Amanda Miranda STR Design

04/04/2026

Before → After: Making a small kitchen feel bigger and work better

This corner used to be cluttered and underutilized, making the space feel tighter than it actually is.

By simplifying the layout and creating a small, intentional seating area, the kitchen now feels more open, more functional, and easier to use day-to-day.

No renovation.
No added square footage.
Just better use of what was already there.

This is where design makes the biggest impact—
not in how a space looks, but in how it functions and feels.

Because in smaller spaces, every decision either adds pressure… or creates flow. If your space feels cramped or “off,” it’s usually a layout problem—not a size problem.

04/01/2026

This space started completely empty.

No structure, no display, and no budget for expensive fixtures.

So we built everything from scratch.

I ordered 50 pallets and worked with a carpenter alongside my husband, Rodrigo, to turn raw materials into a full display system—walls, shelving, and even the sales counter.

We sealed the wood, added minimal black iron details, and designed the layout to maximize visibility and flow.

✔️ Built on a small budget
✔️ Designed for flexibility
✔️ Every wall became functional

In small retail spaces, empty walls are missed opportunities.

If customers can’t see your product, they won’t buy it.

Good design doesn’t have to be expensive.
It just has to be intentional.

04/01/2026

This space almost didn’t get used at all.

It had moisture issues, an awkward layout, and no clear purpose—basically dead space inside a retail environment.

Instead of ignoring it, I turned it into a functional fitting room using simple materials and intentional layout decisions.

✔️ Sealed and protected the space
✔️ Built it up to make it usable
✔️ Created privacy without closing it off

In retail, spaces like this matter more than people think.

If customers can’t comfortably try something on, you lose the sale.

Good design isn’t just aesthetic—
it directly impacts how people move, feel, and buy.

This is the part most spaces get wrong.

I don’t just make spaces look better—
I make them work.

Brazil → Florida
Retail & STR design

03/24/2026

Before → After: Fitting Room Transformation

This space started as a cold, unused tile room with structural and moisture challenges—and no clear purpose.

We rebuilt the foundation, corrected the layout, and reimagined it into a functional fitting room designed as part of the overall experience.

The concept was a rustic, surf-inspired space using natural wood and raw materials—creating warmth, privacy, and flow.

The final layer will be lighting to elevate the atmosphere even further.

This is what intentional design does—it transforms not just the space, but how people feel in it.

—

If you’re looking to improve the experience, flow, or functionality of your space, I’m currently building my portfolio and taking on select projects.

Project completed in Brazil. Now bringing this design approach to Florida.

Do you have a space that isn’t working the way it should?

03/04/2026

Airbnb hosts — I just finished a short guide I’ve been working on.

If your listing sits around **4.3–4.7 stars**, it’s usually not a pricing or location problem.

It’s a **perception problem**.

Small details add friction for guests — and those small things turn what should be 5-star stays into 4-star reviews.

So I put together a simple **48-Hour Airbnb Perceived Value Reset** that walks through the few changes that make the biggest difference:

✔ Photo order that increases clicks
✔ Bedding + lighting upgrades that improve comfort
✔ Arrival experience improvements
✔ Messaging scripts that help reviews

It’s a quick, practical guide for hosts who want to improve guest experience without renovations or lowering their price.

If you're curious, you can check it out here:
https://amandamirandastudio.etsy.com/listing/4461917480

Would love to hear from other hosts — what small change made the biggest difference in your reviews?

This Guides & How Tos item is sold by AmandaMirandaStudio. Ships from United States. Listed on Feb 23, 2026

03/04/2026

Pequenas melhorias de design podem transformar completamente um espaço — especialmente em imóveis de temporada.

Esses exemplos de antes e depois mostram como alguns detalhes simples podem transformar áreas pouco usadas em espaços mais acolhedores para hóspedes.

✨ Pintura nova
✨ Assentos funcionais
✨ Toques simples de decoração

Às vezes as menores mudanças fazem a maior diferença em como um imóvel aparece nas fotos e na experiência dos hóspedes.

(Algumas dessas peças estão disponíveis aqui em Guarapari caso alguém esteja montando ou melhorando um Airbnb.)

📍 Guarapari

Small design upgrades can completely change how a space feels — especially in vacation rentals.

These simple before-and-after examples show how a few thoughtful pieces can transform unused or outdated areas into welcoming spaces for guests.

✨ Fresh paint
✨ Functional seating
✨ Simple decor touches

Sometimes the smallest improvements make the biggest difference in how a listing photographs and feels to guests.

(Some of these pieces are currently available locally in Guarapari if anyone is setting up or upgrading an Airbnb.)

📍 Guarapari

02/23/2026

Happy Monday to all the STR owners building something real.

Quick reminder:

If your listing photos aren’t stopping the scroll, your pricing strategy won’t save you.

Before you adjust your nightly rate, ask yourself:
Would you book your place based on those photos?

Small upgrades = higher perceived value.
Higher perceived value = stronger bookings.

What’s one thing you’ve improved in your rental recently?

02/22/2026

Most STR owners think adding more “stuff” increases value.

It doesn’t.

What actually increases bookings:
• Flow
• Function
• Clear guest experience
• Emotional connection

Design isn’t decoration.
It’s strategy.

If you’re not designing with ROI in mind, you’re guessing.

– Amanda Miranda

02/22/2026

Most hosts assume they need a renovation to increase bookings.

New furniture. New paint. New everything.

But what actually drives performance is clarity.

• Is the layout intuitive?
• Is the guest journey obvious?
• Does the space communicate a clear identity?

Confused spaces create confused guests.
Confused guests don’t book — or don’t return.

Small strategic shifts often outperform expensive renovations.

Design isn’t decoration.
It’s decision-making.

02/17/2026

Guests don’t book square footage.

They book how a space makes them feel.

Light.
Texture.
Comfort.
Flow.

Design influences emotion.
Emotion influences decisions.
Decisions influence revenue.

That’s why STR design isn’t decoration — it’s strategy.

If you own or are considering a vacation rental, what feeling do you want guests to experience the moment they walk in?

04/23/2025

Congrats to my seller and buyer on getting this amazing property under contract! 🥂🎉