Several times each year I’m asked to help owners improve their AirBnB landscaping. My clients have short term rentals and they want to create memorable outdoor spaces that are durable, appealing to the widest variety of guests, and don’t break the bank. Luckily we know how to create amazing landscapes. Here are a few things we look at with AirBnB landscaping.
Get your guests outside
The first step to successful AirBnB landscaping is getting your guests to want to go outside. Give them a reason to explore the property! A firepit stocked with enough wood for the evening is a compelling reason to hang out outside. For the more luxury minded guests, a hot tub or a well stocked outdoor kitchen can be a powerful draw.
Keep the maintenance easy
Look, I would love to create lush, deeply layered gardens for every property I design. That’s not the best approach for a lot of AirBnB landscaping. The trick is to create the illusion of a complicated garden through smart, simple plant choices.
Start with a dense, tough evergreen backdrop. You want something that will fill out and grow reasonably fast but not so fast it’s a maintenance headache. Depending on the goal, laurels and boxwood are great choices.
Pick some durable, flashy blooming shrubs for the next layer. As long as the sun exposure is right and you don’t have deer issues, it’s hard to go wrong with something like hydrangeas (as a bonus, the cut flowers make a great welcome for your guests!)
Weave in some grasses for texture and movement, because that looks great and grasses are easy. Just like that you have a lush landscape that doesn’t demand a lot from you or your maintenance team.
Make your AirBnB landscaping shareworthy
A large percentage of your guests are going to share their vacation on social media. And what do people share from their vacations? Locations that make their friends jealous, and settings that visually define where they are. That means including a backdrop at your AirBnB that reflects the city or town you’re in. If you have a great view, create a trellis or arbor or gate that frames that view – and provides a perfect spot for selfies. Drive more bookings by getting your guests’ friends and family to say “I want to stay there too.”
Reinforce your brand with signage
Does your property have a name? If not, why not? Welcome your guests to Magnolia Cabin, or Camp [Your Name], or West Park Gardens. Make your property feel more special than just a random home and increase repeat bookings by being memorable. We design and fabricate AirBnB signs in our fabrication shop!
I’m putting together an AirBnB landscape design package this spring. If you want to learn more, or you want to schedule a consultation, fill out the form below and let’s get started!