Why Airbnb Owners Don’t Need Interior Designers: A Case Study from Eyre Hosting Co.

When setting up an Airbnb, one of the first questions that often arises is whether to hire an interior designer. The promise of a professionally styled space, effortlessly attracting guests, is tempting. But is it necessary? At Eyre Hosting Co., we recently faced this dilemma while preparing our Adelaide property for listing. What we discovered along the way led us to a surprising conclusion: you don’t need to hire an interior designer to create a stunning, cohesive look. Instead, with the right tools, you can achieve professional results on your own—and save thousands in the process.

The Appeal of Hiring an Interior Designer

For many Airbnb owners, the idea of hiring an interior designer is appealing for several reasons. A designer offers the expertise to create a cohesive look that is both stylish and appealing to guests. They can also save you time by curating a selection of furniture, décor, and colour schemes that fit your space and brand. This guidance can be particularly valuable if you’re not confident in your design skills or if you want to stand out in a competitive market.

However, this expertise comes at a cost, which we quickly realised when we decided to engage an interior designer for our Adelaide property. We didn’t think our design sense was lacking, but we wanted to ensure our property had that extra touch of style that could elevate it above the rest.

The Reality of the Interior Design Process

Our journey with an interior designer began with an initial consultation priced at $300. We were eager to see what professional input could offer, expecting tailored insights and a well-rounded design plan. However, the experience was not quite what we had envisioned. The consultation resulted in a “mood board”—a collection of items and general style suggestions that left us feeling underwhelmed. It felt more like a vague glimpse into potential design possibilities rather than a concrete plan.

I jokingly compared the experience to visiting a clairvoyant; the mood board was a bit of a mish-mash, leaving much up to interpretation. The next step in the process involved a detailed list of suggested items, complete with prices, which totalled a whopping $6,000. This price included warehousing, construction, and installation, bringing the project’s total cost well beyond our initial expectations.

Faced with this steep price tag, we decided to take a different approach. Instead of proceeding with the designer’s plan, we opted to purchase the items ourselves and handle the setup. This decision not only saved us around $4,000 but also allowed us to have greater control over the final look of the property. It was during this process that we stumbled upon an alternative solution that made us realise just how unnecessary hiring an interior designer can be.

Discovering an Effective DIY Alternative

While working on the Adelaide property, we discovered an online tool that changed the game for us: Temple & Webster’s “Shop by Style” feature. After some digging, we realised this tool was the key to achieving a professional look without the hefty designer fees.

The beauty of the “Shop by Style” tool lies in its simplicity and accessibility. It allows you to choose a specific area of your home—such as the living room, bedroom, or dining area—and then explore various design themes like Hampton, beach, modern, contemporary, and more. Each theme comes with a curated selection of furniture and décor items that fit together seamlessly, ensuring your space looks cohesive and well-thought-out.

What made this tool particularly useful was how easy it was to visualise the final design. Instead of vague suggestions, we were able to see exactly how different pieces would look together, right down to the smallest details. We could mix and match items, adjust our selections, and most importantly, stay within our budget. The pricing was transparent, and the wide range of options allowed us to find pieces that fit our style without the need for a middleman.

Using this tool, we were able to furnish the Adelaide property with stylish, high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost the designer had proposed. This experience highlighted that, with the right resources, anyone can design a beautiful space without needing to rely on expensive professional services.

Financial and Practical Benefits of DIY Design

One of the most significant advantages of using the “Shop by Style” tool instead of hiring an interior designer is the cost savings. By taking control of the design process ourselves, we saved around $4,000—funds that could be better allocated elsewhere in our Airbnb business. This kind of financial flexibility is crucial for property owners looking to maximise their return on investment.

But the benefits extend beyond just saving money. The DIY approach also offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility. Instead of being tied to the designer’s timeline and choices, we had the freedom to make decisions at our own pace. We could select items that we knew would fit the space perfectly, ensuring that the final look was exactly what we envisioned.

Moreover, the process was surprisingly straightforward. Temple & Webster’s user-friendly interface allowed us to experiment with different styles and combinations, all from the comfort of our home. There was no need for multiple meetings or back-and-forth discussions with a designer. Instead, we were able to finalise the entire design in a matter of days, confident that we were making choices that would appeal to our future guests.

By leveraging online tools and taking a hands-on approach, we not only created a space that reflects our vision but also gained valuable experience that we can apply to future projects.

A Look to the Future

Buoyed by our success with the Adelaide property, we’re excited to announce that Eyre Hosting Co. is close to closing on a new addition to our portfolio. This upcoming property will be another opportunity for us to apply the lessons we’ve learned and the tools we’ve discovered.

As we prepare to furnish this new space, we’ll once again turn to Temple & Webster’s “Shop by Style” tool. The confidence we’ve gained from our DIY design experience has convinced us that we can achieve a stylish, guest-ready property without the need for costly professional services. We’re eager to see how this tool will help us bring our vision to life, ensuring the new property aligns perfectly with the high standards we’ve set for our other listings.

This approach has become a core part of our strategy moving forward. We believe that with the right resources, any Airbnb owner can create a beautifully designed space that attracts guests and enhances their stay—all without the added expense of hiring an interior designer.

Conclusion

At Eyre Hosting Co., our experience has shown us that creating a stylish and cohesive Airbnb property doesn’t require the services of an interior designer. While the expertise of a professional can be valuable, it often comes with a hefty price tag that doesn’t always align with the results. By using accessible tools like Temple & Webster’s “Shop by Style,” you can take control of the design process, ensuring that your property reflects your vision while staying within budget.

Our journey with the Adelaide property proved that with a little effort and the right resources, anyone can achieve a professional look. And as we prepare to take on our next property, we’re more confident than ever that this DIY approach is the best way to create beautiful, inviting spaces that guests will love.

So, before you commit to an expensive designer, consider exploring the DIY options available to you. You might just find that the perfect design is within your reach, no professional required.