Successfully managing an Airbnb requires a lot of preparation. From complying with local regulatory laws to knowing what to stock for your guests — there’s a lot to do.
This comprehensive Airbnb host checklist will help you get ready for your first guests. We’ve covered everything you need to do as an Airbnb host — including setting up your business, stocking and furnishing your Airbnb, and managing your day-to-day vacation rental operations.
Follow the steps below, and you’ll be hosting like a pro in no time.
First-Time Airbnb Checklist (for New Hosts)
If this is your first Airbnb listing, there are a few extra preparations you’ll need to make, in addition to furnishing and stocking your property.
Here’s a first-time Airbnb checklist for:
- Set up your business
- Confirm legal & tax requirements (learn more from Airbnb)
- Make a business plan
- Form a business entity
- Prepare your property for guests
- Furnish and stock your property (find our comprehensive list below)
- Plan for cleaning and turnovers (with a cleaning checklist and/or cleaning service)
- Purchase vacation rental insurance
- List your property
- Take quality photos
- Create your Airbnb listing
- List on other channels (with a channel manager)
- Manage & grow your business
- Respond to guest messages
- Manage bookings & turnovers
- Optimize your pricing
- Market your business (with our marketing guide)
- Get your own booking website
For more detail on each of these steps, check out our guide on how to start a vacation rental business.
Now, let’s dive in to one of the biggest to-do items on your plate — furnishing and stocking your Airbnb.
Airbnb Inventory Checklist: How to Stock and Furnish Your Listing
To put together this Airbnb inventory checklist, we’ve been actively involved in the community, spoken to a lot of Airbnb hosts, and even did a full house walkthrough just to make sure we’ve thought of everything you’d want to offer your Airbnb or vacation rental.
For your convenience, we’ve included links to the products we recommend.
Here are some of the factors we take into account when choosing the best Airbnb products to recommend for your vacation rental:
- Affordable/available in bulk – especially for items that are disposable or refillable; you want dependable products that aren’t going to break the bank.
- High quality – avoid buying the cheapest option possible for most items. We want items that will last for dozens (maybe even hundreds) of visits.
- Durable and well-made – avoid items that break easily or will fall apart after repeated use.
- Easy to wash or clean – we recommend machine-washable items that have smooth exteriors or are otherwise easy to clean.
- Eco-friendly – many guests appreciate eco-friendly products like those that are biodegradable, plastic-free, or help reduce waste.
This Airbnb host checklist will give you some ideas and help you think about what kind of experience you want to offer your guests. What you choose to provide your guests is ultimately, of course, up to you.
Bathroom
As an Airbnb host, it can be helpful to think about the bathroom amenities you appreciate when traveling, the things you often forget, or the things you love about your bathroom at home.
Your bathroom can make or break your guests’ overall experience since your guests are most likely expecting to find several familiar items in the bathroom. Here’s our recommended Airbnb bathroom inventory checklist:
- Essential accessories
- Soap and shampoo dispensers
- Wastebasket
- Bath mat (machine-washable, absorbent, and non-slip)
- Shower curtain and liner
- Plunger
- Toiletries
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Hand soap
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrushes
- Flossers
- Toothpaste (individually wrapped tablets)
- Maxi pads
- Razors
- Tissues
- Towels (read our post about choosing towels for your Airbnb)
- Nice-to-have amenities
- Instructional signs
Pro Tip: For toiletries, consider leaving just a few of each item rather than the whole box. That way, your guests won’t be tempted to go home with a free box of something. And for towels, a common rule of thumb is to leave 1 or 2 bath towels per guest per stay. You might also consider having a closet with a few extra towels stocked.
Kitchen
Having a full kitchen is one of the perks that make guests book an Airbnb over a hotel. But a kitchen with no supplies isn’t much use. Here’s a list of some items to keep in your Airbnb kitchen:
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Tableware
- Plates and bowls
- Large serving plates and bowls
- Drinking cups
- Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons)
- Steak knives
- Coffee mugs
- Wine glasses
- Cookware & Bakeware
- Can opener
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Pots and pans (specifically a skillet, saucepan, and stockpot)
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Cookie sheets for baking
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Foodstuffs
- Salt and Pepper
- Sugar packets
- Spices (this spice rack on Amazon comes with five years of free refills)
- Cooking oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
- Cooking spray
- Coffee and tea (and coffee filters and condiments)
- Snacks
- Leftovers & Cleanup
Kitchen items are frequently replaced, so we wrote a separate post on how to stock your vacation rental kitchen and included a checklist of everything you need to restock in your Airbnb or short-term vacation rental.
Bedroom
The number and size of bedrooms in your Airbnb will vary, but these are the essential items most guests expect from a vacation rental bedroom: a bed, bedding, and somewhere to store their clothes. Here’s our recommended Airbnb bedroom checklist:
- Furniture
- Bed frame (or bunk beds)
- Nightstand
- Bedside lamp (with USB charging ports)
- Bedding
- Closet
- Decor
Your Airbnb bedding is another factor that can make or break your guests’ experience. We recommend using a good mattress for your Airbnb, like the Sweet Night Twilight Hybrid Mattress, and quality pillows and sheets. Make your guests feel like they’re staying in a fancy hotel bed, and they’ll be much more likely to leave a positive review. Read our full review on the best mattress for your Airbnb.
Living Area
Of course, depending on your space, the items in your living area will vary greatly. Maybe you have room for a ping pong table or foosball table. Maybe you only have room for a loveseat. Here are some basic items for the living areas in your Airbnb:
- Furniture & Decor
- Couch
- Coffee table and/or end table
- House plants (if you want to use live plants, we recommend low-maintenance ones like ficus tree plants, snake plants, etc.)
- Area rug
- TV stand
- Entertainment
- Smart TV (with Netflix, Hulu, and other subscriptions)
- Games and playing cards
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing Airbnb furniture. Some of the main factors to consider are the design style of your space, price, durability, comfort, stain resistance, and how easy it is to clean.
As for entertainment, having some games and a smart TV with subscriptions to streaming services goes a long way. There are several factors to consider when choosing the best TV for your Airbnb, but we recommend checking out the TCL Smart Roku TV. Read our post on the best TV for your Airbnb.
Outdoor
Like your indoor living areas, your outdoor space may be large or small (or non-existent). If your Airbnb has a yard, patio, deck, or porch, here are a few items to improve your guests’ outdoor experience.
- Furniture & Decor
- Lawn games
- Pool
If you do have some outdoor space, you can significantly enhance the experience of your guests by providing some of these amenities. An enjoyable, relaxing outdoor space can help you get some great positive reviews.
And if tennis courts are nearby, consider leaving some tennis gear for your guests. You probably don’t want a tennis ball machine, but you might consider having some cheap tennis rackets and tennis balls available (or some pickleball gear, if there are pickleball courts).
Any activities you can provide or facilitate can go a long way to improving your guests’ experience.
Security & Convenience
Self-check-in and free WiFi are two features many Airbnb guests have come to expect these days. In addition to these conveniences, there are other security measures you may want to take as a host, such as noise monitoring and security cameras.
Here are some items that will make your Airbnb more secure and convenient for you and your guests.
- Free WiFi (we recommend StayFi)
- Security cameras
- Noise monitoring software
- Lockbox or smart lock (for guest self-check-in)
- WiFi thermostat
- Signs for your Airbnb guests
If you don’t go for anything else, we recommend providing free WiFi — this is something almost all Airbnb guests will be expecting.
We recommend StayFi, which offers reliable WiFi with the ability to collect your guests’ email addresses.
Additionally, using a smart lock (or at least a lockbox) is a great way to allow your guests to self-check in.
Cleaning Supplies
If you’re hiring a professional cleaning team to do your Airbnb turnovers, then you won’t need to stock as many cleaning supplies yourself. Here are some basic cleaning supplies that come in handy for keeping your Airbnb sparkling clean between guests.
- Washer and dryer set
- Cleaning spray
- Paper towels
- Gloves
- Duster
- Comet powdered cleanser
- Magic eraser
- Drano
- Broom and dustpan
- Vacuum
- Air Freshener
Depending on your space, you may require additional cleaning supplies. For instance, if you allow pets, you may want a lint roller or other pet-specific cleaning supplies. Again, if you’re using a cleaning service, these supplies may be unnecessary.
Welcoming Different Types of Travelers
Hosting on Airbnb means meeting all sorts of wonderful people from different walks of life. Each type of traveler might need something a bit different to make their stay perfect.
Here’s a handy list of items to offer, depending on who’s coming to stay at your property.
Leisure Travelers
For those coming to relax and have fun:
- Local travel guides and maps.
- Comfy lounge areas with entertainment options like TV and board games.
- A list of your favorite nearby restaurants and attractions.
- Beach towels and umbrellas if you’re near the beach.
Business Travelers
For the work-focused guests:
- High-speed Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace.
- Iron and ironing board for keeping business attire neat.
- Coffee maker with coffee and tea supplies.
- Easy access to power outlets for charging devices.
Families with Kids
To make families feel at home:
- Portable crib and high chair.
- Safety covers on outlets and child-proof locks.
- A small selection of kid-friendly games and books.
- Information on family-friendly activities nearby.
Pet Owners
For guests bringing their furry friends:
- Pet bowls for food and water.
- A list of local pet-friendly spots like parks and cafes.
- Pet bed or designated sleeping area.
- Extra cleaning supplies for any pet messes.
By thinking about the specific needs of each type of traveler, you can make sure everyone has a fantastic stay at your Airbnb!
Managing your Airbnb or vacation rental can be a lot of work. Fortunately, there are more and more software platforms and services popping up every day to help. Check out our list of the best vacation rental software for ideas on the kinds of software you can use to maximize profits and streamline your operations.
Do you have other advice or suggestions for this Airbnb hosting checklist? Let us know in the comments!
Vacation Rental Inventory Spreadsheet
