Books for Airbnb Decor: Styling a Short-Term Rental

Most rentals need a few feet of books plus one or two coffee table stacks, in a single palette that suits the location. Books make a rental feel cared for, help listing photos look finished and give guests something to pick up.

Below: palettes, quantities, where books work best and how to keep them looking good between guests.

Why books earn their place in a rental

• Photos. Airbnb's own host guidance calls photos one of the most important parts of your listing. Styled shelves turn a blank wall into a finished frame.
• Warmth. Books soften hard, new-furniture rooms in a way that's hard to get from art alone.
• Sense of place. Airbnb suggests hosts showcase their community with local art, treats and a guidebook. A shelf of regional books does the same.
• Durability. Books don't break when a toddler knocks them off a shelf.

Two kinds of books

Think of rental books in two groups:

1. Decor books for shelves, mantels and coffee tables, chosen by color. These set the look and stay put.
2. Guest books that people actually read: a local guidebook, a regional history or photography book, a field guide to birds or shells, short story collections, puzzle books and a few children's picture books. Keep these on one easy-to-reach shelf or in a basket.

What to leave out of the guest shelf: anything political or religiously pointed, true crime and horror in a family rental, books with someone's name written inside, and anything valuable you'd be upset to lose. Guests borrow, pack by accident and spill coffee.

Choose a palette that suits the location and the photos

Pick one palette for the whole property so every room looks like part of the same story.

Neutrals photograph cleanly and hide light wear well; a single accent color gives the listing a recognizable look across photos.

How many books does a rental need?

Approximate guide for a styled, not-packed look:

For other sizes, see how many books per foot of shelf.

Where books work best in a rental

• Living room bookcase or built-ins: the main event and the shelf in your hero photo.
• Coffee table: a 5-book stack with a tray. See coffee table book stacking ideas.
• Entry console: two small stacks and a bowl for keys.
• Reading nook: a chair, a lamp and a small shelf of guest books. A nook is exactly the kind of signature spot that makes listings memorable.
• Bedrooms: a single shelf or a short stack on a dresser, kept minimal for easy cleaning.

Skip kitchens near the stove, bathrooms without ventilation, and outdoor spaces.

Budgeting books for a rental

Books are one of the less expensive ways to make a rental feel finished, but plan them like any other furnishing:

1. List every surface that needs styling: bookcase, coffee table, mantel, console, nightstands.
2. Measure the shelves and convert to feet (see how to measure shelves for books by the foot).
3. Count stacks for tables and mantels: usually one five-book stack each.
4. Add about 10 percent as spares for replacements.
5. Choose one palette for the whole property so spares fit anywhere.

For a typical two-bedroom beach condo with one bookcase, a coffee table and a console, that's often about 6 to 8 feet of books plus two or three five-book stacks.

Guest-friendly touches

• Put a small sign or note on the guest shelf: "Please enjoy these books during your stay."
• Leave a basket of children's picture books in family rentals.
• Include one or two books about your area; guests often look for local recommendations.

Turnover-proof styling

Rentals get reset dozens of times a year, so styling has to survive cleaners and guests.

1. Photograph every shelf after you style it. Put the photos in your cleaning checklist so anyone can reset it.
2. Keep it simple. Three elements per shelf (upright run, stack, one object) is easy to reset.
3. Use sturdy objects. Wood, woven, metal and thick ceramic instead of delicate glass.
4. Keep a backup foot in storage so you can replace missing or worn books with matching colors.
5. Dust on a schedule. A dry cloth across the tops of the books once a month or so.
6. Mind humidity at the coast. The Library of Congress recommends roughly 30 to 55 percent relative humidity for books. Don't turn the AC off completely in summer between stays.

Listing photo tips for shelves

• Shoot in natural light with lamps on, as Airbnb recommends soft natural lighting.
• Take one wide shot that includes the shelf and one close-up detail of a styled stack.
• Shoot straight on at chest height so shelves don't look tilted.
• Remove anything branded, personal or seasonal that will date the photos.

Keep the rental matching its photos

Airbnb's guidance stresses being transparent about what guests will find. Keep the rooms looking like the photos. Choosing a palette you can replenish makes that easy.

Books for a rental

River Birch Books sells real hardcover books by color in 1-foot and 2-foot lots plus 5-book coffee-table stacks, with free shipping to the continental U.S. Hosts with more than one property can keep a consistent look by ordering the same palettes each time. Start with books for staging or the coastal Sandbridge lot.

Related reading: Lake House Decor: Books and Shelves That Feel Relaxed · Books for Restaurant Decor, Cafes and Office Lobbies

Local: decorative books for Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.

Do the math: bookshelf calculator: how many books do I need?

Frequently asked questions