Why Wall Art Matters More Than You Think in a Coastal Airbnb
I've had quite a few Airbnb hosts reach out to me over the years, and the ones who really get it understand something simple: guests notice everything. The right piece of art on the wall can make a listing feel like a curated coastal escape. The wrong choice, or worse, bare walls, makes it feel like someone just dragged furniture in from storage.
Location-specific art is the move. When a guest walks into your Point Lonsdale holiday house and sees a print of the beach they're about to walk to, that's a moment. It makes the place feel considered, personal and worth every dollar of the nightly rate. That's what coastal holiday rental wall art should do.
Here's my location-by-location guide to choosing the right print for your Airbnb, wherever it sits on the Australian coast.
Bellarine Peninsula: Point Lonsdale, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove
The Bellarine is packed with holiday houses, and the hosts who stand out are the ones who lean into the local identity. I had a customer, Terry, who was fitting out his Point Lonsdale property for short-stay rental. He wanted something that felt like the place, not just a generic beach print. That's exactly what location-specific art does.
For Point Lonsdale properties, my Point Lonsdale Art Print IV is a customer favourite. If your property is closer to the Barwon Heads bridge and river mouth, Barwon Heads Art Print I is one of my best sellers and looks incredible in a living room or entryway. Guests who know the area always comment on it.
Surf Coast: Torquay, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne
The Surf Coast brings in surfers, road-trippers and families who come back year after year. These guests are emotionally connected to the coast. Good airbnb wall art australia doesn't just fill a wall here, it starts a conversation.
For surf-forward properties around Torquay or Jan Juc, Torquay Art Print I is a strong pick. If your property is in Anglesea or you want something that speaks to the wider Surf Coast, the Point Roadknight prints are consistently popular. I shot Point Roadknight Art Print II from above with my drone on a still morning, and it's got an aerial quality that stops people mid-conversation.
At Bells Beach properties, Bells Beach Art Print I is the obvious call. Guests who've surfed or watched the Rip Curl Pro there will know exactly what they're looking at.
For more ideas across the full stretch of coastline, check out my post on Surf Coast Wall Art: A Local Photographer's Guide to the Best Prints from Torquay to Apollo Bay.
Great Ocean Road: Lorne to the 12 Apostles
Properties along the Great Ocean Road need art that matches the drama of the drive. Wye River, Lorne, Apollo Bay and out to the 12 Apostles all have a distinct character. Don't put a generic ocean shot in a Wye River cabin. Put something guests will recognise from the hillside road out front.
Wye River Art Print I works beautifully in a smaller bedroom or hallway in a Great Ocean Road cottage. For bigger living spaces, the 12 Apostles prints suit a large or XL format and make a genuinely impressive centrepiece.
Gold Coast: Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks
Holiday rentals in Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay attract surf lovers, families and people who've been coming back to the same stretch of beach for decades. Rainbow Bay Art Print I is one of my strongest sellers from up north and sits perfectly in a bright Queensland living space. The colours photograph well too, which matters when you're updating your Airbnb listing photos.
Port Douglas
Tropical properties up in Port Douglas have a completely different feel to the southern beaches, and the art should reflect that. My Port Douglas prints have been selling consistently, and I think it's because people want something that captures that specific Far North Queensland light. I've got six variants available now, so there's plenty to choose from whether you want something wide and aerial or close and lush.
Sizing and Framing for Holiday Rentals
For most Airbnb living rooms, I'd suggest going bigger than you think, at least a Large (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm). Small prints on large walls look like an afterthought. Go bold and it becomes a feature guests photograph and tag in their posts.
For framing, the shadow box is the most popular choice with hosts. The print floats 20mm off the backing, which gives it a gallery feel without the gallery price. It's printed on 270gsm fine art paper with archival inks and comes ready to hang. For bright, sun-drenched rooms, the premium shadow box with Tru Vue Museum Glass cuts glare almost entirely and offers 99% UV protection, which is worth considering in north-facing Queensland rooms.
For more detail on sizing for each room in a rental property, I wrote a full guide here: What Size Wall Art Should You Choose for a Holiday Rental? A Practical Guide for Coastal Hosts.
Bring the Beach Inside
Every print I sell is shot by me personally at the actual location. No stock imagery. No generic coastlines. When your guests arrive and see the beach out the window reflected on your wall, that connection is real. It makes your property feel like it belongs to that place, not just near it.
All prints ship free across Australia, are printed to order right here in Victoria, and come ready to hang. Browse the full range and find the right print for your property at localbreaks.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wall art works best in a coastal Airbnb?
Location-specific art works best in a coastal Airbnb because guests recognise the beach they're staying near, which makes the property feel personal and well thought out. Prints that show the actual view, beach or landmark outside the window create a stronger connection than generic coastal imagery. Bold colours and clear compositions also photograph well for listing photos, which helps with bookings.
What size wall art should I choose for an Airbnb living room?
For most Airbnb living rooms, a Large (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call. Smaller prints tend to get lost on large walls and can make a space feel unfinished. A bigger piece becomes a centrepiece that guests notice, comment on and photograph. If you've got a generous feature wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is genuinely impressive at 1.5m wide.
Which frame type is best for a holiday rental property?
The shadow box frame is the most popular choice for holiday rental properties. It
