The Bohive: How Our Backyard Guesthouse Became a Mortgage-Paying Boho Retreat
- Katelyn Almeda
- Nov 5, 2025
- 4 min read
When we bought our property in 2021, the guesthouse out back wasn’t exactly ready for guests—or legal, for that matter. It was unpermitted, lime green (yes, floors and curtains), and full of potential if you squinted hard enough. We knew we wanted to share the space one day, but first, we had to make it official.
Navigating the Permitting Process
We worked closely with Henrico County to get the space permitted as a short-term rental. That meant checking every box—safety requirements, zoning rules, and making sure our neighbors were on board. Once we got the green light, we dove into what would become one of our most rewarding projects yet.
The Makeover: From Lime Green to Boho Dream
Our goal was to create a boho nature retreat that felt like a peaceful escape, even though it’s just minutes from downtown Richmond. The biggest investment was new floors, but everything else—furniture, décor, and amenities—came from Facebook Marketplace and Amazon Prime.
Total spent: $15,000.
Totally worth it.
The space is now light, airy, and full of cozy details—plants, a record player, layered textures, and a giant king bed that guests rave about.
The Numbers: Small Space, Big Impact
We launched The Bohive on Airbnb in April 2023, and by the end of that first year, it had earned $20,000. In 2024, we made $30,000. As of October 31, 2025, we’ve already passed $38,000 in bookings—with two more holiday months to go.
This studio guesthouse with one bed has nearly covered our entire mortgage each month (~$3,800 of a $4,000 payment). That’s the power of home sharing—turning unused space into meaningful income.
Life as Onsite Hosts
We live in the main house on the property and manage two guesthouses, including The Bohive. Living onsite makes it easy to help guests when needed, but what we love most is the connection. Sitting by the firepit and swapping stories with guests from all over the country makes it feel like the world is coming to us, one stay at a time. We also love the flexibility of short-term rentals, because we can easily block out dates when family and friends come to town—the best of both worlds!
Why Henrico and Richmond Are Perfect for Home Sharing
One of the best parts about hosting here is how home-share friendly our area is. Both Henrico County and Richmond, Virginia actively support short-term rentals (if you're renting part of your primary residence), and there are plenty of creative ways to get started. You don’t need a detached guesthouse to make it work—think outside the box and house hack!
English basements, guest suites with private entrances, ADUs, or even a duplex where you live on one side and rent the other (in Richmond City) can all be fantastic options.
If you live in Richmond City, you can even rent out your entire home during big events (think concerts, festivals, or races) to make some extra cash.
It’s such a fun and easy way to supplement your income and pay your mortgage—and you meet amazing people along the way.
And here’s a bonus fact that surprises many people: in the state of Virginia, you can’t be denied a short-term rental permit just because you’re a renter. All you need is your landlord’s written approval.
That means more Virginians than ever can participate in home sharing and benefit from this flexible, rewarding way to earn income right where they live. Of course, make sure to check your city or county government website for all the short-term rental permit details!
What Guests Are Saying
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The perfect mid-road-trip oasis! So close to I-95, but inside the space felt more like a yoga retreat center & I mean that in the best way! So peaceful." — Meghan, Georgia
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The decor inside was super cute and comfortable, and we slept like babies in the king bed. It felt like staying at my best friend's place." — Kelly, Ohio
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Lots of animals and nature surrounding you after a long day out on the town. Wonderful fire pit, cozy atmosphere—definitely renting again!” — Val, Connecticut
Guests call it peaceful, unique, beautifully designed, and one of their favorite Airbnbs ever. And to us, that’s the most rewarding part.
Final Thoughts
The Bohive has shown us what’s possible when you embrace home sharing with creativity and care. What started as a quirky outbuilding is now a bohemian escape that connects travelers with nature—and helps us stay rooted in our community.
Hosting hasn’t just helped us personally—it’s also allowed us to contribute thousands in transient occupancy taxes back to Henrico County, supporting local services and tourism initiatives that keep our community thriving.
If you’ve been thinking about turning a guest suite, garage apartment, or ADU into a furnished rental, take this as your sign. The return on investment can be more than financial—it’s connection, creativity, and community rolled into one.
Ready to Start Your Own Home Share?
Want to learn how to start hosting and make your space work for you? Join my free live class, Intro to Hosting on Airbnb — I’ll walk you through the process step by step.
It’s the same path we took to turn a forgotten guesthouse into The Bohive — and it might just inspire you to see your own home’s potential in a whole new way.
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