How to Ease Your Airbnb Into Fall (Without Going Full Pumpkin Patch)
- Rachel Kate Knapp
- Jul 29
- 5 min read
There’s this little window right before fall fully sets in, that golden in-between season, where the porch is still warm in the afternoons, but guests are already reaching for cozy coffee orders instead of iced teas.
The breeze has that first crisp edge, and you just know the season is shifting.
And while your guests are slowly swapping swimsuits for flannels, your Airbnb can make that same gentle shift too.
You don’t need a full re-theme or a dozen pumpkins on every surface. (Please, no. Full Stop.)
Small, seasonal touches, especially the kind rooted in sensory detail, can guide your guests from late-summer lounging to early-fall nesting.
It keeps your space fresh, timely, and memorable and here's how to do it, with intention (and zero stress).
5 Ways To Ease Your Airbnb Into Fall
🍎 1. Swap Citrus for Cinnamon (and Add a Cozy Read)
That lemon and eucalyptus candle you’ve had out all summer? Time to swap it for something that whispers fall is here.
Try this:
Swap citrusy scents for cinnamon, apple, clove, or vanilla
Add a local treat, cider donuts or farmstand apples in your welcome basket
Tuck a cozy fall read into the living room (poetry books, short story collections, or autumn-themed fiction are perfect)
You can take it a step further by adding local gems to your guidebook, like that charming indie bookstore just down the road, a cozy café with a shelf of used books and great people-watching, or one of those Little
Free Libraries tucked right into the neighborhood. I’ve been seeing them pop up more and more in guest guides, and they’re such a sweet, low-key way to invite guests to slow down and explore.
These kinds of touches help guests see and learn more about the neighborhood they’re staying in, giving them little reasons to wander, discover, and feel connected to the area, not just the Airbnb.
It’s a slow, thoughtful way to help guests feel connected to your town. These tiny details go a long way in making a stay feel special.
If you don’t have a guidebook yet (or want to level yours up), I offer both DIY prompts and full-service guest guidebooks, complete with custom Google Maps layered with all your local gems.
Want to learn more about how Google Maps can enhance your guest experience? This blog post breaks it all down.
🧣 2. Lean Into Texture
We’re not in full flannel mode yet, but your guests are already craving warmth and comfort—visually and physically.
Try this:
Swap out lightweight throws for fleece, knit, or wool blends
Layer a plaid or patchwork quilt at the foot of each bed
Rotate in pillow covers or rugs in soft browns, rusts, or warm neutrals
And one of my favorite small-but-mighty touches? A basket of blankets by the door, perfect for snuggly porch evenings or stargazing by the fire pit.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just layered, lived-in, and welcoming. Guests feel the difference. Especially when you pair it with a handwritten note, a fall playlist, or even a cozy blanket and umbrella waiting by the door “just in case.”
It’s the kind of low-lift detail that turns a good stay into one they talk about long after checkout.
🍂 3. Style a Seasonal Vignette (Just One!)
Please know: I will never tell you to cover your house in pumpkins. But a few tiny fall touches? That’s good storytelling.
Try this:
Dried florals or wheat in a little vase
A wooden bowl of mini gourds or acorns
A cozy candle set beside a chair that’s clearly meant for reading!
And if you’re already investing in photos, I shared 10 ways to creatively use your lifestyle images beyond your listing, from social to signage to seasonal emails.
My Airbnb photo sessions are designed to tell the story of your space, not just document it. So if you’ve ever thought “guests don’t know how cozy it feels here” that’s what I do.
🧭 4. Update Your Guidebook With Fall Favorites
As the leaves change, so do the best ways to explore your area.
Try this:
Add seasonal activities: apple picking, local harvest festivals, fall markets
Share your favorite kid-friendly hike or quiet trail with peak foliage
Suggest a scenic backroad for golden hour drives
If you’ve already built a Google Map, this is a great time to add a “Fall Favorites” layer. If not, I can help you create one for your guests, complete with clickable pins, local links, and your voice woven throughout.
(Here’s more on how to create a memorable dining guide, too, because food always matters.)
✨ 5. Porch Season Isn’t Over (It’s Better)
Fall porches? They hit different. The light is softer, the air smells like leaves and cider, and your guests are ready to slow down.
Try this:
Add a cozy blanket to your porch chairs or swing
Set out a lantern or a few battery-powered candles ( I love these!)
Leave out mugs and a carafe for cider or tea (bonus points if it’s local!)
Want to lean in a little more? Add a café stop to your guidebook. Here is a quick simple addition:
“Grab a cinnamon caramel latte from [your fave spot], then come back and sip it while watching the sun dip behind the trees.”
That kind of detail? It gets remembered. And shared. And bookmarked.
The Fall Feeling Is Subtle......But So Powerful
Your guests may not say, “Wow, thanks for swapping out the throw blanket.” But they will feel how cozy, intentional, and in-season your space is. And that’s what builds loyalty, 5-star reviews, and rebookings.
If you want help visually refreshing your Airbnb listing this fall, with cozy lifestyle photos, storytelling captions, or an updated guest guide—I’d love to collaborate.
I offer:📸 Lifestyle photo sessions that capture your kind of cozy
🗺️ Custom Google Maps layered by season
📝 Caption writing to bring your listing and social to life
📖 Guest book and guidebook strategy (both DIY and done-for-you options)
You don’t need a fall theme. You just need a few beautiful moments that invite your guests to slow down and stay awhile.
Ready? Let’s make your space fall in love–worthy.
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