**CUSTOM DOORMAT LISTING FOR AN AIRBNB BY VOX & DOLLY**

Airbnb guests today aren’t just booking a bed; they’re booking a feeling.

They want a space that feels warm, thoughtful, and personal, not generic or copy-paste.

The good news?

You don’t need a luxury budget or a full renovation to make your Airbnb stand out. A few creative, heartfelt touches can transform your property into a memorable stay that guests will rave about.

Here are nine clever ways to personalise your Airbnb and make guests feel instantly at home.

1. Start with a personalised doormat (your first impression)

Your front door is your Airbnb’s handshake. It’s the very first thing guests see and often the first thing they photograph.

A personalised doormat instantly adds warmth and personality before guests even step inside. It tells guests they’re staying somewhere cared for, not just rented.

Go one step further with a custom design made just for your property. If your Airbnb has a name, logo, or brand identity, you can have it painted directly onto a coir doormat.

Think:

· Your property name (e.g.: The Blue Cottage, Salt & Sun Retreat, Harbour View Hideaway)

· A custom logo or emblem for your Airbnb

· A monogram, crest, or bespoke illustration that reflects your space

This kind of custom branding makes your Airbnb feel polished and intentional, almost like a boutique hotel, but warmer and more personal.

Other popular Airbnb-friendly wording ideas include:

· Our happy place

· Sunny days

· Yay it’s You!

· Welcome take your shoes off and stay a while

· Leave the sand at the beach

· The beach house

· Gone to the beach

For coastal properties, beach-themed designs pair perfectly with sandy feet and ocean air. For city apartments, something minimalist or playful adds charm without overpowering the space.

A hand-painted coir doormat is also practical. It traps sand, dirt and dust, helping keep floors cleaner between guests. But more importantly, it sets the tone: this is a curated, thoughtful space with its own identity.

2. Create a local welcome guide that feels curated (not generic)

Most hots leave a basic house manual. You can elevate this by creating a local guide that feels like a recommendation from a friend.

Include:

· Your favourite coffee shops and bakery

· Hidden beaches, walking tracks, or parks

· Local markets, boutiques, and vintage stores

· Family-friendly activities

· Dog-friendly cafes and beaches

You can print it as a small booklet, frame a one-page guide, or create a QR code linking to a Google Maps list. Guests love discovering places they wouldn’t find in a tourist brochure.

3. Partner with local businesses for a truly local stay

This is a powerful way to stand out from other Airbnbs in your area.

Partner with local businesses to showcase the best of your neighbourhood. Not only does this support small businesses, but it also gives guests a curated, authentic experience.

Ideas include:

· A locally roasted coffee or tea in the kitchen

· Handmade soap or candles from a local maker

· A discount card or flyer for a nearby café, bakery, or boutique

· Local honey, jam, or snacks in a welcome basket

You can even create a ‘local favourites’ basket and share the stories behind the makers. Guess love feeling connected to the area, and this is something big hotels simply can’t replicate.

4. Make it family-friendly (thoughtful touches for the kids)

Families are a huge Airbnb market, and parents notice small things.

Simple kid-friendly touches can set your listing apart:

· A basket with colouring books, crayons, or puzzles

· children’s, middle-grade, YA and some adult books on the shelf

· A kid-friendly stool in the bathroom

· Plastic cups and bowls in the kitchen

· A few games and a gaming console, which can be picked up second-hand

Even a tiny kids’ corner shows you’ve thought about younger guests – and parents will remember it.

5. Add a ‘make yourself at home’ coffee or snack station

Nothing says welcome like an easy coffee in the morning.

Creating a simple coffee or tea station with:

· Coffee pods or ground coffee

· A French press or drip filter

· Tea bags, sugar and mugs

· A few biscuits or local treats

For beach houses, add a basket with sunscreen, beach towels, or umbrellas. These thoughtful extras feel generous and practical.

6. Use books, art and décor to tell a story

Your Airbnb can feel personal without being personal.

Curate decor that reflects your space:

· Coastal photography for beach homes (especially of the local area)

· Vintage prints for retro spaces

· Plants and botanical artwork for nature-inspired homes

· A stack of coffee table books (travel, cooking and design)

These details make the space feel styled and intentional, like someone actually lives there (in a Pinterest-worthy way).

7. Make life easy with clever storage and ‘helper’ touches

Personalisation is also about convenience.

Think about what guests need:

· Hooks by the door for hats and bags

· A shoe basket paired with a ‘shoes off’ doormat

· Luggage rack or space cupboard space

· Labels for bins and recycling

· Extension cords

These thoughtful details reduce friction and increase comfort – guests absolutely notice.

8. Write a poem or story about your home

This is a beautiful, memorable idea and something almost no Airbnb does.

Write a short poem or story about your home or apartment.

It could capture:

· The view from the windows

· The sounds of the street, birds, or the ocean

· The garden, the trees, the light

· The history of the house, street, or town

· Why you love the area

You can write it yourself or have a writer create it for you. It’s a way of giving guests a little piece of your story and your history.

Print it on aged paper, mount it on a clipboard, or frame it and display it in the kitchen or entryway. Guests will read it, photograph it, and remember it. It’s poetic, personal, and deeply human.

9. Leave a handwritten note

A handwritten note feels incredibly personal in a digital world.

It can be simple:

‘Welcome! We hope you love staying here as much as we do. Enjoy the coffee on the balcony, it’s our favourite spot.’

You can add a local tip or a favourite walking route. This tiny gesture often gets mentioned in reviews.

Small touches, big impact

Personalising your Airbnb doesn’t require a huge budget, just thoughtful details.

From a custom welcome doormat and local business partnerships to a poem about your home, these ideas help guests feel connected, comfortable, and cared for.

When guests feel at home, they leave better reviews, stay longer, and recommend your place to others.

Start at the front door.

A personalised hand-painted doormat is a small detail that makes a powerful first impression and sets the tone for a truly memorable stay.

9 Clever Ways to Personalise Your Airbnb to Make it Feel Like Home