Design and furnish strategy for non conforming duplex

[Bruce Tieu]

Hi guys,

I just closed on my second property. It’s a split level house with 2 / 1 on each level, both about 900sqft. There’s a separate kitchen and living space on each level, acting as a non-conforming up/down duplex. I plan to occupy one of the basement rooms while short term renting the upstairs on AirBNB / Vrbo for additional revenue. After moving out, I will rent both floors out on a mid term basis.

Given that these units will eventually be MTR, how should the upstairs and downstairs be designed? Should they be almost identical minus a couple of decor items? Or should they be noticeably different to potentially capture a larger amount of people? How would these design decisions affect revenue?