As an Airbnb host, making sure that your guests have everything they need to enjoy their time at your vacation rental is of the utmost importance. It can seem quite overwhelming at first, but it’s easier than it looks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give you an Airbnb host checklist of all the supplies you need to have on hand so that your guest is properly cared for.
The Importance of Stocking Supplies
Providing a desirable guest experience so that you can get positive reviews and fewer vacancies is the name of the game when it comes to running an Airbnb. A key part of that is making sure that you have plenty of supplies on hand. For instance, imagine you book an Airbnb with a full kitchen available, only to discover there’s no kitchenware provided. Or worse, a guest books an extended stay and finds no extra towels or toilet paper in the bathroom. You probably wouldn’t be too happy with your stay.
When guests don’t have enough of what they need, it puts them in a position where they have to spend even more money to get the support they should have when they book your property. If you want to make sure your guests feel satisfied with their stay and with your service, you need to stock up on supplies for your short-term rental.
Essential Items for the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the top areas to focus on stocking. After all, guests often come to Airbnb for the home experience. If you have a kitchen but few amenities that can be used to prepare food and beverages, guests are going to be rather disappointed. Here are some of the essential items for the kitchen that you shouldn’t overlook.
- Cookware: Nothing is more frustrating than looking around a kitchen in an Airbnb, only to find that there are no pots and pans that you can use to prepare food. As a host, it’s important to have these items in your kitchen. The good news? There are plenty of cookware sets out there that you can invest in, and many are quite affordable.
- Drinkware, Dining Ware, and Eating Utensils: Having the right drinkware, dining ware, and eating utensils may not be consistent in every Airbnb. By providing these items, you can save guests the trouble of purchasing disposable items for their stay. Just make sure to include in the house rules to at least rinse the items out and load them in the dishwasher. Nothing is worse than having to try to get crusted food off of dishes and other kitchen items.
- Snack Items: Looking to supply some food for your guests? If so, snacks can be a great way to make sure they’re sustained until they’re able to go shopping for the groceries they want. Snack items may include chips, crackers, cookies, and even trail mix.
- Drinks: Drinks can be another great thing to stay stocked up on so that guests can grab anything they might want after making the trek to your rental. This could include drinks like bottled water or even popular soda. A cold, refreshing drink is always appreciated.
- Basic Food Items: A few items will satisfy guests until they can order food or go to a nearby grocery store. Some good ideas to include on your kitchen list are pasta and pasta sauce, as well as bread and sandwich essentials.
- Basic Cleaning Supplies: Paper towels, dish soap, sponges, hand soap, and other kitchen items needed to keep everything clean are a must-have. Create a list of products you always need in your kitchen so you don’t forget anything!
Bathroom Essentials for Guest Comfort
In addition to the kitchen, it’s equally crucial to know how to properly stock and maintain the bathroom. Fortunately, we have a detailed checklist for hosts that outlines everything you need to keep in your Airbnb bathroom. Let’s explore some of the key essentials.
- Toilet Paper: Running out of toilet paper is never a fun experience, whether you’re at home or a guest in someone else’s house. Toilet paper is one of the non-negotiable Airbnb supplies that should be on all properties. Make sure to double-check your rental inventory checklist twice so that you don’t miss this one.
- Basic Toiletries: Don’t forget to provide some sample toiletries for your guests in case they forget to pack their own or need to buy more. Basic Airbnb toiletries should include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. You may also want to consider providing inexpensive toothbrushes in case they forget to pack one.
- Bathroom Cleaner: Guests aren’t responsible for keeping an Airbnb spotless, but many people don’t want to stay in a dirty bathroom. This is why it’s great to have basic cleaning sprays, microfiber cloths, and even mirror cleaners on hand so they can quickly tidy up if they want to.
- Towels and Washcloths: Showering in an Airbnb is all fun and games until there are no more towels. It’s essential to manage your Airbnb inventory carefully and ensure you have an ample supply of towels and washcloths for guests to access when needed.
- Plunger: Rental hosts forget that accidents can happen, such as a clogged toilet. When you set up your Airbnb and work on your Airbnb inventory checklist, make sure that you leave a note to buy a plunger and display it prominently next to the toilet.
- Basic Styling Accessories: Products like hair dryers and combs can be nice additions to any bathroom. Guests may appreciate you putting this on their supplies checklist when they’re in a pinch.
If you want to go above and beyond, many Airbnb owners also offer personalized self-care items that guests can enjoy once they check-in.
Bedroom Must-Haves for a Cozy Stay
Make sure you have these essential amenities in the bedroom: extra linens, an extra comforter and pillowcases, and furniture to accommodate your guest’s belongings. You can decide how to decorate and provide for your rental guests beyond that.
Making Your Airbnb Feel Like Home
When your Airbnb is clean and well-organized, guests will feel right at home. The additional amenities create the impression of a fully stocked property, and a well-maintained space allows them to settle in and start enjoying their vacation immediately. However, this can be challenging for new hosts who have just purchased an Airbnb property and are creating a listing. To ensure your vacation rental always has that homey feel and leaves a lasting impression on your guests, consider hiring a cleaning service. Professional cleaners will provide your guests with a clean space by conducting a deep clean after every guest leaves. This supports your rental business, ensures you have a 5-star Airbnb, and provides a positive experience for guests they won’t soon forget!
Tips for Choosing Quality Supplies
It’s not only important to stock and manage your Airbnb but also to ensure that you’re gathering high-quality supplies that guests will love. What are the key tips for effectively stocking each space to meet your guests’ needs? The first tip is to create a checklist for Airbnb items and other basic amenities by always reading the reviews. Product reviews provide valuable insights into a product before making a purchase, whether for salt and pepper shakers or a fancy espresso machine.
The second tip is to focus on how it enhances the Airbnb experience. Will it make your guests feel like they’re staying in a unique Airbnb that’s pampering them? Or, will guests feel frustrated by all the weird and useless amenities in their space? Not all guests know how to use high-tech gadgets or fancy items, so you should go for items that are easy to operate but still feel luxurious.
Organization and Storage Solutions
Storing everything on your essentials checklist is key to ensuring that your well-stocked kitchen and other areas of your rental property are not cluttered or off-putting to your vacation rental guests. When purchasing essential supplies to create a home away from home, you may also want to consider buying storage products. Some great storage and organization ideas include using Lazy Susans in kitchen cabinets to fit and organize more items, using hollow ottomans for decorative and storage purposes, and storing food essentials like grains in larger tubs to save space.
Use This Airbnb Host Checklist to Learn How to Stock Your Airbnb With Confidence
It’s essential to have a well-stocked Airbnb to ensure a positive experience for your guests and receive better reviews. If you struggle with this, use the tips above to guarantee you have everything your guests might need. Also, consider the length of their stay to avoid running out of essential items too soon.
