How to Furnish a Short Term Rental Apartment in St Louis
After more than a year of social distancing and sheltering in place, the travel industry has bounced back. Family vacations, conferences and road trips have all returned in full force. Jennifer Best explains in her article “Three Ways In-Person Events Could Change In 2021” for Forbes. According to Best, “82% of planners surveyed will hold live meetings this year.” While travel has rebounded, stays in hotels and resorts have not. Instead, short term rentals like those listed on Airbnb and VRBO have captured a lion share. In her article “Hosting an Airbnb Right Now Is Harder Than You Think” for The New York Times last month, Ronda Kaysen elaborated. Kaysen noted that -- even a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began -- “many travelers are choosing to stay in rented homes instead of hotels.” They have chosen short term rentals “as a way to maintain a safer bubble, turning the summer of 2021 into a bonanza for homeowners.” Cities like St Louis, Missouri now have more than three hundred furnished rental homes listed on Airbnb. Renting a one bedroom furnished apartment in St Louis could cost anywhere between $49.00 and $200.00. On average, stays are rated high -- around 4.8 out of 5 stars. To make your listing more competitive, follow below for our tips for how to furnish a rental apartment in St Louis.
Nine Tips for Furnishing a Home for Rent in St Louis Missouri
#1 Splurge on the Bedroom
When furnishing a home for rent in St Louis, begin by addressing the master bedroom. While social spaces like the living room and kitchen are indeed important, most industry experts recommend hosts focus on the bedroom. In her article “The Best Gear to Outfit a Vacation Rental or Airbnb” for Wirecutter, Kalee Thompson explains. Thompson writes that first and foremost, “everyone wants a great night’s sleep.” Ensuring comfort for guests means “a good mattress, soft sheets, new pillows, and quality bedding, even in a budget rental.” As such, Thompson notes that renters should “focus on the bedroom first...if you’re going to splurge.”
Homeowners planning to rent their St Louis apartments should invest in mattress, pillow and duvet covers to prevent spills and pests. They should also match the quality of sheets and linens to the quality of their rental. One must splurge on luxury sheets if one is charging luxury rental prices. Homeowners should consider the season when choosing bedding. Position the bed close to outlets and equip each nightstand with a table lamp or wall sconce.
#2 Consider Second-Hand Furniture for Furnished Rentals St Louis
Purchasing durable furniture is key to maintaining furnished rental apartments without breaking the bank. Sadly, many of today’s sofas, dining tables, cabinets and bed frames are made with cheap, man-made materials. Attractive because of their inexpensive prices and fast shipping, furniture made with these materials quickly degrades. While quality furniture might be easy to find, it often comes with a sizable price tag. Limit the cost of furnishing your St Louis rental apartment while improving the durability of its furnishings by purchasing second-hand items. Vintage and antique pieces could cost less than brand-new pieces. With solid construction, they will likely last far longer. These pieces can also add a bit of character to a neutral, modern apartment.
#3 Make Spaces Accessible
Throughout other areas of the home, homeowners should leave enough room to comfortably walk between furniture. They should choose couches, sofas and armchairs that accommodate most renters, including those who might be disabled. In the bedroom, homeowners should purchase a bed that is accessible to as many renters as possible. This means accommodating those who might have disabilities or different abilities.
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund notes that newer beds are often as high as 25 to 30 inches high. According to the DREDF, these beds are “notably higher than the beds previously found in hotels." The DREDF notes that they may "pose a significant barrier to people with mobility disabilities.” Because the “typical seat height of a wheelchair is 19," homeowners should shop for beds that do not exceed 23 inches high.
#4 Furnish the Space Minimalistically
Lived-in homes are often filled to the roof and walls with furniture, decor and tchotchkes of all different types. Unfortunately, excessive clutter neither makes listing photos attractive nor suits most renters. As such, industry experts typically recommend removing personal items, cutting down on unnecessary furniture and keeping the decor as neutral as possible. In her article “Creating a Standout Vacation Rental” for The New York Times, Michelle Higgins explains. Quoting interior designer Kerri Rosenthal, Higgins writes that “‘when designing vacation rentals, simplicity in furnishings is the key.’” Given this, homeowners should “‘keep the furniture highly edited and the accessorizing down to a minimum.’”
The Architectural Digest article “20 Easy Ways to Make Your Airbnb Listing Stand Out” also recommends editing rental spaces. According to the Architectural Digest article, “for a rental, minimal is better than maximal.” In order to create the most beautiful and functional space, the AD editors suggest abiding by the two-thirds rule. This means removing one third of the “furnishings you would normally have” in each space. Place the third you remove in storage or “stash it with friends.”
#5 Prioritize Lighting
From creating a romantic alcove for a Friday night dinner date to offering a brightly lit workspace, lighting is incredibly important for any interior. As the host of a short term rental in St Louis, homeowners should prioritize lighting when furnishing each space. In her article “The Secrets to a Well-Lit Room” for ElleDecor, Lauren deCarlo explains how to create ambiance with lighting. Quoting designer Lindsey Adelman, deCarlo elaborates. She notes “‘if a room is lit the right way, everyone looks their best and feels relaxed and comfortable, but they don't know why.’” Quality lighting should be subtle, warm, diffused and appropriate for the situation.
To accomplish this, Adelman suggests homeowners “localize their light source.” They should always “always add a dimmer,” “consider the function of the room” and know which bulbs to purchase. Homeowners who are renting their apartments or condos in St Louis should layer lighting, especially in the winter months when natural lighting is scarce. When lighting private spaces, consider adding candles to soften the effect. For more social spaces, add a series of light sources including table lamps, overhead lighting and floor lamps.
#6 Provide a Workspace in Your 1 Bedroom Furnished Apartment St Louis
Even if your rental is a 1 bedroom apartment in St Louis, be sure to provide a work or study space for your renters. With dozens of conferences scheduled across the States this summer and fall, providing a workspace is key. Offering a desk and ergonomic chair is also important for the growing number of remote workers and digital nomads who are traveling this year. In her article “5 Ways to Make Your Space Feel Like a Vacation, According to Airbnb Hosts” for Apartment Therapy, Abigail Abesamis Demarest elaborates. According to Demarest, “it’s important to create spaces that signal ‘work’ and reserve other spaces for leisure if possible.” Quoting rental host Lauren, Demarest identifies one of the most significant changes to the short term rental market over the last year. According to Lauren, as “‘people’s need for dedicated spaces within the home that are specifically designed for productivity.’”
Lauren notes that “‘the lines [are] blurred between time off and work time.'" As such, "'people are asking ‘can your home provide me with space conducive for my work?’’” Given this, homeowners furnishing their apartments in St Louis should offer guests an ergonomic work setup. They should do so even if their home does not have a formal study. Consider placing a secretary’s desk in the corner of the primary bedroom or a simple console desk in the living room. Make each renter’s stay more comfortable and enjoyable by providing internet that can accommodate a remote worker’s Zoom calls and a friend’s streaming simultaneously.
#7 Establish Private and Social Spaces
In this vein, make sure there is a mixture of private and social spaces throughout the home. Create small conversation zones for intimate discussions between couples or friends. Set aside a single armchair to create a reading nook for those who wish to sit quietly in peace. Place a set of bar stools in the kitchen to encourage guests to socialize. Furnish the patio or balcony with simple, space-saving furniture. Add a bistro set for coffee in the mornings or a glass of wine at night.
#8 Opt for Modular Furniture
According to RentCafe.com, the average one-bedroom apartment in the United States is just below nine hundred square feet in size. Homeowners planning to rent their one bedroom furnished apartment in St Louis should ensure as many pieces of furniture as possible are multifunctional. Opt for sectionals with moveable ottomans that can extend one side into a chaise. Add a pull-out sofa to the living room to maximize the number of overnight guests you can accommodate.
Consider a coffee table with a lift mechanism that can transform it into a dining table or cocktail table. Double a bar cart as an end table during the day. Purchase nightstands with built-in charging ports or outlets. Today, there are dozens of multipurpose furniture pieces available to homeowners.
#9 Upholster with Performance Fabrics
As mentioned above, durable furniture is essential to creating a low-maintenance rental apartment that functions well and looks great -- even as time passes. Though choosing sturdy furniture is key, so is picking the proper upholstery fabrics for each piece of furniture. While natural upholstery fabrics like silk and linen are perfectly lovely, they do not stand up to everyday wear and tear. In her article “How to Pick the Best Upholstery Fabric for Furniture” for Better Homes & Gardens, Jessica Bennett explains.
According to Bennett, cotton blends with stain resistant finishes are often effective for indoor furniture. Cotton blends are often “sturdy, family-friendly fabrics” that provide “good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling.” High quality synthetic acrylic is another solid choice, as it “resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading.” Lastly, microfiber, nylon blends and olefin can also resist mildew, abrasion, UV damage and wrinkling.