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INTERIOR DESIGN
The One Living Room Layout Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
The Most Common Living Room Furniture Layout Mistake (and How Designers Fix It) If your living room feels slightly awkward no matter how many times you rearrange the furniture, the
Why Pinterest Rooms Look Better Than Yours (And How Designers Close the Gap)
You know that moment. You’re scrolling Pinterest and every living room looks effortless. The sofa feels perfectly placed. The lighting is soft. The rug fits. Nothing feels crowded or awkward
Why Long Living Rooms Feel So Hard to Furnish
It’s Not You. It’s the Shape On paper, a long living room looks generous. There’s square footage. There’s flexibility. There’s room for a large sofa. And yet, when it’s time
Small Living Room Layouts That Work
Small living rooms have a reputation problem. They’re often treated like a compromise — too tight to be comfortable, too awkward to furnish properly, destined to feel cluttered no matter
Guest‑Proof Fabrics That Actually Last
Between kids, pets, guests, Airbnb turnover, movie‑night snacks, and life generally happening on the furniture, fabric choices are a pretty big deal. And while nearly every retailer offers performance options,
What “Contract Grade” Furniture Really Means (And Should You Use It at Home?)
If you’ve ever shopped for furniture and seen the term contract grade, you may have wondered: Is this just marketing jargon, or does it actually matter? The short answer: it
How to Style a Room When You’ve Already Bought the Furniture
Furnishing a space? No problem. Making a room look finished? That’s where a lot of people get stuck. If you’ve ever felt frustrated that a room still doesn’t feel quite
Your Airbnb Looks Great in Person—So Why Don’t the Photos Pop?
If you’ve ever looked around your Airbnb and thought, This looks so much better in real life, you’re not imagining it. Some spaces feel warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed when
Is Your Airbnb Too Basic? Here’s How to Add Personality Guests Love
If your vacation rental feels clean, neutral, and perfectly fine—but it’s not getting the excited guest reactions you hoped for—you’re not alone. So many hosts stay in the “safe zone”
Airbnb Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Bookings (and How to Fix Them Fast)
Design can make or break your Airbnb listing—and in today’s saturated market, guests are scrolling fast. If your space doesn’t grab attention in the first three seconds, they move on.
Want a Designer Look Without the Price Tag? Try This Instead
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a designer room on Pinterest—only to realize the total cost could cover a small car—you’re not alone. As a designer, I know how
How to Make a Small Airbnb Bedroom Feel Bigger
If your Airbnb’s bedroom feels more “cozy” than “comfortable,” you’re not alone. Small bedrooms are one of the most common design challenges for hosts — especially in condos, guest suites,
Save vs. Splurge: Where to Invest in Your Airbnb Interior
Creating a space that looks great in photos, holds up to constant use and frequent cleanings, and still fits within a realistic budget can feel like an impossible task. The
Decorate for Fall Without Losing Your Style: Unique Fall Decor Ideas for Cozy Season
Decorating for autumn usually means lots of pumpkins, bright orange tones, and a cozy-overload aesthetic. But what if your vacation rental is by the beach—or in the desert? What if
Our Design Packages, Explained
Today is the day we answer a question we’ve been asking ourselves for a long time: How can we make good design more affordable for vacation rental hosts without sacrificing
The Vacation Rental Guide to Wallpaper: Best Types, Patterns & Tips
When you’re designing a vacation rental, walls are one of the fastest ways to make a space feel memorable. And while paint is easy and affordable, nothing sets a listing
The 5 Airbnb Design Trends We’re Actually Using This Year
Trends come and go (remember the shiplap craze of 2016?), but when you’re designing an Airbnb, you can’t risk a look that feels dated before your first guest even checks
Rugs 101: The Ultimate Guide for Vacation Rentals
Vacation rental interior design feeling a little…meh? Chances are, you need a rug. Lots of hosts resist them, after all, they’re another thing to keep clean, but I’ll argue that
What to Fix First If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed by Design Decisions
Have you ever walked into a room—or looked at your Airbnb photos—and thought, “Why doesn’t this feel right?” Nothing’s technically wrong, but something’s off. The space functions okay. The furniture
My Favorite Art on Etsy in 2025
If you’ve ever searched Etsy for art, you know it’s both a treasure trove and a total time suck. There are thousands of prints, originals, and downloadable files to scroll
Affordable, Unique Art for Vacation Rentals (That Only Looks Expensive)
While planning summer travel, I noticed a recurring theme in vacation rental listings: bare walls. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a space feel unfinished—and one of the
The Living Room Formula: What Guests and Homeowners Actually Want
Originally published June 2025. Updated February 2026 with expanded guidance for homeowners and short-term rentals. If you’ve ever wondered why some living rooms photograph beautifully and feel great to live
How to Style an Airbnb That Gets More 5-Star Reviews
The link between stylish interiors, great photos, and more bookings is clear. But what might not be obvious is that the benefits of great style go beyond more bookings. A
12 Airbnb Listing Photo Mistakes That Are Costing You Bookings
I’ve been searching for a vacation rental for a family trip in September, and I’m stunned by how many Airbnb listing photo mistakes I’m still seeing. Bad photos can make
It’s Time for a Backyard Glow-Up: Affordable Outdoor Decor You’ll Love
Outdoor living season is upon us; is your backyard, porch, or patio summertime-ready? If not, fear not, we’ve searched far and wide and found some excellent, affordable outdoor decor just
Get Ready for Peak Season: 6 Essential Steps for Summertime Prep
School’s out, the weather is getting balmy, and your guests are booked. Time to sit back and relax, right? Ha! No. Here’s what you need to do to prep your
Affordable Bathroom Decor Finds from Amazon
Last week, I wrote all about how to update your bathroom on the cheap. This week, it’s “show, don’t tell”, so here are some excellent and affordable bathroom decor ideas
23 Budget-Friendly Vacation Rental Bathroom Decor Ideas
We’ve said it before: You must have great photos and videos to get booked. Guests want to see everything before they commit, so what do you do if your bathrooms
How I’m Updating My Vacation Rental Kitchen on a Budget
It’s a painful moment for any short-term rental owner: the realization that the kitchen needs an update. In truth, my rental needed an update the moment we closed on the
Bring It to Light: How to Brighten Up Rooms in Your Vacation Rental
Picture this: You’re on vacation, and you’ve just arrived at your rental property. You open the door, and…yikes. The living room is dim, the walls are an unappealing shade of
How to Boost the Romance Factor at Your Vacation Rental
There’s nothing better than hearing that a guest proposed at your vacation rental and, even better, that the happy couple plans to return next year to celebrate their anniversary. It’s
Want to Level Up Your Vacation Rental Bedroom Decor? Try These Tips!
Vacation rental bedrooms have a lot of influence on how guests experience – and review- their stay. After all, nothing is more relaxing than a good night’s sleep. But often,
Dream Big: How to Create the Ultimate Airbnb Mood Board
Table of Contents Are you an aspiring Airbnb host starting a vacation rental business or planning to remodel your rental home? If you’re a visual person, creating an Airbnb mood
Creating the Perfect Mountain Vacation Rental with Design & Decor
What’s your mountain house fantasy? Mine includes a crackling fire, a snuggly blanket, cozy socks, and a great book. It’s well-earned spiked hot chocolate, pom-pom hats, and silly conversations with
How to Make the Most of a Small Airbnb Bedroom with Ikea Hacks
Whew! I finally finished this small bedroom with lots of Ikea hacks (back in October, actually), and I’m so happy with how it turned out. This one was unusual because
Amazon Black Friday Finds 2025
[Updated November 24, 2025] Black Friday is one of the best times of the year to give your Airbnb (or your own home) a refresh without blowing the budget. I’ve
‘Tis the Season: Should You Decorate Your Airbnb for Christmas?
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are just around the corner, and if you’re a host, that means it’s time to start thinking about whether or not you
Essential Lake Vacation Rental Must-Haves
There’s just something magical about lake vacation rentals, isn’t there? The shimmering waters, jaw-dropping views, and a chance to get back to nature — no wonder guests are pulled in like magnets.
Lighting Roundup: Table and Floor Lamps (Mostly) Under $100 (Updated May 2025)
There’s a reason interior designers prefer table and floor lamps to overhead lighting. Several reasons, actually.
Expert Vacation Rental Tips for Designing a Picture-Perfect Space
You want your property to be inviting and stylish—in short; you want to give guests an experience they won’t forget. So, what little tricks do designers use to create a picture-perfect space that looks as good in person as on the website?