Welcome to Step Up Your STR, the AirBnB decorating podcast--specialized interior design that earns Owners & Managers max revenue in a saturated market. We also discuss other high-level strategies to elevate your business from ordinary to outstanding. Hosted by Cara Shimizu, creator of the Rapid Revenue Decor System & owner of VR Decor, each episode is filled with expert insights to make your vacation rental really stand out, for more bookings & revenue. Welcome!
Step Up Your STR
Claim This Podcastby Cara Shimizu ~ AirBnb Decorating Expert
5.0(3 reviews)
67 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
32
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality51
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Welcome to Step Up Your STR, the AirBnB decorating podcast--specialized interior design that earns Owners & Managers max revenue in a saturated market. We also discuss other high-level strategies to elevate your business from ordinary to outstanding. Hosted by Cara Shimizu, creator of the Rapid Revenue Decor System & owner of VR Decor, each episode is filled with expert insights to make your vacation rental really stand out, for more bookings & revenue. Welcome!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/29/2024
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
32
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality51
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
5
Excellent Areas
4
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
14 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Publishing Consistency
Every 10 days
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Step Up Your STR
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
August 19, 2026
66 | Make Your AirBnb Look Expensive & Luxurious
<p>Want FREE STR Design Resources? Click here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rUkYxM0VtUEplQWlBMmtBMWNTOUFoLXxBR3JiS2FrQ2wwbHN0U25sYTZMcDhITmd0TTY5WDNSMFR0c2l3VGlTNk44RHNDelFISnRsNlhHRXh6Qk5iRURnNkIyY0hINU1EY1VSb1lac0hzMlNfMV9NS2lsX3o1Y2c2dG55&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vrdecor.co%2Ffreeresources&v=tfHHoi6RQS0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.vrdecor.co/freeresources</a>Want a money-making AirBnb decor PLAN? Click here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVE12a3BwcmUxbkNRZjQzT3paT0dLeHxBR3JiS2FsMW1UZTJON1EySlUzRE14b1c5OEhnWll1dDlzUFg5ZHZ1Q2dpM3VlZkFlRTYwdlZ5Z29pYkh3QXFRckRud0FnSWFSU2dsSTZicWpnbHJSVjJMR2xSRlZVWDJ0NjF2&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vrdecor.co%2Fe-design&v=tfHHoi6RQS0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.vrdecor.co/e-design</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>How do you make a short-term rental look luxurious without spending a fortune?</strong></p><p>Luxury perception isn't about filling an Airbnb with expensive furniture. It's about making the property feel intentional, coordinated, polished, and worth the price you're charging.</p><p>In this episode, I explain the design principles behind <strong>Luxury Perception</strong>—from curtain placement and artwork to lighting, contrast, quality, and creating a coordinated design plan.</p><p>I'll also share what our STR Design Performance Study found: <strong>Luxury Perception was one of the top three design characteristics strongly associated with higher ADR.</strong></p><p>You'll learn where to spend, where to save, and the small design decisions that can make a surprisingly big difference in how guests perceive the value of your property.</p><p><strong>Because your STR doesn't need to look expensive. It needs to look worth what you're charging.</strong></p>
August 3, 2026
65 | I Studied 250 Airbnbs: Here's the Decor That Earns the MOST
<p><a href="https://www.vrdecor.co/studysummary" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Click here to get the FREE SUMMARY of this 250-AirBnb DECOR STUDY: https://www.vrdecor.co/studysummary</a></p><p><a href="https://www.vrdecor.co/freeresources" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Want all our FREE RESOURCES for AirBnb decor? Click here: https://www.vrdecor.co/freeresources</a></p><p><br></p><p>Can better **Airbnb interior decor** actually increase your short-term rental *revenue*? In this episode, I share what I learned after analyzing **250 Airbnb and vacation rental listings** across 10 U.S. markets to discover which design characteristics consistently appeared in the highest-earning properties.</p><p><br></p><p>**You'll learn:**</p><p>* What the highest-earning Airbnbs have in common</p><p>* Whether interior design really affects Airbnb revenue</p><p>* The 3 biggest findings from my 250-property study</p><p>* Why bedrooms matter more than most owners realize</p><p>* The common seating mistake that hurts guest experience</p><p>* How to make design decisions that support higher nightly rates</p><p>* Why your decor is one of your most powerful marketing tools</p><p><br></p><p>Whether you're an Airbnb host, vacation rental owner, property manager, or investor, these research-backed insights will help you create a property that stands out, attracts more bookings, and commands premium pricing.</p><p><br></p><p>📊 This episode is based on my analysis of 250 short-term rental listings across 10 U.S. vacation markets.</p><p><br></p><p>Learn more about Revenue-Driving Design--<a href="https://www.vrdecor.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Click here: **VRDecor.co**</a></p><p><br></p><p>#Airbnb #VacationRental #ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRentalDesign #InteriorDesign #PropertyManagement</p>
June 25, 2026
64| E-Design for AirBnb Decor ~ Does it Work?
<p>Contact Cara for assistance to make more $ through design: <a href="https://www.vrdecor.co/contact">https://www.vrdecor.co/contact</a></p><p><br></p><p>If you've ever wondered whether E-Design is worth it for your Airbnb, VRBO, or vacation rental, this episode is for you.</p><p>In this episode, I answer the most common questions I hear from short-term rental owners and property managers about E-Design, including:</p><p>✔ What E-Design actually is<br>✔ How the process works<br>✔ What an E-Design costs<br>✔ How much work is required from you<br>✔ The pros and cons of E-Design<br>✔ How E-Design differs from traditional interior design<br>✔ Whether decorating can really increase bookings and revenue<br>✔ Who E-Design is best suited for—and who should consider full-service design instead</p><p>As a vacation rental designer specializing in short-term rentals, I've seen firsthand how strategic decorating can help properties stand out online, attract more of the right guests, and support higher nightly rates.</p><p>Guests book with their eyes first. Before they read your description, compare amenities, or check reviews, they're looking at your photos. That's why your decor isn't just decoration—it's one of the most important marketing tools your property has.</p><p>Whether you're furnishing a brand-new Airbnb, refreshing an existing vacation rental, or simply exploring your options, this episode will help you decide whether E-Design is the right fit for your property and your goals.</p><p>Ready to learn more about maximizing your vacation rental's revenue through strategic design?</p><p>Visit <a href="https://www.vrdecor.co/">https://www.vrdecor.co</a></p><p><br></p><p>Topics discussed:<br>Airbnb design, vacation rental design, STR design, short-term rental decorating, Airbnb decorating, E-Design, virtual interior design, vacation rental revenue, Airbnb host tips, VRBO decorating ideas, Airbnb interior design, vacation rental marketing, Airbnb bookings, Airbnb revenue, vacation rental furniture, short-term rental business.</p>
67 total episodes available
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Host Coach Show
Airbnb Superhosts Culin Tate & Danielle Tate
The Airbnb Superhost
Neil Harvey
Thanks For Visiting
Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian
Airbnb- Do's and Don'ts
Sky Cornell
The Short Term Show
8 Figure Airbnb and Short Term Rental Real Estate Investor Avery Carl
Dear Alice | Interior Design
Alice Lane
BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast
BiggerPockets
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan
Crime Junkie
Audiochuck
Deep-dive analytics for Step Up Your STR
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Step Up Your STR?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.