Ep 51 - Designing a standout one-bedroom Airbnb in Brisbane

Ray and Silvia are joined by Stefan Jordana, a Brisbane-based host (and emerging interior designer) behind a colourful, tropical one-bedroom Airbnb nicknamed “The Fishbowl.”

They kick off with a practical host topic: communal facilities in strata buildings—what guests should be allowed to use (pool, gym, rooftop BBQ), what’s often too hard to manage (bookable cinema/dining rooms), and why some residents and building managers default to blaming Airbnb guests when issues arise.

Stefan then shares how he transformed his ground-floor, south-facing unit into an experience-led stay—using statement pieces, lighting, and multi-purpose furniture to solve space and brightness challenges, and to stand out in a market full of “white-on-white” listings. He also breaks down what surprised him most once hosting began, why he chose a co-host/property manager, and what he’s learned about launching confidently while maintaining five-star standards.

The episode wraps with Stefan’s next chapter: documenting his interior design studies and building his brand, with plans to expand his Airbnb portfolio—while keeping an eye on evolving Brisbane short-stay regulation.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Communal facilities in strata buildings: what to allow vs what to avoid (especially bookable amenities)
• Why issues in buildings are often blamed on Airbnb guests first
• How “The Fishbowl” aesthetic came to life and why bold design stands out in search results
• Brightening darker apartments with reflective finishes, white balance, dimmable and mood lighting
• Space-maximising design: storage walls, hidden study, Murphy bed, pull-out sofa and multi-purpose furniture
• What guests actually comment on versus what hosts tend to worry about
• Co-hosting best practices, transparency and communication expectations
• The fine line between helpful guest messaging and over-communication
• Choosing a property manager when quality and detail matter

Guest

Stefan Jordana
Instagram: @stevielarkin_design

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team

Ray's Property

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠

Silvia's Property

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠