The short-term rental market is continuing to get more and more competitive. As this happens, it’s important to think about the little things that can make your home stand out from the crowd. One often-overlooked detail to consider is all the essentials for Airbnb hosts to provide throughout the house. This guide will help you decide what to stock your property with to ensure it’s the perfect experience for your next guests.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
What exactly are Airbnb essentials?
Airbnb essentials are the must-have items and basic amenities that every vacation rental should provide its guests. They range from high-speed internet to salt and pepper in the cabinet to quality shampoos and body wash. At this point in the industry, not offering these items could take away your five-star reviews.
Why it matters
Short-term rental hosts know that the little things count big time. Stocking your rental with these basic essentials has tangible benefits like better ratings, more bookings, and less stress for you. Now, let’s get into the Airbnb essentials that guests love.
Airbnb essentials checklist
To keep this organized, we’ve divided Airbnb essentials into categories to ensure you’ve covered every corner of your rental.
Airbnb kitchen essentials
Most vacation rental guests prefer having the ability to cook or heat up meals. Even if your guests don’t plan on cooking their own meals, having a stocked kitchen is their bare minimum.
- Pots, pans, basic utensils, and a cutting board
- Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and silverware
- A microwave, a toaster, and a coffee maker
- Dish soap, sponges, drying rack, and paper towels
- Keurig or Nespresso machine with pods
- Salt, pepper, cooking oil, and basic spices
- Reusable storage containers
- A dishwasher (if possible) and pods
Bedroom essentials
After a long day of exploring, your guests want to crash on a clean, comfortable bed. The key here is quality over quantity and create a relaxing bedroom atmosphere.
- A comfortable mattress with a mattress protector
- Fresh linens (at least one extra set per guest)
- Extra pillows (two per guest minimum) and blankets
- Nightstands with reading lamps
- Blackout curtains to ensure a good sleep
- Hangers and drawer space for clothes
- USB chargers or an alarm clock with USB ports
Airbnb bathroom essentials
Bathrooms are high-priority spaces for guests, so keep them spotless and well-stocked. If guests run out of something crucial, it could ruin their stay.
- Towels (bath, hand, and washcloths)
- Soap, shampoo, and conditioner in refillable dispensers
- A hairdryer and extra toilet paper rolls
- A plunger, toilet brush, trash can, and first aid kit
- Feminine hygiene products
- A vanity mirror and Q-tips
- Epsom salts or mini bath bombs for a touch of luxury
Living area essentials
Your living room is often the main hangout area for guests. They’ll appreciate thoughtful elements that help them relax.
- A comfortable couch and seating for the number of guests your space accommodates
- Smart TV with streaming services like Netflix or Hulu
- High-speed Wi-Fi and clear instructions for access
- Board games, cards, or puzzles
- Local guidebooks or recommendations for restaurants and attractions
- Extra charging outlets or charging stations
Outdoor amenities (if applicable)
If your Airbnb includes an outdoor space, be sure to make it inviting and functional.
- Clean patio furniture (chairs and a table)
- A grill with cooking utensils (if you advertise having one)
- String lights or lanterns to create ambiance
- A hammock or an outdoor fire pit
- Bug spray or citronella candles
Safety essentials
Safety isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a requirement.
- First aid kit (fully stocked)
- Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguisher
- Emergency contact numbers and a clear emergency exit plan
Pro Tip: Place these safety essentials where they’re easy for Airbnb guests to see and use if needed.
How can Host Tools help?
By now, your Airbnb might already be guest-ready, but there’s more you can do to improve the hosting process itself. Platforms like Host Tools streamline communication, bookings, and scheduling tasks, freeing up your time to focus on providing a better guest experience. Host Tools takes your hosting experience from time-consuming to efficient, so you can focus on what matters most.
- Use automated messaging to send check-in instructions, welcome notes, and review requests with ease.
- Avoid the nightmare of double bookings with calendar syncing.
- Use turnover calendars to manage your cleaners so you never have a guest arrive at a dirty space.
Hosting successfully is all about anticipating your guests’ needs and exceeding their expectations. By stocking your rental with these essential amenities, you’re setting yourself up for stellar reviews, the ability to attract more guests, and repeat bookings. Make your short-term rental stand out today!
