If you are new to Airbnb, the big question that’s going to haunt the first part of your new business is ‘what do I need to buy?’.
Your property doesn’t have to be like a hotel…..it should be sufficiently equipped to provide home comforts to people on a short vacation.
Now..the confusion starts with ‘home comforts’, as it means different things to different people.
Here is my list of recommended stuff you should get for your Airbnb, people will still complain about not have a toothpick or they wish it has balcony etc…… but with my experience of handling 5000 checkin’s over 100 properties…..this list fits needs of 99% of the people.
Airbnb amenities list can broadly be categorised on the following room types:
1. Bathroom:
2. Living Room:
Item | Quantity | Amazon Product Link | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
Sofa or Chairs | 1 sitting space for each guest | Ikea Sofa | Having a sofa bed in the living room is a good idea, it adds more sleeping options. This sofa bed from Ikea is by far the most suitable product and is used in Airbnb's widely. |
Coffee Table | 1 | Instead of getting one big table, nested tables like this are more useful as guests can move them around easily where needed. | |
Rug | 1 | A rug like this is easy to hoover or clean. Due to its pattern, dirt/stains don't stand out easily. | |
Artwork | 3 | Don't over do it. one in each room should be sufficient, I try to keep things minimalistic. | |
Sofa Cushions | 1 for each sofa seat | Cushions are the best way to brighten up a dull room easily. | |
Floor Lamp | 1 for two sofas | ||
Side Table | At least 1 for each sofa |
3. Hallway:
Item | Quantity | Amazon Product Link | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
Hat & Coat Hanger | 1 | It should near the entry door to the property. If a standing one doesn't fit, you can look for wall hooks. |
4. Bedroom:
Item | Quantity | Shop | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
Bed | 1 | ||
Mattress | 1 | Try to buy double side mattress | |
Double Bedsheets | 6 | Amazon | |
Wooden Hangers | 18 | Ikea | |
Single Bedsheets | 3 | Amazon | |
Matrress Protector Double | 2 | Amazon | |
Matrress Protector Single | 1 | Amazon | |
King Duvet | 2 | Amazon | |
Single Duvet | 1 | Amazon | |
Pillows | 10 | Ikea | |
Pillow Covers | 10 | Ikea | |
Hairdryer | 2 | Amazon | |
Cushions | 3 | Ikea | |
Bed Spread Double | 2 | Ikea | |
Bed Spread Single | 1 | Ikea | |
Bed Side Matt | 3 | Ikea | |
Floor Lamps | 2 | Ikea | |
Bedside Lamps | 3 | Ikea | |
Bedside Table | 3 | Ikea |
5. Kitchen:
Item | Quantity | Shop | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
4 Slot Toaster | 1 | Amazon | Unless your property sleeps two, never buy 2 slot toaster for your Airbnb. It will only get you negative reviews. No body wants to queue up at the toaster |
Kettle | 1 | Amazon | Try not to buy a kettle with stainless steel exteriors, stains and fingerprints are easily visibile on steel surfaces |
First Aid Kit | 1 | Amazon | Keep it at a highly visible spot in the kitchen or hallway and easily accessible for people of all heights |
Fire Blanket | 1 | Amazon | Keep it in the kitchen easily accessible from cooking area in case of emergency |
Fire Extinguisher | 1 | Amazon | Keep it at a safe distance from hot surfaces but easily accessible and visble at the same time |
CO Alarm | 1 | Amazon | It's important to have a CO detector on every floor and at knee height. Read more about the right way to install a CO alarm here. |
Fire Alarm | 4 | Amazon | Place them in common areas or each room at ceiling height. |
Microwave | 1 | Amazon | |
Bin | 1 | Amazon | Don't buy a small bin for the kitchen, it will fillup easily which will result in more rubbish bags for guests and you to look after. I always buy atleast 40L size. |
Tea/Coffee/Sugar/Milk Sachet Jar | 4 | Ikea | Don't buy small jar or containers, you will have to keep refilling them more frequently. Buy a decent size which you can easily fit on the counter. |
Salt/Pepper Jar | 2 | Ikea | |
Pots/Pans | 4 | Ikea | Purchase one of each type you see in the store. Buy a descent quality pans, every guest is likely to use one during the stay. If you have a dishwaher, try to look for dishwasher friendly, they will stay much cleaner. |
Dinner Set | 1 | Ikea | Buy white colour, easier to find replacements |
Coffe Mugs | 1 per guest | Ikea | Try to buy of same colour and easily replacable. |
Beer Mugs | 1 per guest | Ikea | 1 |
Water Glasses | 1 per guest | Ikea | |
Wine Glasses | 1 per guest | Ikea | |
Juice Glasses | 1 per guest | Ikea | |
Spoons/Fork/Knife | 2 per guest | Ikea | Two of each per guest |
Cookware | 4 | Ikea | |
Spices & Seasonings (small bottles) | 10 | Tesco | Different basic spices like Basil, Red Pepper etc |
Bin Liners | 50 pack | Costco | |
Tea Towels | 4 | Ikea | |
Kitchen Towels | 4 | Costco | |
Hand wash | 2 | Costco | Keep one in reserve but accessible to guest if it runs out during the stay. |
Dishwashing Liquid | 2 | Costco | Keep one in reserve but accessible to guest if it runs out during the stay. |
Scotch Brite | 6 | Costco | Keep them reserve but accessible to guest if it runs out during the stay. Ask cleaner to replace it every two weeks. |
Dish rack | 1 | Ikea | |
Dish Cloth | 8 | Ikea | |
Detergent | 1 | Costco | |
Towel Hooks | 4 | Ikea | |
Knife Set | 1 | Amazon | Try to purchase knife set with a stand and knife stays clean in when in the stand |
Chopping Board | 1 | Ikea | Try to buy wooden one, its easier to clean and looks clean for longer |
Tea | 1 | Amazon | Buy individiual packs |
Coffee | 1 | Amazon | Buy individiual packs |
Sugar White | 1 | Amazon | Buy individiual packs |
Sigar Brown | 1 | Amazon | Buy individiual packs |
Milk | 1 | Amazon | Buy individiual packs |
Cooking Spoons/Etc | 5 | Ikea | Buy all different types |
Bottle/Cork opener | Buy two, keep one in reserve as they go missing easily. | ||
Coffee Maker | Buy the one which is easiest to clean | ||
Coffee Filters | |||
Filter Coffee | Always use common brand eveyone is faimiliar with like Nescafe etc, if the guests don't lile like it they will blame the brand not you. |
6. Cleaning Supplies:
Item | Quantity | Shop | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
Vacuum/Hoover | 1 | Try to get a bagless vacuum, I personally prefer Dyson V6 cordless vacuum for these reasons: 1. They last for years 2. Battery life on full power lasts about 30 minutes, just enough to clean an entire property. 3. It's very handy and easy to get into corners and under the furniture, so you or cleaner won't hesitate from using it everywhere which means good cleaning standards. |
|
Mop & Bucket | 1 | Amazon | Get a spare head along with it. Mop head needs to be replaced every three months. |
7. Miscellaneous:
Item | Quantity | Shop | My experience says.. |
---|---|---|---|
Extension Cables | 3 | Ikea | Extension cables are helpful mainly in the living and bedrooms for plugging in phone chargers |
Curtains | ~ | Ikea | For bedroom windows, get dark (non-transparent) material and make sure they cover the windows completely, and the room should get dark enough for a comfortable sleep |
Door Stoppers | 1 for each door | Amazon | One for each door |
GU10 Bulbs | ~ | Amazon | For ceiling lights, if you have them. Try to get the energy-saving LED bulbs |
Candle Bulbs | ~ | Amazon | Most of the table lamps use candle bulbs. Always keep spare bulbs and buy the energy-saving LED bulbs |