Choosing a holiday rental can feel as swift and decisive as using a dating app, with potential guests making snap judgments based on a property's online appearance. New research highlights the interior design mistakes that are costing owners bookings.
The Swift Judgment of Holiday Renters
According to new data from Booking.com, nearly one in five Britons dismiss potential holiday homes even faster than they swipe left on dating profiles. A decisive 26 per cent of people make up their minds about a property in under ten seconds, underscoring the critical importance of first impressions in listing photographs.
Interior designer Amy Durn, 35, from Hampshire, who works as a design partner for Booking.com, emphasises that creating an appealing space doesn't require a full overhaul. "Guests form an opinion within seconds, and small styling upgrades often have a bigger impact than big, expensive changes," she says. "It's about presenting a home that feels easy to imagine staying in."
The Top Ten Interior Turn-Offs for Guests
Booking.com's research, in consultation with Amy Durn, has identified the ten most common décor mistakes that deter renters. Topping the list is the furry toilet seat cover, with 59% of those surveyed citing it as a major red flag.
"For me, I feel like it's a cleanliness thing," Amy explains. "I just get the impression that it has a lot of bacteria. It raises hygiene and comfort issues for a lot of guests." She strongly recommends a standard, clean toilet seat instead.
In second place, putting off 55% of renters, are shabby cabinet doors. Amy advises that clean, modern, and neutral designs will always win over dated or worn-out fixtures.
The third biggest deterrent is dolls or cuddly toys on display, which 52% find off-putting. "People are looking to rent something that is comfortable and clean, and something like dolls is a bit spooky," says Amy. "You're renting someone's personality... that's going to put people off, because it's just creepy."
Other Decorations That Drive Guests Away
The full list of interior fails, based on the research, includes:
- Furry toilet seat covers (59%)
- Shabby cabinet doors (55%)
- Dolls or cuddly toys on display (52%)
- Old, outdated bathroom fixtures (e.g., toilet, sink, bath)
- Taxidermy or animal heads
- Mirrors on the ceiling or above the bed (49%)
- Signs with cheeky sayings (e.g., 'Nice bum')
- Open shelving with visible clutter
- Excessive knick-knacks or ornaments (40%)
- Pillows with sequins or rhinestones
Amy notes that outdated bathrooms fail to provide the "Instagrammable" quality many travellers seek, while ceiling mirrors create a "creepy" illusion with potential sexual connotations. Similarly, once-popular humorous signs now come across as "immature" and overused.
Positive Choices to Boost Your Bookings
So, what should holiday let owners focus on? Amy stresses that creating a clutter-free, clean, and neutral space is paramount. "You need to be able to envisage yourself staying in that property," she explains.
Her top budget-friendly upgrade is high-quality bedding. "It's a really, really cheap way of doing an upgrade," she says. "Crisp white bedding, and then layering in the textures... good pillows instantly elevate the space and photograph really well." This simple change can achieve hotel-level results fast.
Other must-haves identified by Booking.com include convenient charging points, black-out blinds, and coffee machines. Outdoors, attractive greenery, stylish seating, and features like hot tubs add a coveted sense of escapism.
Ultimately, the goal is to design a space that feels both aspirational and relaxing, allowing potential guests to instantly picture their perfect getaway without any distracting or personal décor faux pas getting in the way.
