The Best Airbnbs In Boston

Boston is a wonderful city with an interesting history. There are several reasons to visit Boston, from admiring the historic architecture and Victorian homes and immersing yourself in the city's past to sampling delicious seafood and exploring the different neighborhoods. Those looking to visit Boston will find that, in addition to the standard hotel accommodations, there are several Airbnbs that can provide a unique experience.

Many of the Airbnbs in Boston offer exceptional architecture and decor. Some of these homes follow a more traditional New England style. According to Nina Hendrick, that often incorporates elements of coastal, cottage, farmhouse, rustic, and primitive styles, creating a welcoming environment. However, other Airbnbs fall on the other side of the spectrum and instead follow current interior design trends. Boston Agent Magazine explains that shabby chic design is quite popular in Massachusetts, which combines distressed furniture, eclectic decor elements, and natural accessories (stone, brick, greenery, etc.) to give a room more of an aged look. Here are some of the most design-worthy Airbnbs in Beantown.

Located in Bay Village, an original Boston neighborhood, this Airbnb offers luxurious modern design elements. The host incorporated black and white decor throughout the home, with a few noteworthy pops of color or texture. For example, the gorgeously decorated living room features a beige sofa with black and white throw pillows and a large wood dining table. One side of the dining table backs up to a white bench with more black and white throw pillows, but the other side has blue velvet chairs that add intrigue and visual interest to the space.

According to Whitney J. Decor, a black-and-white room can appear flat if it doesn't incorporate things like texture, greenery, wooden pieces, and pattern mixing. This Airbnb hits the nail on the head for all four points. The large dining table adds warmth, as do the brown leather chairs in the makeshift parlor. The texture is added through the blue velvet chairs, chunky throws, and sheepskin pelt, and small bouquets add greenery. But the most visually impacting element here is the pattern mixing. The host wasn't afraid to play with scale, texture, and print clashing, which is what made the room so inviting. 

This charming cottage Airbnb is located just a bit north of Boston in Nahant. Along with the magnificent ocean views that come with staying on a seaside property, the interior of this cottage features stunning architectural features and design elements. One of the most notable features is the wood paneling found on several walls in the home, including a grand, two-story wall. Elmwood Reclaimed Timber notes that incorporating wood paneling can add character to a space and throw you back into nature, creating a calming atmosphere.

Another notable design feature of this cottage is the multi-tier stone fireplace that tapers off into the ceiling in the two-story entryway. A wood and metal spiral staircase sits next to the fireplace, allowing access to the home's upper level, where you'll find exposed beams that give it even more character.

The furniture throughout the room is simple and comfortable, ideal for an oceanside retreat. There are cushioned rattan chairs in the entryway, cozy throw pillows on the L-shaped bench around the kitchen table, and a plush couch perfect for kicking back and relaxing. 

Blue and gold live together in perfect harmony in this Boston Airbnb. The living room features blue-gray walls with full-length gold drapes. A blue couch sits below the windows, with a small blue table on one of the side walls. Several gold accents — including a gold-framed round mirror, gold clock, gold-rimmed round glass tables, and gold throw pillows work to pull the space together. So why does this combination work, and not feel overwhelming?

The answer is that there is balance and just enough variety. Different shades of blue are used throughout the room, making the space feel layered rather than flat. The couch is sapphire, while the wall is grayish blue. And while gold curtains and accents dominate the space, the rest of the room veers away from the color scheme, breaking up the repetition with a caramel leather chair, white fireplace, and pops of green from the plants.

This Boston apartment has been professionally styled to offer a warm and inviting feel. The designer pulled modern design elements into the Airbnb, which offers an open-concept kitchen, living room, and dining room. According to Love to Know, there are several components that are often found in modern design. One of these key components is clean and straight lines. This space offers several examples of this, from the geometric light fixture in the kitchen to the clean lines of the sofa and chairs in the living room. Not to mention the ghost chairs at the dining table, which are meant to "disappear" from the space, giving new meaning to seating.

Minimalism is another hallmark of modern design, and this shines through in the apartment's lack of ornate details, such as crown molding or scalloped edges along the cabinets. It's also uncluttered, with the decorations purposefully chosen to enhance the space. There isn't an abundance of knick-knacks or wall art that crowd the room.

This Boston Airbnb exemplifies several benefits associated with adding greenery to a home with all the beautiful plants scattered throughout the space. The vibrant green plants in the living room add a pop of color against the more neutral backdrop of a white sofa, white walls, and beige curtains. They add some character and warmth to the somewhat formal setting. If you took the plants away, you would be left with a room filled with antiques, which can feel stuffy if not decorated carefully. But the leafy fronds help make it appear more inviting. 

The plants also seem period-appropriate, adding to the charm of the space. The living room relies heavily on Victorian-inspired furniture, opting for scalloped side tables, heavy wooden sideboards, and ornately carved side chairs. Some of the plants were also Victorian staples, such as the bushy ferns and the cast iron plants, one of the few houseplants that could survive the drafty, poorly lit homes of the 19th century.

With its exposed beams, this Airbnb, located a few miles outside Boston, offers a unique charm. The exposed beams are a major focal point in several main rooms, including the living room and kitchen. Balducci Additions and Remodeling notes that exposed ceiling beams are an architectural design element that can bring a classic and rustic feel to a space. Exposed beams can work with various design styles, including traditional, farmhouse, and contemporary homes. In this apartment's case, it blends with a modern, eclectic style. 

Since they're raw pine, their honey-blond color warms the white room, which is dominated by a marble table, shag rug, and wall-spanning bookshelves. But that's not the only woodsy element in the room; it's also continued through the rattan window treatments. This space is all about texture, combining unexpected elements like rich dark brown velvet, shaggy fur, bohemian rattan, and distinguished burl wood.

Take a step back in time with this historic Victorian rowhouse in Boston. The Airbnb features elegant decorations reminiscent of years past. The grand living room features two-toned hardwood floors, gorgeous wood walls, and dignified leather sofas. An impressive, tiered chandelier hangs over the seating area. From this room, a grand staircase provides access to the upstairs rooms. Or, for those preferring modern conveniences, there is also an elevator just behind the stairs.

The other rooms of the home offer similar charm. Some of these incredible spaces include the wood-paneled dining room with a large round table and upholstered chairs, the lounge room featuring an ornate white fireplace, pool table, and bar, and the kitchen with solid wood cabinets and modern appliances.

This Airbnb is located on a historic street in the South End neighborhood of Boston, which is the largest urban Victorian development in the United States. The homes in this area were built in the mid-1800s to move some Boston residents out of Beacon Hill and downtown, which were becoming increasingly overcrowded. The home's architecture and decor mirror its historic past.