Furnishing your first Christchurch short-term rental

Begin with the stay you want to offer

Before buying furniture, decide who the property is suited to and how they are likely to use it. A couple visiting the city, two colleagues sharing a work trip and a family staying for a week can need different sleeping, dining and storage arrangements.

Start with the floor plan and the property's strengths. Then choose a coherent approach to colour, lighting, furniture and artwork. Character can come from a few well-chosen decisions; it does not require every room to have a theme or every wall to be repainted.

Set a budget for a finished property

Staywright's indicative furnishing budgets are around $20,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and $30,000 for a two-bedroom property, including GST and Staywright’s scoped furnishing-project fee. These are planning figures for a scoped project, not fixed packages or a promise that every property can be completed for that amount.

The final quote depends on what is already available, the size and layout, sleeping arrangements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and the presentation you want. Confirm the full scope before spending: furniture, household equipment, linen, artwork, delivery, assembly, rubbish removal and preparation all need an allocated budget.

A second bedroom does not double every cost, but it adds more than a bed. Mattresses, bedside furniture, lighting, linen and appropriate storage all contribute to a room that is actually ready to use.

Put practical comfort first

Walk through the property as a guest arriving with luggage. Is there somewhere to put a bag? Can someone charge a phone beside the bed? Is the seating comfortable for the number of people advertised? Are the heating controls, Wi-Fi details and essential appliances easy to understand?

Airbnb's own essentials guidance includes toilet paper, soap, a towel and pillow for each guest, and bed linen. That is a starting point. Our preparation approach also considers ordinary facecloths, useful kitchen equipment, accessible bedside lighting and the supplies that help a guest settle in without immediately needing a shopping trip.

Source: Airbnb Help Centre — Providing essential amenities for guests

Choose for cleaning, upkeep and replacement

A furnishing decision continues to have consequences after the photographs are taken. Consider how upholstery will be cleaned, whether a dining surface tolerates everyday use and whether a broken glass or damaged bedside lamp can be replaced sensibly.

Agree linen quantities and storage with the people handling changeovers. The number of sets needed depends on laundry arrangements and turnaround time; buying only what is on the beds can leave little room for delays. Keep a simple inventory of purchases, product details and care instructions so future replacements are easier.

Treat installation as part of the project

Delivery and assembly need a plan, especially in an apartment building. Check access, delivery windows, lift arrangements and where packaging can be removed. A room full of unopened furniture can make the remaining work much slower.

Sequence the installation so there is space to work, and include assembly and waste handling in the scope. Then check everything in use: open drawers, sit at the table, test lamps, connect to Wi-Fi and run through the arrival instructions. Presentation and practical readiness should be completed together.

Photograph what guests will actually find

Book the final photography when the agreed setup is ready, so the listing reflects the real space. Describe amenities accurately and keep the photographs current when something material changes. Attractive images should create an expectation the property can deliver.

Staywright can help develop the concept, source the agreed items and coordinate a separately quoted setup. Send us the location, floor plan, photographs and an initial budget, and we can discuss what the property needs before you commit to purchases.

Source: Airbnb Resource Centre — Prepare your home for guests