14 May Work from Home: How to Furnish Office Space for Your Airbnb Guests
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Like most industries, Airbnb businesses have been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. For Airbnbs to operate safely moving forward in 2020 and beyond, they will need to adapt to the changing travel landscape. Change is hard, but it’s not optional for responsible hosts.
First and foremost, hosts will need to meet new cleaning regulations to ensure safe spaces for their guests. But health and safety isn’t the only consideration you should be making.
Adapting your listing to meet guests’ needs will help keep your properties occupied. A work from home set up is now essential. With much of the workforce now working from home, the “home office” has never been more in-demand.
As we start to get back to business, take some time to assess your property. Instead of panic discounting your listing, increase its value to guests. You can do this easily by making your space more versatile. If you’re renting your property out long-term (like many hosts right now) most guests will need a home office set-up.
Attracting Business Travelers
Even before this pandemic, business travelers were an important Airbnb target group. In 2018 business travelers comprised 15% of total bookings. So catering to this group will pay off in both the short and long term. As business travel resumes, you’ll likely see a higher demand for quality at-home workspaces. Many will choose to avoid working in crowded spaces, such as cafes, they might have used before.
Hosts must evaluate how accommodating their property is for working from home. Working at the kitchen table is okay when you’re sending a few emails, but not when you’re working for days or weeks at a time. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you. Use these ideas to create a work from your home-away-from-home set-up in your Airbnb.
Airbnb Home Office Essential Checklist
Ideally, you’ll be able to convert an entire room or area into an office. But even if you don’t have that kind of space, there are still ways you can provide a work area for your guests. Here are our recommendations:
Desks
A desk is the foundation of a good home office. Dining tables or a kitchen bench generally aren’t suitable. They can cause posture and health issues if used long term.
The type of desk you choose will depend on the size of your space. When adding a desk to your Airbnb it should blend with your decor and ideally be multi-use. Compact and easy to assemble desks are perfect for use in Airbnbs. Many modern desks are stylish and can double as a vanity or side table. Here are 5 affordable desk options for small spaces.
Traditional Solid Wood Desk, Antique White
Office Chair
Once you’ve found the appropriate desk, you will want to choose a suitable office chair. Avoid using a stool or dining chair. Sitting in a bad office chair can be uncomfortable. But you don’t have to choose an ugly generic-looking office chair either. Amazon has a huge range of office chairs to suit most decor, be it classic, mid-century modern, or even funky.
Sidanli Conference Room Chairs
Rimiking Home Office Modern Ergonomic Executive Chair
OSP Home Furnishings Versailles Office Chair
Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel Accent Chair
Desk Lighting
Good lighting is essential for any workspace. Lighting can also make a stylish statement in your space. That’s why it’s important to choose a desk lamp that’s both practical and ornamental. Some modern desk lights can even double as USB chargers, perfect for travelers.
Antique Style Industrial Iron Lantern-style Lamp
Printer/Scanner
A printer/scanner is an important office staple. Most people do travel with their laptop computers, but not many bring along a bulky printer. This can be an expensive piece of office equipment. But there are several low-cost all-in-one options available. Choose a wireless printer for easy set-up between guests. Don’t forget to include instructions in your welcome manual.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Epson Expression Home XP-4100 Wireless Color Printer with Scanner and Copier
Office Accessories
The last thing you want in any Airbnb space is clutter. So choose your workspace accessories wisely. Remember to keep them minimal and practical. A wireless mouse is a handy accessory that can be a real lifesaver when your guest forgets theirs.
You don’t need to provide a complete office supply store. A simple pen holder, pens, and notepads make nice touches, as well as a small supply of printer pape. Desk pads double as mousepads and help protect desks from spills or water glass stains.
Dual-Sided Desk Pad Office Desk Mat, $18.99
VicTsing Computer Wireless Mouse
Creating a convenient, well-stocked work area for your guests is a smart move. If you regularly cater to business travelers, you’ll definitely want to take the time and effort to maximize your office space. Check out our guide to essential Airbnb Tech for more inspiration.
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