The process of selecting the perfect place to stay can be overwhelming, especially for Airbnb first-timers. With hundreds of amazing listings to choose from, how can you make your home stand out? To help, we talked with Meridith Baer, founder of the world’s #1 home staging company, Meridith Baer Home. You may have a fantastic design sense and deliver incomparable hospitality to your guests, but thoughtful home staging can help you attract guests in the first place—and provide a great experience when they stay in your home. Meridith created a list of 10 staging tips that you can use to help get more guests and keep them happy: People have trouble imagining how they would be comfortable in your home, so spell it out for them. Open a cookbook on the counter or put a carafe of water and a novel by the bed. There’s a difference between showing personality in design and a filling a space with personal items. If a space is meant for guests, too many pictures of your dog and family might make them feel uncomfortable, so replace them with local art and photos to add a sense of place.

It sends the message that your home is well cared for. This will definitely make your home stand out among the others! Everyone loves a clean, crisp looking bathroom—something hotels know well. Make sure your counter is free of products except a couple that have pretty packaging. Provide other necessities you would expect in your own home, but they can be tucked away in drawers or baskets. Place rolled up white towels in a basket and add a potted plant to brighten the room. Big mirrors make a room appear more spacious and they look great in ANY room! Placing a mirror next to a window brings in more light, and acts as an added window when placed opposite an existing one. Airbnb guests search through a lot of homes, so making yours unique is key. If a fun little figurine in the photos of your home or something makes your place stand out, all the better! It seems counterintuitive to pack in more furniture, but if you have the space put an upholstered bench or two, a chair and a side table in a corner.

If you’re offering a studio, this step is necessary. It makes the room look and feel more spacious! No one wants to stay in a home without some decor. I use white orchids in homes I stage because it’s a clean flower that gives an upscale look to any room. Ambient lighting sets the stage. To give potential guests a real feel of your home, you’ll want to post pictures of your home during the day and night. If your home gets a lot of natural light, open the blinds and take pictures of each room lit up. Dim the lights for evening pictures to give your home a softer look. 10. Don’t forget the outside Your yard says a lot about your home. Before snapping a photo of your home’s exterior, make sure the landscaping is done. If possible, add an outdoor seating area (a cushioned bench, a small table and two chairs). Planted flowers and a door mat keep the yard looking fresh and inviting! Meridith Baer is an American home stager, interior designer, and HGTV star who founded the world’s #1 staging company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Connecticut.

When you imagine the perfect guest room, what do you envision? Perks like fresh flowers and a stack of magazines? If you don’t know where to start, begin with the features of a typical hotel room: one or more beds, a luggage rack, a place to sit, a desk for work. Sure, not every guest room can mimic the scene of your last hotel stay, but seeing the room as a getaway spot is a step in the right direction!making christmas table decorationsIf you don’t have a guest room, you’re not alone. pink christmas decorations for saleIn fact, many people make due with an air mattress or an extra pillow for couch surfers. diy christmas decorations for gifts

But the pics below are a reminder that regardless of space constraints, it’s the special touches that make a difference. We think you and your guests will agree!For many, a guest room is a luxury. To be able to offer company a space of their own is a true gift. Often a guest room will house one bed and serve another purpose in the home, such as an office. If you are fortunate to have an entire room devoted to housing out-of-towners, you can focus on making this interior a truly special one.christmas trees for sale with led lightsStart with the biggie s– comfy bedding an a welcoming layout. home decor rug ideasBed + nightstand = a great beginning! wall decor for small bathrooms

In fact, for smaller spaces, this may be all you can manage, and it will certainly get the job done! For larger rooms, a dresser, a chair and other small furnishings can be added. In the space below, two chairs and an ottoman help create a comfortable vibe. [from Mitch Wise Design]This next room has a view! But the homeowners also paid attention to details like window treatments and soft lighting. A little decadence goes a long way. In the elegant room below, a chandelier and a tall headboard with nailhead trim are true highlights. Don’t forget the power of color, especially in a white room where a few key accents can make such a big differences. Then there are the details that make a guest room truly welcoming. Note the fresh flowers, welcoming lamp and handy alarm clock in this next space. [from Beth Dinkel and Associates, LLC]Nothing says “guest room” like a luggage rack. Not only is it practical, it’s a playful nod to a travel theme, and it adds an air of hotel class to an interior! 

[from DHD Architecture and Interior Design via Houzz]The modern guest room below is a great reminder of the power of one accent wall. Try wallpapering the wall behind the bed for a splash of color and style. [from Emerald Interior Design]Not sure how to dress up your guest room? Go monochromatic, as shown in this next white room. For a touch of dramatic contrast, add a vase of flowers in the color of your choice. [from Joie Wilson via Houzz] Is your guest room also an office or other functional space? Guests will jump at the chance to use your computer to check email and do other simple tasks! Your guest bed can be simple and compact. Add a playful pillow for a dash of style, and you’re set.  [from The Interior Place via Houzz]Some homes may have the benefit of a larger guest space that can accommodate more than one bed! Bring on the hotel style! Let’s start with a side-by-side bed layout, courtesy of a posh guest room that has fun with the symmetry of sleeping two. If you think that sharing a room is a disappointment for guests, think again.

When they see a beautifully designed space like the one below, all they’ll be talking about is your sense of style! [from Naka Designs, LLC via Houzz]The next space features built-in beds and book nooks. Although the beds are perpendicular, a divider wall ensures privacy. [from Sullivan Building & Design Group via Houzz]Don’t forget to have a little fun with the space. Below we see a room that features half-canopy coverings and pendant light fixtures over the bed. At the foot of the beds are plush benches. Need another reason to love this space? How about the textured wall coverings and tile-inspired rug? [from Elizabeth Dinkel Design Associates, Inc. via Houzz]You can always go with a theme! The next featured room is a nautical retreat. Note how touches like framed maps and a sailboat on the window-side table contribute to the style without being overkill. [from Mitch Wise Design via Houzz]Here’s another nautical room that makes use of a navy and white color scheme. The daybeds are compact, but a plethora of pillows gives them an ample appearance. 

[from Molly Frey Design Studio via Houzz]If a guest room will house kids from time to time, add whimsical touches like playful lamps, stuffed animals and colorful accents. The space below has a vintage chic vibe that is grown-up enough to amuse adults when they make use of the room! [from Elizabeth Dinkel Design Associates]Ready to host an army? OK, maybe a small army? Bring on the beds! The challenge of fitting several guests into one space can seem daunting, but why not have a little fun along the way? The room below evokes the elegance of a tropical resort. In fact, the decor is so appealing that you almost forget you’re looking at a tight space. Need a guest room that sleeps three? Try pushing a daybed against the wall to accommodate that third guest, as shown in the New York bedroom below. [from Kristen Rivoli Interior Design via Houzz]Enlist the help of a professional to pull off this next look, which makes use of suspended beds to accommodate three! [from The Bumper Crop]Need a place for four guests?