10 Trending Details for a Curated and Profitable Stay

Creating a profitable short-term rental (STR) today goes beyond just having a clean, well-located property. Guests increasingly seek an experience—something that feels intentional, stylish, and a step above the average listing. To help your Airbnb or vacation rental stand out and stay booked, we've rounded up 10 trending details that elevate your space and drive ROI. These touches not only reflect top interior design trends but also meet the evolving expectations of today’s discerning guests.

1. Moody, Layered Lighting
Lighting is no longer just about utility. Think layered, ambient lighting: dimmable sconces, vintage-style table lamps, pendant lights with warm-toned bulbs. Guests love the ability to adjust the mood and lighting for their experience. It's an affordable way to inject high-end design into your Airbnb and create cozy, Instagram-worthy moments.

2. Vintage and Antique Accents
The vintage revival is going strong. Integrate one-of-a-kind pieces like antique mirrors, clawfoot side tables, or ornate picture frames. These items bring character and soul to your STR, giving guests the feeling of staying somewhere unique and thoughtfully curated. Sourcing from local vintage shops also aligns with sustainable hosting—a rising value in today's travel culture.

3. Statement Art and Curated Wall Decor
Art tells a story. Replace generic prints with locally-inspired artwork or large-scale pieces that create a focal point in each room. Incorporate layered gallery walls, moody oil paintings, or minimalist line art depending on your STR’s aesthetic. This is one of the easiest ways to add visual depth and increase perceived value.

4. Sensory Additions
Appealing to all five senses makes a stay memorable. Think scented candles with rich, grounding notes (like sandalwood or cedar), plush throws, calming sound machines, and curated playlists. These low-cost, high-impact details encourage guests to linger—and leave glowing reviews.

5. Earthy and Natural Materials
Natural textures are a top interior design trend for 2025 and beyond. Incorporate raw wood, terracotta, linen, jute, and marble throughout your space. These elements not only photograph beautifully for your Airbnb listing but also ground the space in a sense of calm and authenticity.

6. Designer Coffee & Tea Stations
A styled, well-stocked coffee and tea nook is a small luxury with big appeal. Use open shelving to display artisan mugs, vintage canisters, and a variety of brews. Add a high-end kettle or espresso machine. Guests are increasingly seeking convenience and comfort—especially during slow mornings or remote work stays.

7. Signature Scent or Fragrance Identity
Create an emotional connection to your stay through scent. Consider diffusers or candles with a signature fragrance exclusive to your listing. This creates a sensory brand for your STR and can be a memorable touch that helps guests associate your space with luxury and comfort.

8. Flexible + Multi-Purpose Furniture
Today’s guests often mix business with pleasure. A chic dining table that doubles as a workspace, ottomans with hidden storage, or foldable accent chairs ensure your space adapts to guest needs. This is especially crucial for Airbnb hosts looking to attract longer stays and remote workers.

9. Luxe Bed Styling
Invest in elevated bedding: think crisp white sheets, layered duvets, textured pillows, and a moody or earthy headboard. This is where guests spend most of their time, and it’s often where comfort and visual appeal matter most. A beautiful bed is often the cover photo that sells the stay.

10. Host-Branded Touches
This is the year to start treating your STR like a boutique brand. Whether it's a printed welcome guide, branded matchboxes, or a signature "Stay Society" Spotify playlist—these small details build loyalty and recognition. Guests remember the feeling your space gave them, and branding reinforces that memory.

Final Thoughts:

A profitable Airbnb or vacation rental doesn’t require a massive renovation—just thoughtful design and elevated detail. As guest expectations continue to rise, especially in the luxury and boutique travel space, your ability to curate a stylish, sensory-rich environment will set your STR apart.

Start small: upgrade your lighting, add a signature scent, or source one standout vintage piece. These trending details not only align with current interior design trends but also tell a story that guests want to be part of. The result? More bookings, better reviews, and a stay that feels less like a rental and more like a destination.

Stay intentional, stay booked, stay curated.

Need help styling your stay? Explore our signature mood boards, curated shop, and host resources at The Stay Society.

Top 5 Reasons to Own An Airbnb In Blue Ridge, GA

Just in case you were wondering, there has never been a better time than now to invest in Blue Ridge, GA and the surrounding areas. This is especially true when talking about short term rentals (think AirBnb, VRBO, Home Away).

Here’s the Top 5 reasons why you should invest in Blue Ridge, GA!

1) STRONG VACATION DEMAND AND REVENUE

Source: www.airdna.co (August, 2021)

According to Airdna.co, the average annual revenue for short term rentals in Blue Ridge, Georgia is an amazing $58,776! That’s for just one rental.

And even better, the average annual occupancy rate is 75%, which means that they are near capacity, even with the moderate season drops.

What does this mean for you? There’s a lot of money to be made and there is still room for more cabins to enter the market!

2) ENDLESS ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES TO KEEP EVERYONE BUSY

Blue Ridge truly has something for everyone. I could write a whole book on all the things that you can do and places you can visit in Blue Ridge, but here’s just a few:

• Lake Blue Ridge - swimming, boating, kayaking, water sports

• Tacoa River - whitewater rafting, tubing, fishing

• Hiking - multiple hiking trails through the mountains, waterfalls, and lake

• Orchards - Murcier Orchards is widely known for it’s endless selection of apples, apple ciders, and other local fruits

• Wineries and Breweries - enjoy a local glass of wine or beer and unwind in the beautiful locations in Blue Ridge

• Fine Dining - there’s something for everyone whether you’re looking for staple Southern cuisine or fine dining in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge

• Scenic tours - hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and explore the beautiful nature in the classic train

• and so much more!

3) Great weather year round and 4 seasons!

The climate in Blue Ridge is moderate and features warm days in the 80’s with nice cooler nights in the 60’s at the peak of Summer and chillier days in the high 40’s with nights in the 30’s in the Winter.

You won’t see any extreme weather here, but will get all 4 seasons, with the rare snow in the Winter, beautiful regrowth in the Spring, warm Summers and gorgeous foliage in the Fall.

4) Proximity to Atlanta, florida and the smoky mountains!

With its proximity to Atlanta, which hosts the busiest Airport in the WORLD (yes, not just United States, but the whole world with 100+ million travelers annually), it is extremely easy to get there! Not to mention, the population in Atlanta is over 6million and this is one of the closest popular getaway destinations for the city.

And it doesn’t end there. Blue Ridge is also one of the nearest mountain destinations for the Southeast, including Florida, and attracts a large amount of tourists from those areas, as it is close enough to make the drive!

The smoky mountains are only a couple hour drive, and Blue Ridge offers tourists a locations that is more serene and laid back than the other options of Gatlinburg/Cherokee.

5) Established vacation rental city

When investing in AirBnb’s, one of the most important factors to consider is regulations. There have been many larger cities that have imposed regulations on AirBnb’s as they have taken away necessary long term rental housing for the population. The cities have had to either halt or restrict AirBnb’s as a result.

However, Blue Ridge is an established vacation getaway city and their economy is cemented in tourism, so AirBnb’s fits seamlessly here. This means that there is significantly less risk that AirBnb’s would be restricted in Blue Ridge, as their entire economy is based on it, giving you peace of mind that your investment would be protected.