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If you’ve ever stayed in a short-term rental that felt lifeless, impersonal, or just plain disappointing, you’re not alone. As someone who’s spent months living out of Airbnbs while traveling the world, I’ve seen it all—from unique and soulful spaces that make you feel right at home to places that feel like the owner hasn’t thought about guests in years. 

There’s an art to hosting that goes beyond clean sheets and a functioning coffee maker. It’s about creating a space that feels thoughtfully designed and welcoming, where guests feel prioritized and appreciated. I’ve learned a lot from the 28 places we’ve called home in the past six months, and today I’m sharing the biggest hosting mistakes I see again and again—and what to do instead.

Whether you’re a host looking to level up your space or just someone curious about what makes an Airbnb truly great, these tips will help you understand why some places just feel better than others.

5 Things Hosts Should Never Do:

1. Never have 100% polyester sheets. 

You know that feeling when you’re exhausted from travel and just want to melt into bed, but the sheets breathe as well as plastic wrap? That’s what polyester sheets can do—they trap heat and leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable all night. While polyester sheets do have their perks—they’re soft to the touch and don’t wrinkle easily—they just don’t breathe. If you really want the durability and low-maintenance appeal of polyester, consider a poly-cotton blend. Look for at least 70% cotton for a softer, more breathable feel.

Personally, I avoid polyester altogether, but if you must, make sure to choose wisely. And if you'd like my go-to choice for sheets, click here and enter code QUILLDECOR for 20% off any order. 

2. Never have completely blank walls with no art or (maybe even worse) generic soulless art.

Blank walls are just sad. And generic art that looks like it was picked up at a discount chain doesn’t help either. (Although you can absolutely find some gems in a Homegoods, just make sure you're finding something worthy of your design.) Your space should reflect a sense of place and personality. I’ve walked into rentals that looked like boring hospital waiting rooms—cold, sterile, and devoid of charm. Even a few thoughtfully chosen prints or a local piece of art can make a world of difference. 

If you'd like a spark of inspiration plus free art downloads, click here for my curated art collection for rentals. 

3. Never skimp on filling up the kitchen, even if you're after quick turnarounds in your rental.

Imagine arriving late after a long journey, planning to make a quick meal, and discovering there’s no cutting board, no decent knife, and the only pan is warped and burnt. Frustrating, right? A well-stocked kitchen doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be functional. Make sure your guests aren’t left scrambling for the basics. Check out my Kitchen Ammenitnies List here. 

4. Never ever have scratched Teflon pans. 

I'm not sure I've stayed in a single Airbnb without scratched nonstick pans. It's hard to avoid for a non-tick surface. When there are metal utensils available for people to use to stir their eggs, these things get scratched. Teflon in particular is a big health hazard when it's scratched, which you can read more about here if you're interested. 

Swap out nonstick pans once they start to scratch, or go with a sturdy cast iron option that lasts longer.

5. Do not set it and forget it. You're running an accommodation. It will need consistent attention and maintenance.

Rentals don’t take care of themselves. It’s the little things that add up and make guests feel neglected. Regular check-ins and maintenance are key. (Also, let your host know when things are amiss or disappointing. And don't feel bullied into giving a 5-star review if you don't feel the property deserves 5 stars! That's not fair to anyone.)

Before we move on to the Always list of things to do for your rental, let's have story time! 

_{view from the deck of this Airbnb I talk about below}

Story about a Beach House that Left Me Underwhelmed

One of our recent stays on our year-long sabbatical was at a beautiful beach house in Fairlight, Australia.  We booked a place that promised to be the "perfect luxury beach accommodation". But I have to wonder if that was really the host's goal.

Some of the furniture was rusted, stained, and torn. It was a "luxury" beach house that didn't provide beach towels, and only one small bath towel per person + no washcloths. (The ladder is actually quite normal outside of the U.S.) There was no laundry detergent, and I would call the kitchen tools the bare minimum. I know that I have a more critical eye for Airbnb hospitality than most, but I have to believe I'm not the only person disappointed by this lack of attention to detail.

The house itself was beautiful, and the deck was the stuff of dreams. A few small improvements would actually make it a perfect beach rental.

I think what annoyed me most about this house and this host is that I didn't feel in any way like a priority. For example, there was a large outdoor umbrella on the deck that was broken on our arrival. This umbrella makes the beautiful balcony bearable in the summer heat. Once the host finally got back to me about the broken umbrella, she just told me that she knew it was broken and would try to 'maybe call the shop' to see if they could come repair it. I knew by her tone that I would not hear another word from her about the umbrella during our stay and that no repair was coming. I was correct.

Luckily, my engineer-brained Dad stayed home one day while we went on a long, hot walk, and when he got bored, he found some makeshift tools and supplies in the laundry cupboard to create a temporary fix. This allowed us to use the umbrella during our very hot and sunny stay. 

Hosting can be a challenge, and I get it—guests can have high expectations, and managing it all yourself can feel overwhelming. I know Airbnb guests can be annoying with relentless requests for early check-ins and late check-outs. Also, why do so many guests move furniture around? What is happening in there?

If you’re finding it tough to keep up with the demands of hosting, it might be time to consider hiring a property manager or co-host. They can help with the communication and maintenance aspects, making the whole process smoother and less stressful.

And Now for the Always section of this post. 

 5 Things Hosts Should Always Do:

When I asked my kids what I've complained about most in our 20+ Airbnb stays in the last 7 months, they immediately said, "kitchen supplies... and not enough lamps!" It's true—these are my primary gripes at every check-in. After all, when you're traveling from place to place, the little things really stand out. So, here’s my list of things every rental should always do!

1. Always have silicone tongs, scissors, and sharp knives in the kitchen.

You might be surprised how often these basic tools are missing. A guest shouldn’t have to wrestle with a dull knife or try to serve spaghetti with a fork. Having the right kitchen tools shows that you care about their experience, and it’s a small investment that makes a big impact. I'm emphasizing tongs, scissors, and sharp knives because so many rentals are often without them, and oh my gosh are they necessary! 

 In case you missed it above, you can download my list of kitchen essentials right here for free. 👈

2. Always have room-darkening shades in a sleeping area.

It's easy to just want to throw up some basic blinds and be done, but I am begging you, do not make this mistake, especially in a sleeping space. If your rental is an investment property, and most are, it's going to run the risk of feeling a little sterile and empty to guests. A great way to add some softness, texture, and possibly color to a room is with curtains. If it's is a sleeping space, add both a blind or shade, and curtains to offer ultimate room darkening options to the guest. If you're interested in more details about window treatments, check out this blog right here, where I break this down into a simple step-by-step with my favorite resources.

3. Always offer a welcome treat—like a handwritten note, fresh milk, or a small gift.

One of the most memorable Airbnbs we've stayed in on our sabbatical was in a little cabin where the host left a small basket with local snacks and a handwritten note. It wasn’t extravagant, but it made us feel genuinely welcome, especially coupled with their excellent in-app communication as needed throughout our stay. In other cases, like for a longer term stay, the host has left a very extravagant basket to thank us for a full month booking. These touches, big or small, go a long way in setting a positive tone for a guest’s stay.

4. Add more lamps.

Lighting makes a huge difference in how cozy and inviting a space feels. One place we stayed was beautifully decorated, but it had harsh, cool-toned overhead lighting and almost no lamps. The ambiance was totally off. A few well-placed lamps with warm color temperature bulbs can change the whole vibe and make a space feel more like home. (Never buy 'daylight' bulbs for the interior of anything except your shed out back. No one wants to feel like they're in the dentist's office in your home!) Here's an article with my fave lamps that won't break your budget. 

5. Put a nightstand and lamp on each side of the bed.

It’s one of those simple conveniences that guests really appreciate. Whether it’s for reading, charging a phone, or just having a place to set a glass of water, having a nightstand and a soft light within reach on both sides of the bed shows attention to detail. If the space is too snug for two nightstands the same size, no problem! Choose a smaller one for one side, they don't have to match! Get creative and have fun. Picking out nightstands and lamps is the fun part of rental decor! 

Ooo, story time again! 

Story About a Beach Cottage that Felt Like a Movie Set

_{The Quarter Deck}

As you may have gathered by now, we are currently traveling the globe on a year-long sabbatical. During our recent travels, we moved on from New Zealand to Australia and found ourselves nestled into a charming beach cottage perched on the hill overlooking Whale Beach and the surrounding bays in the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

This beach cottage, called The Quarter Deck, was a stunning oasis, full of charm and character, which, if you know me, you know I was feeling significantly pleased. I’ve been writing about and coaching hosts on how to add good design and soul to their rentals for years now.

Walking into a cottage that epitomizes a soulful rental was genuinely fulfilling.

We had been traveling for nearly six months at this point, and the cottage marked our 28th bed. (Some stays were in hotels, some with family, and a lot of Airbnbs.)

This house was different from any other rental I had ever stayed in.

First of all, it’s not pristine and polished. It’s rustic and, from all practical perspectives, needs a good paint job inside and out. I saw exactly three lizards in the house, and there are plenty of cobwebs up in the high ceilings, which have soft blue-colored beams. The windows are old and some cracked, there’s no dishwasher, and the kitchen is so tiny it can only fit one person at a time.

So when you look at these things, you may wonder why someone as high-maintenance and picky about rentals as me—an Airbnb designer, consultant, and blogger—would be so happy here.

It’s the heart and soul pulsing through this place that makes it feel so extraordinary and refreshing compared to every other stay thus far.

It’s the vintage shell lamps, the curated books and board games, the brass candlesticks covered in wax, and the eclectic, funky art. It’s the stack of more-than-enough bath and beach towels in the bathroom, plus the much-appreciated but not expected little things—like a big bottle of sunscreen, bug spray, and Q-tips. It’s the various vintage rugs and wicker furniture layered together in a way that makes the house feel lived in rather than staged. It was the drawing pads and pencils left on the desk for our sketching pleasure, and the basket of crackers and wine, plus a fridge filled with fresh cheese, butter, and milk. Jean cares about you when you're her guest. And this isn't necessarily scalable, but it's UNREASONABLY HOSPITABLE, and it blew me away.  

_{The Quarter Deck}

I haven’t met Jean, the owner, personally, but I feel as though I know her just by seeing what her hands have lovingly created. A home with vibrancy and character, the kind of soul a place only has if it’s been truly loved and enjoyed by its owner.

It almost feels like we walked onto a movie set. It’s like the beach version of the protagonist’s cottage in Where the Crawdads Sing. Or the kind of place Hemingway would have retreated to write a book or two. It’s special. And, as many guests have noted in their Airbnb reviews, there aren’t many homes like this left.

This type of view has investors and the super-wealthy coming in, snatching up properties, leveling what’s there, and squeezing in a glass McMansion or two. And while I’d be lying if I said I didn't construct a new kitchen and bath reno in my head—I am a designer, after all—I agree that this place is special and perfect exactly as it is.

It’s like being at your great-aunt’s beach shack, complete with a retro blue toilet and blue bathroom sink.

It’s so cool, it doesn’t even know it’s cool.

It’s interesting and different, and five days into our stay, we’re feeling more grounded than we have in a long time.

Living mostly in Airbnbs, I’ve realized this is a feeling I’ve been missing. Unmoored but happy pretty much sums up how I feel halfway through a year of travel. But this house has left us feeling more tethered—to nature, to ourselves, and to each other.

It’s not your average rental. It’s magic. 

Hosting is about more than just providing a place to sleep—it’s about creating an experience that guests will remember long after they’ve checked out. By avoiding common pitfalls and going the extra mile to make guests feel welcome, you’re not just hosting—you’re crafting a memorable stay. Take a little time to assess your space, make thoughtful upgrades, and, most importantly, put yourself in your guests’ shoes.

Whether it’s something as simple as adding an extra lamp or making sure the kitchen is truly usable, small touches add up to big impact.

Go for some magic, my friends. Follow my 'never' and 'always' suggestions above for a great start, and your guests will thank you for it. 

Happy hosting,