The Room in Your Vacation Rental That Impacts Nightly Rate the Most

Most investors pour money into kitchens because they think that's what guests care about most. But in most markets, the kitchen isn't what drives rate. The room that impacts your rate the most is the room that creates your hero moment. The space that makes someone stop scrolling and think "I need to stay here."

That's usually your primary bedroom, your outdoor space, or whatever room delivers the most unique experience.

Lake rental kitchen designed around what guests value during their stay.

Don't Spread Your Budget Evenly

Invest strategically in the space(s) that will photograph best and create the most memorable experience for your guest. A stunning primary suite with a soaking tub and mountain views will do more for your rate than an upgraded kitchen backsplash. An incredible outdoor space with a fire pit and lounge seating will justify premium pricing in ways a new refrigerator never will.

How to Identify Your Moneymaker Room

Look at the top rentals in your market. What room do they lead with in their listing photos? That's your answer. That's the room you design around.

If every top performer is leading with outdoor space, that tells you what your market values. If they're leading with primary bedrooms, that's where you invest.

The Strategy Behind Budget Allocation

This is one of the first things we figure out in a strategy session: which room is your moneymaker. Because once you know that, the rest of the design falls into place. You invest heavily in that hero space. You design it to photograph exceptionally well. You create an experience there that guests can't get anywhere else.

Then you design the other rooms to support that hero moment, not compete with it.

Why This Approach Works

When you concentrate your budget on the room that drives bookings, you get more impact per dollar spent. You create a clear differentiator in your market, and you justify the higher rates you want to charge.

Identify the room that will create your hero moment and invest strategically there. That's the room that drives your nightly rate.