Furnishing gets all the attention and stocking causes most of the early complaints. A beautifully designed property with one bath towel per guest and no dish soap will collect exactly the reviews it deserves.
Kitchen
- Cookware for the maximum group size, not the average one. A property sleeping twelve needs a pot that feeds twelve.
- Place settings for maximum occupancy plus four, because plates break and dishwashers run mid stay.
- Sharp knives, a cutting board, mixing bowls, a colander, and basic bakeware.
- Coffee maker plus a backup method, filters, and enough coffee for the first morning.
- Dish soap, dishwasher pods, sponges, paper towels, foil, wrap, and storage containers.
- Basic pantry: salt, pepper, cooking oil, and sugar.
Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Three sets of linens per bed if you are running par level laundry, which is what supports same day turnovers on peak weekends. See turnover systems.
- Two bath towels, one hand towel, and one washcloth per guest at maximum occupancy.
- Mattress and pillow protectors on everything, which cost little and prevent the replacements that cost a lot.
- Two pillow options per bed, firm and soft.
- Blackout window coverings in every bedroom. This single item generates more positive review mentions than most amenities.
- Toilet paper stocked well beyond the first day, plus a plunger in each bathroom.
- Hair dryer, and a full length mirror somewhere in the property.
Setup quality shows up in the first ten reviews
We coordinate furnishing and stocking with vetted local vendors so the property opens complete rather than nearly complete.
Apply NowLiving space and outdoors
- Seating for maximum occupancy at once, which is frequently overlooked in properties that sleep large groups.
- A dining table that actually seats everyone, since group meals are why people rent houses.
- Streaming capable television with the account situation clearly explained.
- Games, books, and a small speaker, which cost little and read as thoughtful.
- Outdoor seating matched to capacity, plus shade or heat depending on the climate.
- Grill with a full propane tank and a spare, along with tools and a cleaning brush.
Safety and compliance
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, tested and documented, which are frequently a licensing requirement.
- Fire extinguisher in the kitchen, mounted and visible.
- First aid kit.
- Clearly posted emergency numbers and the property address, since guests in an emergency often cannot recall where they are.
- Exterior lighting on paths and stairs.
- Locking storage for anything the owner leaves on site.
The items owners forget
- A step stool, in any property with high cabinets.
- An iron and board, or at minimum a steamer.
- Extra phone chargers, which are the most commonly left behind item in any rental.
- A basic tool kit and a flashlight.
- Trash bags in sizes that fit the cans, and clear instructions on collection day.
- Pet supplies if the property is pet friendly: bowls, towels, and a waste station.
- A laminated house manual, because guests do not read digital ones.
The record that matters later
Itemize every furnishing and stocking purchase rather than recording a single lump sum. Furniture, appliances, and equipment are property with their own recovery periods, and that itemized schedule feeds both the depreciation analysis and any cost segregation study.
Reconstructing it later from card statements is possible and unpleasant. Building it as you buy takes minutes. See bookkeeping and records and cost segregation for Airbnb properties.
My BnB Accelerator, LLC is a real estate acquisition firm, not a CPA firm, and nothing here is tax advice. Our tax partner is AE Tax Advisors, an independent firm.
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Frequently asked questions
What supplies does a new Airbnb need?
Cookware and place settings sized to maximum occupancy rather than average, three linen sets per bed if running par level laundry, two bath towels per guest at maximum occupancy, mattress and pillow protectors, blackout coverings in every bedroom, safety equipment, and consumables well beyond the first day.
How many towels and sheets should a short-term rental have?
For linens, roughly three full sets per bed supports same day turnovers on peak weekends without waiting on laundry. For towels, two bath towels, one hand towel, and one washcloth per guest at maximum occupancy is a workable baseline.
What do Airbnb owners most often forget to stock?
A step stool, an iron or steamer, extra phone chargers, a basic tool kit and flashlight, trash bags that fit the cans with collection day instructions, pet supplies in pet friendly properties, and a laminated house manual, since guests rarely read digital ones.
Should I itemize furnishing purchases for taxes?
Yes. Furniture, appliances, and equipment are property with their own recovery periods, and an itemized schedule feeds both the depreciation analysis and any cost segregation study. Building it as you purchase takes minutes, while reconstructing it later from card statements is slow and imprecise.