AirBnB Art Mistakes That Are Costing You Bookings
As a virtual interior designer specializing in Airbnb design, I’ve seen a lot of short-term rental spaces that almost get it right… until you look at the walls. Art is one of the most overlooked tools in STR design, but when used well, it can elevate a space instantly, tell a story, and help your listing stand out in crowded search results.
Unfortunately, most hosts fall into the same traps. Here are the most common Airbnb art mistakes—and what to do instead.
Wrong size, wrong placement
The problem: Art that’s the wrong size or placed awkwardly can instantly throw off the balance of a room. When it’s too small, it looks like an afterthought—floating in empty wall space rather than anchoring it. When it’s hung too high or off-center, it disrupts the visual flow and makes everything feel a bit… off.
In this example, the art is not spaced apart proportionately and is imbalanced.
The fix: If you’re going to group multiple pieces of art, make sure there’s a focal point. Choose art that’s proportionate to the furniture it’s above—ideally around two-thirds the width of a sofa, bed, or console. And hang it so the center is roughly 57–60 inches from the floor (aka eye level). Properly scaled and placed art pulls a space together—and gives your Airbnb design that polished, intentional feel guests notice in photos.
Generic, overused art
The Problem: If your STR has the same multicolor skyline or the highland cow canvas print as every other rental... it’s not standing out.
In this example here, the cow art is hung too high and feels a bit lonely alone on that wall.
The Fix: Replace generic pieces with art that tells a story—like vintage maps of the local area, regional landscapes that you’d actually see nearby, or abstracts in your color palette. Guests love something they haven’t seen a hundred times.
In this room, I’d lower the art to hang it at eye-level and put a piece of furniture underneath, like a console table.
Art that’s too small
The Problem: Tiny art gets lost on big walls, making your space feel awkward and out of scale.
The Fix: If you’re placing a piece of art on a wall without furniture below it, or anything to flank either side, make sure it’s about 60-75% of the size of the wall.
Still love a smaller piece? Frame it with a large mat and thick frame or group it with others to form a gallery wall.
No art at all
The Problem: Bare walls make your space feel unfinished and uninviting. Guests might not notice what's missing, but they'll feel it.
The Fix: Start with one room at a time. If your budget only allows for one large piece, invest in that one, rather than 3-4 smaller pieces. Even a single well-chosen piece can instantly make the room feel more complete.
Art isn’t the only way to decorate a room! Mix up your wall decor with:
Mirrors
Floating shelves
Hanging plants
Baskets
Hooks
Millwork
Lazy Gallery Wall
The problem: A gallery wall with too few frames to be considered a gallery and no focal point. It makes not only the wall, but the entire design feel chaotic. When looking at this photo, you might not realize it, but your eyes have no idea where to land.
The fix: For this particular room, I would center the pieces over the bed and add 2-3 additional frames. Anchor the gallery wall with a central piece (usually the largest), keep spacing consistent (2–3" apart), and either align edges or follow a loose grid. If you’re mixing sizes, use symmetry, repetition, or color palette to pull it all together.
You might be thinking that nailing your art strategy feels a bit like a moving target after reading this article. The main points to remember are to typically go bigger, make sure the center of the art is at eye level, and choose pieces that have meaning to your short-term rental.
