How much does it cost to furnish a 2-bed Airbnb in Cape Town?: The real cost of furnishing a standout Airbnb in Cape Town

The Airbnb market is competitive. In Cape Town alone, there are more than 25 000 listings. Many investors quickly discover it’s not so easy to get booked. To stand out, you need to offer something special compared to the identical-size apartment next door and the dozens of others in your building.

An apartment with magnificent views needs quiet furnishings so guests can experience the surroundings

What it really costs to put a bedroom together

This is where most people get a surprise.

Yes, costs vary depending on size, finishes and the overall look you’re aiming for — but even a “simple” bedroom adds up far quicker than expected.

Let’s start with the bed.

A good queen bed — the kind guests actually mention in reviews (“best sleep ever”) — will cost from around R12 000 upwards. And that’s money well spent. A bad bed will haunt your reviews forever.

But the bed is only the beginning.

To properly set up a guest-ready bedroom, you also need:

• a headboard

• bedside tables

• bedside lamps

• a bed wrap or base cover

• a mattress protector

• good quality duvet inners (summer and winter)

• four pillows and four pillow protectors

• curtains or blinds

• art for the walls

• scatter cushions

• a throw

• an extra blanket for colder nights

Suddenly, it’s no longer “just a bed”.

A mid-range bedroom setup can easily exceed R50 000, and that’s excluding linen, which is often supplied by the management agency.

And remember — that’s just one bedroom.

Smaller bedrooms are the hardest to get right. With the wrong choices, they feel cramped; with the right ones, they feel calm, comfortable and far bigger than they are.

The real cost of a sofa

Sofas are another area where expectations and reality don’t always match.

Here’s a realistic breakdown for a 3-seater sofa:

• Lower quality (Mr Price, Decofurn): R7 000 – R12 000

• Mid-range (@Home, Coricraft): R13 000 – R20 000

• Higher-end (Incanda, Mobelli, Block & Chisel, Weylandts): R20 000 – R35 000

Cheaper sofas often feel like a win at first — until they start sagging, the fabric pills, or the cushions lose their shape after a few months of guest turnover.

In an Airbnb, durability matters. A lot.

Spending a bit more upfront on:

• a sturdy frame

• well-filled cushions

• hard-wearing, easy-to-clean fabric

usually saves money (and frustration) in the long run.

A living room only really works when everything speaks to everything else — the sofa, the rug, the lighting, the art, even the cushions.

And the living room isn’t finished yet…

Just like the bedroom, the sofa is only one piece of the puzzle.

You’ll also need:

• a rug

• a coffee table

• one or two side tables

• possibly extra seating

• art above the sofa

• scatter cushions

• decorative accessories to make the space feel warm and inviting

Without these finishing touches, the space feels flat — and photos don’t convert into bookings.

Harmonising walls, floors, views, windows, light... and budget, is the job of the decorator.

The hidden costs most people forget

This is where budgets often unravel.

Beyond the furniture itself, there are costs people rarely factor in:

• Delivery fees from multiple suppliers (most stores charge)

• Assembly of flat-pack furniture, especially online purchases

• Electricians and plumbers for fittings and installations

• Returns when items arrive damaged or incorrect

• Secure receiving and storage of deliveries

• The sheer time spent sourcing, comparing, coordinating and problem-solving

Individually, these costs don’t seem huge. Together, they add up — fast.

Getting the vibe right really matters. Every Airbnb attracts a different type of guest, and the look and feel should appeal to exactly that market.

The bottom line

A realistic budget for furnishing a two-bedroom Airbnb is upwards of R250 000.

It’s an investment — but when it’s done properly, it pays back in:

• stronger bookings

• better reviews

• repeat guests

• higher nightly rates

If you want real income, you need a professional-level offering.

That means:

• quality that lasts

• consistency throughout the space

• a design that feels intentional and complete

When your Airbnb looks like it belongs on someone’s “favourite stays” list, guests notice.So does the algorithm. And so does your income.

This is where we come in

We:

• work within your budget so nothing is wasted

• know which suppliers deliver on time (and which don’t)

• source durable, good-quality furnishings that make sense for short-term letting

• design the entire space so it looks finished, cohesive and inviting

• manage deliveries, quality checks and installation day

Most importantly, we design with return on investment in mind.

Guests book spaces that feel comfortable, memorable and easy to live in.They leave glowing reviews.They come back.

And that’s where your returns grow.

Let us help you get it right — the first time.

Whatsapp Liesa: +27848432426

Back to website