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Are you ready to set up your vacation rental but feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to buy? I have been there! After doing it many times, I’ve come up with a list of airbnb essentials for every listing.
Airbnb has a designated set of essentials you can find in this article on their website, but in my experience, this list is WAY too short. Yes, this is the basics, and maybe the basics is all you need for your market, but it’s not exhaustive. I have put together an airbnb essentials list of 21 items you should definitely consider having for all your guest. Again, check this list against your market but this is a great starting point as you are putting your shopping list together.
This post is all about 21 airbnb essentials for every listing.
Best Airbnb Essentials
Airbnb “Essential Amenities”
On the airbnb website, they have a list of essential amenities. You can read that article here, but I have summarized the airbnb essentials list below.
1. Toilet Paper
Have a full roll on the hanger and then 2 back up rolls per toilet. This is so important because it would be very annoying as a guest to have to go out and buy toilet paper while on vacation!
2. Hand Soap
I recommend having a bottle of hand soap for every sink in the house.
3. Body Soap
You need at least a travel size bottle for every shower/bathroom in the house. My recommendation would be to have 2 sets per bathroom or 1 set for each guest staying. Most people will bring their own or at least appreciate when they check in they can get a shower without having to run to the grocery store for supplies right away.
4. One towel per guest
I do one towel set per guest and then a back up set if there’s a washer and dryer in the unit. If there’s not a washer and dryer, it will depend on the guests length of stay, but we typically provide more sets so guests have ample towels to get them through their stay.
5. One pillow per guest
This is airbnb’s standard. We do 2 pillows per guest and we do a variety of types so guests have the option of a harder or softer pillow.
6. Linens for each bed
This one is obvious but if you advertise a sofa bed or blow up bed, remember to stock an extra set of linens for your guests to use.
Having these items stocked will allow you to check off “Essentials” in the Amenities portion of the listing set up process for your airbnb. But obviously this list is not exhaustive. The next items listed below is what I have found to be airbnb essentials for guests with some links to purchase what I buy if you’d like!
7. Extra pillows
Like I said above, 1 pillow per guest is Airbnb’s standard but I do 2 pillows per guest with a variety of density from hard to soft. You want to offer, above all else, a good nights rest to the parties booking your listing.
8. Extra warm blankets
This is essential for every climate. It provide a cozy layer when decorating the space and will help guests fully relax. I feel like this is one of the cheapest amenities you can offer your guests that will go along way!
9. Bath mat
I provide one for every bathroom and recommend the same. This will preserve your floor from excess water and be a nice amenity for your guest.
10. Laundry soap & Dryer sheets
Whether or not your unit comes with a washer and dryer, this is an essential amenity. I only provided a starter packet but enough to where the guests can run 3 loads of laundry. If you don’t provide a washer and dryer, provide a list of laundromats close by along with the starter kit.
11. Shampoo & conditioner
I do refillable shampoo/condition/body wash bottles in each shower and highly recommend this approach. It’s cost effective and a great amenity for guests! But if you don’t want to do this, at least provide travel size shampoo and conditioner for each bathroom or each guest.
12. Smart TV
Gone are the days of needing to have Cable TV! Make sure you have a Smart TV where guests can log into their own streaming services. This is all you really need for guests these days, no local channels necessary.
13. Dresser
Most longer term stay (4+ nights) guests will want to have somewhere to put their clothes. Having a dresser, even a small one, makes this airbnb essentials list.
14. Kitchen towels
Provide a couple of these so guests can wash and do dishes easily. Especially if there’s no dishwasher, provide plenty of kitchen towels!
15. Paper towels
I always provide a roll on the counter and then a back up roll as well. Again, like the kitchen towels, if the guests are cooking and eating in the listing, you want to make sure they have plenty of paper towels.
16. Dish soap & new sponge
You can do a variety of dish soap options, travel size, regular size or refillable bottle but it is so important to always provide a NEW sponge. Costco sells them individually wrapped and it’s a perfect item to have your back stock cabinet for your cleaner to replace at each turnover.
17. Coffee pot
I would highly recommend having a coffee pot and coffee grounds for your guests. A cost effective option would be a Keurig machine. You could put a handful of K-cups out for each reservation and it’s an easy cleanup for your guests.
18. Salt & pepper, cooking oil
If your listing has a kitchen, these items should be on your airbnb essentials list. When setting up the amenities portion of your listing, Airbnb will give you the option to tell your guests you provide this amenity.
19. Cookware
I have a great article going into all things airbnb kitchen essentials. You can check that out here! But cookware in this instance should match whatever cooking appliances you provide. If it’s a kitchenette with basic appliances, provide basic cookware.
20. Refrigerator
This is another items that should be in every listing, even if it’s just a room for rent. The size of the fridge should match the scale of the listing. If it’s a room, a mini fridge will suffice and if it has a full size kitchen, you will need a full size fridge.
21. Iron or steamer
Lately, I have been putting steamers instead of irons in my listings. I think this amenity is rarely used but still something that would be super annoying to travel with. What do you think?
Would you provide anything different? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
This post was all about the best Airbnb essentials for every listing.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosures for more info.
