HOSPITALITY VIA DESIGN

If you’re looking to list your house on platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com to make some extra cash, here’s a 10-point guide to turning your place into a comfortable and attractive homestay.

- Shraddha Chowdhury

1 “Set out a clear budget,” advises Huzefa Rangwala of design firm MuseLAB. And to avoid frivolous expenditure, pay heed to Bombay BnB cofounder Romal Changwani’s tip: spend the better part of your budget on items guests are likely to use the most (the bed, couch, and microwave) and divide the rest.

2 Next, make a checklist of the bigger basics required: a fresh coat of paint, furniture, bathroom fixtures and electronics like a TV, an air conditioner (at least in the bedroom), a microwave, refrigerator, and washing machine. “Aesthetic needs to work with practicality and budget,” says Farah Ahmed of FADD Studio. She suggests using brands “dominant in your area for better service”.

3 Most designers recommend a minimalist approach to furniture and décor so space doesn’t feel cluttered or busy. Pick pieces that are practical, non-fussy and easy to clean. (Think IKEA, Poltrona Frau or MUJI.) To overcome space constraints, Devika Sarin, co-founder of Curioso Studio & Suites, Goa, recommends multifunctional furniture or foldaway ones like drop-leaf tables and sofa beds. Rangwala throws in the idea of creating multipurpose areas—a center table that doubles up as a game board, a table with an attached floor lamp and foldable wall art that can become a writing desk, for instance.