5 Best Virtual Interior Design Services for Airbnb

There are over 6 million active listings on Airbnb and design has emerged as a critical differentiator. According to our research, properties in the top 10% of earnings share one trait: exceptional, thoughtful design that creates a memorable guest experience. Yet many hosts struggle with this aspect, lacking time, design expertise, or knowledge of what motivates bookings in their market.

Virtual design (e-design) has revolutionized how STR hosts approach this challenge. This modern interior design approach is conducted entirely online starting with digital questionnaires and property photos, followed by collaboration with a designer through video calls and messaging. The result is a comprehensive digital design package including mood boards, 3D renderings, detailed floor plans, and curated shopping lists.

Unlike traditional interior design services that require in-person visits and take months, virtual design offers a streamlined, efficient solution that aligns with the fast-paced vacation rental business.

The benefits of professional online interior design for Airbnb properties extend beyond aesthetics:

• Boost Bookings & Revenue: Well-designed properties create "scroll-stopping" listings that stand out in search results. Professional design leads to more clicks, higher perceived value, and a higher Average Daily Rate (ADR). Studies show properties with professional photography showcasing thoughtful design can increase Airbnb revenue by 20-40% compared to similarly priced, generically decorated properties.
• Earn 5-Star Reviews: Thoughtful design that anticipates guest needs, like convenient luggage racks, dedicated workspaces, ample USB charging ports, and comfortable seating creates a seamless experience that guests rave about.These reviews fuel your booking success.
• Save Time & Eliminate Guesswork: A professional service handles the research, planning, and sourcing, saving hosts dozens of hours. Instead of browsing furniture websites and second-guessing your choices, you receive a cohesive plan created by experts.
• Stand Out in a Saturated Market: Generic rentals with the same IKEA furniture and bland décor blend into the noise. A property with a unique, professionally designed theme creates a memorable brand that guests seek out and recommend.
• Increase Property Value: Good design is an investment that boosts rental income and increases your property's long-term asset value, creating multiple ROI streams.

The 5 Best Airbnb Virtual Design Services for 2024

Not all virtual design services meet the unique needs of STR investors. Traditional interior designers often prioritize aesthetics over practicality like durability, maintenance, and short-term guest preferences. The following list is based on each service's ability to deliver ROI, understanding of the rental market, and comprehensive offerings.

1. STR Cribs: Best for Data-Driven, End-to-End STR Transformation

For serious STR investors looking to maximize returns, STR Cribs stands alone. This firm, founded in 2020 by Joshua Lewis, has pioneered data-driven Airbnb design, a revolutionary approach that goes beyond aesthetics to create market-performance properties.

What sets STR Cribs apart is their analytical methodology. Traditional designers rely on aesthetic judgment, while STR Cribs analyzes actual vacation rental market data for each location. They research top-performing properties in your market, amenities that command premium rates, design styles that resonate with the target demographic, and features that drive higher occupancy rates. This transforms design from an art based on guesswork into a science based on proven market intelligence.

STR Cribs offers more than design ideas; they provide comprehensive solutions from concept to completion. Their end-to-end service model handles everything from design visualization and space planning to procurement, delivery coordination, and installation. For hosts with outdated properties, they manage full-scale renovations through their nationwide contractor network, optimizing every aspect of the property for maximum appeal and functionality.

Key Features & Results:

• Data-Driven Design: Uses vacation rental market data to maximize occupancy and revenue, removing subjective guesswork.
• Comprehensive Services: Offers a one-stop solution that includes design visualization, space planning, furnishing, and full-scale renovations.
• Proven Results: Clients reported staggering results. These results included up to a 64% increase in occupancy rates, 40% higher average daily rates, and an additional $50,000 in annual revenue compared to similar properties.
• Nationwide Reach: A network of vetted contractors across the continental U.S. ensures quality execution anywhere. This makes it ideal for investors with properties outside their local area.
• Turnkey Furnishing & Financing: Their expertise in furnishing an Airbnb extends to removing financial barriers. They offer financing up to $100,000 for furnishing, with 0% introductory rates for qualified borrowers. This allows hosts to invest in quality furnishings that drive revenue without depleting capital reserves.

Best for STR investors and property managers who view their properties as serious business assets and want a professional, done-for-you partner that optimizes design for maximum ROI.

2. Havenly: Best for DIY Hosts on a Budget

Havenly has built a reputation as one of the most accessible e-design platforms in the interior design market. With packages starting at under $100, it represents an affordable entry point for hosts seeking professional guidance.

The platform connects users with designers who create custom design concepts based on style quizzes and room photos. Not focused on short-term rental interior design, their services can help create appealing spaces. The process is straightforward: submit your requirements, receive initial concepts, provide feedback, and get a final design with a shopping list of recommended items.

Budget-conscious hosts should note that Havenly's lower price comes with trade-offs. The service doesn't incorporate STR-specific market data to optimize bookings and revenue, nor does it handle procurement, delivery, or installation. Hosts must manage the implementation themselves, which can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for remote properties.

Best for hosts who manage a single property on a tight budget, are willing to handle all purchasing, assembly, and setup themselves, and prioritize aesthetic improvement over data-driven performance optimization.

3. Modsy: Best for 3D Visualization

Modsy has carved out a niche in e-design with realistic 3D renderings that allow hosts to visualize their space before purchases. Their technology creates a digital twin of your rental property where you can view designs from any angle and "walk through" the space virtually.

This visualization strength makes Modsy valuable for hosts who struggle to imagine how furniture pieces and layouts will work in their space. Their designers help create designs that photograph well for listings, an important consideration for vacation rental design services.

While Modsy excels at visualization, they lack the STR-specific market analysis that drives ROI-focused decisions. Their designs focus more on general residential aesthetics rather than the hospitality industry's unique demands.Additionally, like Havenly, they don't handle procurement and installation, leaving hosts to coordinate these steps.

Best for visually-oriented hosts who want to experiment with different layouts and furniture options in a realistic 3D model before purchasing and who value seeing how their space will photograph for listings.

4. Decorilla: Best for Multiple Design Options

Decorilla offers a hybrid approach between budget e-design services and full-service options. Their standout feature is providing designs from multiple designers for each project, giving hosts several creative directions to choose from.

Their process begins with a style quiz and project requirements submission. Unlike budget options, Decorilla matches you with professional designers who compete for your project by submitting preliminary concepts. You select your favorite designer to develop a complete design package that includes 3D renderings, a shopping list, and floor plans.

For STR hosts, Decorilla offers more depth than entry-level services and useful features like photorealistic renderings that help visualize a space for listing photos. They also provide concierge shopping services for an additional fee to simplify procurement.

However, Decorilla lacks the data-driven approach and STR-specific expertise to optimize a property for maximum booking performance rather than just visual appeal. Their designs do not incorporate analysis of what drives bookings and revenue in vacation rental markets.

Best for hosts who value creative diversity over market-optimized performance data and want to explore multiple design concepts from different professional designers.

5. Designaholic: Best for Boutique STR-Focused Design

Rounding out our list is Designaholic, a growing virtual design firm specializing in e-design for the STR market. Unlike general interior design services, Designaholic offers packages for vacation rental owners, considering durability, guest appeal, and practical amenities.

Their process includes a questionnaire on your target guest demographic and property goals. Designers familiar with STR best practices create a concept that balances aesthetic appeal with practical considerations like stain-resistant fabrics, adequate storage, and strategic furniture arrangements that maximize space and comfort.

Designaholic offers more STR-focused expertise than general design services, but they lack the data analysis and implementation capabilities of STR Cribs. Their designs incorporate general STR best practices rather than location-specific intelligence, and hosts are responsible for purchasing and installation.

Best for hosts seeking a balance between general interior design services and full-service STR specialists, who want vacation rental-specific design input at a lower price than comprehensive solutions.

How to Choose the Right Virtual Design Service for Your Property

Selecting the right design partner from multiple options requires careful consideration of your needs, goals, and resources. Use this checklist to guide your decision:

What is your primary goal? If you want to improve your property's appearance, a basic e-design service might suffice. However, if you're treating your STR as a serious business asset and want to maximize ROI, a data-driven service like STR Cribs that engineers designs to drive bookings and revenue would be optimal.

What is your project scope? Are you looking for a simple room refresh, a comprehensive furnishing plan, or renovations? The more extensive your needs, the more you will benefit from a full-service provider that can handle multiple aspects.

• How involved do you want to be? Be honest about your time availability and project management skills. DIY implementation requires significant time for ordering, tracking deliveries, assembly, and setup. If you're a remote investor or juggling multiple properties, a "done-for-you" service will save you time, stress, and potentially money.
• Does the service understand the STR market? Standard residential design principles don't always translate to successful vacation rentals. Look for a service that understands the hospitality industry's unique demands, including durability, guest expectations, and booking decisions in your market.
• What is your budget? Consider the total project budget including design fees, furniture, and renovations. Premium services cost more upfront but deliver greater long-term returns. Also consider financing options (like STR Cribs) to make a higher-quality investment upfront that pays dividends through increased revenue.

Conclusion

For investors who view their property as a serious business asset rather than a side hustle, a data-driven, end-to-end solution like STR Cribs represents the best choice and the smartest investment. The unique combination of market intelligence, comprehensive service, and proven results creates a compelling value proposition that other design services cannot match.

Are you ready to stop guessing and start earning your property’s true worth? [Book your free, data-driven consultation with STR Cribs](https://strcribs.com/consultation) and discover how they can transform your short-term rental into a revenue-generating powerhouse in competitive markets.

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