Profitable House Designs for Airbnb

Investing in a rest house in the Philippines is not just about finding a perfect vacation home for yourself and your family. For savvy homeowners, it’s also an opportunity to generate a steady income stream through short-term rentals like Airbnb. With the right design, your rest house can transform into a profitable investment property, providing you with both a cozy escape and a source of income. In this blog, we’ll explore key house designs for Airbnb that are profitable and easy to manage.

Why Design Matters in Your Airbnb Investment Property?

When planning to list a rest house on Airbnb, design plays a crucial role in attracting guests, boosting ratings, and keeping maintenance costs low. An appealing design, combined with functionality, can significantly improve your return on investment (ROI). The secret to successful Airbnb properties in the Philippines is creating spaces that invite relaxation while also offering something unique.

Below are some of the top profitable house designs for Airbnb, along with tips to maximize income and keep your guests happy:

1. Open Concept Layout with Outdoor Integration

One of the top trends in profitable house designs for Airbnb is the open-concept layout. This design features spacious common areas, minimal walls, and a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors. In the Philippines, guests are often looking for places that let them appreciate nature and fresh air. An open layout with large glass doors or folding walls leading to a patio, lanai, or garden creates a space that feels bigger, lighter, and more luxurious.

If you have extra outdoor space, consider creating zones for outdoor dining or lounging. Amenities like an outdoor bar, mini swimming lap pool, or grilling station will encourage longer stays and repeat guests.

2. Multiple Bedrooms and Flexible Sleeping Arrangements

Airbnb guests often travel in groups or families, so having multiple bedrooms with flexible sleeping arrangements is a major draw. Two to three bedrooms, with at least one featuring an en-suite bathroom, should be a priority. If you have a smaller space, consider adding bunk beds or fold-out sofas to accommodate more guests without sacrificing comfort.

Designing rooms with neutral colors and simple yet stylish decor helps appeal to a broader audience. Additionally, provide enough storage space like closets, drawers, and luggage racks to keep the space neat during guest stays.

3. Separate Entrance for Guests

A great way to maximize privacy while ensuring your Airbnb property is profitable is to incorporate a separate entrance for guests. If you’re considering a dual-purpose home, where you use the property part-time, having a private entrance can give both you and your guests the comfort and flexibility you need. This is especially important in the Filipino context, where extended family members or caretakers may also occupy the home.

4. Instagrammable Common Areas

In today’s social media age, having “Instagrammable” spots in your Airbnb property is a winning strategy. Whether it’s a feature wall with eye-catching textures, a cozy hammock with a view, or a hanging chair by a floor-to-ceiling window, these unique spaces entice guests to capture and share their experiences. The free exposure from user-generated social media content is invaluable in keeping your calendar fully booked.

5. Compact Yet Stylish Kitchen and Dining Areas

Even in vacation rentals, guests appreciate the option to prepare their own meals. A functional kitchen or kitchenette with essential appliances, ample storage, and a modern design can significantly increase your property’s attractiveness. For a profitable house design for Airbnb, focus on stylish and easy-to-maintain finishes, like quartz countertops, durable tiles, and sleek cabinets.

If space is tight, consider using built-in benches or foldable tables to maximize dining space. Offering a kitchen with basic appliances (microwave, kettle, stove) and tools (pots, pans, cutlery) will enhance your property’s appeal.

6. Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Features

More travelers are now looking for eco-friendly accommodations. Incorporating energy-efficient features like solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and LED lighting can help lower operational costs and enhance your property’s appeal. Consider sustainable building materials or repurposed furniture to give your rest house a unique touch, while also catering to eco-conscious guests.

7. Accessible and Barrier-Free Design

If you’re thinking long-term, it’s smart to design your rest house to accommodate guests of all ages and abilities. Features like barrier-free showers, grab bars, wider doorways, and accessible entrances not only future-proof your property for aging family members but also open up your Airbnb to a wider range of guests, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

8. ROI and Costing Example

To better understand how a profitable house design for Airbnb works, let’s run through a rough estimate.

Imagine you have a 3-bedroom rest house with two bathrooms, a small lap pool, and an open-concept design. Let’s say your total build and furnishing cost is around PHP 5,000,000. In peak season, you could charge PHP 5,500 to PHP 7,500 per night depending on location and amenities. If you manage to achieve an average of 15 bookings per month, you could earn around PHP 90,000 to PHP 112,500 monthly. Subtracting potentially operational costs (around PHP 15,000 per month), you could still net PHP 75,000 to PHP 97,500 monthly.

At that rate, you’re looking at a ROI time of around 4.5 to 5.5 years before your investment is fully paid off, and that’s without counting property appreciation or higher peak season rates.

9. Additional Amenities to Boost Income

To set your Airbnb apart from the competition, you can invest in additional amenities. Adding features like a jacuzzi, game room, or even a dedicated work-from-home space with high-speed WiFi can increase your nightly rate. A small meditation or yoga area can appeal to health-conscious travelers, while a treehouse or cozy nook can cater to families with children.

10. Smart Home Technology for a Hassle-Free Experience

Lastly, a great way to make your property more attractive and easier to manage is to integrate smart home technology. Automated locks, smart lighting, and climate control systems not only appeal to tech-savvy guests but also provide you with an efficient way to manage the property remotely. By reducing the need for in-person check-ins and check-outs, you can optimize your time and focus on more important things.

Start Designing Your Profitable Airbnb Today

Designing your rest house for Airbnb can be a smart move to maximize your property’s earning potential. By incorporating thoughtful features like open layouts, guest flexibility, Instagrammable spots, and energy-efficient systems, you’re not only building a retreat for yourself but also creating a profitable income stream.

If you’re ready to explore profitable house designs for Airbnb, we’re here to help. Our architectural firm specializes in creating tailored designs that blend comfort, functionality, and profitability. Book a free consultation with us today and let’s discuss how we can turn your rest house into the perfect investment property.

Conclusion

With the booming tourism industry in the Philippines and platforms like Airbnb making it easier to manage short-term rentals, designing a profitable Airbnb property is an opportunity worth exploring. By focusing on guest experience, maximizing space, and including unique features, you can create an investment that keeps on giving—both as a relaxing escape for your family and a profitable source of passive income.

Ready to start your profitable journey? Contact us now for a free consultation, and let’s design a home that works for you.