If your holiday let is in a city, include brochures of local attractions and recommendations about the best places to spend an evening in the area. If you are investing in a country cottage, incorporate materials and design styles which are unique to the region. Use decorations to display the rare charms of your holiday let’s area.
Anticipating the needs of your guests and addressing them in advance is an excellent way to get outstanding reviews. Think about every part of the letting experience and how it can be improved for customer satisfaction. Make sure your property is always in pristine condition before the arrival of visitors. Give them opportunities to entertain themselves indoors by providing them with board games, books & magazines, television and reliable WiFi. Think about the kitchen appliances they might need for cooking. Consistently addressing the needs of your guests will lead to positive feedback, which will not go unnoticed by future holiday-goers.
By making sure you have comfortable, well-curated furniture and paying attention to your visitors’ requirements you can increase the demand for your holiday let, get outstanding reviews and overcome your competitors. Investing in key areas of your property and putting in the time and effort to maintain them will lead to increased profits and allow you to run a successful business for years to come.
