I love to travel and have stayed at many Airbnbs. I’ve stayed at good Airbnbs and some not so good Airbnbs.
What makes an Airbnb stand out is not always the location or property itself… we once stayed at a cute Tiny Home Airbnb in Colorado. The views were amazing, the interior decoration was very well done…
We loved the property itself…
… but…
Unfortunately when we tried to cook dinner, we couldn’t find simple cooking utensils…
Needless to say, this really put a damper on our guest experience that would have otherwise been a 5 star experience… (I did leave a 5 star review and feedback on what could be improved)…
That’s why I decided to put together this set of Airbnb Must Have Checklists using my own personal experience as a guest on various Airbnbs and watching what works on the 160+ properties we help manage…
If you are starting an Airbnb, we hope this checklist helps you set up your listing and get off to a good start…
#1 Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist
So you have a beautiful kitchen… but do you have everything your guests will need during their stay?
Here’s a list of kitchen essentials we recommend you include in your Airbnb
The Basics
- Coffee Maker
- Tea Maker
- Coffee mugs
- Cups
- Dishes
- Silverware
- Basic utensils
- Turner/spatula
- Tongs
- Spoon
- Slotted Spoon
- Pasta Fork
- Ladle
- Whisk
- Sharp knives
- Cutting board
- Rubber oven mitts
- Skillets
- Pots
- Pans for the oven
- Mixing bowl
- Strainer set
- Measuring cups
- Drying rack
- Cleaning supplies
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher pods
- Paper towels & holder
- Trash can with lid
- Hand towels
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Fire extinguisher
- Corkscrew
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
Bonus kitchen items
- Wine glasses & tumblers
- Olive oil & vinegar
- Salt & pepper
- Grippy pad (for stubborn jars)
Stand out kitchen items
- Welcome snack
- Spices
- Baking supplies
- Storage for groceries
- Food storage supplies
- tupperware
- plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Chip clips
- Wine stopper
- Stand out utensils
- Peeler
- Pizza cutter
- kitchen shears
- meat thermometer
- ice cream scoop
- Cradle for messy utensils
#2 Airbnb Bedroom Essentials Checklist
We manage over 160 vacation rentals, and there’s one thing that stands out when it comes to getting 5 star reviews…
The number one pattern we see is a comfortable bed…
Here’s a list of things you’ll want to have in your bedroom to make your Airbnb stand out
The Basics
- Comfortable bed
- Clean high quality linens
- Waterproof mattress cover
- Comforter, quilt or blanket
- Two pillows per person
- Blackout curtains
- Dresser armoire or shelving
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Smoke alarm
- Nightstand
- Lamp w/USB charger
- Space heater or AC unit
Bonus Bedroom Items
- Alarm clock
- Bench or chair
- Iron & ironing board
- Safe
Stand out Bedroom Items
- Extra blanket
- Tissues
- Full length mirror
- Outlet near bed
- Robe & slippers
- Laundry basket
- Fan
- Flashlight
- Nightlight
#3 Airbnb Bathroom Essentials Checklist
There have been few bathrooms that impress us, but the ones that have impressed us is because of the tiny little details they add to this small space…
The biggest mistake I’ve seen Airbnb hosts make is to try to cut costs on amenities. One thing you definitely DON’T want to do is provide your guests with 1-ply translucent toilet paper. Making your guests have a good experience is worth the extra cost.
Here’s what you need in your bathroom to make your Airbnb stand out…
The Basics
- More than enough and soft toilet paper
- Handsoap
- Towels
- Hooks
- Hot water
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Floor mat
- Trash can with liner
Bonus Bathroom Items
- Hand lotion
- Make up mirror
- Hair dryer
- Outlet with nightlight
- Plunger
Stand Out Items
- Air freshener (we like poo pourri)
- Make up remover
- First aid kit
- Clothing drying rack
- Travel size toiletry basket
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- floss
- Tampons
When it comes to bathroom essentials, you also want to make sure you have a good reliable plumber that can take last minute calls… clogged drains and leaks are fairly common and how you respond to these issues can make or break a guest experience.
#4 Airbnb Living Room Essentials Checklist
The living room is a flexible space. For some guests it will be the place where they gather with family. For others it will be a place to read a book or get some R&R. In most cases it will at least serve as a waiting room as guests wait for others to get ready.
Done right, a guest will feel like they don’t even have to leave the Airbnb…
The basics
- Comfortable couch
- Coffee table or end tables
- Wi-Fi
- Lamps w/USB charger
- Local recommendations
- ROKU TV
Bonus items
- Throw pillows
- Board games
- Books
- Reading chair
Stand out items
- Mirrors
- Papasan chair, rocker or L-shape couch
- Blanket
- Speakers
- Guest book
- Area Rug
- Dog pillow bed (for pet friendly homes)
#5 Airbnb for Work Checklist
One way to make your Airbnb stand out is to focus your Airbnb on a niche and cater to that niche.
Your niche could be a pet friendly home and you can go above and beyond other hosts by providing amenities like a dog sleeping pillow, dog toys, food and water bowls, dog treats, etc.
Another growing niche is the remote worker, business traveler or Airbnb for Work…
These are travelers that range from people who simply are working as they travel, and those that seek out a place to do creative work or hold company team gatherings…
Think of this as creating the perfect home office for business travelers
The Basics
- Laptop friendly desk
- Reading lamp
- Pens, pencils, paper
- Outlets nearby with USB charger
Bonus items
- Full length mirror
- Hair Dryer
- Curling iron & straightener
- Local recommendations (including dry cleaners)
Stand Out Items
- Whiteboard
- Sticky notes
- Outlet adapter
- Views
As you begin to host you will start to learn what people are picky about.
We’re often asked for a cleaning checklist, which is really everything must be cleaned.
Special emphasis on high touch areas and always checking for things under the bed, in between couches, etc., is really the key.
If your guests are not leaving reviews raving about how clean your place is, then you definitely want to look into the quality of your cleaning…
We work with various cleaners and we can tell a difference in the reviews we get based on the cleaning company we use. So for anyone looking for a good cleaning checklist, our recommendation is to focus on being or finding a good cleaner instead.
