Something in the Air

At DIY Homefit we have recently come across a relatively new phenomenon in travel accommodation, Airbnb. It is fundamentally an online community through which people can list, discover, and book unique accommodation around the world.

A typical example of how Airbnb works is for a traveller to register with the site, search for accommodation in the desired area, then submit a booking request direct to the owner via Airbnb. If the accommodation is available payment is made via Airbnb then remaining arrangements are handled between the owner and the guest direct.   

The advantages for the guest are that prices can be cheaper than more standard accommodation, and there is the possibility of finding something a little more unique. For the owner it means that their property can reach many more people than some other means of advertising, and that the payment is also handled by Airbnb.

So if you have been thinking about renting out a spare room or annexe or outbuilding as Bed and Breakfast accommodation this could be the ideal opportunity you’ve been waiting for! Here are a few tips to make your accommodation stand out from the crowd and draw people back for a return visit:

1. Ensure that all fixtures and fittings are in the best possible order. If some of your furnishings are looking a little tired then you don’t need to do a complete and pricey bedroom makeover, but you can bring it up to top standard very quickly by some replacement wardrobe doors and/or cupboard doors.

2. Make sure there is plenty of storage space. Whether your guests are staying one night or several, it is really important to have room for clothes to be hung up or folded. If your room is on the small side, then a wardrobe with sliding doors could be ideal, and could contain a useful mixture of shelving and hanging space. Check out this link for some ideas!

3. The room needs to be as clean and uncluttered as possible. Anything that is not strictly necessary should be removed. If it is simply not possible to do this then perhaps have one cupboard or drawer that is clearly marked as private and can contain all your personal effects from that room. At DIY Homefit we do a brilliant range of storage solutions for all shapes and sizes. Have a look here for some ideas!

4. Colour matters! A really quick and easy way to get a room looking top notch is to colour co-ordinate things. Pick two or three colours – perhaps based on existing furnishings – and use those as a theme for the whole room. We can provide swatches and samples for wardrobe doors so that you can choose a colour that blends in and pulls everything together.

5. Add the perfect finishing touch! Another quick and easy way to get your room looking elegant and co-ordinated is to have matching handles on doors and drawers. Even if items of furniture are not originally from matching sets, you can create this effect by replacing some of the handles so that they all match. Have a look at our extensive range here to see what would work with your bedroom furniture!

We hope that this has given you some helpful ideas and inspiration about how you could do a quick bedroom makeover and start earning additional income from your spare space. Do let us know how you get on and – who knows – we may feature your new bedroom  in a future blog!