2 Things to Research When Designing Your STR
- Aug 3, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2024
Welcome! Did you just buy your first STR? Or 50th, you know, either or. Maybe you’re thinking about redesigning? Either way, congrats! Now you’re probably all excited to start getting some inspiration. You go to Pinterest to gain some design ideas. Then you start endlessly scrolling through a ton of different designs. Questions pop up - Do you get white or non-white sheets? Coffee table or no coffee table? What’s the deal all the little trinkets/décor items in a home? Yes, no, maybe so? And what is this talk about saturated markets and bookings being down?
Ughh everyone has an opinion on which way you should turn, but you have no idea which way to turn. Now you’re endlessly frustrated and left with endless questions, and that inspiration went from 5 stars to 1 star real quick.
Ahhhh….yeah….
Don’t get us wrong, Pinterest, Instagram, insert name of another social media platform here, are great, especially for some new or specific ideas. But before you do start scrolling, you will want to research these two things first. Even if it’s just for sanity!
The first one is what type of guests are attracted to your location. Numero dos is researching what your competition is doing.
Jump to them if needed:
Researching these 2 things first will not only save you a ton of guesswork with how to design your interiors, but could potentially save you thousands of dollars! This is because you’ll have a clear vision of the final product/design. You’ll know EXACTLY what steps (or products) you’ll need to get there, and you won’t have to try all the newest designs trends or buy that hot tub that you might unnecessarily need.
One of our biggest goals at Citrus Velvet Interiors is for you to get a return on your investment. Which means that we need to get those quality guests into your STR, while simultaneously not breaking the bank with your design.
GUEST RESEARCH
Timing - 2 days
This is nothing new in the hospitality industry. Hotels are ALWAYS researching every detail about their guests and catering every amenity to them. Essentially, you’re analyzing their behaviors, their likes/dislikes, what they want to experience, honestly the list goes on. You’re basically getting into the mind of your guest profile (or avatar) and becoming like them while you design.
This level of detail not only provides them with an experience that will resonate with them, but it’s ultimately enhancing their satisfaction. THIS IS HUGE because this is where the loyalty to your STR comes into play. They will want to book another stay or create an annual vacation at your STR because they know what they are going to get there, and it resonates with their individual needs.
Always remember that a design for everyone is a design for no one.
The part that I love the most about this, is not that you get to envision a clear end product, but you start to create lasting relationships as well. Yeah my husband and I do love hosting, don’t get me wrong, but with a guest-centric design, you'll feel like you completely understand your guest, and they are going to feel like they understand you. You took the time to deep into that level of detail for them. It’s just a cool community that you’re creating.
Additionally, this level of detail shows that your respect and care for your STR. This will psychologically translate into your guests respecting your STR as well. Disclaimer: you will always get that one guest that doesn't, there's nothing you can do about that.
Example: one STR found out that their area attracts destination bachelorette parties. They catered every detail to being on a bachelorette. Pink everywhere, bride-to-be décor items, even makeup mirrors with extra lighting. They were already going to get that guest anyway, but guess which STR gets booked over their competition because the guest WANTS to stay there and KNOWS exactly what they will get there...yes...that one.
Photographer: Alan Wolf of WolfReel Visuals, LLC - Designer: Kayla Meggy of Citrus Velvet Interiors - The Riverview Haven in New Hampshire is located by 7 mountains within 15 minutes of the STR. The winter season is slow, but by creating a ski/snow room they are able to create more bookings in the winter instead.
How to start this research:
By now, I’m going to assume that you’ve already gone through your search at websites like AirDNA when you were looking into purchasing your STR. This helps you gain a better focus on how STRs (more or less bedrooms, price comparisons, seasons, etc) are performing in your area. No worries if didn’t! You can still take a look! *It’s free for just your city/town. Subscription based if you want to see the entire state (in the US).
Anyhow, start googling what attractions you have in your area. Are the attractions kid/family friendly, luxurious, relaxing, adventurous, business related, music related, etc.? Example, is your STR a big bachelorette destination, are you near an airport, are you on the coast, near the mountains, ice climbing, you get me, right? You might have multiple attractions and that’s okay! If you already have a STR that you’re redesigning, what type of guests are you already attracting to your STR? Take a look at your reviews and guests.
Next go to websites like Reddit, Quora, or popular blogs that these types of guests are reading. Take a look at them, read what their problems, issues, or likes are. With this information, you’re going to start to form your guest avatar. This would include: How old are they? What does that generation like in general? What does that guest like to have or need on vacation? You can definitely google these things as well. This blog post from Regent Marketing gives descriptions of guests in a fun and informative way! However, reading the blogs or their questions/concerns, helps you to step into the minds of the guests that are coming to your area. This will all help with marketing as well, but that’s for another day!
If you are having trouble, we have a service that can help. Take a look at our services below!
It’s always helpful to do it on your own though because you just become a better host, which is probably the number one priority!
This is going to take some time, most likely a couple of days. You shouldn't need a week.
After you’ve done your guest research, it’s time to move on to...
COMPETITION RESEARCH
Timing - 2 hours
Look I’m competitive. I mean I’ve entered many industries (both in hospitality and interior design) that are competitive as hell. AND I LOVE IT! Let’s keep it friendly though. I’m not looking to back stab people. That attitude gets left at the door – please check out! So, at Citrus Velvet Interiors we DO NOT PROMOTE COPYING a design. Some people definitely do that, but doesn’t it leave a bad feeling? You don’t even get a chance to try and be creative! I don’t see the fun in that.
What we do promote though is seeing what your competition is doing. Do they all have the same design, do they have no design at all, what amenities are they offering, etc.? Look at their reviews and research what their guests are saying: comfortable bed, guests loved the welcome book, maybe the host wasn’t as communicative as the guest wanted, maybe they loved the design – what was it about it that the guests loved or didn’t love? It’s like competition research tied into guest research.
What you’re going to want to do first is go to any booking website (or online travel agency [OTA]) that is offered in your area. Examples include or Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or Homestay.
Type in your area for any date. I like to search all seasons, but I love data so all seasons is probably excessive.
Start looking at the top 5%. I would even look at the bottom, but you have to go with a grain of salt there because it may just be that the host just isn’t as active with the listing as you might be.
This shouldn't take too long. I'd say it should only take about a couple of hours.
Just get a feel for what their designs look like, what's working, or what isn't working. You'll want to try and stand out, but it all should be within reason to your guest avatar. Find or think about something unique that you could design or offer that your competition isn’t doing or doesn’t have.
**BONUS**
Local Research
Timing - 1 hour
We get a lot of questions with our STR that pertain to local attractions or things to do within the area. A lot of people are coming from all over the world and probably haven't been to your location.
Now this is just an opinion, but I think it's a nice touch when STRs add something local to the design. It could be a gallery wall that has some interesting facts or old local photos. I've seen some interior designers do an accent wall with an enlarged picture of a mountain nearby. In our STR, we took some Birchwood trees that had to be cut down and made them into a piece of furniture that is within the STR. Don't be afraid to get creative! Something like that instantly creates a connection with your guest and your area, and is something unique that can drive them to you.
It's an easy search, and it may have even popped up when you were doing your guest research.
Color Psychology Research
Timing - 1 hour or less
If you're looking to evoke a certain feeling in your STR, then you're going to want to dive into some color psychology. There is a reason why you see a lot of white STRs. Psychologically white portrays a sense of cleanliness and peacefulness (usually the warm whites - beware of the whites that make a house look dirtier). There is no doubt that a CLEAN STR is one of the TOP PRIORITIES for guests.
Designer: Citrus Velvet Interiors. The Riverview Haven in New Hampshire was designed with a nature inspired palette in mind. We found the main guests were active families wanting to enjoy the outdoors.
Before you go an pick a color palette:
Figure out how you want your guests to feel in your STR
Research what colors evoke that feeling
Then choose a color palette.
If you have a hard time choosing a color palette, there are free resources such a Canva's Color Wheel that create palette's for you (plus it's just fun to play around with), or Etsy has some good premade palettes that you can buy for cheap.
Designing your STR shouldn't be a headache. It should be fun, and it's a chance to be extra creative! Having a clear end vision goes a long way though. Making sure your research your guests, competition, location, and colors will help you visualize how you design, stand out against your competition, and get those quality guests into your STR.
If you have any questions or comments (or just want to chat), don't be afraid to ask us!
We loved hosting you and glad you had a good stay! Come again soon!
x Citrus Velvet Interiors
If you're starting on a design project, download our free budget template to help you with your design project. We know that you usually end up finding numerous products that you want, and then have to decide what works with your budget. This helps you to narrow that down with simple checkboxes!
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