Airbnb Setup vs. Interior Designer: Which Is Right for Your Property?
- Mehak Fiaz
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
Introduction
If you own a short-term rental, you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I hire an interior designer, or a specialized Airbnb setup service?
Both aim to make your property beautiful, but their goals, processes, and pricing structures are very different. Understanding these differences can help you make the best investment for your rental — one that maximizes guest appeal, bookings, and revenue.
1. Goals: Style vs. Revenue Optimization
Interior Designer:
Focuses on aesthetic appeal, personal style, and cohesive interiors.
Often designs for long-term enjoyment, without considering short-term rental dynamics like guest turnover or durability.
Airbnb Setup Service (like Bee Setups):
Focuses on creating scroll-stopping listings that convert views into bookings.
Balances design with functionality, guest durability, and high ROI on your furnishing investment.
2. Scope of Services
Interior Designer Services May Include:
Mood boards, 3D renderings
Color schemes and furniture selection
Sourcing and purchasing furniture (sometimes at retail prices)
Styling for personal use
Bee Setups Airbnb Setup Includes:
Turnkey furnishing packages from $995 to $6,500 + furniture budget (project minimum $15K)
End-to-end sourcing, delivery, and assembly
STR-optimized layouts for photos and guest experience
Market-specific amenity recommendations to boost ADR and occupancy
Full setup of essentials — from cookware to linens — so it’s guest-ready day one
3. Pricing Structure
Interior Designer:
Often charges hourly or as a percentage of the furnishing budget
Rates vary widely: $75–$200+/hour or 10–20% of furnishings cost
Does not include labor, delivery, or project management fees in most cases
Bee Setups:
Flat package fee + cost of furnishings
No hourly rates — you know your total design fee upfront
Nationwide service with consistent pricing
4. Timeline
Interior Designer:
Can take several months from concept to completion, especially if sourcing custom or made-to-order pieces.
Bee Setups:
Streamlined vendor network for fast furniture delivery
Typical design & setup completion in 3–5 weeks (depending on market inventory and client approvals)
Rush options available for last-minute listings
5. STR-Specific Expertise
Interior Designer:
May not account for guest-proof materials or high-turnover durability
Styling may look great but underperform in photos or reviews if impractical for guests
Bee Setups:
Every design choice is filtered through guest-proofing, photo impact, and market performance
Proven strategies to boost listing appeal on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other platforms
6. Long-Term Impact on Revenue
A designer-focused property might win style awards — but a setup service-focused property is built to earn.
Bee Setups properties are consistently top-performing listings, helping clients hit or exceed revenue projections.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Interior Designer | Airbnb Setup Service (Bee Setups) |
Goal | Aesthetics | Bookings & Revenue |
Pricing Model | Hourly/% budget | Flat package fee |
STR Experience | Low to moderate | High |
Timeline | Months | 3–5 weeks |
Amenities & Essentials | Optional | Included |
Guest Durability Focus | Variable | High |
Final Thoughts
If your primary goal is maximizing your rental’s profitability, an Airbnb setup service is almost always the smarter choice. You’ll still get a beautiful design — but one built for guests, performance, and ROI.
If your goal is personal enjoyment or a highly customized, personal-style space, an interior designer might be the better fit.
At Bee Setups, we’ve helped hundreds of owners turn empty properties into profitable rentals in just weeks — all without the stress of managing the process yourself.
📅 Want your property earning sooner?