The Right Wall Art Can Make Guests Love Your Place Before They Even Unpack
I've had so many Airbnb hosts reach out to me over the years, and the ones who really get it all say the same thing. The art on the wall isn't just decoration. It sets the mood the moment a guest walks in the door. It's what makes them feel like they're somewhere special, not just somewhere functional.
One of my customers, Terry, put it perfectly. He was fitting out a holiday house in Point Lonsdale and wanted something that actually felt like it belonged there. Something guests would recognise from the beach right outside the window. That's exactly the kind of airbnb wall art that works hardest for you.
If you're setting up a coastal holiday rental in Australia, this one's for you. Here's what I've learned from the hosts who've bought from me, and what actually moves the needle for guest experience.
Go Location-Specific and Guests Will Notice
Generic art is fine. Location-specific art is a conversation starter.
When guests recognise the beach outside your window on the wall inside your property, something clicks. It makes the place feel curated, not cobbled together. It tells them the owner actually cares about the experience.
This is why I always recommend choosing a print from the actual location your property is in. If your holiday home is on the Surf Coast, hang a Bells Beach or Point Addis print, not a random ocean shot that could be anywhere. If you're on the Bellarine, a print of the lighthouse at Point Lonsdale or the estuary at Barwon Heads will feel a hundred times more meaningful than something from a homewares chain.
My Point Addis Art Print I is my top-selling print for exactly this reason. I shot it from above with my drone on a still morning and it captures that big sweeping view of the coastline that stops people in their tracks. Guests who've walked that path recognise it instantly.
Framing Matters More Than Most Hosts Realise
A great photo on average paper in a flimsy frame looks cheap. And in Airbnb listing photos, cheap looks cheap.
For holiday rentals, I'd almost always go with a framed print rather than unframed. It arrives ready to hang, it looks polished straight away, and it photographs well for your listing. My classic framed prints use solid FSC certified timber frames with archival glass and come with a 10-year warranty. They're built to last through years of guests.
If your property gets a lot of natural light, the floating frame canvas is worth a look. There's no glass at all, which means zero reflections. It's printed on 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre museum quality canvas, so the colours hold up beautifully in bright rooms. Several hosts have told me it looks incredible in open-plan living spaces with big windows.
For a full breakdown of which format suits a rental property best, I wrote a whole post on this: Framed vs Canvas Prints for a Coastal Airbnb: Which Format Works Harder for Your Holiday Rental?
Size Up. Seriously.
This is the most common mistake I see. Hosts buy something in a medium size, hang it on a big wall, and it looks lost. For a living room or main wall, you want an L or XL print minimum. My XL runs to 84.1x118.9cm, and my EPIC size is 100x150cm, which is 1.5 metres wide. On the right wall, it is a genuine statement piece.
If you're not sure what size works for each room, I've put together a practical guide here: How to Choose Wall Art for a Coastal Airbnb: A Location-by-Location Guide for Australian Hosts
Take the Coast Home. Or Leave It There for Your Guests.
Every print I make is shot by me personally at real Australian beaches I actually know. Nothing is stock. Nothing is generic. When you hang a Barwon Heads Art Print I or a Rainbow Bay Art Print I in your holiday rental, you're giving guests a genuine piece of that place to look at every morning over breakfast.
Prints start from $89, with free shipping anywhere in Australia. Everything is printed to order and shipped from Victoria. All frames are FSC certified timber. Ready to hang from day one.
Browse the full range and find the print that matches your location at localbreaks.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wall art works best for an Airbnb or holiday rental?
Location-specific art works best for holiday rentals because guests recognise the beaches and landmarks they've come to visit. A print of the actual beach outside your window creates a sense of place that generic decor simply can't. Framed prints are ideal because they arrive ready to hang and photograph well for your listing.
What size wall art should I choose for a holiday rental living room?
For a main living area, aim for an L size (59.4x84.1cm) at minimum. An XL (84.1x118.9cm) makes a real statement on a feature wall. Undersized art on a large wall is the most common mistake hosts make, and it's easy to avoid by sizing up from what you think you need.
Is framed or canvas better for airbnb wall art in Australia?
Both work well, but they suit different rooms. A classic framed print is the most popular option and looks sharp in bedrooms, hallways and living areas. A floating frame canvas with no glass is a great pick for sun-filled rooms because it has zero reflections. Both come ready to hang and are built to last through regular guest turnover.
Does location-specific wall art actually make a difference to guest reviews?
Yes, and I hear this regularly from hosts who've bought from me. Guests notice and comment on art that reflects the place they've travelled to. Several of my customers have mentioned getting compliments from guests on the prints, and that kind of detail contributes to the overall experience that earns five-star reviews.
Good luck with the fitout. If you've got questions about which print suits your property, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help you find the right one.
