Is my space a good fit for Airbnb?

You may not think a spare bedroom or a cosy sailing boat could be popular on Airbnb but all different kinds of spaces – from the smallest to the most unique – can appeal to guests.

No matter what kind of place you have, the key is creating a cosy area to sleep that you’d be happy to stay in yourself – and a detailed listing description that showcases what makes your space appealing.

At a minimum, guests expect a clean, comfortable sleeping area and access to a bathroom. Not all places listed on Airbnb have access to a kitchen, but if your guests have access to one, indicate whether it’s a full kitchen or a kitchenette.

Anyone who has some extra space can thrive as an Airbnb Host. There’s no such thing as an “ideal” place – you just need to be honest and detailed in your listing description and photos to help guests understand exactly what they can expect. From spare rooms to luxury estates, there’s a perfect space for everyone on Airbnb.

Almost any type of property can appeal to guests on Airbnb. Is it a house? A flat? A room in your apartment? Some places are even designated as unique, such as tree houses, tents, tiny houses, farms, campervans and motorhomes.

You can let guests know they’ll have exclusive access to your entire property or a private suite, or they’ll be sharing spaces like the sleeping area, kitchen or bathroom with other people, such as your family, flatmates or fellow guests. Whether you dedicate your space to guests or keep your belongings there is up to you. The important things are to keep your space clean and to communicate with guests about exactly what to expect.

Daniel, a Host in San Francisco, says he’s always transparent about his place. “What you tell your guests they will be getting and what they get when they arrive at your listing needs to be congruent,” he says. “It is better to undersell your listing and have the guests walk into a nicer place than they expected than the other way around.”

If guests may encounter pets in a shared space, mentioning this in your listing description is a great start. But even more important is to upload photos of your fluffy dog or sleek cat to Airbnb, with a caption letting guests know that they’ll probably be crossing paths with an animal.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, especially since some guests might make a reservation without reading everything thoroughly. If your space includes any unique features, it’s also a good idea to confirm during the booking process that guests have read your listing top to bottom.

So your space isn’t a palace – no problem! Many guests appreciate modest accommodation as long as it feels like good value. When you’re starting out, you might consider an introductory price that’s a little lower than your ultimate goal. That will help you attract guests and, once you’ve got a handful of great reviews, you can re-evaluate and raise your price to reflect your goals.

Discover more in our guide to setting up a successful listing

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.