DIY Airbnb Upgrades & Renovations
There is a good chance that you’re looking for clever ways to add value to your Airbnb property without breaking the bank. At Lifty Life, we often find ourselves looking for the best do-it-yourself (DIY) Airbnb upgrades that improve the properties we own and manage. The goals of Airbnb renovations are to improve the guest experience, create a better maintained and durable space, protect your investment, and improve your earnings.
Here is our list of the Best Do It Yourself Airbnb upgrades:
- New Coat of Paint
- New Floors
- Update Lighting
- Kitchen Cabinet Hacks
What DIY Supplies & Tools should be in your Vacation Rental?
We highly recommend supplying basic tools and DIY supplies to your property. Having tools available, ideally in a locked closet, is a protection that keeps your unit well maintained and looking its best. Tools are especially important if you don’t live in the same community as your vacation rental.
Below are the tools and supplies that we most recommend adding to your Airbnb:
Providing basic tools will allow yourself, property manager, cleaning staff, and in special circumstances your guest to resolve basic issues. The last thing you want is a sink to start leaking but because you don’t have a wrench you can’t easily switch of the water. Basic tools are a risk mitigation strategy that protects your investment.
An electric drill/driver will make your life so much easier! Screw drivers serve their purpose but they can’t compete with the efficiency of an electric drill. If you’re using Ikea furniture to furnish your Airbnb having ta drill will save you hours of time. A cordless drill is a valuable tool in endless DIY projects.
Painting is an inexpensive DIY project that has great returns. In addition to repainting a space you’ll also need paint supplies to touch up your unit. Wear and tear of your walls is unavoidable. Repainting is a common maintenance project that you’ll need to prepare for.
4. Putty & Putty Knife
In connection with your paint kit, supplying putty and a putty knife is a good safeguard against damaged walls. Keep this supply ready to fix the inevitable dents and damages. This will also come in handy when/if you move artwork, wall lighting, TV wall mounts, etc.
I don’t know exactly when or where you’ll need extra strength super glue but I do know you will. At some point a knob will break, a piece of wood will splinter, or you’ll need to fix a chair leg. When that happens it’s good to have a cheap solution to fixing the issue, even if it is only temporary.
Water damage is among the most expensive home damages so minimizing risk is critically important. Plumbers tape is great for resolving small leaks; it’s not always possible or timely to replace a sink while a guest is staying with you. Plumbers tape can be a quick solution that buys you some time before you fix the real issue.
Interior “General” Airbnb Upgrades & Renovations
New Coat of Paint
A new coat of paint is one of the cheapest Do it yourself updates you can do to your Airbnb, and a paint job can have a very high return of investment. Ensure that your colour choice will appeal to your target demographic without alienating others.
New Flooring
Flooring plays a big role in the look and feel of a room. If you have a stained carpeting or old linoleum, replacing your flooring is nearly a requirement to ensure that potential guests inquiry about your vacation listing after scrolling past the first few photos.
Today most guests, prefer hardwood floors over carpeting because most people think it is cleaner. If you operate in an older house there is always a chance that there is old beautiful hardwood underneath your carpet or linoleum, so be sure to look before making any final purchases.
Refinishing hardwood flooring is a large labour intensive project that requires a lot of sanding, colour staining, and sealing. However, it is relatively inexpensive and the results can give your property an authentic charm that with make it stand out from the other listings on Airbnb.
Laminate floors are very popular because they are affordable and relatively easy to install. Often you can get very good deals if a store only has a couple hundred square feet left. Which can be a great option for small studio apartments, so be sure to ask about deals and inventory level at your local hardware store.
If you have an older apartment, the carpeting may help to reduce noise complaints from your neighbors and guests. Furthermore, your building strata may have by-laws about replacing carpet with laminate flooring.
Pro Tip: Area rugs are a good option to create a sense of space, dampen sound and “bring a room together”.
Update the Lighting
If your home feels dark, your photos are not going to look good on your Airbnb page. Worst still, if your photos are well lit but your place is actually dark guests might feel disappointed and may leave a poor review. Dull boring ceiling lights can easily be replaced with unique fixtures that will make the rooms brighter and feel larger. Consider spending a little extra money on the bathroom and kitchen light fixtures, because they tend to make the rooms look cleaner.
Kitchen Airbnb Upgrades & Renovations
Kitchen Cabinets Hack
Replacing kitchen cabinets is a major job that will very likely take longer than a weekend and is probably best left to a professional cabinet maker. However, an easy do it yourself Airbnb upgrade is to replace the old cabinet knobs with new knobs and handles. The new knobs can easily and cheaply make your kitchen fit in with the aesthetic theme of the rest of your Airbnb without a major investment.
