Furnishing your property for short-term rental: the owner's guide

The golden rule: guests judge your property in thirty seconds from photos, then rate their sleep, cleanliness and comfort experience. Your personal taste takes a back seat. A sober, bright and functional interior systematically beats cluttered or overly personal decor.

In Alsace, a well-dosed local touch makes the difference: a beautiful book on the Wine Route, a photo of half-timbered houses, linen with kelsch patterns. Authenticity appeals; kitsch doesn't.

If you could only keep one expense, it would be this one. A hotel-quality mattress (firm comfort, 160 cm minimum if space allows), doubled pillows, a good duvet: it's the number one criterion in guest reviews.

For linen, plan three full sets per bed and bathroom: one on the bed, one in the wash, one in reserve. Preferably white — like a hotel, it reassures and washes at high temperatures.

Some amenities are no longer optional: their absence costs bookings and stars. Fast Wi-Fi comes first, followed by a coffee machine, dishwasher and hairdryer. For business stays in Strasbourg, a real workspace (desk, comfortable chair, accessible outlets) has become an Airbnb search filter.

• ✦Fast Wi-Fi with the code clearly displayed
• ✦Coffee machine, kettle, dishwasher, washing machine
• ✦Hairdryer, iron and ironing board
• ✦Workspace with good lighting
• ✦Blackout curtains in every bedroom
• ✦A kitchen you can actually cook in (not just two plates)

A budget sofa won't survive two seasons of turnovers. Choose sturdy furniture with removable, washable covers: zip-off sofa covers, easy-clean dining chairs, forgiving floors. Entry-level costs more over time than solid mid-range.

Also think about consumables to store on site: light bulbs, paper, cleaning products. At Clés d'Alsace, we manage these stocks for our owners — the property never runs out of coffee on a Friday evening.

For a fully equipped two-room apartment in the Bas-Rhin, budget between €4,000 and €8,000 depending on the range, furniture and appliances included. An investment that is tax-depreciable under the LMNP réel regime — and pays for itself quickly: a well-equipped, well-photographed property rents more often and at higher prices.

Last tip: have professional photos taken after the full fit-out, never before. The listing must show the property at its best — the version the guest will find on arrival.