Which Items Got RUINED & Which LASTED in our Airbnb Cabins

I'm sharing which home items stood the test of time and which ones... well, didn't quite make the cut in our renovated Airbnb vacation rental cabins. ❤ Subscribe to my channel for more DIYs: kzbin.info...
Our Tiny Lake House renovation (2023): • 9 Month Timelapse Reno...
Our Little Lake House renovation (2021): • ENTIRE home renovation...
Links to everything we used in Our Tiny Lake House (vintage cottage style): thediymommy.co...
Links to everything we used in Our Little Lake House (modern coastal style): thediymommy.co...
How I keep my towels white & fluffy: thediymommy.co...
From furniture to flooring I'll share my honest experiences to help you make informed decisions for your own rental or home. Get ready to discover the real MVPs and the not-so-stellar performers in my quest for durable home items!
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My favourite vacation rental essentials (like the Nespresso machines): urlgeni.us/ama... (USA) and urlgeni.us/ama... (CANADA)
Shop all the furniture and accessories in my home here: thediymommy.co...
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Shop my favourite Amazon CANADA products here: urlgeni.us/ama...
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Christina Dennis
PO Box 2733
Stony Plain AB T7Z 1Y2
CANADA
PLEASE NOTE: While I've made every effort to make sure this video contains accurate information, I'm not a professional and not responsible for any direct or indirect damages that may occur in connection to the information contained here. Please complete the projects featured on my channel at your own risk and consult a professional if you have any questions. Be safe & have fun!
Music: Epidemic Sound
#homedecor #airbnb #thediymommy

[@jenniferjohnston7693]

I highly recommend ordering tempered glass tops from your local glass place for the tops of your nightstands, dressers, and buffets. It's so worth saving your furniture's surface finish from water rings, stains, scratches and dings, and much better than clear vinyl.

[@gerbera1975]

You could buy rubber matting on a roll and cut pieces to fit neatly under your chair cushions which could stop them sliding around :)

[@lindacade3975]

Or even cut a thin nonslip carpet pad to the same size as the cushion and sew it to the bottom of the cushion.

[@sandiwalker761]

I would turn the worn part of rug around & put it under the couch. Get more use time before having to replace.

[@thediymommy]

We've rotated it already, so we'll see how long it lasts. 😊

[@biggyziggy5777]

The fridge opening the wrong way would drive me crazy 🤪

[@quicksilvertears921]

I am so glad you changed the polyester microfiber sheets out. Those make you sweat and feel terrible and cheap. My husband bought some for our bed and I was miserable at night until I realized why. I splurge one nice cotton. And no, I don't spend more than $125.00 I watch for the sales

[@champacaflower106]

Hej, Great tips! I live in Sweden and we use the Ikea cushion called STEIVOR Sheepskin chair pad, grey, 35 cm. They hold up well over time. Since your chair is made of metal. The chair pads will make the chairs more comfortable and they have a non-skid under the bottom. Love your channel ❤

[@thediymommy]

Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@ac1646]

What a great idea to demonstrate what lasts and what doesn't in a very high use area, (and as you mention, also a 'high clean' environment). The cabins look really lovely too.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Great video! ❤ Maybe you could do a part 2 about how to straighten up/clean after /before guests. That would be very interesting. 😊

[@thediymommy]

Great idea!

[@robinbirdj743]

I had to cut my own wood beadboard, which I got in 8 ft lengths. Easy to cut, oil stain, shellac, and glue with liquid nails to wall. Don‘t use mdf! Wood is easy to paint too.

[@tammiamundson115]

Hi Christina, Love your channel!!! Try the no tie chair pads, they have a rubber back that makes them no slip. The same type of backing that is used under a rug that makes them none slip.

[@thediymommy]

Oh thank you!

[@scordero2]

For the entryway I highly recommend area rugs from L.L Bean (waterhog collection). They are indestructible. We have them in our mudroom and we walk in with ski boots, snow, ice and then sand and dirt in summer. They still look great after 5 yrs of abuse...

[@sandyk6949]

Love our water hog rugs!

[@autumnmoonfire3944]

@@sandyk6949 We bought ours almost 20 years ago and they still look new. Worth every penny!

[@autumnmoonfire3944]

Re the chair pads, if you are handy with a sewing machine make some that fit the chairs exactly with some nonskid padding on the bottom and don’t try to have them attach to the chair backs. You can probably reuse the foam rubber pads. Also make them zippered so you can replace the padding as needed, as well as potentially washing the covers as needed. As the person who rents these sorts of places, we don’t judge nicks and scratches, we do judge storage, hooks in the bathroom and flat surfaces. We need a place to put out our stuff. I’d far rather see lots of luggage stands than too many dressers in a bedroom. I don’t unpack into dressers, I live out of my suitcase. Another comfort item is an electric kettle, I don’t like making tea with a nespresso machine, it always tastes of coffee. Electric kettles are cheap and you don’t even need to maintain an elaborate tea basket because people like me often bring our own tea. Just a few Twinings teas (no red rose/lipton,) I noticed you didn’t have any scatter rugs in the kitchen, that’s good, they’re just trip hazards, I stayed in a cute house with my cousins and elderly aunt, it had a VERY slippery rug in the kitchen. After everyone saw the cute rug I stowed it away in a closet! I did put it back as we were getting ready to go. Also, you can have a huge cleaning charge or a long list of departure duties, NOT both! I don’t mind stripping the beds and running the dishwasher. Of course I’ll take out the trash and I’ll certainly replace the furniture where it belongs, especially if you put a picture of the room in the welcome book. More than that? C’mon now! You are charging me how much to clean? Cute cabins, nice video.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Yes! An electric kettle for tea!

[@juliemartinez5577]

Such nice cabins! I would suggest leaving a cutting board out on those butcher block countertops to hopefully cut down on the marks.

[@thediymommy]

Yes, we leave out a couple but it still happens. 😞

[@joycemoody9246]

What a great video, thanks for your honesty about what worked and what didn’t. You and your husband worked so hard on those cabins and they are beautiful. I was thinking for the kitchen chair pads that maybe you could find the pads that have a grippy underside and they just kind of stay in place and no ties are needed. I bought some at a yard sale years ago and mine are still going strong. 😊

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much!

[@grisellescakes]

I truly appreciate all of your tips and your video, amazing information. Maybe for your white sink the one that gets lots of scratches, get a silicone mat that is actually for the sink and it will protect it, I know that the sink by itself looks beautiful but to protect it get the mat, I did it for one of my sink and it is a life saver

[@thediymommy]

That's a great idea. Thank you!

[@gnomealone-gu6kr]

What a lot you’ve learned! This was really interesting, thanks.

[@thediymommy]

Thanks for watching! Yes, we've definitely learned so much. 😳

[@shelly1224]

I love getting honest reviews. Thank you so much.

[@rachaelbruesch6306]

Prime, paint, & poly is a must! 😊

[@carmenlheureux5435]

So interesting! Thank you. For the cushions, maybe a strap from side to side that ties under the chair as well as behind?

[@thediymommy]

Great idea!

[@skaus1793]

As a long time Airbnb SuperHost, we would never use microfibre sheets in our rentals. Also, all pillows, etc. have encasements and pads on top. We also would never have anything but heavy duty metal bed frames weighted for up to 1,500 lbs. Cheap IKEA furniture and especially wood bed frames don’t last and bed bugs can crawl up wood bed frames.

[@thediymommy]

Yes to mattress & pillow protectors, however I have had great success with solid wood IKEA furniture for years.

[@fortablet2933]

i want to stay @skaus place

[@darlenesmith839]

Non skid rug pad for cushions. Love your ideas ❤

[@annetterae7]

Thank you for the splurg and save ideas. We will turning our basement into a vacation rental and give it a go.

[@audreydeneui192]

Interesting video! My kids were very hard on furniture growing up. As far as the chair cushions go, if the cushion is attached with ties at only one or two points, it is going to pull out and rip sooner rather than later. It's almost better to just not attach the cushion to the chair. Granted, it then is in danger of becoming a tug-o-war toy or pillow fight object with the kids and dog, but that can go for the couch cushions, too. If you do want or need to attach the cushions to the chairs, put ties on all corners and tie the cushion to the legs. OR attach two or three velcro bands or belts along the sides to attach under the seat to keep the cushion in place.

[@IamSnowbird]

We have a condo in Florida where we spend the winter. We don't rent it out but have lots of guests. Our huggable rug on our lanai has held up beautifully as well as the one in our kitchen. We had to do blackout curtains in our guest room because our condo has automatic lights outside and one was shining directly into the room. We have Walmart chair-ads on our dining room chairs. They have grippers on the bottom and they never move. They are not even tied. I got them several years ago so I don't know if they still have them. I had a black sink from Home Depot that we put in and I love it. My husband was hesitant but I really wanted it. It has worked great and easy to clean.

[@irmayorke9075]

Great video. Love learning what products are good to use and how they last.

[@robinwoods9961]

The cushions I have in my dining room I cut the ties off and tied them to the chair then I velcroed the seats to the chair. That has solved my problem. Because like you I was stitching them up all the time.

[@Itsmehi456]

The missing screws on the entry switch plate doesn’t make your head spin? They handles on the left on the fridge also maddening. That fridge needs to open from the right. Cool space otherwise.

[@hazelmeldrum5860]

The problem then is the door against the wall does not open enough and cleaning inside can be difficult.i have to manoeuvre mine from the wall to get the salad trays out and clean the back.

[@mugglemom9135]

I had the same problem with chair pads. I finally ended up getting some (less cute) one that have a grippy bottom side. Sewed cuter tires to them because they didn't come with any and they have held up really well. The grip on the bottom makes all the difference. Hope that is helpful!

[@cya3378]

I agree with splurging on couches and beds!! That is what we look for when we rent. I will put up with almost anything, but Ed's are essential. Your plac3s look so cute!! We live in the Okanagan in BC. 😊

[@lindaroyal8161]

Very informative, it's nice to get honest reviews from a trusted source. Odd that the Ikea sink is better than the name brand, go figure! I watched all of the series for each of these renovations, surprised it was 3 years ago. Was wondering if you cleaned the rentals or hired it out. I would hire it out too!

[@thediymommy]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@readyornot316]

Re chair pads, I’ve found jute or jute/wool blends to be very durable. Not as soft as a fluffy cushion, but much better than sitting on a metal seat.

[@michellemccormack9671]

Wish we lived closer to come for a stay … your lake houses look really nice!!

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much!

[@rosemarypowell6635]

We have a corner bench nook (approximately 30 years old) and to add padding my husband measured and cut 1.4” plywood to size, then took hi density foam and upholstery to cover. *note* 3 kids, pets and many parties later I would highly recommend using marine vinyl over fabric for durability and cleaning. We used industrial strength Velcro to adhere the plywood to the bench. Great to clean underneath just pull off and wipe away the goobers. As a side note if you really want fabric I would suggest a high quality upholstery material definitely not cheaply made. I hope this helps and good luck with a solution.😊

[@thediymommy]

Sounds amazing. Thank you!

[@DiamondDustAndVerdigris]

This video was really informative. Thank you so much.

[@thediymommy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hdavis587]

That was interesting. I have never thought of those details. You did get me thinking, what about the mattresses? What do you buy and how do you protect them?

[@barbkrieser8972]

Great video...lots of great ideas and information about purchases for cabins...could almost apply to our own homes also! TYFS all you do!!! Enjoy your channel ❤😊

[@thediymommy]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@WestVanMom]

Chair Pads - I would head over to Walmart toward end of the season and purchase seat cushions in the Seasonal Dept. Buy 2 sets so you can easily replace when required. Lovely cabins, BTW.

[@susananders3834]

Thank you for tbe tips. Faucets: I had to replace the cheap, mystery brand faucets with major brand mid-priced faucets (from Home Depot) very shortly after i bought my house. I agree--go with good quality faucets. Chair pads: I have had inexpensive thin chair pads from Walmart (Better Homes?) for several years. I don't know how they would hold up under vacation rental use, but might be worth a try.

[@1308lewis]

We have chairs like yours and Amazon sells a padded chair topper that magnetics are in to grip the topper to the chair. We really like them so far...

[@sweetstufff]

I love this video! Your rentals look so beautiful and well taken care of by you and your husband. I love the green floral wallpaper in the tiny cabin. Great job! Can you please link the acrylic top piece you put over the welcome table (table saver)? I have been needing one and can never find one that is clear. Thanks!

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much! 🩷 I've added the tabletop protector to my Amazon shop here: urlgeni.us/amazon/VacationRentalListUS

[@laurieboon]

Thank you for another great video! ❤I can't agree with you more about natural fibre bedding. There's nothing better than cotton sheets for a great night's sleep.💤 We also have suffered from the effects of cheap plumbing fixtures in our home ... Never again!! Pay and little more and worry a little less about water damage. 👍👍

[@mandmatthews13]

They make chair pads with no ties, but the under side is grippy so it stays in place well. Aldi actually had them last fall. They’re great!

[@khewitt2873]

I would put a matte finish varnish on your unfinished sideboard & chalk painted dresser. They will wear so much better. Spills happen & you will never get a stain out of unfinished wood.

[@denisehenderson4875]

Add a handheld shower head and I promise that you will thank me forever. It changes the game when cleaning the shower. I clean with a homemade Dawn Powerwash solution, rinse, squeegee, and when it’s dry, come back only as necessary and polish off any streaks or around the edges. Please tell us about the mattresses. I know a good or bad mattress can be huge on reviews.

[@thediymommy]

Great idea! We have a handheld wand in our tiny cabin, but not our first one. The mattresses have been great so far! We have IKEA hybrids in the first cabin and the Green Tea Cooling mattress from Amazon in the second.

[@letiziagallinari222]

Omg what a great video…..i never came across a video with this idea ….thank u very much ❤

[@patstats1]

Remove those cushions and replace with similarly shaped cushions. Get ones with removable covers to be able to wash them. Apply silicone to the underside to keep them from sliding. No real need to tie them in place. Thanks for your tips. We are about to turn our first home into a furnished rental. So, these tips are a great insight going in…

[@gardenjoy5223]

The last cabin had some points to consider. In the living room the rectangular mirror and the paintings on the wall really don't add anything good. In the bedroom with the bunk bed that wall paper drives me up the wall (is there a pun here?) with its pattern. Also don't think those 'left-over-found-and-then-used-here' cushions do it justice: looks cheap. On the other hand I loved that blue wall in the living room, matching the blue sofa, but not entirely. Nice idea to put up a wide plank and make it into a desk or make-up area. The round cushion on the sofa gave me an icky feeling, for one can't really keep such a thing clean. Didn't like the other one either. Don't like the ikea bench in the hall in a rental. What are they going to store?

[@tracyfluri543]

Really informative video! Love the honesty. I have a question regarding the stainless steel appliances, did any get a ding or dent, do you know how to fix these? As well how do you keep the stainless steel appliances so shiny?

[@danielleS257]

You can use a suction cup debt puller for dings on the appliances. I use a stainless steel cleaner, they all seem the same and every other week maybe I use a microfiber towel and olive oil (not a lot) and wipe down the stainless. It really makes them shiny.

[@tracyfluri543]

Thank you 😊

[@kitten88dm]

When I put ties on cushions I make them the whole length of the cushion plus what I need to tie it and have the tie go the whole way round. So the tie is included in the top and side seams then button hole and thread through where I want them to come out. It just means if it rips it's normally just the seam a little and much easier to fix.

[@cindysoowho]

You could leave out ontop of the butcher block counter, a beautiful wooden cutting board so people might get the hint 😊

[@michelldurbecq2901]

I would get a wood cutting board and leave it out in the counter top so maybe people would use that instead

[@gardenjoy5223]

We rent out halls. There's a kitchen area. With 5 boards to cut on. Still people simply cut on the table! The other day someone cut on the wooden table near the grill outside! GRRRR. Some people are absolute aholes.

[@louiserobinson6704]

Chair ties should be close to the part of the chair you will tie them to. Also a second set of ties at the other small rod of the chair. This may keep the stress and movement to a minimum 🤔. But you may be right about a replacement. If you do start again, the second set of ties will do the same!! Hope to hear if you used this idea. I love your work and choices❤❤

[@SBL1932]

This was a very informative video with a lot of good information

[@catharineschleider9551]

Such a helpful video! You did a beautiful job on both cabins!

[@Laura55sere]

IKEA make a non-slip chair pads, I bought them myself and they work , they have what looks like silicone dots on the underside and they stay put no need for tie straps!

[@perryandmichelle]

Love both your places. I'd love to see how you keep your towels so white, but I can't find the link to that video. I'm struggling with my laundry since Oxi Clean discontinued my favorite detergent. Thanks for sharing.

[@thediymommy]

Thank you! Here's what I do: thediymommy.com/how-to-keep-towels-white-fluffy/

[@catherinehata2499]

Sew the loop (soft) side of Velcro strips onto the cushions and the Hook side can be glued to the chairs. You will be able to wash the cushions. Also they won't slide around on the chair and won't rip.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

It’s a pretty tight room and it doesn’t look like there’s enough room, but I wish rentals had a luggage valet. I have one at my house for guests and they love it.

[@thediymommy]

We have a luggage rack. ☺️

[@danielleS257]

Ruggables are the best purchase I’ve ever made. We have wooden floors but our Great Dane will absolutely head to a throw rug to vomit. Or to steal food and eat it on a rug, it’s a thing with GD’s as far as stealing food off a counter or tables 😂

[@L3Arm]

Pesky chair cushions: could you add loops which attach to the front chair legs? Narrow fabric bands with velcro or even tie closures. Think like those fitted sheet straps you can buy, only these are sewn in. It would cut down on the shifting

[@yukitheninja3570]

I agree with not using Butcher block. My husband is bad for cutting things on it

[@susanwhite3007]

Try putting a rug pad under your cushion. The lack of movement will stop some of the friction which may add to the longevity.

[@DiRidpath]

Omg! I need that retro fridge! Why don't you just move the wall sconce higher on the wall? I don't see a link to the Ikea countertop.

[@marywilson7669]

Morn faucets….buy it for looks,buy it for life😉

[@diananelson5187]

Have you thought about an adjustable sconce by the sofa? That way guests can move it out of the way for more headroom, etc.

[@Angel_Wings2439]

For your cushion issue, sew a good non-skid drawer liner on the bottom of the cushion, good ones would be from gorilla..

[@lilycloy]

Put the wire wreck inside of your white porcelain sink. It will save the sink tremendously. I would remove the seat cushion and keep it very simple. 😊

[@kimberlygeelhoed7660]

I bought chair pads that dont have ties. The have something (silicone?) On the bottom that keeps them from slipping.

[@carolynb1413]

Do you have the link for cotton sheets not microfibre?

[@joansheppard6576]

Make a large cutting board for your counter, then no cuts.

[@maryvaughn4097]

Very Informative, loved it

[@EmaDCali]

Can you fabric glue some silicone dots to the chair pads so they don't slide around?

[@tep1962]

That's a great idea.

[@thediymommy]

Great idea, thank you!

[@carolhathaway5168]

For chair pads, canvas with four sets of ties might work.

[@jennyakesson9189]

Make cushions with velcro straps under them to make them stick to the chair

[@DutchAlaskagirl]

For the chair pads I wouldn’t make them to tie on. Just lay them on and make the bottom from rubberized material so they won’t slide

[@jennifertoliver9546]

A rug pad cut to size or a some double sided tape!

[@sharonwhiteman6874]

With the chair pads, could you use self-adhesive velcro to attach the cushion to the chair? Put the soft half on the pad and you could wash them

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

I would ditch the tie-on chair pads completely and opt for acrylic paint "chair pads" if you really feel you need the pop of color; something striped or checked with one tint dark like your sofa would be an awesome future video! ❤

[@thediymommy]

Thank you! They're more for comfort than the pop of colour. 😊

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

Thank you for allowing dogs!

[@d__extraordinary175]

Great Video 🎉

[@patriciabarrow9761]

Can you tell me where the green floral paper in tiny cabin came from. Absolutely love and would like to put in bedroom.

[@janetd4862]

I’ve found that “loose” cushions on kitchen chairs are a nightmare. They will rip out again and again. I’d rather buy old chairs with a covered seat that you can easily recover with either fabric or vinyl. The vinyl will stand up to hundreds of cleanings. I currently have MCM chairs in my kitchen that have seats recovered with a patterned vinyl, and love that I can clean them easily.

[@christianpraisedance]

I would echo others the chair pads use zipper opening comparedd to hand sewn. Second is to either possiblely tie to outer metal or underneath as an option

[@kathystewart3873]

Add non-skid rug gripper pad underneath your chair pads. Helps keep it from moving around

[@gills5909]

Put anti slip between the cushions and the chair seat.

[@janicevann1731]

If you have an Old Time Pottery near you- they have all kinds of sizes of cushions. I wait for sales and use outdoor cushions for everything I can because they hold up better to all kinds of abuse.

[@suelivesey346]

re: chair pads.....what if you attached three sets of ties and tied them to all three of the chair parts where the back meets the seat?

[@showers65]

I think of you sewed some elastic loops on the chair pads, for the ties..... You would have less stress on them. Therefore they wouldn't be prone to tearing😊 I sew.... This is what I have done before

[@lagringa7518]

Interesting, thx for this info.

[@AnitaCasler]

For cushions try double sided carpet tape on all sides of cushion

[@joysoul4089]

I gave up entirely on chair pads. I have tried the Thai ones. I have tried the ones with the no slip bottoms. They all scoot around. The only padding on chairs that will stay put is chair upholstery. I recently bought a set of 10 wood chairs for $100 at a garage sale because I needed a lot of chairs. I have never put pads on them because I know how that will go. I thought about trying to nail some padding around like brads on upholstery.. The chairs I had before had that supercheap ‘spray on” leather - PU leather? And they peeled like mad and made a horrible mess.

[@CreateWithMarthaTucker]

I think a great solution for the cushions would be to put Velcro on the chairs and then just buy free floating chair pads giant tiger actually has some really nice ones and then just Velcro them to the chairs instead of trying to tie them on

[@thediymommy]

Thank you - I'll have to look in Giant Tiger!

[@reneelancaster8714]

Ugg! Replace that lamp. Lol!

[@MLauren35]

I would put a big cutting board on the counter, then people may gravitate on using that because it is right there on hand.

[@linebrisebois6908]

What about self-adhesive velcro or double sided tape for your kitchen chair’s cushions?

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

That classic stove, I believe if it’s the same one, doesn’t allow you to adjust the flame. It’s weird. Each burner can be set for a height but cannot be adjusted.

[@thediymommy]

No, ours can be adjusted.

[@lindasmith5190]

Great advice.

[@elainecivi6786]

I can see why folks would use the wood counter as a cutting board. Why not invest in a large or oversized cutting board to place on top of your counter...just so folks can get a little hint...lol.

[@chlexiel.1022]

Put some under carpet non slip mat under there. The chairs are just too slippery.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

For those chairs - get rid of the pads. Just no pads.

[@lindaroyal8161]

Help - assistance please - I cannot find a link to your Ikea Kitchen Sink you have at your house. I really like the style and your review that it's held up nicely. I tried to find it from the links on the page, video about how the kitchen has held up over the years, but can't find it. Appreciate if you could link it. Thank you very much.

[@susannechung2700]

It looks like a DOMSJÖ sink, which was discontinued at IKEA.

[@lindaroyal8161]

@@susannechung2700 - appreciate the reply, that's probably why I couldn't find it, searched all over the site. It's too bad, I really like it, it's exactly what I want. TY