Having access to a kitchen is one benefit many guests appreciate when choosing to book a vacation rental or Airbnb over a hotel. But a kitchen with no supplies isn’t much use (and can actually be quite frustrating). To help you decide what kitchen items to leave for your guests, we’ve put together this vacation rental kitchen checklist.
Here’s a basic vacation rental kitchen inventory list. We’ve organized it by category, to help you think about the different types of things guests might be expecting to find in your kitchen. We’ve also included links to some of our favorite (and highly reviewed) products on Amazon for each item type.
Depending on your location (including local customs and culture), the size of your property, and how you advertise it (e.g., what amenities you list on Airbnb), guests will have varying expectations of what they’ll find in your kitchen.
You may choose to include all or none of these items, but here are some things to consider. Ultimately, use your best judgment (and feedback from guests) when deciding what to leave in your vacation rental kitchen.
Kitchen Appliances
These are the main appliances most guests are expecting in a typical (North American) kitchen. If your space is too small for a full stove or oven, you might consider providing a smaller hot plate burner and/or a toaster oven.
Most hotel rooms will even have a microwave and coffee maker, so many guests will be surprised to not find at least these two common kitchen appliances.
A dishwasher is another convenience appliance, especially if you have your property accommodates a large number of guests.
Some other appliances you might consider providing (for guests looking to prepare food) include a blender, food processor, pancake griddle, waffle iron, rice cooker, slow cooker, and others. You also, of course, want to provide a dining table and chairs.
Tableware
- Plates and bowls
- Large serving plates and bowls
- Drinking cups
- Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons)
- Steak knives
- Coffee mugs
- Wine glasses
With tableware, try to find durable pieces (kid-friendly because accidents happen) to prevent having to replace broken items. It’s also a good idea to buy some extras, or to buy minimal pieces that don’t stand out. That way, if some break, you can replace them with a matching item from the same set.
Cookware & Bakeware
- Can opener (you never think of it until you need one)
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Pots and pans (specifically a skillet, saucepan, and a stockpot)
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Cookie sheets for baking
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
You might consider a cookware set (like this one from Amazon), which includes pots and pans, as well as cooking spoons, spatulas, and ladles. Providing cookware and bakeware is of course optional, and if you don’t want your guests using your kitchen this intensively, then probably best to limit these supplies.
Foodstuffs
- Salt and Pepper
- Sugar
- Spices (this spice rack on Amazon comes with 5 years free refills)
- Cooking oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
- Cooking spray
- Coffee and tea (and coffee filters and condiments)
You might also choose to stock some drinks or snacks for your guests (asking them what they like before they arrive is one way to provide an exceptional guest experience), or to stock things like cookie dough or other frozen treats in the freezer.
Leftovers & Cleanup
- Napkins and paper towels
- Food storage containers
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Trash bags
- Dish soap
- Sponges
- Disinfectant wipes
Give your guests a way to clean up after themselves and save food in the fridge by providing containers and basic kitchen cleaning supplies.
More Vacation Rental Checklists
We hope this kitchen checklist gives you a better idea of what kitchen items you might want to leave for guests. We think it covers most of the inventory your average guest will be expecting to find in your vacation rental kitchen.
And if you’re stocking (or restocking) your Airbnb, then be sure to check out our Airbnb Host Checklist. We put together this comprehensive guide to being an Airbnb host, with both an inventory checklist, as well as a checklist for managing your Airbnb operations.
