The right wall art can make or break a guest's first impression
I've had a lot of holiday rental owners reach out to me over the years. One of the first was Terry, who was fitting out a short-stay property in Point Lonsdale and wanted something local on the walls. He told me he'd Googled "Point Lonsdale art" and found my site. He liked that the price was fair compared to other framed work he'd seen, and that the prints were actually of the place his guests were coming to stay.
That story stuck with me. Because he's right. Airbnb wall art Australia doesn't have to be generic. A print of the actual beach your guests are visiting? That's the kind of thing people notice. It's what starts the conversation. It's what makes a rental feel like a place, not just a room.
Here's how I'd think about it, room by room.
Living room: go big, go local
The living room is where guests spend the most time. It's where the first impression really lands. This is not the place for small prints. Go for a large or XL piece that anchors the main wall.
For a coastal property, the print should match where you are. If you're on the Bellarine Peninsula, guests want to see the Bellarine. If you're on the Surf Coast, give them the Surf Coast. My Point Lonsdale Art Print IV has done really well for holiday rental owners in that area, and the feedback I hear most is that guests love recognising the location.
For sizing, an L (59.4x84.1cm) works well as a feature piece on most living room walls, and XL (84.1x118.9cm) is even better if the space can hold it. I've written more about sizing in this post on best wall art for a holiday rental if you want to go deeper.
Bedroom: something guests will wake up to
Bedrooms don't need a gallery wall. One good print, well placed, does more than five average ones. Think about what your guests are going to look at when they open their eyes in the morning. A crisp coastal image, a wide beach, a rocky headland at golden hour.
I'd suggest a medium (42x59.4cm) or large print above the bed, and keep the frame simple. A white or oak classic frame works well against light walls. A black frame suits darker, more moody interiors.
For Surf Coast properties, my Bells Beach Art Print I is a strong pick for a bedroom. It's got that morning energy, something that feels calm and alive at the same time.
Hallway: set the tone from the moment they walk in
The hallway is the first thing guests see when they walk in the door. A lot of rental owners leave it bare. Don't. One well-chosen print here tells guests they're somewhere specific. It sets the mood for the whole stay.
Keep it simple. A single print at eye level, sized M to L depending on the wall width. Something with a clear sense of place. A beach, a headland, a horizon line. My floating frame canvas range works particularly well in hallways because the canvas sits forward in the frame and there's no glass, so there are zero reflections even in narrow or dark corridors.
Kitchen and dining: smaller, conversational
The kitchen and dining area calls for something a little more relaxed. This is where guests gather to eat, to talk, to share a glass of wine at the end of a day at the beach. A smaller print, something with detail and character, works well here.
An XS (21x29.7cm) or S (29.7x42cm) print in a classic frame is enough. It's decorative without taking over. Something from the local area that guests might have walked past that day. For Great Ocean Road rentals, I'd point you toward my Wye River Art Print I, which guests consistently respond to.
Take the coast home (well, put it on your rental walls)
Holiday rental wall art doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. The formula is simple: get prints of the actual place, size them properly for each room, and choose frames that are going to last. All my frames are FSC certified timber, printed to order right here in Victoria, and they come with a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free anywhere in Australia, so there are no surprise costs at checkout.
If you're fitting out a coastal property and want prints that guests will genuinely notice and compliment, start with the location. Find the beach your guests are there to enjoy, then put it on the wall.
Browse the full range to find prints specific to your location, or check out the full Airbnb wall art Australia guide for more ideas on styling a complete rental property.
Frequently asked questions
What size wall art should I get for an Airbnb living room?
For most Airbnb or holiday rental living rooms, a large print (59.4x84.1cm) is a solid starting point and works as a feature piece on its own. If you've got a wide, open wall, an XL (84.1x118.9cm) or EPIC (100x150cm) will have more impact. The key is not going too small. A print that's too small on a big wall always looks like an afterthought.
What type of frame works best for a holiday rental?
A classic framed print is the most practical choice for a rental. It's ready to hang, comes with metal hangers and steel wire, and has a 10-year warranty. Floating frame canvas is also a great option for living rooms or hallways where you want something with no glass and no reflections. Both are available in black, white, and oak to suit different interior styles.
Should holiday rental wall art match the location?
Yes, absolutely. Guests come to a coastal property to experience that place. A print of the actual beach, headland, or coastline they're visiting gives them a connection to where they are. It's also one of the most common things guests comment on and photograph during their stay. Location-specific art is a genuine point of difference for a rental listing.
Do you ship framed prints to holiday rental addresses anywhere in Australia?
Yes. I offer free shipping anywhere in Australia, so whether your rental is in Point Lonsdale, Apollo Bay, or Port Douglas, there are no delivery costs on top of the print price. Prints are made to order and shipped from Victoria, ready to hang straight out of the box. There's no international shipping and no pickup, but anywhere in Australia is covered.
Got a question about what might work for your specific property? Feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help you find the right print for the right room.
