Wall Art for Your Airbnb or Holiday House: How to Choose Prints That Guests Will Love
If you own a holiday house or Airbnb on the coast, you already know that the finishing touches matter. The difference between a listing that books out weeks in advance and one that sits empty often comes down to how the property feels. And one of the easiest ways to make a coastal property feel special, personal and worth every dollar of the nightly rate is the art on the walls.
I've had quite a few holiday rental owners come to me specifically for this reason. Terry from Point Lonsdale is a good example. He was fitting out his holiday house for short-term rental and went searching for art of the local area. He found Local Breaks, liked the price point compared to other framed work he'd seen, and ordered something that actually shows the beach his guests are there to visit. That's exactly the kind of thinking that separates a forgettable rental from one people rave about in their reviews.
Why Location-Specific Art Actually Works
Generic coastal prints are everywhere. A wave, a lighthouse, some sandy shells. Guests don't connect with those. But when someone walks into your Point Lonsdale cottage and sees a print of the Point Lonsdale lighthouse or the rip viewed from above, something clicks. They recognise it. It adds to the feeling that this place is somewhere, not just somewhere nice.
That recognition is powerful. It tells guests you've put thought into the space. It reinforces the whole experience of being in that specific location. And honestly, guests remember it when they're sitting down to write their review.
I shoot all over Victoria's coast and into Queensland, so there's a decent chance I've got something from the beach your property sits near. A few examples worth checking out:
- Point Lonsdale Art Print I
- Anglesea Art Print I
- Torquay Art Print I
- Barwon Heads Art Print I
- Lorne Art Print I
- Apollo Bay Art Print I
- Aireys Inlet Art Print I
Art That Photographs Well for Your Listing
Here's something a lot of holiday rental owners don't think about until they're taking photos for their Airbnb listing: the art on your walls is in every single one of those shots. A dull, forgettable print does nothing for you. A bold, colourful coastal print that pops in a photo of your living room? That's a genuine point of difference when someone is scrolling through listings.
A lot of my work is shot from above using a drone, which gives the prints a perspective you don't often see in coastal photography. The aerial view of a beach or headland looks great in a living room and it reads really well on camera. Multiple guests at short-stay properties have told their hosts how much they love it, and those compliments show up in reviews.
How Good Art Earns You Better Reviews
Guest reviews are currency for a short-stay property. The guests who leave five-star reviews are the ones who felt like the property went above and beyond. Art that makes people stop and look, that connects them to the place they're visiting, is the kind of detail that earns those comments. I've had customers tell me their guests compliment the print constantly, and that it photographs well enough that guests share it on social media.
You don't need a gallery's worth of work. One or two strong prints in the right spots do more than a dozen generic pieces scattered around.
Size and Framing Tips for Holiday Houses
For most living areas in a holiday house, go bigger than you think you need. A large or XL floating frame canvas tends to work well as a centrepiece above a couch or on a feature wall. The floating frame canvas has no glass, which means zero reflections in photos and no glare in rooms that get a lot of natural light through big coastal windows.
If you want something more classic in look, the shadow box frame is a popular choice. The glass sits 20mm off the print, giving it a subtle depth that lifts it off the wall nicely. It's a solid, well-made product with a 10-year warranty and comes in black, white or oak to suit most interiors.
For hallways or smaller rooms, a medium or large classic frame works well. The solid timber construction means it holds up to the general wear and tear of a rental property without looking cheap.
All prints come with free Australia-wide shipping, which is worth knowing if your property is on the Surf Coast or Great Ocean Road and you're ordering from Melbourne or elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size print works best for an Airbnb living room?
For most living rooms in a holiday house, a large (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call. A piece that size becomes the focal point of the room and photographs well for your listing. If you're unsure, go bigger rather than smaller. Art that's too small on a big wall gets lost.
Should I get canvas or framed prints for a holiday rental?
Both work well, but the floating frame canvas is particularly practical for holiday houses because there's no glass to worry about. No reflections in your listing photos, no risk of cracking if something knocks into it, and the print colours come through beautifully. The shadow box frame is another great option if you prefer a more traditional look.
Will location-specific art actually matter to guests?
Yes, genuinely. When guests see a print of the beach they're staying near, it adds to the whole experience. It feels considered and local rather than like something grabbed off a shelf. Multiple guests at short-stay properties have commented on the prints specifically, and those little details are what drive the kind of reviews that fill your calendar.
Where do I find art prints for my specific coastal town?
Search by location name on localbreaks.com.au. I have prints covering locations across the Surf Coast, Great Ocean Road, the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong, and Queensland's Gold Coast and Tropical North. If you can't find your specific beach, get in touch and I can let you know if I have something in the works or discuss a commission.
