March 17, 2026
#176 From Pretty to Profitable: How to Design a Short-Term Rental That Actually Drives Returns
What if the secret to a high-performing short-term rental isn’t adding more expensive gadgets or slashing your nightly rates, but simply designing with more intention? Most hosts focus on making a space look “Instagrammable,” but there is a massive difference between a property that looks good in a square photo and one that actually functions for a guest. If your design doesn’t support the guest experience, you aren’t building a business; you’re just decorating a hobby.
I recently sat down with Sarah Glidewell, a designer and investor who has mastered the art of “designs that drive returns.” Sarah transitioned from the world of architecture into Airbnb arbitrage and ownership, eventually building a portfolio so successful she retired her husband from the insurance industry to join her full-time. She understands that every design choice must be a strategic investment, not just an aesthetic one.
The Disconnect Between Design and Strategy
The biggest mistake I see in our industry is the “carnival” approach to design. You’ve seen these listings—neon signs on every wall, five different wallpapers in one room, and colors so loud your eyes have nowhere to rest. While these might stand out for a second, they often lack refinement and, more importantly, functionality.
Designing for a short-term rental is entirely different from designing your personal home. When you design your home, it’s emotional and tailored to your daily routines. When you design a short-term rental, you are designing for a wide array of people—from toddlers to grandparents. You have to communicate that you care about their experience without ever saying a word.
Small Details That “Spoil” Your Guests
Sarah shared that some of the highest-impact moments in her properties come from “surprise and delight” features that don’t cost a fortune. These are the micro-moments that prove you’ve actually thought about the human staying in your home.
Think about these high-impact touches:
- Towel Hooks by the Water: If you have a hot tub or a pool, guests need a place to hang their towels. Without hooks, those towels end up on the dirt or snow, leading to stains and extra laundry for you.
- The Right Dining Capacity: If your home sleeps twelve but your dining table only seats six, you’ve failed half of your guests. Ensuring everyone can sit together for a meal is a nostalgic, essential part of the travel experience.
- Thoughtful Amenities: Inspired by luxury hotels, Sarah uses take-home linen sprays and spa slippers. These items “spoil” the guest and create a lasting memory of their stay.
Where to Spend Your Next $5,000
If you have $5,000 to reinvest in your property today, where should it go? Most hosts want to buy a new piece of art or a fancy coffee station, but the real ROI is found in the presentation and the “bones” of the guest experience.
First, Sarah recommends spending the bulk of that budget—up to $3,500—on professional, architectural-grade photography. This includes twilight shots and drone footage. If your online presentation isn’t top-tier, guests will never book your property to see the interior anyway.
Second, spend the remaining $1,500 on high-quality, crisp white linens. Get rid of the dingy duvets and old quilts. Hotel-quality bedding instantly elevates the perceived value of your home and can justify a higher nightly rate immediately.
Buying Right vs. Buying Twice
One of the most practical pieces of advice Sarah offers is to understand the “unsexy” side of design materials. In a high-traffic rental, you either buy right or you buy twice.
When selecting furniture, look for the rub count. For any fabric sofa or chair, you want a count of at least 100,000. This is a measure of how much wear and tear the fabric can handle before it starts to break down. If you want to dive deeper into why these standards matter for hospitality, check out this guide on hospitality furniture standards from the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
I’ve always said that when you put higher-quality items in your property, you attract higher-quality guests. There is a psychological phenomenon where humans take better care of things that look well-maintained and premium. If your property looks like you don’t care, your guests won’t care either.
Designing for the Slow Season
Every property performs well during the high season. In Michigan, where Sarah operates, a lakefront home will stay booked all summer regardless of the decor. The real test of your design strategy is the off-season.
Are you outfitting your home with amenities that make it attractive in the winter? Saunas, hot tubs, and cozy indoor “zones” are what keep your revenue consistent year-round. Don’t just design for the sun; design for the months when people are looking for a reason to leave their own homes.
The CEO Mindset in Design
If you are nervous about the cost of hiring a designer, I want you to shift your perspective. A professional designer shouldn’t be an expense; they should be a revenue generator. A well-designed property can often double the revenue of its closest competitor by simply being more aesthetic and functional.
Think like a CEO. Your goal is predictability, sustainability, and a five-star guest experience. Stop decorating for yourself and start designing for your avatar. When you focus on the guest’s pain points and emotional needs, the returns will follow.
Are you ready to stop being a “pretty” property and start being a profitable one?
Click here now to listen to the full podcast.
HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[00:27] A short introduction about our guests Sarah Glidewell, and shares how her design and architecture background led her into Airbnb investing
[02:54] Sarah Glidewell explains the difference between designing a beautiful space and designing a profitable short-term rental
[06:16] Sarah shares how she spoils guests with thoughtful luxury-inspired details
[10:27] Why overly flashy designs may look good online but underperform on Airbnb
[15:00] Sarah outlines how she would allocate a $5,000 upgrade budget for a short-term rental to increase their nightly rate
[17:54] What are the the top design mistakes Sarah sees in short-term rental properties and how they impact guest experience and ROI
[21:47] Sarah addresses the challenge of standing out in markets where multiple properties share the same layout, amenities, and building, like high-rise condos in Myrtle Beach
[26:27] How understanding the emotional concerns and fears of guests is critical for designing short-term rentals that truly delight
[30:47] Sarah shares her approach to selecting materials and furniture that withstand the high traffic and unpredictability of short-term rental guests
[36:16] Sarah Glidewell recommends using realistic room renders to guide online furniture and material purchases
[38:50] Sarah’s words of wisdom for nervous first-time investors worried about the cost of hiring a designer
[44:00] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “When I’m guiding anyone through where to spend their money on their BnB, I’m always prioritizing the things that I think are going to get the most traffic for their guest avatar.”
- “One thing that a lot of people do wrong when it comes to design is they don’t necessarily think through splurge like where they need to splurge and where they need to reel back.”
- “When you put higher quality items in your property, and you attract higher quality guests, they absolutely take better care of your property.
Connect With Our Guest:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/studiohost.co/
Website : https://www.studiohost.co/
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