2025 Hosting Refresh: Must-Do Airbnb Updates for Higher Occupancy

Small Updates That Deliver Big Results: Airbnb Tips for Higher Occupancy

If you're an Airbnb host looking to stay ahead in 2025, here’s the truth: you don’t need a full renovation to boost bookings—you just need a few intentional refreshes. Whether you’re managing one unit or scaling a portfolio, staying competitive comes down to guest experience, visual appeal, and smooth operations.

At BNB Guardians, we teach this inside our Airbnb coaching program because it’s one of the most overlooked pieces of long-term success. These updates don’t just help with aesthetics—they’re part of a larger Airbnb strategy built for growth.

Here’s your guide to fast, affordable ways to keep your listing sharp and your income steady in 2025.

✨ 1. Refresh Your Airbnb Listing (And Boost Your Airbnb SEO)

Your listing is your storefront—it needs to be polished and optimized. Here's how to keep it converting browsers into bookings:

Update Your Photos Regularly: Move your cover photo around every few weeks and test different images to see which ones drive more bookings. This is an underrated part of Airbnb marketing.
Rewrite Sections of Your Description: New amenities? A design refresh? Update your listing copy to reflect it—this helps with Airbnb SEO and gives guests more reasons to book.
Add Seasonal Touches: Include a few current photos of nearby attractions or your property dressed for the season. Think fall leaves, spring flowers, cozy winter lighting—without people in the shot.
Review Your Amenities & House Rules: Are they still accurate? Update any changes for clarity and guest confidence.
Audit Your Cleaning Fees & Tax Settings: Platforms occasionally auto-adjust things behind the scenes—double-check your numbers.
Set Holiday Pricing Now: Use dynamic tools or manual tweaks to make sure your Airbnb pricing is locked in for major holidays.

➡️ Pro Tip: If your space has seen a major upgrade, it's time for a professional photo shoot. We cover this step-by-step in our Airbnb listing creation process inside the Airbnb Super Host Academy.

🪴 2. Keep Your Space Fresh Inside and Out

Guests notice the little things. A worn towel or chipped paint can lower your reviews—and your repeat bookings. Here's how to keep your property in peak condition:

Deep Clean Twice a Year: Think behind the fridge, inside cabinets, baseboards, carpets, windows. Book a pro team if needed.
Replace Linens Annually: Worn, stained, or scratchy sheets and towels should be swapped out every year.
Add or Replace Decor: New throw pillows, rugs, artwork, or faux plants bring life to your space. These upgrades also give you fresh content for Airbnb marketing.
Create an Instagrammable Feature: Whether it’s a stylish coffee corner or a neon sign wall, guests love share-worthy touches.

➡️ BNB Guardians Tip: We recommend hosts budget annually for soft goods replacements. It’s a small cost with a big payoff in 5-star reviews.

🏡 3. Refresh Your Outdoor Space

Even a small balcony or patio can be a standout feature. Clean your outdoor areas seasonally and consider upgrades like:

New seating or lounge furniture
Cozy string lights or solar lanterns
Yard games like cornhole or giant Connect 4

Outdoor areas are guest magnets and can increase your average nightly rate—something we explore during Airbnb pricing reviews in our 1:1 coaching calls.

🔧 4. Optimize Functionality (Smart Hosts Use Smart Tech)

Functionality is just as important as design. Guests expect comfort and convenience.

Smart Locks & Thermostats: Add tech that reduces friction and increases efficiency.
Better Wi-Fi or Streaming Options: A strong signal and a solid TV setup are must-haves now.
Emergency Light Bulbs: These battery-backup bulbs are cheap and provide peace of mind during outages.
Energy-Efficient Appliances: These upgrades reduce your bills and appeal to eco-conscious guests.

This is the kind of Airbnb optimization that pays off long-term. Less maintenance, better reviews, lower costs.

📬 5. Tighten Up Airbnb Guest Communication

Even the best property won’t save a bad guest experience. That’s why we help hosts create systems for Airbnb guest communication that are automated, clear, and friendly.

Update your template messages with correct check-in times, local tips, and any new amenities.
Make sure your digital welcome guide is accurate and on-brand.
Use scheduled messaging tools to create a seamless communication experience without doing it manually.

🧾 6. Double-Check Your Platforms

Airbnb and VRBO often change default settings or introduce new features without much notice. Recently:

VRBO added auto-applied long-stay discounts (hosts had to opt out manually).
Airbnb adjusted cancellation policies for many hosts by default.

Make sure your Airbnb management tools are set up the way you want them. This includes:

Cancellation settings
Minimum and maximum night stays
Discount structures and dynamic pricing tools
Calendar availability across platforms

If you're juggling multiple platforms, consider a channel manager or cohost support—we offer this as part of our Airbnb help services.

✅ 7. Update Insurance and Local Compliance

This isn't sexy—but it’s essential. Make sure:

Your insurance covers liability, damage, and lost income
Your local STR licenses are renewed
You’ve met new local codes or safety inspection requirements

Relying on Airbnb to cover you in a major situation? Not a great bet. We walk through host insurance must-knows during our Airbnb coaching sessions.

🛠️ Consistency Wins

Airbnb Tips for Higher Occupancy aren’t just about trendy upgrades—they’re about consistent, thoughtful improvements that keep your property competitive. At BNB Guardians, we help busy professionals build sustainable, stress-free Airbnb income. Whether it’s updating your linens, improving guest experience, or revamping your overall Airbnb strategy, we’ve got your back.

Need Airbnb Help?

👉 Ready to grow your short-term rental business without burning out?👉 Want personalized Airbnb coaching to help you build systems, outsource operations, and grow your income?

Join our free Skool community or book a call with our team at BNB Guardians. Let’s turn your rental into a revenue-generating machine.

Here’s to a profitable and refreshed 2025!