Big renovation investments take a significant chunk of your time and budget, so when you decide to install a carpet in your short-term rental, you want to make sure that you’ve made the right choice. A carpet can set the stage for the rental’s design and overall aesthetic, so it’s a worthy addition. However, what also matters for Airbnb carpets is durability and ease of maintenance.
After careful consideration of short-term rental carpet requirements, we’ve picked the Smart Squares Residential Soft Carpet as the best carpet for Airbnb.
Pros and Cons of Carpet for Airbnb
A carpet isn’t a one-size-fits-all host solution. You should think about these pros and cons before you commit to installing a carpet:
Pros
- Makes the room feel cozier and inviting
- Adds a touch of luxury
- Minimizes the noise and prevents it from traveling to other units (thanks to the fibers and padding)
- Budget-friendly choice compared to other flooring options
- Easy and affordable to install and replace
- Adds an element of safety (guests slipping on a hardwood floor can be a migraine-inducing insurance claim)
- Improves indoor air quality by acting as a passive air filter and trapping dust, particles, and pollen—which will benefit guests with asthma and allergies
- Lowers the electricity costs thanks to the extra insulation
Cons
- Shows signs of wear and tear
- Needs regular professional cleaning from time to time to keep a clean look and to remove any allergens
- Retains moisture, so it’s not suitable for all areas
- Usually needs to be replaced after five years
Carpets may not be the best choice for every vacation rental, but they do bring a lot to the table. If you have a beach house or you mostly rent the house for parties, there are better choices for flooring than carpets. But if you want a warm ambiance in your rustic-themed Airbnb, family house, or cabin in the woods, a carpet is a great option.
Why Should You Choose a High-Quality Carpet for Airbnb?
Short-term rentals go through a lot of guests, so you need to find a carpet that can endure that kind of traffic. Some carpet materials are more durable and stain-resistant than others—and those are the ones you should be aiming for.
Cheaper and low-quality carpets usually wear faster and lose their fresh look after a year or two. Since you can’t rent the place while it’s being redone, it pays to get a high-quality carpet that can last five to seven years rather than lose guests over renovation issues every single year.
Bear in mind that quality doesn’t always mean a big price tag. You can find an affordable carpet that will last you a long time for a decent price as long as you pay attention to material and durability.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Carpet for Your Airbnb
When buying a carpet, it helps when you focus on the assets that influence its longevity and maintenance. Here’s what matters when it comes to Airbnb carpets:
Durability – The most durable and easy-to-maintain carpet materials are polyester, nylon, and triextra. Polyester is naturally stain-resistant, mold- and mildew-resistant, non-allergenic, and has a luxurious look and feel. Nylon is less-stain resistant than polyester, but it is durable. Triextra is also highly resilient and stain-resistant so the carpet will keep that new look for a long time.
Functionality – A carpet isn’t appropriate for all rooms. High-moisture areas like the kitchen and bathroom demand moisture-repelling flooring like tile.
Since most guests spend the least time in the bedroom, you can go with a more luxurious carpeting option for that room. However, spaces with a lot of traffic—like a living room—ask for a durable carpet. To lessen the wear and tear of the living room carpet, you can layer an area rug over it to vary the texture.
Comfort – What mostly determines the comfort is the pile of the carpet. Looped-pile carpets may be the most wear-resistant, but they have a rough look which makes them unattractive. The best option is a densely-packed cut pile since it is softer and more comfortable but also very durable. Higher-density carpets are softer and have a rich feel.
Aesthetics – Carpets last for years, so you should keep your rental open to potential design changes by going with a neutral color. Neutrals allow you to play with different decor and change up the aesthetic simply by replacing decorative pieces.
Ideal Guests – Are families with young children common guests in your rental? Do you have a lot of guests playing drinking games and partying? Do you allow pets inside? Is your rental for couples that mostly lounge around? Consider these questions and think about who your ideal guests are. This can help you pinpoint the type of stains and traffic you can expect and find a carpet that can endure that.
Rental Value – If your place is a low-budget rental, you shouldn’t splurge on expensive carpet since that will diminish your return on investment immensely. However, luxury rentals can go with a more luxurious carpet to justify their price.
Additional Costs – The cost of the carpet isn’t the only expense you’ll have. Also account for the carpet pad, installation hours, and other installation expenses.
The Best Carpet for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
Our top choice combines comfort, quality, affordability, and durability. The Smart Squares Residential Soft Carpet is our winner, and our top color choice is Lava, a neutral tone that can complement various rental themes—from rustic to boho to modern.
Smart Squares Residential Soft Carpet
This carpet has many great qualities that benefit the lifestyle of short-term rentals:
Premium Quality and Durability — The carpet is made of polyester and is solution-dyed, which makes the color permanent—no fading here! In addition to being durable, it is also resistant to stains and bleach.
No Additional Padding Required — Smart Squares come with an attached cushion backing system with memory foam so you won’t need additional padding for comfort.
Easy to Install — You won’t need to pay for installation, as this is a DIY product. With the peel-and-stick system, all that is required is that you prep the floor, peel the carpet tile, place it, and press it—you can carpet the entire house on your own. These carpet tiles can be installed on most surfaces, including vinyl, tile, laminate, concrete, plywood, OSB, particle board subfloors, and some hardwood-finished floors.
Seamless Appearance – Even though this carpet comes in tiles, it has a virtually seamless appearance for that wall-to-wall carpet look.
Variety of Colors – In addition to Lava, this carpet comes in other neutral colors like Rustic Charm and Copper Mine.
Alternative Carpet for Airbnb
You can scroll through carpet options for hours or even days, so we’ll save you time with some options that are suitable for vacation properties. Both of these runner-ups are durable and easy to install so you won’t need to splurge on installation.
The Nexus Self-Adhesive Carpet Floor Tiles are also peel-and-stick for simple DIY installation. You can install them on wood, vinyl, or concrete flooring. The carpet tiles are made of polypropylene and have a ribbed finish. The smoke grey color can go well in any room and can really make lighter-colored furniture combined with colorful decor stand out.
Our second contender is the YWSHUF Self-Adhesive Carpet Tiles. These are perfect for modern rentals as the checkered look puts a unique spin on old-school carpets. You can mix and match different colors of these carpet tiles (for example grey and black) if you want to be bold. The installation is super easy with a quick peel-and-stick application.
Final Thoughts
With DIY installation and high-quality material that promises durability, buying a carpet such as the Smart Squares Residential Soft Carpet is a budget-friendly solution that will ensure your peace of mind for years to come. If you make the right choice, installing a carpet doesn’t need to be an expensive nightmare—just a simple renovation step that will add to your rental’s value.
