Open up Airbnb on your iPhone and it’s portrait mode all the way - landscape is just sitting on the sidelines, unused. So, when Apple handed me a design challenge to reimagine Airbnb in landscape mode for iOS, I saw a chance to reimagine the current experience and give sideways browsing its moment in the sun.
My aim was to craft an experience that feels immersive and intuitive, with visuals that invite you to explore rather than just scroll. I wanted users to feel like they’re discovering new destinations, not simply navigating another app.
Throughout the process, adaptability and scalability were key. The design needed to look stunning and work seamlessly across any compatible iOS device, balancing eye-catching visuals with navigation that’s always straightforward.
Reimagining Airbnb’s landscape experience for iOS challenged me to rethink how users interact with travel apps beyond the familiar portrait mode. By analysing the current design and prototyping new layouts, I focused on maximising horizontal space, streamlining navigation, and enhancing visual immersion.
My final solution balances intuitive interactions with adaptability, making it easier for users to browse, plan, and book, regardless of orientation or accessibility needs. This project reinforced my belief that thoughtful design can transform even small shifts in interface into meaningful improvements for diverse audiences.
The design blends elements from Airbnb’s design language with Apple’s system conventions, making the experience feel authentically Airbnb while remaining native to iOS. Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines informed key decisions throughout.
Notable features include Apple’s new liquid glass material for the search field, and a full-height map that subtly fades into listings on the search page to support spatial discovery.
I was deliberate about when to use liquid glass versus solid colour surfaces, prioritising clarity and contrast, to align with Airbnb’s principle of simplicity and maintain visual consistency.
Extending the map to full-screen delivers a more immersive, desktop-like feel, thanks to the wider field of view. This approach eases the shift from desktop to mobile and boosts accessibility by maximising horizontal space - making content clearer for users who rely on docks or external keyboards.
Using a liquid glass material for the search box allows the map to subtly shine through, deepening the sense of immersion without compromising clarity or readability.
The familiar search layout ensures a seamless transition between portrait and landscape, while clear, well-defined content boxes keep users focused and reinforce Airbnb’s commitment to simple, intuitive design.
Tabs follow Airbnb’s existing patterns, maintained exactly as users know them, simply rotated to maximise horizontal space, so switching between sections feels natural and effortless.
The final search screen uses a split view for clear hierarchy: home listings on the left, interactive map on the right. Cards surface key details (thumbnail, rating, location, dates, price), with deeper information revealed only when needed. Map price markers and points of interest reinforce spatial continuity, mirroring the current Airbnb experience.
A subtle gradient maintains depth and reduces visual noise, and orientation persistence keeps the layout consistent across portrait and landscape. Familiar affordances, like persistent bottom navigation and vertical tabs that match Airbnb’s existing pattern enable quick, confident navigation.