So this week, I asked AI to pull up a batch of underperforming properties from across the country. No names, no shame. Just honest eyes on what's holding bookings back. And oh my goodness. The things I saw. A toilet seat up in the listing photos. Cushions that looked like they'd been lobbed onto the bed from across the room. A Star Wars(?) ceiling light above traditional damask upholstery (I have questions). A kitchen floor that hasn't been updated since the late 80s sitting underneath what are otherwise lovely Yorkshire views. This is the stuff that costs you bookings. Not lack of square footage, not location, not even price. It's the small decisions that stack up and quietly tell guests "this property isn't quite right" before they've even consciously registered why. So I've decided to make this a weekly thing. 👀 Every week I'll pick a handful of listings that aren't performing as well as they should be, and I'll walk through exactly what I'd fix and why. The goal isn't to embarrass anyone. It's to give you a set of fresh eyes on what guests are actually seeing, so you can apply it to your own place. This week we looked at properties in Northumberland, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Torquay. Some were national company listings with decent reviews but easily fixable design issues. Others had beautiful bones buried under a series of small, avoidable mistakes. Check out the replay below.. A few things that came up again and again: - White bedlinen. Every time. It's not boring, it's smart. It signals cleanliness and lets your styling do the work. - Rugs that are too small. A floating rug in the middle of a room does the opposite of what you want. Go big or go home. - Artwork that's the wrong scale for the wall. One small print on a big wall looks like an afterthought. - Photos taken at the wrong time of day. Harsh afternoon shadows will tank an otherwise beautiful space. Book your shoot for May or June, morning light, and if your management company offers a reshoot, use it.

I’m excited to be here and connect with fellow BnB owners and enthusiasts! I’d love to hear from you all: ✨ What’s one thing you’ve done recently to elevate your guest experience? ✨ Or, what’s a lesson you’ve learned running your BnB that you wish you knew sooner? I’m always looking for inspiration, ideas, and stories from those who truly understand the ups and downs of creating a memorable stay.

Black Friday now seems to run from the 1st of November until… who even knows anymore. It's easy to browse aiming for some guilt-free upgrades or “just have a little browse” and suddenly you’ve spent £400 on stuff your guests will neither notice nor appreciate. So I’ve done a bit of digging for you and put together a shortlist of places to add that Boutique or Boujie (love that word) vibe. Design is always about intentionality and curation so here's where I’d focus if you want the biggest visual impact for the least money. 1️⃣ Faux plants that don’t look tragic Blooming Artificial & Abigail Ahern If you want a couple of proper “wow” plants for photos, these two are worth a look. - Blooming Artificial – brilliant for realistic palms and larger statement plants, eg Ficus, Olive trees - Abigail Ahern – moody, textural stems and botanicals that look very high-end. And budget for nicer pots or baskets as well – that’s what makes a cheaper plant look expensive in photos. The vibe is very rustic and rough-hewn these days and you can actually find that kind of thing in places like the Range. 2️⃣ Cushions & throws that scream “boutique” H&M Home, Zara Home, La Redoute This is where I’d go for those finishing touches on sofas and beds. Just keep to your existing palette – don’t let “50% OFF!!!” drag you into a totally different colour scheme. - H&M Home / Zara Home – great colours and textures, often with decent Black Friday discounts. - La Redoute – brilliant for patterned cushions and throws, especially if you like a bit of French/boho flair. Cushion tip - 2 pairs of cushions on a large sofa, and 3, or 5 cushions on a bed But please AVOID feather pads - H&M have some lovely recycled synthetic inners 3️⃣ Bedding & towels that feel like a treat DUSK & M&S If your bedding and towels are a bit sad, Black Friday is the time to sort it. - DUSK – really good for simple white bedding, large bedspreads, mattress toppers and bed frames with chunky discounts. - Marks & Spencer and White Company – solid white bedding and towels that feel more “hotel” than “spare room”.

It feels like Black Friday now runs from 1st November to Christmas, doesn’t it? 👀 You see “50% OFF!” in big letters, click through… and the actual deal is nowhere to be seen. That said, if you’ve got a holiday let to kit out, it can be a good time to grab bedding, lighting and furniture – as long as we’re intentional and not just panic-buying because there’s a timer on the page. I’m putting together a little list of homeware + lighting suppliers that are worth a look for hosts. 👉 Comment below if: - You’d like a second opinion on something you’re thinking of buying, or - You’ve spotted a genuinely good deal and want to recommend it to other members Tell us: 1. What you’re shopping for (e.g. “king bed for coastal cottage”, “fun pendant for dining area”) 2. Your rough budget I’ll reply with my thoughts so we can make sure the deals you’re grabbing will actually help your place stand out and not just fill space.