When you’re furnishing your short-term rental, it can feel like death by a thousand Amazon orders.

A sofa from one site. Barstools from another. Sheets from somewhere else. Ten tabs open. Twenty tracking numbers. And at the end of it all, you’ve blown the budget and you’re still missing the can opener.

That used to be my life, until I found Minoan.

Now, when I set up or refresh a property, I consistently save around 30% on supplies and furnishings compared to regular retail pricing, while actually upgrading the quality of what I provide guests. In this post I’ll walk you through exactly how that works and how you can use the same system when furnishing your short-term rental.

Why furnishing your short-term rental is different from furnishing your home

When you’re furnishing your own home, you’re shopping for comfort, style, and your personal taste.

When you’re furnishing your short-term rental, you’re shopping for:

• Durability (because new people are using it every week)
• Easy-to-clean materials
• Cohesive, scroll-stopping design for your Airbnb/VRBO photos
• Items that are in stock, shippable on a deadline, and replaceable

Oh, and you’re usually doing it under a time crunch, with a fixed budget, while also trying to figure out “how to start a short-term rental” without losing your mind.

That’s why I stopped treating STR furnishing like normal shopping and started treating it like a system.

What is Minoan and why do I use it?

Minoan is a free purchasing platform built specifically for short-term rental hosts, vacation rental owners, and hospitality pros. They negotiate insider pricing and deep discounts (often 30–60% off) on 150+ well-known brands and let hosts shop everything in one place.

A few things I love about using Minoan when furnishing my short-term rentals:

• Insider pricing, not public pricing
  Hosts get access to trade-level discounts on furnishings, decor, linens, small appliances, and supplies. This is pricing typically reserved for designers or large commercial accounts. Minoan advertises savings up to 60% off on many items, depending on the brand.
• Everything in one cart
  Instead of placing 20 different orders on 20 different websites, Minoan acts as a centralized purchasing platform where you can place and track orders from multiple brands all in one dashboard.
• Free to use
  There are no membership fees or subscriptions for qualified hosts. Minoan makes money on the brand side, not by charging you to join.
• Optional extra income through Showroom
  You can make your property “shoppable” with a digital Showroom, where guests can buy the exact items they used during their stay. If they purchase, you earn commissions, turning your furniture from pure expense into a potential revenue stream.

When I add it all up, it’s clear why I rely on Minoan for almost every new setup or major refresh.

Furnishing your short-term rental to increase revenue (not just save money)

Yes, saving 30% feels great. But the bigger picture is this:

Thoughtful, high-quality furnishings directly impact your nightly rate and occupancy.

Better photos = more clicks.
More comfort = better reviews.
Better reviews = higher occupancy + the ability to nudge your pricing.

Platforms like Minoan are built around this idea: if hosts can access durable, design-forward furnishings at lower prices, they can elevate their guest experience and ROI, not just their décor.

So when you’re planning how to start a short-term rental, your furnishing strategy shouldn’t be “whatever’s cheapest.” It should be:

“What will make my listing stand out, photograph beautifully, hold up to use, and still pencil out on my budget?”

That’s where the combination of insider pricing + centralized purchasing becomes a game-changer.

Is Minoan right for every host?

If you’re:

• Just getting started and furnishing your first place
• Scaling to multiple properties
• Or refreshing an older rental to stay competitive

…then using a purchasing platform like Minoan can save you both time and money while you’re furnishing your short-term rental.

If you’re a McCall, Idaho host or thinking about purchasing a mountain cabin specifically for short-term rentals, tools like this let you keep more of your budget for what really matters: buying in the right location, creating memorable guest experiences, and building long-term wealth.

Oh! and if you sign up today, you’ll get $25 off your first purchase with my link below.

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About Me

I’m Ragan Erickson, a McCall, Idaho–based Realtor® and short-term rental coach helping people build wealth and memories through real estate. After moving from Southern California’s mountains to Idaho’s, I turned my love for small-town living and data-driven investing into a business that helps others do the same.

On my blog, you’ll find tips for buying and selling in McCall, launching profitable short-term rentals, and designing a lifestyle you don’t need a vacation from. Whether you’re dreaming about your first cabin, an STR portfolio, or a full-time move to the mountains, you’re in the right place.

📬 Connect with me: yahooidaho.com | Instagram | TikTok
📌 Also on Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube for more McCall real estate + STR tips!

*The Minoan link is an affiliate link. Both you and I will receive a $25 store credit when you sign up and make your first purchase.