Renting out a spare room, guest suite, or secondary property on Airbnb is a wonderful way to earn money. The process of becoming an Airbnb host is straightforward but establishing a successful short-term rental business takes creativity.
Simple math says thoughtful furnishings plus top-notch amenities equals glowing reviews (and more bookings). How you stock your Airbnb helps steer your pricing strategy and boost guest satisfaction. This Airbnb host checklist covers everything you need to make your vacation home a success.
Thinking about becoming an Airbnb host? Check out Matador’s complete guide to everything you need to know, do, and plan for:
We hope you love this guide to everything you need to keep stocked as an Airbnb host! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase or become a host. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
In the early days of becoming an Airbnb host, you’ll need to meet the bare minimum requirements of a short-term vacation rental. As your listing blossoms, continue to reassess how you can go the extra mile to give guests a 5-star stay. Here’s everything you need to keep stocked as an Airbnb host and the best buys.
Airbnb host checklist – kitchen
Coffee
Tea
Creamer
Sugar/sweetener
Cooking oil
Basic cooking spices and seasonings – a spice rack maximizes space
Paper towels
Tea towels
Hand soap
Dish soap
Water filter – an under-sink system purifies drinking water and reduces plastic pollution
Cookware – at least one saucepan/one frying pan for a smaller unit and full cookware for a family home
Cooking utensils – a silicone set is easier to clean and reduces scratches
At the very least, you’ll need either a French press or a stovetop Moka pot for guests. Adding a drip or single-serve machine raises the bar.
A coffee maker needn’t be expensive and fancy but it should be easy to operate and keep clean. Keurig is a solid choice for Airbnb hosts. The Keurig K-Mini Single Serve is slim enough to fit into the teeniest kitchen in an Airbnb designed for a solo traveler or couple. It just needs water and a biodegradable K-Cup pod to brew up a cup of Joe in moments.
All guests need a set of towels: one bath towel, one hand towel, and one washcloth. These need to be laundered between 104 and 140°F – hot enough to blast germs but not scorching as this will impact the lifespan and fluffiness. White towels have the bonus of being bleachable although colored towels mask wear and tear. Anticipate replacing towels every one to two years subject to guest volume.
These 100% Turkish cotton towels are soft, absorbent, and durable with hotel-standard thickness. They air-dry a touch faster than Egyptian cotton towels and may be tumble-dried on a low setting. Bamboo towels are even more absorbent and tend to be softer than cotton ones. They’re also considered to have antimicrobial qualities which is appealing when considering the best towels for an Airbnb.
If you buy white towels, add a couple of cosmetic washcloths to the bathroom to reduce make-up stains.
Blackout curtains – surprisingly low-cost these guarantee a restful night’s sleep
Best mattress for Airbnb
Investing in a high-quality mattress for Airbnb is non-negotiable – especially if you’ve got your eye on becoming an Airbnb Superhost. It’s not the cheapest item on the Airbnb host checklist, but a decent mattress should last around a decade and will earn its keep through testimonials. Apply the Goldilocks effect in your search for the best mattress for Airbnb: choose medium-firm.
Any Dream Cloud mattress will put you in good stead. The brand’s classic memory hybrid mattress has therapeutic gel memory foam for adaptive support. The hybrid system allows the comfort of memory foam and the bounce and breathability of coils. As a hybrid, it’s less likely to sag over the years.
Available in four sizes, this Crayan memory foam hybrid mattress is one of the best Airbnb mattresses at a lower price point. As with Dream Cloud, it’s engineered to relieve pressure points and will help travelers recover from long-haul flights and outdoor activities.
Finally, the Sofree pocket spring hybrid mattress is the best mattress for Airbnb hosts on a budget. It shares similar ergonomic features with the premium brands including a fireproof fabric and reinforced coils.
If there’s ever a topic that’ll bring out strong opinions, it’s pillows. Some prefer down-fill pillows, others favor foam, but nobody wants to rest their head on a lumpy or pancake-flat pillow.
Ensure each person has two pillows and consider buying a mixture of different styles to cater to different preferences. Crucially, the best pillows for Airbnb rentals are always machine washable.
Airbnb hosts aspiring to meet hotel standards can shop with the Beckham Hotel Collection. The down alternative pillow has all the luxury, breathability, and plumpness of the traditional down pillow for a fraction of the cost.
The Coop Home adjustable memory foam pillow is designed to support side, back, and stomach sleepers. The shredded foam fill makes it springier than a typical memory foam pillow. This may be removed to adjust comfort – which is just something to keep up your sleeve if your guests voice any pillow complaints.
The Weekender ventilated gel pillow is a firm yet soft and more affordable memory foam pillow for cash-strapped fledgling hosts. The temperature-regulating qualities make it a fine choice for warmer climates.
Even the best of the best pillows for Airbnb need pillow protectors. These protect against bed bugs, dust mites, and spillages.
Source bedsheets made from a soft and breathable fabric such as cotton, bamboo, or even silk if you’re tapping into the boutique market. A high thread count indicates the superiority of cotton sheets. As with towels, bear in mind that white sheets may be bleached to avoid having to replace them sooner than hoped.
100% Egyptian cotton is the hotel default. Long-staple fibers are resistant to pilling and retain their quality through frequent washing. These 1,000-thread-count bedsheets are the best cotton sheets for Airbnb rentals for durability and comfort.
Being naturally thermo-regulating, odor-resistant, and hypoallergenic, bamboo is another choice of best bed sheets for Airbnb hosts. These wrinkle-resistant bamboo sheets spare the need for ironing after washing.
Always have a spare set of bed sheets for each bed in case of speedy turnover.
How does self-check-in work for Airbnb? With one of these bad boys: an external key lock box. It’s easy to attach and inexpensive. The personalized passcode should be changed after every check-out. While not essential, a lock box is one of the most practical items for your Airbnb host checklist. It’s handy for the cleaners, too.
The best hosts enlist a professional Airbnb cleaning service to maintain a sparkling property. Cleaning companies often provide supplies and equipment but it’s wise to keep an inventory of staples as per this Airbnb cleaning checklist.
Vacuum
Mop
Broom – keep a broom and dustpan on hand for guests in case of accidents
