Why the Art on Your Walls Is More Than Decoration
I've had a few Airbnb hosts reach out to me over the past year or so, and what strikes me every time is how much thought they put into their properties. The linen, the coffee machine, the welcome basket. But the walls? Often an afterthought. And I get it. There's a lot to juggle when you're fitting out a holiday rental.
Here's the thing though. Guests notice the walls. They take photos of the art. They mention it in their reviews. I've heard from hosts who told me guests specifically commented on the prints in their property, and those are the kind of details that stick in someone's memory when they're deciding whether to book again.
So if you're running a coastal Airbnb or holiday rental anywhere in Australia and you're wondering what to put on the walls, here's what I actually think works.
Match the Art to the Location
This is the single biggest thing you can do. If your property is in Point Lonsdale, hang something that looks like Point Lonsdale. If it's on the Surf Coast, make it feel like the Surf Coast.
Guests are there because they love that place. When they walk in and see a print of the exact beach they just drove past, or the lighthouse they can see from the deck, it creates an instant connection. It says: this place knows where it is.
One of my customers, Terry, bought prints for his Point Lonsdale holiday rental specifically because he wanted local art that reflected the area. He told me he searched "Point Lonsdale art" and found exactly what he was after. That's the kind of intentional choice that guests feel, even if they can't quite put their finger on why the place feels right.
If your rental is in Point Lonsdale, the Point Lonsdale Art Print IV is one of my most popular Bellarine prints. For Surf Coast properties, Bells Beach Art Print I is a genuine crowd pleaser and a name every surfer and coastal fan will recognise the moment they walk in.
Go Bigger Than You Think You Need To
Holiday rentals have high ceilings, long hallways and open living areas. A small print that looks fine in a bedroom at home can look completely lost in a big rental lounge room.
My L size (59.4x84.1cm) is a solid starting point for living areas. The XL (84.1x118.9cm) makes a proper statement and tends to be what hosts with larger spaces go for. And if you want something that really stops guests in their tracks, the EPIC size is 100x150cm, which is 1.5 metres wide. It's a genuine room anchor.
Not sure what size will work for a specific wall? I've put together a guide specifically on sizing wall art for holiday rentals that walks through the most common rooms and what tends to work.
Choose a Frame That Can Handle Real Life
Holiday rentals are busy places. People are moving in and out constantly. You want art that looks great but doesn't require you to panic every time a guest checks in.
My floating frame canvas is a great option for high-traffic spaces. It uses a museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass, which means zero reflections and nothing to crack or shatter. It's solid, it hangs securely, and it looks properly premium without being precious about it.
For something with a bit more detail and finish, the shadow box frame gives the print a subtle floating effect behind the glass and comes with a 10-year warranty. All my frames are made from FSC certified timber, which is something I genuinely care about.
If you're not sure which product format suits your rental, the practical guide for Australian hosts covers the whole thing in detail.
Bring the Coast Home for Your Guests
The best Airbnb art does something simple. It makes guests feel like they're really there, even when they're just sitting on the couch. I've had customers tell me they look at a print every day and it genuinely lifts their mood. That feeling is what great coastal photography should do.
Every print I sell is a photo I took myself. I know these beaches. I grew up around the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula, and I've travelled to shoot the Gold Coast and Port Douglas too. These aren't stock images. They're real places I've stood at (and sometimes hovered above with a drone), waiting for the light to be right.
All prints are made to order and shipped free anywhere in Australia. They arrive ready to hang, and they start from $89. For holiday rental fitouts, a lot of hosts end up buying two or three prints at once to do a whole property in one go, which is absolutely something I can help with if you want to reach out directly.
If your rental is on the Surf Coast, have a look at Point Addis Art Print I, which is my top selling print. It's a cracking aerial shot that looks genuinely impressive on a wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wall art works best for a coastal Airbnb?
Location-specific coastal photography works best for a coastal Airbnb. When guests recognise the beach or landmark in the print, it creates a real connection to the place and makes the property feel more thoughtfully put together. Bold, colourful prints tend to get more guest comments than anything generic.
What size wall art should I get for an Airbnb living room?
For most Airbnb living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call. Holiday rental living rooms are often larger than a standard home lounge, so smaller prints tend to get lost on the wall. If you have a big feature wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm makes a proper statement.
Is framed or canvas better for a holiday rental?
A floating frame canvas is a practical choice for a holiday rental because it has no glass, which means nothing to crack or reflect. It's also durable and looks great in rooms with lots of natural light. If you want a more formal, gallery-style finish, a framed print with a shadow box works well in bedrooms and dining areas.
Do you ship to holiday rentals across Australia?
Yes. All orders ship free anywhere in Australia, including directly to your holiday rental property. Everything is printed and shipped from Victoria, and prints arrive ready to hang. There's no pickup option, but free Australia-wide shipping means no nasty surprises at checkout.
Ready to find the right print for your property? Browse the full range at localbreaks.com.au and feel free to get in touch if you want help picking something specific to your location.
