Home improvements don't have to break the bank. Even small changes can entice people to visit your rental property. Check out these nine ideas that might influence people to keep coming back and you may see your rental booked more than ever.

1. Start With a Hospitable Gift

For many people, the choice between a hotel or rental property comes down to amenities and location. Most rental properties often charge cleaning fees that hotels don't, so you must make up for that by including something new and unique to your space. Make your guests feel more welcome by giving them something to start their trip off right.

For example, a binder full of restaurant and activity recommendations might be great for a family to decide what to do. A book of coupons could help budgeters make the most of their vacation. Even a welcome basket might be a good idea to make your property stand out from the other options.

2. Stick to a Color Palette

Color is a great way to bring joy to your guests. Whether you lean into color or just have a pop of it here and there, make sure you follow a proper color palette so everything in the home feels cohesive.

Likewise, if you plan to lean into a theme — like coastal for a house near the beach or a Disney theme for places close to Disney World — make sure it's executed well. No one room should feel overpowering compared to the others.

3. Make Space for Work

People deserve to take all their vacation time off work to relax. Unfortunately, it's not a reality for everyone. In 2018 alone, over 236 million cumulative vacation days disappeared because employees didn't use them in time. You can accommodate employees who want to go on vacation but may complete some work while at your rental.

Create an office that feels airy and friendly. You want it to carry the relaxing vibe of the rest of the home without filling it with distractions. Consider including some office staples, like a printer or a mousepad, for anyone who may be traveling with their work or choosing to work from anywhere.

4. Move Out Some Decor

When it comes to decor, less is more. You don’t want anything personal in the house, which can detract from your guests' experience. You may also consider removing some decorations so your rental property doesn't feel cluttered. There's a difference between sticking to a theme and oversaturating a home to where people feel they can't relax. Opt for less decor of higher quality to give your visitors a calming vacation experience.

5. Switch to a Smart Home

This upgrade will make quite a difference to your short-term tenants. Security features like automated locks that can open with a code instead of a key feel much more personal — and safer. Plus, they allow guests to check in at any time of day.

A virtual assistant, like Amazon's Alexa, might be a welcome amenity for any family new to the area. They could ask it about the weather or to recommend something nearby, as well as use it to control the volume or turn off lights.

When you make smart home swaps, you're also leaning more toward energy efficiency. Smart thermostats are one of the best tools to save energy, and you'll be saving money by not having to run it all of the time. Saving money while lowering your carbon footprint is one of the best outcomes you can hope for in the rental business — making these changes smart in more ways than one.

6. Stock the Essentials

Picture it — visitors have arrived and hauled all their luggage in, and now they need to start thinking about what to do for dinner. Your guests will be more impressed with your property if they don't have to go out and buy groceries immediately after a long day of travel. In addition to several cooking and serving items, like plates and utensils, you should also include a few pantry staples.

Salt and pepper, among some other seasonings, are great to buy in bulk and can ensure you always have enough for the next guests coming in. You could also stock the home with butter and oil, which are cooking essentials. If you want to take the extra step and make your guests feel at home, include dry goods, like cereal or bread, to help them make a quick meal if they don't feel like going out.

7. Offer Screen-Free Entertainment

Want your guests to spend more time away from screens? Offer them something fun to do that will bring them closer together. Board games are relatively inexpensive and easy to stock, no matter how many rental properties you have. Plus, they're great ways to improve your brain's health — people who play board games have a 15% lower risk of developing dementia than those who don't.

Bookshelves could be a great addition to any odd space that needs a little something to improve it. An awkwardly bare corner becomes a cozy little book nook without much effort.

8. Set Up Streaming Services

When on vacation, you aren't active every moment of the day. Your guests will probably want some downtime to relax in the home. The best way to help them unwind is by encouraging them to spend time together with a relaxing or exciting movie. You can take the extra step by installing streaming services on your rental home's TV.

Some streaming services you may want to sign up for include the following:

Disney+
Hulu
Max
Netflix

9. Cleaning Supplies

You should always clean your rental home between uses to ensure no bacteria or dirt spreads to any of your guests. Still, to prepare your visitors for anything, you should include cleaning supplies with their stay. Messes are part of living anywhere for any amount of time, especially with kids. Incorporating cleaning supplies can help your guests feel ready for any mess and clean it up before it becomes a problem for you.

For example, a glass cleaner can make a mirror shine again if it has water splatter from someone using the sink. Stocking your rental with the proper supplies will help your visitors take the initiative to clean the house themselves when needed.

Make Your Property Memorable

Small things can change your rental property for the better. When guests rent it out for a short or long stay, you want to impress them so much that they tell their friends — word of mouth is one of the best reviews you can receive. Make your visitors feel welcome the best way you can, and your hospitality will pay off.