JULY 08, 2025
#140 Short-Term Rental Design ROI: How to Turn Style Into Serious Profit
Your short-term rental shouldn’t just look beautiful—it should generate serious profit. That’s the power of short-term rental design ROI. Today’s savvy hosts know that intentional design transforms spaces from average to absolutely unforgettable, creating listings that captivate guests and maximize revenue.
In a recent episode of the podcast, I sat down with powerhouse designer Ishita Lalan—who’s worked on over 300 short-term rentals and knows a thing or two about turning design into dollars. Trust me, if you want your space to stand out in the market and scale your income, you need to hear what she has to say.
Why Short-Term Rental Design ROI Is the Game-Changer You’ve Been Missing
Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a business tool. When you design strategically, you don’t just make your property more beautiful—you make it more bookable. You increase perceived value. You stand out in saturated markets. And yes, you can even justify higher nightly rates.
Ishita shared a jaw-dropping example: a once-overlooked Asheville property jumped from an $850,000 valuation to $2.1 million in just four months—all thanks to intentional, ROI-focused design. This isn’t fluff. It’s real strategy, with real results.
This is why understanding short-term rental design ROI is non-negotiable if you want to maximize your investment.
Key Elements That Drive Short-Term Rental Design ROI
Let’s break down what actually fuels that return:
- Market-specific design decisions. You’ve got to design for the guest and for the market. That means doing your homework.
- Maximizing “heads in beds.” Space planning and functionality aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re income boosters.
- Creating a moment. A strong focal point, bold design choices, and Insta-worthy details drive guest interest and bookings.
The most profitable properties are memorable. That’s where the money is. Want proof? Check out this Airbnb design ROI case study that backs it up.
Mistakes That Kill Your Short-Term Rental Design ROI
Even seasoned investors mess this up. Here are the top traps to avoid:
- Designing for yourself, not your guest. This one’s a biggie. You’re not the target audience—your guest is. Always design with them in mind.
- Skipping professional help. You may think you’re saving money by doing it alone—but what you’re really doing is leaving money on the table.
- Focusing only on furniture. Great design goes beyond décor. It’s about layout, lighting, flow, and the full guest experience.
And if you’re worried about the investment? Flip that mindset. Strategic design is the investment. One that pays you back—month after month.
Ready to Design for Profit? Start With These Steps:
- Study your market. Know what guests are expecting—and what your competitors are doing.
- Audit your space. Ask: Where can I add value, improve flow, or maximize sleeping capacity?
- Invest where it counts. Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms deserve your budget.
- Get support. Whether it’s a designer like Ishita or a design community like ours—don’t go it alone.
Short-term rental design ROI isn’t a trend—it’s a transformation. It’s the difference between a property that looks good and one that performs exceptionally.
And here’s the truth: your space deserves to do both.
So if you’re ready to design with purpose, power, and profit in mind, now’s the time to make bold moves. Let your property become the income-producing asset it was meant to be.
Want to dive deeper? Listen to the full podcast episode now and discover actionable strategies to maximize your short-term rental’s ROI through intentional design.
HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[00:02] A short introduction about our guest Ishita Lalan and shares the foundation of her work as both an investor and a designer
[02:17] Ishita shares how short-term rental design makes it the perfect culmination of her life experiences and professional passions
[07:46] What are some of the best upgrades that Ishita is seeing to drive impact when it comes to return on investment with property upgrades these days
[11:17] Ishita shares her strategic approach to value-adding renovations and highlights how different investors have different appetites for risk and time commitment
[14:23] How Ishita manages multiple projects across different geographies successfully and opens up about a challenging project in Tennessee that didn’t go as planned
[18:17] Ishita breaks down how thoughtful design, strategic layout changes, and underutilized space conversions can unlock major equity gains and long-term wealth
[25:43] What are some of the most common mistakes that Ishita is seeing these days in short term rental design
[30:10] Ishita shares how strategic design—even within the confines of a small condo—can create impact, boost functionality, and help listings stand out
[34:06] How ceilings offer untapped design potential in short-term rentals, from wallpaper to lighting installations, helps properties stand out and feel more luxurious
[36:28] Ishita shares how thoughtful, minimalist, and upscale design plays just as vital a role in urban rentals as it does in vacation properties
[39:42] What are some key questions that you should be asking someone that you considering to hire to design for your property
[42:01] Ishita explains the importance of the design process should be collaborative, phased, and tailored—not a one-size-fits-all handoff
[44:31] Why Ishita encourages getting a designer and emphasizes the importance of designing with detachment, market appeal, and long-term goals in mind
[47:30] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “Short term rental has been a game changer in my life as an investor. It has literally changed our lives, not only my own, but it had a ripple effect in our family’s life as well. We are able to have financial freedom.”
- “We need to be able to be in constant communication with our contractors. And setting expectations for those contractors is absolutely critical.”
- “I’m a big believer that a vacation should start from the minute your guest steps in on your doorstep, and they should feel like that’s where the vacation starts.”
Let’s Connect!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishita.interiors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishita.nagda/
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