
5 Design Lessons I’ve Learned from Beautiful Airbnb Stays
I love a good Airbnb. Not just for the escape (although a slow morning in a sun-drenched cottage with a coffee and no plans? Yes please), but because you can feel a space differently when you’re living in it briefly.
Over the years, I’ve stayed in everything from rustic cabins to refined beach homes, and the most memorable places always have one thing in common: intention.
They aren’t always “perfect” - but they make you feel something.
Here are five design lessons I’ve learned from those spaces that have stayed with me.⸻
1. Texture does more than colour ever could
The best Airbnbs I’ve stayed in don’t rely on a wild palette or showy furniture. They’re layered with texture: washed linen, raw timber, ceramics with a subtle ripple. These materials speak softly, but they speak volumes.
Lesson: A space can be visually quiet and still feel deeply rich. Add texture through natural fibres, aged wood, handmade details.
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2. Lighting is everything (and it’s rarely overhead)
I once stayed in a tiny coastal home where there wasn’t a single ceiling light. Everything was lit by lamps, sconces, and candlelight. It changed the way I moved through the space—slower, more present, more at ease.
Lesson: Light affects mood. Choose warm bulbs, layer your lighting, and treat lamps like part of the styling, not just function.
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3. Don’t underestimate the power of a styled corner
One beautifully considered corner—a bench with a linen throw, a single chair by a window, a reading nook with a candle—can shift the whole energy of a room. The best Airbnbs create moments, not just rooms.
Lesson: You don’t need to redecorate everything. Style one small space with intention. Let it be a moment of pause.

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4. Personality lives in the imperfections
Some of the most magnetic spaces I’ve stayed in had creaky floorboards, vintage mismatched chairs, or hand-thrown pottery that wasn’t quite symmetrical. And you know what? That’s what made them feel real.
Lesson: Beauty doesn’t have to be flawless. Let your home reflect your story—not just the showroom.

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5. Edit more than you think
Hosts who curate their homes with clarity make for a more calming stay. Every object feels like it has a purpose—even if that purpose is just to bring joy. Nothing is there “just because.”
Lesson: Thoughtful curation > constant accumulation. Create breathing room. Let your pieces shine.

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These little lessons have shaped how I style my own home, and how we think about design at The Sustainable Life Co. I want every piece we offer, and every space we feature, to invite that same sense of calm, character, and connection.
Because when a space is done with care, it doesn’t just look good, it feels like home.
— Nancy
Founder, The Sustainable Life Co