The vacation rental market in Savannah is fiercely competitive, which is why making your vacation rental stand out is crucial to maintaining a full booking calendar and earning more per night. Simply having a comfortable home or condo in a great location is no longer enough. Instead, you need to create a stylish, unique, design-driven rental that is intentionally crafted with the guest’s wants and needs in mind.
So, what exactly is a design-driven rental — and how can it help you maximize earnings? Keep reading — we’re sharing all the details below!
Key Takeaways
- A design-driven rental in Savannah is intentionally styled with the guest experience in mind by utilizing curated furniture, cohesive themes, local flair, and guest-friendly layouts.
- Design-driven rentals enable property owners in Savannah to charge higher rates, generate more bookings, and secure five-star reviews from satisfied guests.
- The key elements of a design-driven rental in Savannah include local charm, comfort and functionality, photographic appeal, lighting and ambiance, and outdoor spaces.
A Peek Into the Savannah Vacation Rental Market
Savannah is a popular vacation destination in the Southeast, renowned for its exceptional dining scene, historic squares and landmarks, and stunning architecture. In fact, in 2023, Savannah attracted more than ten million overnight visitors, according to the Savannah Area Chamber.
While some guests opt for hotels, many travelers prefer staying in vacation rentals to immerse themselves in Savannah’s unique architecture and southern charm. However, a quick search of Airbnb listings will reveal that there are literally thousands of homes available to rent in the Historic District, which is great news for guests. However, as a property owner, this highlights the need to create a design-driven rental that truly “wows” guests and stands out from the competition.
What Is a Design-Driven Rental?
A design-driven rental is a vacation rental that is intentionally styled with the guest experience in mind, thanks to the guidance of a professional designer.
These rentals utilize curated furniture, cohesive themes, guest-friendly layouts, and local flair to create a rental that not only catches the attention of potential guests scrolling through properties in Savannah on Airbnb — but also delivers a five-star experience that leads to satisfied guests, positive reviews, and repeat stays, which, in turn, boosts your revenue as a property owner!
How Vacation Rental Design Impacts Income Potential
- Higher Rates — A professionally designed space justifies premium pricing, resulting in higher nightly rates and increased revenue each time one of your properties is booked.
- More Bookings — It’s much easier to take eye-catching photos of beautifully designed spaces, which lead to higher-performing rentals and more bookings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
- Satisfied Guests — A design that prioritizes the guest’s needs and wants leads to five-star reviews and repeat customers, ultimately driving long-term income growth and success.
Key Design Strategies to Maximize Your Earnings in the Savannah Airbnb Market
Local Charm
Savannah’s Historic District is filled with charm! Choosing the right properties — located in highly sought-after spots in the heart of Savannah — is crucial to boosting occupancy rates and earnings, but ensuring each property is infused with local art and historic details that build upon the city’s charm is equally important when creating a design-driven rental.
Comfort and Functionality
When it comes to designing a quality vacation rental in Savannah, you can’t overcrowd rooms with furniture or cut corners on essentials, like comfortable mattresses, soft linens, or state-of-the-art kitchen appliances. Design-driven rentals focus on incorporating high-quality amenities into smart, functional layouts that make guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home.
Photographic Appeal
Instead of hoping that cookie-cutter decor will create a memorable guest experience, design-driven rentals incorporate eye-catching statement pieces that capture the attention of guests while they’re scrolling through photos online and enhance their experience throughout the entirety of their stay.
Lighting and Ambiance
The key to creating an inviting vacation rental is much deeper than choosing the right furniture and decor. Design-driven rentals go the extra mile by paying careful attention to how natural and mood lighting, as well as other details, add to the space’s ambiance to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Outdoor Living
When designing a short-term rental in Savannah, you can’t overlook the outdoors! Designing a charming porch, patio, or courtyard with stunning views of Savannah’s Historic District expands your rental’s livable space and gives guests more areas to fall in love with during their stay (and rave about in their reviews).
What Does It Look Like to Partner with a Local Vacation Rental Design Expert in Savannah?
New South Home, our interior design partner, collaborates closely with our property management team at South Key Management to design vacation rentals that embody our mission of delivering the true essence of Southern hospitality to our guests with warmth, timelessness, and excellence.
We love developing long-standing relationships with local designers like New South Home because of the local expertise they bring to the table, resulting in more tailored and personalized design options for all those involved, from property owners to guests!
Here’s a peek at how New South Home creates design-driven rentals here in Savannah’s Historic District:
- Step #1: Initial Consultation — The design team meets with you to understand your lifestyle, inspiration, values, and vision for your rental space before developing a detailed proposal.
- Step #2: Design Development — The designers create thoughtful layout suggestions and custom style concepts for every room, including furnishings, finishes, artwork, and decor.
- Step #3: Project Execution — After final decisions are made, the design team orders all the items needed to bring your vision to life, from wallpaper to lighting, before scheduling installation.
- Step #4: Installation & Follow Up — Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived! The design team will style each room with thoughtful details and personalized touches to create a rental that dazzles guests, followed by a professional photoshoot for promotional purposes.
Partner with South Key Management and New South Home to Turn Your Short-Term Rentals in Savannah into a Lucrative Investment
Ready to transform your Savannah vacation rental into a profitable property that leads to satisfied guests and five-star reviews? If so, it’s time to partner with New South Home and South Key Management for guest-driven design and premier property management. Learn more about our local vacation rental management services and New South Home’s design services to get started!
