Elevated Design Is the New Currency in Short-Term Rentals: How Thoughtful Styling Boosts Bookings + Revenue

A Cove & Bloom Guide for Wilmington & Carolina Beach Hosts

In today’s competitive short-term rental market, design has become one of the most powerful levers a host can pull. Guests aren’t just booking places to sleep—they’re choosing curated spaces that feel like boutique hotels with the comfort of home. At Cove & Bloom, we see this trend firsthand across Wilmington and Carolina Beach: the listings with intentional, hospitality-level design consistently earn higher nightly rates, attract more bookings, and generate the kind of reviews that fuel long-term success.

Below, we break down why design matters, what guests expect in 2025, and how you can strategically upgrade your property to stand out in the local market.

Why Design Matters More Than Ever in the Wilmington / Carolina Beach Market

With new short-term rentals entering the market every month, the competition in coastal North Carolina is real. Guests scroll fast—and your photos have only a few seconds to stop the scroll.

Optimized design directly impacts:

• Search ranking on Airbnb & VRBO

• Nightly rate potential

• Occupancy during slower seasons

• Overall guest perception

• Review quality (and quantity)

The takeaway? Homes with cohesive, elevated design simply perform better.

What Today’s Travelers Are Looking For

Guest expectations have shifted dramatically. Travelers are now prioritizing:

1. A Boutique-Hotel Look

Think bright coastal neutrals, soft textures, and clean modern lines—an aesthetic that photographs beautifully and feels instantly calming.

2. Comfort That Feels High-End

Plush bedding, supportive mattresses, layered lighting, blackout curtains, and thoughtful touches that make a stay feel smooth and luxurious.

3. Unique, Sense-of-Place Details

Coastal, not “beach-themed.”

Wilmington art, soft ocean palettes, woven textures—pieces that feel intentional, not kitschy.

4. Easy Functionality

Luggage drop zones, intuitive storage, labeled cabinets, smart tech, and clutter-free layouts.

Small Design Changes With Maximum ROI

You don’t need a full renovation to create a high-impact transformation. At Cove & Bloom, some of our favorite quick-win upgrades include:

• Swapping dated furnishings for clean, modern coastal pieces

• Upgrading bedding to crisp hotel-quality linens

• Using oversized artwork / statement walls for visual impact

• Adding soft lighting and dimmable lamps

• Incorporating greenery (real or high-quality faux)

• Creating outdoor “moments” guests want to photograph

• Painting with soft, elevated coastal hues (think warm sand, calm blue, sea glass green)

These simple improvements dramatically elevate your photos, which in turn elevates your income.

How Design Directly Impacts Revenue

Well-designed rentals almost always see:

• Higher booked-night percentages

• Increased nightly rates

• More repeat guests

• Better off-season performance

• Faster booking speed

• Fewer complaints and damages

• More 5-star reviews

Design isn’t an expense—it’s a strategic investment that pays you back month after month.

How Cove & Bloom Helps Hosts Stand Out

As a local Wilmington/Carolina Beach cohosting company, Cove & Bloom specializes in creating short-term rentals that feel elevated, effortless, and profitable. We help hosts with:

• Full or partial design assistance

• Space planning and staging

• Sourcing stylish, durable furnishings

• Listing optimization

• Professional photography

• End-to-end guest experience management

Whether you need a complete transformation or just a polished refresh, we help your property shine—and earn.

Final Takeaway

The future of short-term rentals belongs to spaces that are intentional, beautiful, and memorable. Travelers expect boutique-level design, and hosts who embrace this trend are those who rise above the competition—especially here in coastal North Carolina.

If you’re ready to elevate your property, Cove & Bloom can help you create a space that not only photographs beautifully, but performs.