10+ Airbnb Closet Must-Haves To Make Guests Feel At Home

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When running a successful Airbnb, attention to detail can make all the difference in ensuring your guests have a comfortable and memorable stay. Trust me, I have hosted over 1000 guests, and I know! One often overlooked area is the guest closet, which can play a crucial role in enhancing the overall guest experience. In this post, we’ll explore the essential Airbnb closet must-haves to transform a simple storage space into a convenient and welcoming addition to your rental property.

Airbnb Closet Essentials

As you know, my top-rated 30A vacation rentals are all pretty small spaces – studios and one-bedroom condos. For that reason, I have just one small closet that I am working within each. However, if you have multiple bedrooms, these are all essentials that are unique to a one-bedroom space.

So, you will want to repeat this in all bedroom closets where adults sleep. You want to avoid having your guests scrambling to share items like an iron or garment steamer. These Airbnb closet essentials are inexpensive and fantastic for setting yourself apart.

In a hurry? You can view and shop everything listed here in my Amazon Storefront’s Airbnb Closet Essentials List!

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1. Hangers For Your Airbnb Closet

Obviously, you want to provide guests with hangers during your stay. Nonslip hangers are best; you want to remove miscellaneous hangers that guests leave behind routinely. Buy plenty of hangers, both for the closet and as backups, because this is one item that often disappears!

But, go above and beyond and include adult and kids-sized hangers to accommodate families or travelers with children. Providing a range of hangers is a thoughtful touch that helps guests keep their clothes organized and wrinkle-free.

Recommended: Hangers for Adults | Hangers for Kids

2. Luggage Rack

A luggage rack is a simple yet practical addition to the Airbnb closet. It provides a designated space for guests to place their suitcases, making unpacking and repacking easier and more convenient.

I like to use a luggage rack with a shelf at the bottom for shoes or a backpack. However, they are a little bulky, especially then they don’t fold them up correctly. You can also consider a simple folding luggage rack for your vacation rental.

I want to point out that these are essential if you do not have a dresser or anywhere for guests to unpack. In that instance, consider buying a 2 pack of luggage racks, especially if hosting couples with two carry-on suitcases.

3. Iron and Ironing Board

No one likes to show up at a special event with wrinkled clothes. An iron and ironing board in the closet ensures your guests can look their best for any occasion during their stay. You don’t need anything fancy. Ease of use is your priority here.

And you need an ironing board to go along with your iron. Or they will ruin your dressers and tabletops! Consider purchasing a hanging ironing board. These occupy less room in the closet and leave the bottom open for other items.

Recommended: Easy to Use Iron | Hanging Ironing Board

4. Garment Steamer

I should have this listed first because it is such an important touch. Pretty much everyone you host will want to steam clothes at least once, whether it be a dress for a wedding on 30A or a jacket for a job interview.

But you already have an iron, right? This is to cover your bases and, typically, ends up being a generational thing. You will find that about half of your guests either prefer an iron or know how to use an iron’s steam function. But, on the other side, you will have some who have never used an iron but use garment steamers daily.

Including an easy-to-use, handheld garment steamer in your Airbnb closet provides your guests an extra choice and will garner additional praise!

Recommended: Handheld Garment Steamer

5. Collapsible Laundry Basket

Airbnb Closet Collapsible Laundry Baskets

Make it convenient for guests to keep their laundry organized by including a laundry basket in the closet. Even if you don’t have laundry facilities within your unit, this simple addition encourages cleanliness and tidiness.

In our Seacrest Beach condos, each building has two sets of washers and dryers, and I know guests use them often. This space-saving laundry basket makes things easier for them. If you have a laundry room in your vacation rental, consider putting a few in there.

One quick tip is to avoid buying a fabric hamper or anything that may retain smells or moisture. A simple, plastic, easy-to-clean basket is best here.

6. Portable Blackout Shades

You should have blackout curtains in your Airbnb bedroom already. If you don’t, then pick up a couple of these portable blackout shades. They suction to the windows and are easy to use.

You should test the lighting yourself as well. In the middle of the day, closet the blinds and curtains; if any light comes in, you must grab these. For some guests, especially with kids trying to nap, this is a big make-it-or-break-it moment for a host!

I also include one sound machine for every bed. I don’t store it in the closet, so it’s not listed in this post, but I also wanted to mention that.

7. Include Hooks on Both Sides of the Airbnb Closet Door

Use my favorite hooks that blend right in! I have two on the front and back of each door. Every guest uses and loves these. I can say with certainty that no Airbnb guest has ever walked into a space and said, “Dang, this place has too many hooks.” I love these so much that I actually have a dedicated blog post all about why I love using a lot of low-profile hooks throughout my rentals.

Recommended: White 2-pronged Hooks

8. Sound and Light Stopping Door Draft Stopper

I need to figure out what to call these, but draft stopper is a popular name for them. But, whatever they are, I have these hanging in each closet. These are perfect for placing along the bottom of the bedroom door to help buffer light and noise from the hallway.

If you have a sofa bed, include an extra for that. My guests with children sleeping on that often use it on the main door to help light and noise from hallway traffic.

Recommended: Door Draft Stopper

9. Vacuum Cleaner

Storing this in a bedroom closet is subject to what type of space you are hosting in. You certainly do not need a vacuum in every closet. So, if it’s a multibedroom space, one in the central utility closet is fine. I do recommend one per floor if you own a large home. A high-quality, durable vacuum such as the Shark Navigator is a nice option.

For me, the one closet serves as the storage as well. So, I make sure to have a vacuum available for my guests because accidents happen, and spills or crumbs are bound to occur. A small vacuum cleaner in the closet lets guests quickly address minor messes, maintaining a clean and comfortable living space. This is especially important in a beach-type setting, like our vacation rentals on 30A!

Somethings To Consider When Buying An Airbnb Vacuum

I have a few extra thoughts about which type of vacuum to buy:

Ease of use and ease of dumping is vital here.
You don’t want anything bulky, as closet space is limited.
Somehow, they do get broken. So, you want something low to moderately priced.

Initially, I had a Shark Rocket vacuum in my units, and I loved it. I still do! However, guests had the hardest time storing it correctly and often just propped it in there. That defeats the purpose of having the top part clip into the bottom for low-profile storage.

It also worked really, really well. That’s a plus, right? Well, yes, but not yes. I hate to say this, but it was better than my cleaners’ vacuum. A few times, I had a guest with a little one arrive and immediately vacuum the area rugs, pulling out fibers and sand trapped deep in them. This led them to believe it wasn’t clean. It was! But you could vacuum 10x in a row, and it would pull more out every time.

So, for various reasons, I have since switched to this Bissell Featherweight in two and, most likely, eventually will in all of my units. It is very small, stands up straight in the closet, and does the job well enough!

10. Extra Bedding and Linens

This is a personal decision. Some hosts like to offer extra bedding and linens in their Airbnb closet, such as sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. This allows guests to access additional comforts easily and ensures they have everything they need for a restful night’s sleep.

On the flip side, I have had numerous guests bring my extra blankets and sheets to the beach to use as beach blankets and ruin them. So, I don’t like to leave extras in there. In fact, I ask guests to request sofa bedding in advance to help avoid them ruining my white Airbnb bedding.

So, you do what is best for you! If you leave extras in there, purchase a zip-up container to store them in.

11. Everything Else

Depending on your space and if you have other storage areas available, you may need to use your closet for other items as well, such as a travel umbrella for guests to use. If you have a smaller rental like ours, this will serve as the main closet.

For example, we store some baby-friendly Airbnb items on the closet shelf, including a puddle jumper, beach toys, and more. We have two beach chairs and an umbrella in there as well. Consider placing additional hooks (the ones I recommended earlier) in there as well. Place them to the immediate right and left of the door to hang long, narrow items (like the draft dodger) without interfering with clothing.

You will need to reset your Airbnb closets often. They are a catch-all for things guests want to avoid taking home, such as styrofoam coolers, intertubes, or beach tents. Typically, these are left by guests with the best of intentions, but if they clutter the space, you need to get rid of them.

Setting Up An Airbnb Closet

Sometimes, you are starting from scratch with a new build. So, let’s talk about the actual closet itself.

You can set up the actual closet in various ways, and best practices depend on your specific closet size and the purpose it serves. Some people like to purchase closet styles, but we keep it simple!

You want a basic Rubbermaid white shelf that holds hangers. Try to buy the free sliding ones where the hangers can slide back and forth, like this. Then, if you have extra space and a tall closet, add an extra shelf above for additional storage. Make sure you have a folding step stool available if needed. Or use that area for owners items.

30A Condo Rentals Seacrest Beach Florida

Show Off Your Perfect Airbnb Closet

And now you are all set! You have an organized closet with essentials that guests appreciate. These small considerations can go a long way in making your guests feel at home and earning you Airbnb superhost status.

Remember to advertise your Airbnb closet extras! Include in your listings what items are available. Make sure to let them know that you have a garment steamer. Knowing these things in advance will help your guest pack more efficiently. Airbnb makes it easy to add what’s included to the listing, but make sure to write them in the house manual. And if an item is a big selling point, add it to your listing description, too!

You did it! By curating a well-equipped and thoughtful Airbnb closet, you can enhance your guests’ experience and leave a lasting impression. These closet must-haves ensure convenience, comfort, and a touch of hospitality, making your rental property stand out and encouraging positive reviews from happy guests.

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