AirBnB revenue went up after painting house black

A guy in Oregon painted his gray Airbnb cabin black — and his revenue jumped. Same house, same forest, just a new look.

The Marketing Lesson in This Makeover

That dark paint job turned a bland listing into a scroll-stopper. In the sea of cozy wood cabins, it instantly stood out as bold, modern, and photogenic. The cabin didn’t just change color, it changed how it felt to guests.

Why It Works

• Black creates contrast and catches attention in photo grids
• “Premium” colors make a listing look more expensive
• Better photos = higher click-through rates on Airbnb
• Unique aesthetics tap into the Instagram factor

Real-World Examples

• Starbucks’ matte black cups always sell out
• Tesla’s Deep Black option costs extra — and people pay it
• Luxury brands lean on dark tones to signal sophistication