Furnishing a Short-Term Rental: Budget and Style Guide

Setting Your Furnishing Budget

Furnishing costs vary based on property size, your target market, and whether you buy new or used. Here are realistic budget ranges for a full furnish from scratch.

1-bedroom / studio: $4,000-$8,000. This covers a bed frame, mattress, sofa, coffee table, dining set for 2-4, TV, kitchen essentials, linens, and basic decor.

2-bedroom: $7,000-$13,000. Second bedroom adds $1,500-$3,000. You also need more kitchenware, extra linens, and additional bathroom supplies.

3-bedroom: $10,000-$18,000. Larger properties need more of everything. You may also need to furnish additional common spaces like a den or outdoor area.

These budgets target the mid-range market, which is where most STR bookings fall. Luxury properties cost 2-3x more. Budget properties can be furnished for 30-40% less, but lower quality furnishings wear out faster and photograph worse.

Room-by-Room Priorities

Living room. The living room produces your hero photo, the first image guests see. Invest here. A comfortable sofa ($500-$1,000), a coffee table ($100-$200), a 55"+ smart TV ($300-$500), and coordinated throw pillows and a blanket ($50-$100) create a space that photographs well and feels inviting. Add one statement piece, a large piece of art, an interesting lamp, or a textured rug, to give the room personality.

Bedroom. Guests judge a property by how well they sleep. Buy a quality queen mattress ($600-$900), a sturdy bed frame with a headboard ($200-$400), white cotton sheets (300+ thread count, $50-$80 per set), and 4 pillows per bed (2 firm, 2 soft). Purchase 3 sets of sheets per bed so you always have a clean set ready. A nightstand on each side with a lamp and phone charger completes the room.

Kitchen. Stock the kitchen as if a home cook were staying for a week. You need a 12-piece cookware set ($80-$150), a full set of utensils, a knife block ($30-$50), cutting boards, mixing bowls, baking sheets, a colander, can opener, wine opener, and serving dishes. Provide a coffee maker (Keurig or drip), toaster, and a few basics like salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Guests expect enough plates, glasses, and silverware for at least double the property's guest capacity.

Bathroom. Refillable wall-mounted dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash ($25-$35 each) look professional and reduce per-turnover restocking costs. Provide 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel, and 1 washcloth per guest, plus extras in the closet. A shower caddy or shelf for guest toiletries and a quality bath mat round out the essentials.

Where to Buy

New furniture. IKEA offers durable, modern pieces at accessible prices. Wayfair and Amazon are good for beds, mattresses, and accent pieces. Target and HomeGoods work well for decor, kitchen items, and linens. Buy multiples of consumable items (sheets, towels, pillows) so you have replacement stock on hand.

Used furniture. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales can save 40-60% on larger pieces. Focus on hard-surface items like tables, dressers, and desk chairs. Avoid used mattresses, pillows, and upholstered furniture unless you can confirm they are in excellent condition and free of odors.

Bulk and wholesale. For items you replace regularly (towels, sheets, cleaning supplies), consider wholesale sources like Costco Business Center, Amazon Subscribe and Save, or direct hotel supply companies like Standard Textile.

Design Tips That Photograph Well

Stick to a cohesive color palette (3-4 colors maximum). Neutral walls with colorful accents in pillows, art, and rugs photograph well and appeal to the broadest range of guests. Avoid purely white spaces (they look sterile in photos) and overly themed rooms (not everyone wants to sleep in a nautical-themed bedroom).

Good lighting is more impactful than expensive furniture. Replace dim overhead fixtures, add table lamps or floor lamps in dark corners, and use warm-white bulbs (2700K-3000K). Well-lit spaces photograph dramatically better and feel more welcoming.

For a complete guide to starting a short-term rental business, see Starting an Airbnb Business: Complete Guide for Beginners.