This post is a little different than normal - today I'm going to deep dive into one of my most popular interior design services which is my turnkey Short-Term Rental Design service.

Why Hire a Designer for a Vacation Rental Property?

To start let's chat a little bit about why you want to hire an interior designer for an airbnb or vrbo short-term rental property. In recent years, the popularity of Airbnb and other vacation rental platforms has soared, revolutionizing the way people travel and experience new destinations. This trend reflects a shift towards personalized and immersive stays, where travelers seek accommodations that offer a sense of home away from home. However, catering to the unique needs and preferences of transient guests presents distinct challenges for designers. Unlike designing for permanent residences, vacation rentals demand a delicate balance of durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal to ensure guest satisfaction and positive reviews. The balance of the comforts of home with the luxury experience of a hotel. Effective interior design plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall guest experience, influencing everything from comfort and convenience to ambiance and memorable moments. As such, mastering the art of designing for vacation rentals is essential for property owners and hosts looking to thrive in the competitive hospitality landscape.

It used to be that you could make great revenue without investing much thought or money into the interior design of your rental property but with the oversaturated STR market those days are long gone. To beat out the competition it's imperative your property stands out in photos and delivers on an incredible experience from start to finish.

As the former lead interior designer at Vacasa, a nationwide vacation rental property management company and platform, I gained years of data-driven design experience for different properties all over the country. I am proud and excited to bring that knowledge to my current turnkey vacation rental interior design services which we'll talk more about today.

My turnkey airbnb vacation rental design service includes full set up including kitchen stock, bedding, household stock etc. Typically the project is executed virtually until everything has arrived and is ready to be installed which is when I will come on site to oversee. Items are usually delivered to a receiver who will store all of our orders and show up on a scheduled date while I am there to assemble, hang, and set up the space. I will do local sourcing for small decor and final staging. I typically coordinate photography and remain on site until photography is complete. The goal with this service is that when I walk away we have stunning photos for your new listing and the property is ready for renters to come and enjoy!

Next I'm going to run through the 5 Step Design Process (this is the same all of my full service interior design projects btw)

After we go through the process I'll run through some Frequently asked questions and answers to hopefully clarify anything.

5 STEP PROCESS

*Optional: Connection Call-a 10=20 minute call to get to know each other and determine if and which service might be a good fit for your project.

PROJECT PLAN

This 90 minute tour is usually done virtually through video call but on-site visits are possible by request. The Design Project Jumpstart is the valuable first step of putting together the project fundamentals along with goals and design inspiration. We'll also discuss our approach as it relates to our target market. For example if we are targeting a high end renter to charge a premium rate it's important the design looks and feels luxury down to the bedding and towels. We'll figure out any neccicary logistics (do we need to schedule contractors or hire a receiver/installer). This is where we hone in on the overall design direction, entire scope of the project, including timeline and budget, as well as clarify the desired outcomes.

2. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

In this phase we establish our design direction.

I'll put together inspo images for each space including ideas for furniture, decor, colors, materials, fixtures, and finishes.

STEP 3. DESIGN PLAN

The design plan will typically include floor plans noting furniture layouts, 3D renders, as well as room boards and product lists. We will review the design plan together and you'll give me any notes/feedback- there are no limited on revisions so we will continue in this process until you are 100% happy with the design the products.

Once you approve the design plan I will send you an order list through the purchasing platform which will allow you to place the entire order with one payment. It's a beautiful thing! All the individual orders from various vendors will be placed automatically. Ex amazon. west elm, etsy etc

I will be managing the project order spreadsheet which keeps track all of the deliveries with our receiver. If anything is delayed I will let you know and we can decide if we want to wait or reselect depending on what is best for you and your project timeline. Typically we just make reelections to replace any products that won't arrive to stick the original timeline.

STEP 4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Once the design plan is approved I'll send over the entire order for you to place with one click. Luckily I work with a platform that will allow us to place one order which automatically place the orders with specific vendors. So even if we are ordering from multiple sites (which we often are) you'll just make the one payment and all orders will go through to the proper site.

*Most of my clients don't live near their rental or aren't able/don't want to manage the plethora of deliveries associated with these projects so often I will coordinate the delivery with a local receiver to collect the items and schedule a consolidated, white glove delivery installation when I'll be onsite to manage set up.

I work with the vendors and the receiver on confirming the deliveries and if there are any damaged or missing items. Once we see the shipping ETA's we'll pin down a date for me to come onsite for installation.

STEP 5. INSTALLATION

I will be onsite for the installation - depending on the size of the property and project this is typically takes 3-5 days. I like to leave time to source small decorative objects from local thrift and vintage stores if at all possible as brings so much character to the space (and often saves some mula!)

It is my goal to have everything set up, professionally photographed, and renter ready before I leave.

FAQs:

How long does a turnkey vacation rental interior design project take?

Typically clients come to me ready to get their property furnished and up and running ASAP. I do my best to work as quickly as possible- that said most turnkey vacation rental design projects will take 6-8 weeks to complete.

(Keep in mind the project start date will depend on my current project load and schedule so I recommend reaching out as early as possible.)

Can you do it any faster?

While I can and do offer turnkey design services relying on only or mostly local sourcing which can be done in a matter of days - weeks. (Please note these projects are dependent on the location (and what local resources are available) along with my schedule at that time.)

How much does it cost?

Turkey Interior Design Services start at $10,000 and are priced per project. I work on a flat fee business model - any trade pricing I receive is passed straight to you. No mark-ups or timesheets and any travel expenses are included.

How much is the product cost to set up a turnkey vacation rental?

It depends on the size and space but for a super rough low end estimate of product cost, factor in about $5,000 per room (be sure to include outdoor spaces!).

(Ex a 2 bed 2 bath house with a finished basement = 2 bed + 1 kitchen + 1 dining + 1 living room + 1 basement/ game room+ 1 outdoor= 7 rooms x $5,000 = $35,000 minimum estimate of total product costs.)

Do you place orders?

When we are ready to order I will send you the approved order to place with one payment. It's a beautiful thing! All the individual orders from various vendors will be placed automatically. I work with their project manager on all deliveries and coordination of installation.

While I will coordinate all of the deliveries and installation you will hire and pay each contractor directly.

*I typically pay for photography as it is often included in my flat fee.

Where do you work?

I take projects all over! Steps 1-4 are typically done virtually and I will be on-site for step 5 to manage the installation get everything set up and staged to perfection. (Additional site visits might be recommended if there are updates or remodeling involved.)

What about returns/ issues with any products?

I will handle any replacements or returns that happen during installation (ex: something arrives damaged or doesn't fit)

If there are any issues post installation you or your property manager will reach out directly to the vendor to handle the return (you are of course welcome to loop me in as well I just won't be facilitating the return).

Return policies and defect policies will vary by vendor - know that I try to source as much as possible from vendors I know will take care of my clients especially for larger more expensive items like sofas.

Where can I see your examples of your work?

You can see a highlight of my projects in my portfolio linked here.

Interested in learning more about turnkey vacation rental interior design or updating an existing short-term rental property? Please email me at sarah@sukkhainteriordesign.com or use the link below.

If you are looking to transform your space or just want to say hi, I'd love to connect! You can reach out through the link below or reach me directly at sarah@sukkhainteriordesign.com.

Let's Connect!