We are renovating a home in the Catskills and stuck on what railing to install on our outdoor deck—cable or metal.  We plan to use the home for short-term rentals—so safety is important.  We might sell if the rental m...

If Airbnb is an option for your spare bedroom then that's great, personally when I first started I didn't want to have to deal with the in and outs of people and also making my place aesthetic enough that it would rank well on Airbnb so I went straight to long term rentals but if you want to dip your toe in the water it could be a good option if shorter term tenants make you more comfortable. 

Nothing crazy because I think you have the right aesthetic for the setting, but maybe some fake plants with colored pebbles, bed scarfs, hand towels etc can go a long way to add some life.

For background info, this is going to be a rental to students at a local grad school who will prioritize function over aesthetic. 

For example, if every lake cabin within 20 miles of yours listed on Airbnb seems super rustic and dated and "northwoodsy" (for lack of a better term), is there an opportunity for you to skew more modern in your STR design/style to help capture bookings with guests who are looking for that kind of aesthetic?

My team and I dive deep into market analytics to provide our clients with comprehensive reports that guide them in making informed, data-driven choices when entering new markets and setting up their vacation rentals.Moreover, we prioritize a human-centric approach in our designs, ensuring that not only are the aesthetics on point, but the functionality and comfort lead to happy guests and consistently stellar reviews.

Quote from @Mark Byers: I think you are just old A worthless punk answer.  

Hiring a professional designer for short-term rentals can bring several benefits that enhance the overall guest experience and property profitability:Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Professional designers can transform a space into an inviting and visually appealing environment.

I know it needs a few things (bathroom size) revised to make it code compliant, and I will need an architect to help navigate zoning (another thing we don't do in Houston :D), site plans, elevation aesthetics and local requirements. 

In the VAST majority of good rental markets function is MUCH more important than form (aesthetics).