You’ve invested in good furniture, styled the space with care, and your photos look amazing online. So why aren’t the 5-star reviews rolling in like you expected? Why are your bookings slowing down—or worse, your guests checking in and leaving uninspired?

If your Airbnb looks great but doesn’t feel great, the problem isn’t your decor—it’s your design strategy.

In the world of short-term rentals, how a space feels matters more than how it looks. At Claudia Asaad Interiors, we help hosts turn good-looking listings into unforgettable experiences that guests rave about. Because the truth is, emotion drives everything—from bookings to reviews to revenue.

Here are five subtle but powerful signs that your Airbnb may need a strategic redesign.

 

1. Guests Don’t Mention the Space in Their Reviews

If your reviews say things like “Great location!” or “Very clean!”—but don’t mention how the space felt—that’s a red flag. You want guests to comment on the vibe, the comfort, the ambiance. When a space is designed with intention, guests notice. They say things like “We didn’t want to leave” or “This place had such great energy.”

What it means: The design may be neutral, impersonal, or lacking emotional warmth. A strategic redesign adds story, soul, and sensory impact—turning a rental into a memory.

 

2. Your Booking Rate Isn’t Matching the Quality of Your Photos

Your listing photos are stunning, your amenities are solid, and yet… bookings are slow. What gives?

This usually happens when there’s a disconnect between what guests expect and what they actually experience. Beautiful images might get you clicks, but if the space lacks flow, comfort, or charm in person, guests won’t come back—and your conversion rate suffers.

What it means: You may need to align your online visual branding with a real-world design that delivers on its promise.

 

3. Guests Struggle to “Settle In”

Do guests ask where to put their luggage, how to turn on lights, or where the coffee station is? These little friction points signal a layout that lacks flow or intuitive function.

A great Airbnb feels effortless. Guests should be able to walk in and immediately feel at home—without needing instructions for every little thing.

What it means: The space may look great but hasn’t been designed with the guest journey in mind. A redesign should focus on optimizing flow, clarity, and comfort.

 

4. Your Space Looks Nice… but Feels Generic

If your Airbnb could be anywhere—and doesn’t reflect your location, personality, or a distinct vibe—guests won’t remember it. And when guests don’t remember your space, they won’t recommend it.

Design that feels good connects emotionally. It creates a narrative. It gives guests a sense of place and belonging.

What it means: You might be relying too much on trends and not enough on story. A strategic redesign can inject meaning, warmth, and originality.

 

5. You’re Not Attracting the Guests You Want

If your Airbnb is attracting the wrong type of guest—or worse, no guests at all—your design may be sending mixed signals. Every design choice communicates something. From color palette to layout to the photos you post, you’re telling a story about what kind of experience you offer.

What it means: It’s time to refine your message through design. Who is your ideal guest? What would they want to feel in your space? A targeted redesign can attract better guests and increase loyalty.

 

So… Does Your Space Need a Redesign?

If you nodded to any of the signs above, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Most hosts start by focusing on appearances (understandably!), but real success comes when you design with both emotion and strategy in mind.

At Claudia Asaad Interiors, we specialize in transforming short-term rentals into high-performing, emotionally resonant guest experiences. Through our proven Guest Magnet Method™, we help hosts turn underperforming spaces into powerful hospitality tools—spaces that feel just as good as they look.

 

Let’s Make Your Airbnb a Place Guests Never Want to Leave

Ready to stop guessing and start designing with strategy? We’re here to help. Whether you need a complete redesign or just expert guidance, our mission is to help you attract more bookings, better reviews, and higher profits—by creating spaces that feel as unforgettable as they look.

Book your free discovery call today and let’s transform your rental into a true Guest Magnet.