3 Reasons to decorate your Rental

If you work in Short Term Rentals in the Los Angeles area, here are some numbers worth reviewing.   The average LA short-term rental earns $218 per night at 68% occupancy with occupancy trending upwards of 25% between August 2025 and August 2026. (AirDNA, 2026) While there tends to be a slight decline during the holidays, making your space stand out among the masses is a sure way to increase occupancy and average daily rate (ADR).

Travelers come to Los Angeles for multiple reasons including vacation, work, and family but what if their rental feels more like home during the holidays?  The experience your guests have during the holidays are memories they will remember, share and add feedback on for the host.

Experience

According to Psychology Today “Holiday decorations stir up pleasant emotions and the sooner you decorate, the longer you experience the benefits.” By decorating your rental for the holidays, you create a unique customer experience. If you know your guests are coming to stay for the holidays, adding this extra touch only emphasizes your attention to detail which will show up in your reviews.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

Guests who feel an emotional connection to a space come back, and they tell their friends. Holiday décor, done well, creates exactly that kind of memory. A space that feels warm, festive, and genuinely special in December is the one a guest thinks of when they're planning the following year. Repeat bookings are the easiest revenue a host can generate, no new acquisition costs, better care of your property, and no competing for attention.

Earlier reservations

In an increasingly competitive market like Los Angeles, there are roughly 30,000+ active listings and the properties that stand out are booked early. Touchstay recommends booking holiday rentals 6-8 months in advance for better selections and even 9-12 months for holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  If your guests know they can rely on a decorated rental to celebrate the end of the year, the guest experience is a visual and emotional one from the moment of arrival. A beautifully decorated rental doesn't just meet those expectations. It exceeds them, and gives guests something to talk about and photograph during their stay.

The properties that win December aren't the ones with the best locations or the lowest prices. They're the ones that made the holiday feel real.

Sources:

AirDNA LA Market Data 2026:Los Angeles, California short-term rental market data

Psychology Today: Why Decorating Early for Christmas May Make You Happier

Touch Stay: Best time to book Airbnb: the ultimate guide (2026)