HOW GEMMA TURNED HER FAMILY HOME INTO AN AIRBNB-READY HAVEN
You might know Gemma as the Boss Lady here at Three Birds, but behind the scenes, she’s stepping into a whole new world: Airbnb hosting… in her very own home!
When she recently renovated her Clovelly home, her intention was to create a beautiful nest for herself and her two boys. A home that felt lived-in, loved and totally them. But simmering away underneath was a clever long-term plan. Gem wanted the flexibility to turn their home into a guest-ready stay the moment the family jets off on holiday as a way to help pay for the trip and make future adventures feel even sweeter.
Airbnb hosting isn’t just for people with perfectly labelled pantries; it can be a totally doable side hustle to help fund your holidays while you’re away enjoying them. Guests are travelling everywhere. Every postcode has potential. Your everyday home could be someone else’s dream getaway, and your next family holiday might just pay for itself.
Here’s how Gem did it, and how you can steal all her best ideas for your own home-hosting side hustle!
Designing a Home That Works Harder (So You Don’t Have To)
First things first, hosting your primary residence is absolutely a thing, and the demand is everywhere! You don’t need a classic “holiday location” to become an Airbnb host - you can host the home you live in, wherever it may be. People travel all over Australia for sport, weddings, concerts, family visits, weekends away, work trips and exploring new towns.
If you’re renovating, do it with hosting in mind because flexibility is gold. The home needs to feel warm and personal for everyday life, but still be able to shift gears into guest mode quickly and without stress. That’s exactly how Gem approached her reno: renovate for real life first, then layer in clever features that make hosting easy.
One of her smartest ideas sits right in the living area - a hideaway desk. During the work week, it’s her little productivity hub. But when guests arrive, it closes in seconds and disappears into the cabinetry. No paperwork. No laptop cords. No visual reminders of day-to-day life. Just a calm, beautiful living space ready to welcome someone new.
It perfectly captures her whole philosophy: design for the family you love, and build in the flexibility for the lifestyle you want to grow into.
What Gemma Included to Make Hosting a Breeze
The kitchen guests can actually use
Having access to a kitchen is one of the biggest reasons travellers choose Airbnb over hotels, so Gem made hers functional, simple and well-stocked. Matching mugs, plates, bowls and glasses - enough for the number of guests the home sleeps. Everything stacks neatly and looks intentional, which makes it easy for guests to navigate without hunting through cupboards. And Gemma and her family love the well-organised kitchen too.
The lockable ‘owner’s cupboard’
Gem’s walk-in robe doubles as a secure storage zone. Before guests arrive, all personal bits like clothing, paperwork, kids’ treasures and bathroom products go straight into the WIR. Once it’s locked, the house feels open and uncluttered, but nothing is lost or moved permanently. It’s the easiest reset ever.
Kids’ rooms made host-friendly
Her boys’ rooms are full of their posters, creations and memories, all displayed on large cork boards. When it’s hosting time, the boards simply lift off the wall and pop into the WIR. The rooms instantly feel calmer and more neutral, but everything stays safe and organised.
Bathroom baskets that change the game
Each family member has their own toiletries basket with all their everyday essentials. Shampoo, skincare, toothbrushes - everything lives in one caddy. When preparing for guests to arrive, the baskets slide straight into the locked robe, and the bathroom becomes a fresh, neutral space in seconds.
Linen that works for family and guests
Gem keeps a spare set of guest-only sheets and towels. Nothing fancy or expensive - just good-quality basics that wash well and look great. White linen and towels are always a good option because they look clean, feel hotel-level inviting, and are easy to bleach and refresh between stays. The family’s everyday linen gets stored in the WIR while they’re away, keeping the reset simple and stress-free.
A balcony built for moments
Her balcony takes full advantage of those dreamy coastal views. One end is styled for BBQ dinners with a glass of something chilled. The other is set up as a quiet nook for sunrise coffees or a cheeky Aperol spritz. It gives guests options, and the way you style these zones adds little pockets of personality to your home.
Meet Your New Best Friend: A Co-Host
Here’s the part that makes hosting your primary home not just possible, but easy: you do not have to manage everything yourself.
A co-host is a knowledgeable local who handles the tasks you can’t do when you’re travelling - cleaning, communication, check-ins, guest questions, and all the practical bits that keep your listing running smoothly. You stay in control of your home, but you get support where it counts.
Since Gem will be away with her boys whenever guests are staying, having a co-host is part of her plan from the start, so they can be on the ground while she’s not.
If hosting feels overwhelming, a co-host is the magic ingredient.
Hosting Comes in All Shapes and Sizes
If you’ve been wondering whether hosting your home might be for you, consider this your gentle nudge. You don’t need a huge home or a separate guesthouse, and you definitely don’t need to overhaul your entire life.
What you do need is a plan. Start with the simple things, like Gemma has, to get your home ready for guests:
A lockable cupboard
A tidy linen system
A simple bathroom setup
A reliable co-host
Hosting looks different for everyone, and there are so many ways to make it work:
Lock off your master suite and create a private entrance
Host a bedroom and bathroom combo on weekends
Turn the space above the garage into accommodation
Convert a backyard cabin into a cosy retreat
Or do what Gemma’s doing - host your whole home while you’re away
If you’re even slightly curious about hosting your own home while you’re away, a few smart decisions now will make the whole thing feel calm, manageable and completely achievable.