The Best Interior Furnishing Strategy For a 1-Bedroom Airbnb

After hosting over 2,000 guests annually, earning consistent 5-star reviews, becoming an Airbnb Superhost, and maintaining an average occupancy rate of 85%, we can say – this post is worth reading if you plan to:

1. Get started with interior furnishing for a 1-bedroom Airbnb
2. Boost your listing to stand out and attract more bookings
3. Make your Airbnb feel welcoming and comfortable for guests

We’ve brought insights from our KHDA-certified designer, Shinnel, to ensure you get expert guidance on furnishing your 1-bedroom Airbnb.

Ready to make the most out of your rental? Keep reading for all the details.

TL;DR: The Best Interior Furnishing for 1-Bedroom Airbnbs in 2025

1. Before buying anything, have a PLAN, set a budget, and choose a theme based on YOUR target audience.
2. Focus on comfort and quality for the main areas: kitchen, living room, and bedroom.
3. Always follow the rule of three (grouping three items to create balance and visual appeal) when accessorizing.
4. Make sure natural light flows into the room easily.
5. Stick to neutral colors like brown, cream, and beige, they’re timeless and always in style.
6. You can shop for quality furniture pieces at a local shop or online; Amazon and IKEA are good examples.
7. Above all, keep the design simple.

Interior Furnishing for 1-Bedroom Airbnb: Can It Make or Break Your Airbnb Business?

Yes, the interior furnishing of a 1-bedroom Airbnb can significantly impact your Airbnb business. When a potential guest scrolls through your listing, visuals are the first thing they notice. Interior design affects how guests perceive and experience your rental, and for a 1-bedroom Airbnb, it matters even more.

As our KHDA-certified designer at Homevy, Shinnel, puts it: “The most important thread that runs through every property is how homely and comfortable it feels.”

Design directly influences comfort, and functional design helps reduce guest complaints. Whether it’s a living room with lotsssss of cushions, a fluffy bed, or a mirror placed near an outlet, these little things can make guests think, “Oh, this host really cares.”

An apartment that feels curated not just thrown together builds trust and often leads to 5-star reviews and repeat bookings.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Furnishing Your 1-Bedroom Holiday Home in 2025

Photo by Homevy

We’ve been curating homes for guests in Dubai for a while now, so we know firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to Airbnb interior furnishing.

According to Shinnel, our expert designer, comfort and functionality are the top two things that keep guests happy and bookings flowing. Here are 7 steps she recommends for furnishing your 1-bedroom Airbnb the right way.

Step 1: Plan, Budget, and Select a Theme

You’ll need to have a plan before shopping for furniture, as this is the foundation of your design.

As Shinnel mentions, the first thing she does is conduct a site visit. Whether the space is empty or already furnished, assessing the property allows you to see what can stay and what needs to be replaced or added.

Once that’s done, the budget comes into play. It’s important to balance what you can afford with investing in key pieces that will enhance guest experience.

Then, choose a theme. Shinnel explains that “The theme and target audience often reveal themselves during the property assessment. This is when you’ll know if you’re designing for couples, families, or digital nomads. A clear theme will help guide your furniture selection, decor, and overall style.”

Step 2: Focus on Comfort and Quality for Key Furniture Pieces

As an Airbnb host, your goal is to make guests feel instantly comfortable the moment they step into your short-term rental. Ask yourself: “Does this space make me want to kick off my shoes and relax, or does it feel cold and uninviting?”

When it comes to interior furnishing for a 1-Bedroom Airbnb, the kitchen, living room, and bedroom are the three key areas that define the guest experience. Each space should be functional and well-furnished.

1. The Kitchen: Equip it with essentials guests actually use; a microwave for quick meals, a kettle for coffee or tea, and a toaster for easy breakfasts. A good shelf helps keep things organized.
2. The Living Room: Your living room should be simple but well put together. A rug, a few decorations, and an art piece can make a big difference. A smart TV keeps guests entertained, and a coffee table with storage is always a good idea. Your Airbnb should be somewhere between a hotel room and your personal home, but not either of them! Keep it balanced.
3. The Bedroom: Invest in a good mattress and quality bedding, this is what guests are really paying for:  “that overnight stay – the goodnight rest,” so it’s either you buy it nice or buy it twice.

We can’t talk about the complete Airbnb essentials in this article but here’s what Shinnel had to say when asked what furniture pieces are essential: “Everything in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom is essential. No single piece holds more weight than the others. It’s how they come together – in the right space, at the right time, at the right height, with the right dimension that makes the design work.”

Step 3: Use Accessories to Enhance the Space

While quality materials are important for your 1-bedroom Airbnb, what really makes a space feel luxurious is how you accessorize it. You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive furniture to create an elevated look.

Photo by Homevy

Shinnel shares a valuable tip she and the KHDA-certified design team at Homevy use for styling every property: “We always follow the rule of three. When accessorizing, especially on surfaces like the coffee table, we group things in threes to keep it balanced and easy on the eyes.”

For example, in the bedroom, instead of leaving the bed with just plain linens, you can add two soft cushions and a throw blanket folded neatly at the edge. It gives the bed a layered, styled look without doing too much.

Step 4: Pay Attention to Natural Lightning

Natural light plays a huge role in how your 1-bedroom Airbnb looks. If your rental is in Dubai, you know how important this is as everyone comes to Dubai for a bit of sun.

So, when setting up your Airbnb, make sure you use the natural light to your advantage. It makes the room feel more welcoming. Avoid blocking windows with big furniture. Good lighting can make your listing photos stand out and attract more bookings.

Don’t forget to layer in some artificial lighting too. No guest wants to stay in a dark room.

Step 5: Set Up an Instagram-Worthy Corner

Everyone loves a quick selfie so why not create one in your Airbnb? Pick a small corner and make it stand out. It could be as simple as an armchair, a nice piece of art, and a cool plant. Add a cute sign that says something like “Home away from home” or even the name of your rental.

Photo by: Homevy

Guests will love snapping photos there, and if they post them online, that’s a free advert for you!

Step 6: Go Heavy on Storage Options

Even in a small 1-bedroom Airbnb, storage is a big deal. Guests don’t want to keep all their belongings in a suitcase for days, so give them options to unpack and feel at home. As part of smart interior furnishing for a 1-bedroom Airbnb, a dresser with deep drawers, a closet with quality hangers, or even under-bed storage goes a long way.

You can also add simple things like wall hooks or a coat rack by the entrance for bags, jackets, or hats. The goal is to keep the space tidy without making it feel cramped.

Step 7: Remember, Simple Is Better

Interior furnishing for a 1-bedroom Airbnb can easily get overwhelming if you’re not intentional. Avoid overcrowding, keep the apartment airy with light designs and furniture.

Photo by Homevy

Now, you should be asking: What kind of impact can you make that will create a wow factor in your rental? Well, it could be something as simple as an attractive wallpaper or a large, fancy mirror.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Furniture for Your 1-Bedroom Airbnb

Choosing furniture for your 1-bedroom Airbnb doesn’t have to be difficult. Use this checklist to guide your setup.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Furnishing a 1-Bedroom Airbnb

The thing you may not realize is that besides being a host, you’re also creating art. The space you design for your guests is your creation and your guests are your muse. You want them to feel at home, even while they’re away from home.

Photo by Homevy

To achieve this, here are five common mistakes to avoid when handling interior furnishing for a 1-bedroom Airbnb:

1. Over-decorating & Cluttering the Space

It’s easy to get carried away with décor, especially when you’re trying to make the place feel “styled.” But less is often more. Clutter can make a small apartment feel cramped and overwhelming. Go for clean, functional designs that still show personality.

2. Ignoring Guest Needs

Style is important, but function comes first. Don’t forget practical things like a mirror (especially full-length), a small desk or workspace, or a luggage rack. These may seem small, but guests notice when they’re missing.

3. Choosing Fragile or High-Maintenance Pieces

You want your Airbnb to look great, but you also want it to be low-effort for you and safe for guests. Avoid furniture or decorations that break easily or are tough to clean. Durable and wipeable always wins in a rental.

4. Poor Lighting Choices

A dark or poorly lit space can turn guests off instantly. Natural lighting is key (don’t block windows!), but artificial lighting matters, too. Use a mix of ceiling lights, bedside lamps, and maybe even a floor lamp to create warmth and comfort.

5. Mixing Too Many Styles

Trying to do too much with the design can backfire. Stick to a consistent color scheme and furnishing style that flows from one room to the next. A cohesive look feels more intentional and is easier on the eyes.

What Our Designer Has to Say

“A lot of the time, the mistake isn’t just one thing – it’s that nothing feels intentional. You’ll see mismatched furniture, random artwork, and oversized pieces that throw off the flow. Like squeezing two sofa beds into a small space. Yes, you want to maximize bookings, but good design should always lead the way.” 

— Shinnel, Homevy’s KHDA-Certified Interior Designer

What Color Themes Work Best In 1-Bedroom Rentals?

When choosing a color palette for your 1-bedroom Airbnb, keep it timeless. If you want a space that looks good after two or three years down the line.  Go neutral.

As Shinnel puts it, “The best colour schemes for a 1-bedroom Airbnb are always neutral: browns, beige, creams with a pop of colour. We love pairing these tones with shades of green.”

Image by Homevy

You can see this come to life in the photo above, following the 60/30/10 rule, which Sara Lynn describes as using 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent shade.

• 60% of the room is dressed in light neutrals: the white bedding, curtains, and part of the walls.
• 30% brings in deeper tones like the olive green feature wall and throw blanket,  which gives the room interest and supports the main color.
• 10% is what determines the character of the apartment, the pop of color. In this case, the bold red and black artwork above the bed makes the room pop.

Homevy Tip: Your color palette doesn’t have to follow the 60/30/10 rule. It could be 40/30/20/10 or even 75/15/10 or shades of one color match;  just make sure the colors feel easy on the eyes.

How to Stage Your 1-Bedroom Airbnb for High-Converting Listing Photos

Photo by Homevy

Once your Airbnb is fully furnished, the next important step is making sure it looks just as good in your photos as it does in real life.

Here’s how to do it right for more clicks and bookings:

1. Clean and Declutter Every Inch

This might sound obvious, but even a beautifully furnished apartment won’t look its best if there’s clutter or dust in the background. Wipe down surfaces, fluff pillows, fold blankets neatly, and hide personal items. Your space should feel fresh, open, and inviting, not messy or overstuffed with things.

Remove cords, chargers, trash bins, and anything that doesn’t add visual value.

2. Set the Mood with Soft Touches

You don’t want your space to look too impersonal or overly styled, as it can make the room feel cold. Instead, stage it like someone could walk in and feel instantly at home. That means:

• Fold a soft throw at the edge of the bed.
• Take a snapshot of the living room TV or Netflix screen to give guests a glimpse of how relaxing their stay could be.
• You could also toss a soft blanket over the arm of a chair or place a fresh vase of flowers on the dining table.

Be INTENTIONAL.

3. Let the Natural Light In

Natural lighting can make your 1-bedroom Airbnb look bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. Open up the curtains and shoot photos during the daytime, ideally when the sunlight filters in softly.

If your space doesn’t get a lot of light, turn on all your ambient lights before shooting and avoid using harsh flash.

4. Highlight the Best Features

Does your Airbnb have a standout feature? Maybe it’s a statement chair, a wall mirror, a beautiful kitchen setup, or a small outdoor balcony. Make sure those areas are captured clearly and featured early in your listing photos.

Homevy Tip: Your first 3 photos should show off the best parts of your Airbnb.

5. Stage “Lifestyle Moments”

Add little details that help guests imagine themselves in your space.

For example:

• A breakfast tray on the bed
• A laptop on the desk with a cup of coffee
• A book and reading glasses beside the armchair

These subtle details communicate, “You’ll feel right at home here.”

6. Keep It Consistent

Make sure the style, color palette, and overall vibe of your staging matches your furnishing. If your theme is clean and minimal, don’t suddenly throw in a bright, busy bedsheet. Consistency gives off a more curated, professional look.

Your goal is to help guests visualize themselves staying in your apartment. To make your photos stand out, invest in a quality camera for clear, professional Airbnb photos. When done right, your listing becomes irresistible, boosting your chances of getting more bookings.

FAQs on Interior Furnishing for  1-Bedroom Airbnb

1. How Does Natural Light Play Into Designing a 1-Bedroom Apartment?

Natural light affects the colors you choose and how you arrange furniture, so it’s an important factor when furnishing your 1-bedroom apartment.

2. What Materials Are Recommended for Long-Lasting Furniture in an Airbnb?

For long-lasting furniture in a vacation rental, it’s best to opt for solid wood like oak or maple. These woods are ideal for any Airbnb, as they are durable and stand up well over time. For upholstery furniture, materials like microfiber, linen blends, and leather are excellent choices. They’re not only sturdy but also easy to maintain.

3. Where Can I Buy Furniture for My Airbnb?

You can shop for furniture at local stores in your area or explore online options like Amazon, where variety and customer reviews can help guide your decisions. For fashionable yet affordable picks, try Overstock, Wayfair, or IKEA. Target and World Market also have trendy, budget-friendly pieces. Check out the Dubai Mall or Pan Home for some great options if you’re in Dubai.

4. What Are Some Tips for Accessorizing My 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental?

Keep it simple but intentional. Follow the “rule of three” when placing decor items, like grouping three objects on a coffee table. In the bedroom, add soft cushions and a throw blanket to create a cool, layered look. Accessories should enhance the space without overcrowding it, making the room feel more welcoming.

Final Words for Hosts Furnishing Their 1-Bedroom Airbnb

We’re wrapping up this article with some final words from our expert designer, Shinnel:

“When furnishing your 1-bedroom Airbnb, always design with intention. Start by considering your space and the kind of guests you’re hosting – digital nomads, couples, families. What do they actually need in a 1-bedroom apartment? Don’t just rely on generic, cookie-cutter furniture and hope for the best. Instead, create a space that feels homely, thoughtful, and comfortable.”

At the end of the day, furnishing your 1-bedroom Airbnb is more about how well it serves your guests. Do it right, and the bookings will follow.