The Airbnb Starter Kit.
Room-by-room. Item-by-item. The complete short-term rental and vacation rental starter kit checklist, built from host best practices and industry research.
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Just want to buy the staples?
Every non-decor item with one recommended product each and quantities for your layout. Check items off as you buy.
The starter kit at a glance.
The must-haves in every room, and where to find our picks. The full room-by-room lists follow.
| Room | Must-haves | Our picks |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms | Mattress, waterproof protector, 3 white sheet sets per bed, 4 pillows, blackout curtains | Best mattress |
| Bathrooms | White towels at 2 per guest plus spares, wall dispensers, wall-mounted hair dryer | Best towels |
| Kitchen | Cookware set, dishes and glasses for guests plus 2, a real chef's knife, a pod-and-drip coffee maker | Best cookware |
| Living room | Washable sofa or a sleeper that adds 2 guests, washable rug, Roku TV with guest mode | Best sleeper sofa |
| Entry and tech | Keypad smart lock, mesh WiFi, privacy-safe noise monitor | Best smart lock |
| Budget | About $3,000 entry, $5,000 to $8,000 standard for 2 bedrooms, $12,000+ luxury | Cost breakdown |
“Setting up an Airbnb isn't about buying furniture. It's about designing an experience that photographs well and survives durability tests.”
The Kitchen
Guests expect a fully functional kitchen. Unlike a hotel, your STR needs to facilitate actual cooking — and the details matter.
Multi-Brew Coffee Maker
Dual-brew or multi-format machine. Covers drip, single-serve, and more.
See our picksChef's Knife
One quality 8" knife beats a dull knife block. Victorinox Fibrox is the industry standard.
See our picksNon-Stick Cookware Set
Fry pan, sauce pan, stock pot. Budget $60-80 and replace annually.
See our picksEssentials Kit
Can opener, corkscrew, scissors, measuring cups, tongs, spatula.
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The Bedroom
The number one complaint in reviews is uncomfortable beds. This is where you should allocate the largest share of your budget.
12" Hybrid Mattress
Memory foam hybrid. The single most reviewed item in your listing.
See our picksWhite Sheets (3 Sets)
Always white. Bleachable. Wrinkle-resistant. Buy 3 sets per bed.
See our picksPillows — Soft & Firm
Provide 2 soft and 2 firm per Queen/King bed. Replace every 6 months.
See our picksBlackout Curtains
Essential. Guests act like vampires regarding morning light.
See our picks
The Bathroom
Small investments here create a disproportionately premium impression. Wall-mounted dispensers alone can elevate a bathroom from "fine" to "wow."
White Towels (Bulk)
2 bath, 2 hand, 2 wash per guest capacity. Commercial-grade cotton.
See our picksWall-Mounted Dispensers
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash. Eliminates plastic waste and looks premium.
Shop on AmazonHair Dryer (1875W)
The most common "what was missing" complaint. Make it visible, not hidden.
Shop on AmazonMakeup Removal Cloths
Black towels specifically for makeup removal. Saves your white towels.
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The Living Room
Furniture needs to stand up to suitcases, spills, and constant turnover. Performance fabric and washable everything.
Performance Fabric Sofa
Avoid light-colored linen. Leather or performance fabric survives years.
See our picksSmart TV with Roku
Skip cable. Roku Guest Mode auto-clears credentials after checkout.
See our picksWashable Area Rug
Ruggable or similar. Wine spills happen — plan for them.
See our picksWiFi Password Display
QR code scannable acrylic sign. Eliminates the #1 guest message.
Shop on AmazonInvestment Tiers
Entry
$3k – $4k
IKEA basics, Amazon essentials. Functional and clean for budget markets.
Standard
$5k – $8k
Best ROI for most hosts. Quality that photographs well and lasts.
Luxury
$12k+
West Elm, high-end electronics. For premium ADR markets.
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View the Best Software StackGo deeper on the products that matter most.
In-depth comparison guides for the highest-impact purchases.
Best Airbnb Mattress
Helix vs Nectar vs Saatva — the biggest decision you'll make.
Best Airbnb Sheets
Brooklinen vs California Design Den — the 3-set rule.
Best Airbnb Pillows
Coop vs Beckham — adjustable vs bulk replacement.
Best Airbnb Towels
Utopia vs Turkish cotton — replacement economics.
Best Coffee Maker
Multi-brew picks that cover every guest preference.
Best Chef's Knife
Victorinox vs Wüsthof — guest-proof vs premium.
Best Smart Lock
Yale vs Schlage — keyless entry compared.
Best WiFi Router
eero vs TP-Link mesh systems for guest networks.
Best Noise Monitor
Minut vs NoiseAware — party prevention.
Best Washable Rug
Ruggable vs Tumble — spill-proof living room.
Self Check-In Setup
Complete keyless entry guide with messaging templates.
Furnishing Costs
Full budget breakdown across three tiers.
Guest Welcome Kit
Welcome basket by budget, plus restock par levels.
House Manual Template
Twelve copy-paste sections guests actually read.
Turnover Checklist
Printable cleaner checklist with photo-proof points.
Amenities Checklist
The search filters that decide who sees your listing.
Supplies List
The 90 non-furniture items to stock, printable.
Linen Par Levels
How many sheet sets and towels to own.
Best Mattress Protector
The cheapest insurance on the most expensive item.
Best Blackout Curtains
The cheapest fix for the morning-light review.
TV & Roku Guest Mode
Guests sign in; Roku signs them out at checkout.
Vacuum & Cleaning Kit
The three machines in the turnover closet.
Family-Friendly Setup
Crib, high chair, gate: the family filters.
Pet-Friendly Setup
The under-$200 kit behind the pets filter.
Outdoor & Patio Setup
Seating, grill, fire pit, lights, storage.
Stocking Checklist
Every staple, one pick each, check off as you buy.
Best Bed Frame
Platform frames that photograph well and never squeak.
Best Duvet & Cover
Inserts in pairs, white covers in threes.
Best Cookware Set
Pans that survive guests, and when to replace them.
Best Dinnerware Set
Plates that survive the drop.
Coffee Station Setup
The machine, the par levels, the card.
Beach House Setup
Sand, salt, sunscreen: what to swap and add.
Cabin Setup
Offline locks, weak WiFi, mud, and the cozy that sells.
City Apartment Setup
Quiet, efficient, hotel-tight.
Best Sofa
Buy the cover, not the couch.
Best TV & Mount
Roku for Guest Mode, sized to the room, on the wall.
Best Lighting
Three layers, warm bulbs, nightlights.
Best Bathroom Dispensers
Refillables that cost pennies a stay.
Best Hair Dryer
Wall-mount it so guests find it.