Have you ever seen a really cool themed rental property and shared it on social media with your loved ones? Maybe you saw it and thought it would be awesome to book a stay there. Themed rentals are a lot of fun. They often capture our inner child or inspire us to think outside the box. Themes are unique, exciting and they make a property stand out.
There are several perks to creating a themed short-term rental. It can give you an edge over your competitors. It’s a great marketing strategy. When you have a really cool theme it’s more likely to get shared on social media and blogged about on travel sites. Themes can not only help you gain more attention but also fill up bookings. You’re more likely to get some good reviews from your guests too!
If you’re on the fence about themes, there are two things to keep in mind. Not every theme is going to appeal to everyone, so you need to target a specific audience when you select one. Plus, most people consider themed rentals vacation rentals. That’s not to say you can’t attract other travelers too. If you’re hesitant about an outlandish theme, you can always stick to a specific type of decor instead. It’s a more gradual way to incorporate a theme. Some examples to consider are a farmhouse, contemporary, industrial or Scandinavian.
There are plenty of themes to consider and they can range from mild to a little bit bizarre.
If you do a quick Google search, you’ll find a number of properties with exciting themes to give you ideas. There are properties with a wild west theme, the ’80s, and all things Disney, among others. You can really dive in. Here are a few simple suggestions:
- Create a theme based on an era or decade — Think the ’20s, ’50s-’90s, the Victorian era, or Renaissance era, for example.
- Use your rental as a place to delve into a story — This could be a book series, movie, or show. There are plenty of fan favorites past and present that you could run with. Think Harry Potter, Cinderella, Lord of The Rings, Stranger Things, Star Wars, Friends, Marvel or DC Comics.
- Design your rental based on a board game — Think about popular board games that could be fun to turn into a theme. Some options could be Clue, Monopoly, Candyland, or Chess. You could even consider an overall theme of game night with different rooms having different board game themes.
- Base your theme on another favorite pastime — Attract book lovers with a theme that they’re passionate about (think of a cool library and book-themed end tables, maybe a secret door to the library…). You could go with a full-on video game or movie-themed property, where it’s not a theme on one specific movie or video game, but based on the love of all things cinema or gaming.
- Give people a little scare — Some people like scary themes like a haunted house. Maybe you include in your theme some of your favorite horror movies.
- Go with a local theme — If you’re located near the beach, focus on a theme that would draw in ocean lovers. If you’re near a popular ski resort, consider something along those lines. If it’s a popular college town, consider college colors and their mascot as part of your theme.
- Go with a broader theme that focuses on characters — Instead of choosing a specific story to create a theme around, go with something broader. For example, you could create a theme on all things superheroes or fairy tale characters.
As you can see, there are so many themes you could possibly explore. You can get really specific with these or go a little broader. There are several ways to make a final decision.
Consider your locale. If there is a popular attraction in the area like an amusement park or museum, for example, you could base your theme on something that relates to it. You could go with a theme that pairs nicely with your property. For example, if you have a cabin, a wild west or glamping theme may go well with it. If you have a boathouse, on the other hand, something water-related would be appropriate.
Remember, when you’re creating your theme, think about everything. Consider what furniture will be in the rental, what dishware you’ll purchase, the paint colors you’ll use, and any other accessories that will pair with the theme. If you’re up for it, you may also want to offer classes, tours, or welcome gift baskets that go along with the theme.
Themes can be a lot of fun and a great way to publicize your rental. If you’d like help managing your rental, visit our website.
