There are over 8,000 rental apartments on Lake Garda listed on Airbnb. In this fierce competition, the difference between a property with 90% occupancy and one with 40% is never the price — it's the interior design. Professional Airbnb interior design on Lake Garda can double your bookings, boost your ratings, and allow you to charge a higher nightly rate.

In this practical guide, as an interior designer specializing in residential design on Lake Garda, I'll show you exactly what works — and what doesn't — when furnishing a holiday rental.

Why design is the most profitable investment for your Airbnb

Photos decide everything: before the guest even reads the description

75% of Airbnb guests choose accommodation based on the first 5 photos. If your apartment in Riva del Garda, Torbole, or Arco has generic furniture, flat lighting, and outdated décor, guests scroll past — even if your price is lower than competitors.

The numbers speak for themselves

Factor	Standard apartment	Professionally designed apartment
Average nightly rate	€80-100	€130-180
Occupancy rate	40-55%	75-90%
Average rating	4.2-4.5	4.7-4.9
Estimated annual revenue	€12,000-18,000	€30,000-45,000

An investment of €3,000-8,000 in interior design can deliver a 200-400% return in the first year alone.

7 key elements of Airbnb design that drives bookings

1. First impressions: the entrance and living room

Guests form their opinion in the first 30 seconds. The entrance should be clean, welcoming, and functional. A designer coat rack, a mirror, and a small key holder immediately communicate care and attention.

The living room is the heart of the listing: it should be photographable from at least 3 angles, all equally appealing. Comfortable sofa, coffee table, layered lighting, and — if possible — a lake view framed by the furniture arrangement.

2. A colour palette that works for Lake Garda

For an Airbnb on Lake Garda, the ideal palette reflects the surrounding landscape:

Neutral base: warm white, beige, light grey — walls and large surfaces
Natural tones: light wood, stone, linen — furniture and textiles
Lake accents: deep blue, sage green, terracotta — cushions, art, accessories

Avoid overly dark colours (they shrink spaces) and overly bright colours (they split opinions). The goal is to create an environment that 90% of guests love, not 50%.

3. Bedroom: the review factor

Sleep quality is the most mentioned factor in reviews of Lake Garda accommodation. Here's what you need:

Quality mattress — minimum a good double (160×200 cm)
White cotton bedding — hotel look, easy to wash
Full blackout — blackout curtains (essential for bright Garda summers)
Bedside tables with USB ports — a small detail with huge review impact
Soft lighting — reading lamp + ambient light

4. Bathroom: small details, big results

The bathroom is where you win or lose 5-star ratings. Even without renovation:

Ladder towel rail — elegant and functional
Quality amenities — soap, shampoo in refillable dispensers (never plastic bottles)
Well-lit mirror — LED around the mirror
Plants — a small green plant transforms the atmosphere
Plenty of towels — 2 complete sets per guest

5. Kitchen: functional and photogenic

Guests on Lake Garda often return home with local olive oil, wine, and produce to cook. A kitchen that works is a competitive advantage:

Complete equipment — moka pot, toaster, chopping board, good knives
Visible organization — jars, spices on display, everything tidy
Local touch — a bottle of Garda olive oil, a guide to local markets

6. "Instagram-worthy" elements that generate bookings

Every successful Airbnb has at least 2-3 photographable corners that guests share on social media. This generates free advertising:

Breakfast corner with a view — small table near the window overlooking the lake
Hammock or armchair on the balcony — with mountain views
Artistic detail — a local print, artisan ceramics, a photography book about Lake Garda
Evening lighting — fairy lights, candles, atmosphere

7. Functionality for the modern traveller

Beyond aesthetics, the modern guest expects:

Fast WiFi — minimum 50 Mbps, stated in the listing
Smart TV with Netflix/streaming
Workspace — desk or table with comfortable chair and nearby outlet
Washing machine — essential for stays of 5+ nights
Local information — printed guide with restaurants, hikes, beaches

Mistakes to avoid when furnishing your Lake Garda Airbnb

❌ Grandma's furniture

Looking "vintage" is not the same as having old furniture. If the furnishings were inherited or bought 20 years ago, guests will notice. Better to have fewer new, curated pieces than a home full of outdated furniture.

❌ Over-decoration

Too many ornaments, pictures, and objects make cleaning difficult and the space overwhelming. The rule is: fewer objects, higher quality.

❌ Ceiling-only lighting

A single light fixture in the centre of the ceiling flattens everything. Good lighting design includes 3 levels: general light, task light (kitchen, reading), ambient light (lamps, LED strips).

❌ Professional photos of a mediocre space

Investing in a photographer without first investing in design is putting lipstick on a pig. First fix the apartment, then take the photos. And with 3D rendering, you can see the result before you start.

How much does it cost to design an Airbnb on Lake Garda?

Light restyling (no renovation)

Budget: €2,000-5,000
Includes: new textiles, lighting, accessories, art, reorganization
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Ideal for: apartments in good condition that need a refresh

Full restyling (with new furniture)

Budget: €5,000-12,000
Includes: new main furniture, complete lighting, decoration, styling
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Ideal for: apartments with dated furniture or no identity

Renovation + design

Budget: €15,000-35,000+
Includes: bathroom/kitchen renovation, new floors, complete furnishings, lighting
Timeframe: 2-3 months
Ideal for: apartments to renovate or recently purchased

For every level, an initial consultation is the starting point to determine the real budget and priorities for your project.

The process: how we work for your Airbnb

Site visit and analysis — we visit the apartment, analyse strengths and weaknesses, study the competition in your area
Concept and moodboard — we present the design vision with palette, materials, and references
Detailed project — floor plan, furniture selection, shopping list with links and prices
3D rendering — photorealistic visualization of the final result before starting
Implementation — we coordinate suppliers, deliveries, and setup
Styling and shooting — final styling and professional photo shoot for the listing

Transform your apartment into a successful Airbnb

Lake Garda is one of Europe's most sought-after tourist destinations. The demand is there — the demand is enormous. But to stand out among thousands of listings, your apartment needs to make a flawless first impression.

If you own an apartment in Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole, Limone, or anywhere else on the lake and want to turn it into an Airbnb that works for you, get in touch for a free consultation. We'll show you exactly what to do, how much to invest, and what return to expect.