Why Wall Art Actually Matters in a Coastal Airbnb
I've had a few Airbnb hosts reach out to me over the years, and one thing they always say after hanging a print is: "guests keep commenting on it." That's not a coincidence. When someone books a holiday rental at the beach, they're paying for a feeling. The right wall art delivers that feeling the moment they walk through the door.
Generic decor doesn't do that. A print of a beach they've never heard of, shot from stock libraries, doesn't do that either. But a photo of the actual beach they can see from the window? That's a different thing entirely. That's what guests remember, what they photograph for Instagram, and what earns you that extra star in a review.
I'm Sam, a Geelong-based photographer and the person behind Local Breaks. Every print I sell is a photo I took myself, at a real location I know well. If you're fitting out a coastal Airbnb on the Surf Coast, the Bellarine Peninsula or the Gold Coast, here's what I've learned about choosing art that guests actually notice.
Match the Print to the Location
This is the most important rule. Location-specific art punches well above its weight in a holiday rental. Guests are there because they love that beach. When they see a print of it on the wall, it creates an instant connection. It makes the place feel intentional and local, not like a generic furnished box.
I've had hosts in Point Lonsdale tell me guests recognise the lighthouse, the rock shelf, the colour of the water, and actually mention it in reviews. Same goes for hosts on the Surf Coast.
If your property is in Anglesea, for example, a print from Point Roadknight is going to land far better than a random ocean scene. The Point Roadknight Art Print II is one of my most popular prints precisely because it captures that stretch of coast in a way that feels artistic rather than just documentary. Guests who've swum there or watched the sun go down from that headland will feel it immediately.
For properties near the Surf Coast or along the Great Ocean Road, the Bells Beach Art Print I is another strong choice. It's a place with real meaning to surfers and coastal lovers alike, and seeing it on a wall gives a room an instant sense of place.
Go Bigger Than You Think You Need To
The most common mistake I see with Airbnb wall art is going too small. A print that looks fine in a photo on a website looks lost on an actual wall in an actual room. Holiday rentals usually have open living areas with tall ceilings, and a small print just disappears.
For a main living area, I'd suggest going straight to an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm). If you've got a big feature wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is genuinely impressive. That's 1.5 metres wide. Guests notice it, full stop.
Check out my size guide if you want to see how the sizes look relative to common wall spaces. It makes the decision a lot easier.
Choose a Frame That's Ready to Hang and Built to Last
In a rental, you want something that looks great, hangs easily, and doesn't require any fussing. That's why most Airbnb hosts I work with go for a classic framed print. It's my most popular product for good reason. Solid FSC certified plantation timber frame, archival glass, and a 10-year warranty. It arrives ready to hang, with a metal wire hanger already attached. No assembly, no trips to Ikea.
If your property gets a lot of natural light, the floating frame canvas is worth considering. It uses a museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre canvas with no glass, so there are zero reflections regardless of where the light hits it. It also has a slightly more relaxed, contemporary look that works well in modern beach houses.
For something a step up again, the shadow box frame adds a subtle floating effect where the glass sits 20mm off the print. It looks genuinely premium and photographs well for your listing photos too.
You can read more about the differences between frame styles in my post on shadow box frames vs classic frames.
Think About What Guests Will Photograph
This sounds obvious but it's worth saying. Guests photograph the spaces they stay in. If your art is good enough, it ends up in their holiday photos, on their Instagram, in the review they write. That's free marketing for your listing, and it's the kind of social proof that actually moves bookings.
Colourful, location-specific art performs really well in listing photos too. It gives rooms a point of difference that flat, generic decor simply doesn't have.
If your property is in a Gold Coast location, the Rainbow Bay Art Print I is one of my bestsellers and for good reason. I shot it from above on one of those mornings where the water was doing something genuinely beautiful. It's the kind of print that stops people mid-scroll.
All prints ship free anywhere in Australia. Everything is printed and shipped from Victoria, and each order is printed fresh when you place it. No dusty warehouse stock.
If you want help choosing the right print or size for your property, you're welcome to reach out directly. I'm happy to talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size wall art should I buy for an Airbnb living room?
For most Airbnb living areas, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call. Smaller sizes tend to disappear on the larger walls common in open-plan holiday rentals. If you have a real statement wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm makes a strong impression and guests will notice it from across the room.
Does location-specific art actually make a difference in a holiday rental?
Yes, and hosts consistently tell me so. Guests are staying near a beach they love, and seeing a print of that exact beach on the wall makes the place feel considered and local rather than generic. It's the kind of detail that shows up in five-star reviews, and it sets your listing apart from every other white-walled rental on the street.
What type of frame works best for coastal Airbnb wall art australia?
A classic framed print is the most popular choice for holiday rentals because it arrives ready to hang, looks polished and is built to last with a 10-year warranty. If the room gets a lot of natural light, a floating frame canvas avoids reflections entirely since it has no glass. Both are solid options depending on the space.
Do you ship coastal airbnb decor Australia-wide?
Yes, all Local Breaks prints ship free anywhere in Australia. Everything is printed to order and shipped from Victoria, and delivery generally takes between five and ten business days. There is no pickup option, but the prints arrive packaged carefully and ready to hang.
Browse the full range at localbreaks.com.au. Prints start from $89 and ship free across Australia.
