Airbnb Kitchen Essentials: A Complete Checklist For Hosts

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The kitchen is at the heart of most vacation rentals. In fact, most people choose to stay in an Airbnb over a hotel specifically so they can cook. So, today, I want to share my favorite Airbnb kitchen essentials!

This Airbnb hosting blog post will ensure your Airbnb kitchen is ready to go when you welcome your first guest!

New here? Hi, I’m Sarah! I am proud to be a top-rated Airbnb host with several properties on scenic 30A in the Florida panhandle. Here at Our Little Lifestyle, I share valuable first-hand Airbnb hosting tips, buying guides, and more to help set you up for success.

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Setting Up Your Airbnb Kitchen

Let’s jump right into setting up your Airbnb kitchen. Whether you have a small kitchenette in a studio condo or own a large multifamily home with an oversized kitchen, this Airbnb kitchen essentials checklist has it all.

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Airbnb Kitchen Essentials List

In the following section, I am going to break Airbnb kitchen items into nine sections, starting with kitchen appliances and ending with tools and tips for keeping your Airbnb kitchen organized.

The links will generally go to my favorite item. However, I have many options in my Amazon Airbnb Kitchen List, so check that out. It is organized by category and roughly follows the same order of this post. It has dining room furniture at the bottom of the list, including barstools, tables, and other Airbnb kitchen ideas.

1. Airbnb Kitchen Appliances

Appliances are the significant components of a proper Airbnb kitchen. If you have a full-size kitchen, you will want all of the full-size, high-quality appliances you would have at home. In addition, you will also want to have a variety of small appliances available.

If you have a kitchenette, you must envision what your guests will use the space for and make the most out of it. There are quite a few differences between a full Airbnb kitchen vs kitchenette spaces.

For example, my small studio with bunkbeds has a tiny kitchenette. It is basically a small sink, mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. I include a set of dishes, flatware, and drinkware, but nothing else. However, I make what’s included clear in my listing to avoid surprises at check-in.

On the other hand, my one-bedroom condos in Seacrest Beach have a dishwasher, full-size refrigerator, and convection microwave but no oven or stove. So, I have a variety of small appliances such as electric cooktops, crock pots, and toaster ovens on hand. Again, I list exactly what is in the kitchen area to ensure everything is clear.

So, to summarize, know your space and what the kitchen area will be used for when deciding what you need in your unique Airbnb kitchen or Airbnb kitchenette. That will help you make the most out of this Airbnb kitchen checklist.

Large Appliances

If your space does not already have these items, you will need to measure for them. You will want a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and oven/stove. I recommend purchasing these from a local Home Depot, Lowes, or appliance store

Small Appliances For An Airbnb

When it comes to small appliances, there are a handful of must-haves and then a lot of great extras. Also, I am saving coffee and coffee makers for the next section, so I will leave those items off these lists.

Essential Small Appliances:

Additional Small Appliances:

2. Your Airbnb Coffee Setup

I kept coffee separate because I actually have a dedicated blog post all about choosing the best coffee maker for your Airbnb. And it shares a lot of the things you should consider.

In a nutshell, I like to provide a Keurig Mini on the counter and a full-size coffee maker in the cabinet. Depending on your rental and target market, you can offer a French press or higher-end machine like a Nespresso.

Additionally, you should coordinate with your cleaners regarding what is left out at each turn. We leave a starter set of 2 K-cups, a regular Maxwell House coffee pouch, creamer, and sugar. I do list these out in my Airbnb House Manual and links to the ones I buy are all in my Amazon Airbnb Kitchen list.

You can offer an extensive coffee bar spread with syrups and unlimited K-cups. Just make sure to read my Airbnb Coffee Maker blog post first to see why that may not always be a good idea!

3. Airbnb Dishes, Glassware, Flatware, Utensils

After appliances, the next priority will be the plateware, flatware, drinking glasses, and cooking and serving utensils.

AIRBNB HOSTING TIP: Especially when it comes to silverware, choose items that are frequently in stock and easy to replace as needed. This helps you avoid mismatched sets!

Also, do not order the bare minimum. If your place sleeps 8, you should have AT LEAST 8 of everything, but I recommend 2x that number as things are often in the dishwasher from the previous meal. You should also have a few of each item in your storage or owner’s closet to replace broken or lost items as needed.

Airbnb Silverware: I like to use the Sussex from Target because they are easy to replace. You can buy a full set in either 20, 45, or 65 pieces. You can also buy spoons, knives, and forks in separate 6 packs, which is great for when they go missing, but you don’t want to replace the entire set. If you would rather shop on Amazon, here is an excellent Amazon Basics set available on their site. You also want a nice, easy-to-clean silverware tray in both the silverware and utensil drawers.

Airbnb Dishes: My go-to is this Threshold Beaded Rim Dinnerware Set at Target. I also linked several Amazon options in my Kitchen List on Amazon. I also include a set of melamine plates and bowls as well.

Airbnb Glassware:

Airbnb Utensils

scissors
servings utensils
cooking utensils
pizza slicer
peeler
can opener
tongs
ice cream scoop
grater
wine opener
measuring cups

Links for the above utensils are all included in my Amazon Kitchen List!

Airbnb Knife Set: If you have a full kitchen, you want a high-quality knife set (with a sharpener) available to your guests. My top choices by price point and quality are the Master Maisen Knife Set, the Martha Stewart Knife Set, and the Amazon Basics Knife Set.

4. Airbnb Kitchen Cookware & Storage

Isn’t it crazy how much you need to consider when setting up a well-equipped kitchen? Well, it doesn’t stop there. If guests will be cooking at your place, you also need the proper cookware and storage containers.

I like using Pyrex sets for storage, as they can double as cookware. The glass also comes cleaner than plastic food storage options.

Airbnb Cookware / Cooking Items:

pots and pans
sheet trays
casserole dish
mixing bowls
strainer
serving bowl
serving tray
Pyrex
pizza pan
cutting boards (plastic or wooden)
potholders
oven mits

Again, my favorites are all included in my Amazon Airbnb Kitchen Essentials List!

5. Kitchen Maintenance & Cleaning Supplies

The good news is that you now have the bulk of the items you’ll need to purchase for your Airbnb kitchen. Next, let’s consider some of the cleaning and maintenance/safety items you’ll need on hand.

For consumables, we provide a roll of paper towels, small dish soap, a fresh sponge, 2 trash bags, and dishwasher detergent.

We also have fresh kitchen towels on hand. These grey microfiber dish towels are my favorite. I also keep an open container of cascade pods and a roll of trash bags under the sink as an added bonus. I do not advertise these because, as ridiculous as this sounds, they tend to walk away somewhat often.

Below are the other items we include, most kept under the sink.

Airbnb Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

6. Cooking Essentials For Your Airbnb

It will be up to you to choose how many additional cooking supplies you want to include.

Often, these are items the guests will be happy to have, but not necessarily things that you need to advertise as they may run out or get misplaced.

At a minimum, you always want to have salt and pepper available, but here is a complete list of items to consider. I would refrain from having a lot of open food items such as butter, flour, etc. While you have the best intentions, these can be a turnoff to many guests.

Cooking Essential Items / Consumables:

salt and pepper
cooking spray
olive oil
spices
sugar
foil
plastic wrap
ziplock bags

7. Helpful Extras For Your Airbnb Kitchen

We could stop here, but there are a few other rental-specific things to consider offering. I highly recommend including extras such as pitchers and ice packs in the freezer.

Then, ask yourself if you need any of the following items. I added lighter, but I actually try NOT to have lighters and candles in my rentals due to the obvious risk.

Airbnb Kitchen Extras:

BBQ Tools
popcorn items
smores utensils
step stool
kitchen mat
ice packs
pitcher
chip clips
lighter
flashlight
vase
ice cube trays

Links to everything can be found here!

TIP: Keep an Airbnb borrow basket in your kitchen. I coined this concept, and my guests love it! You can read more about my borrow baskets in my Airbnb Must Haves blog post, but this is a great way to allow guests to take and leave items. At the same time, it keeps these items out of the way, tidy, and not really your responsibility.

8. Kitchen Amenities For Children & Babies

If you cater to families with children and/or babies, you also want to include any necessary items for them. In my post about how to make your Airbnb baby-friendly, I share great advice.

In the kitchen, you will likely want an easy-to-clean high chair or booster seat and a bottle drying rack for babies. You also should have appropriate toddler/child plateware and cups. I have several options listed toward the bottom of my Airbnb Kitchen List on Amazon.

9. Keeping Your Airbnb Kitchen Organized

Now your Airbnb kitchen is stocked and ready, let’s keep it looking top-notch! This is one part of my Airbnb where I choose to label items using this top-rated label maker. I place small one to two-word labels inside my Airbnb kitchen cabinets. These share where small appliances go and so forth.

You want to leave counters clean and open. Avoid putting any unnecessary clutter on the countertops.

Pick up a set of cord wraps on Amazon to stick on the back of small appliances. Keep extra batteries and lightbulbs in the cabinet above the refrigerator or wherever they are out of the way yet accessible.

You also want to make sure your kitchen is adequately reset between guests. It should look exactly as it does in your listing photos. This means removing excess items that your guests will inevitably leave. And it’s always just to be “helpful,” right?

Lastly, plan for routine maintenance monthly or quality. Use TrueFresh tablets in your disposal and dishwasher. Every time I am at our place, I rearrange and reset it to how I want things. Annually, you need to deep clean.

Read my Deep Clean & Refresh Your Airbnb blog for some great tips and a free deep cleaning Airbnb checklist!

Shop My Airbnb Kitchen List

More Airbnb Hosting Resources

Congratulations! Now that your kitchen is set up, your Airbnb is one step closer to becoming a reality. I hope this Airbnb essentials list came in handy for you!

As mentioned above, I have many Airbnb posts full of valuable first-hand knowledge here on my blog. They cover everything from buying the best bedding for your Airbnb to creating your house manual and everything in between. You can view them all in the Airbnb hosting section of my blog.

If you are just getting started or want to view my Airbnb hosting resources from start to finish, check out my FREE 5-Star Airbnb Hosting Guide.

I invite you to join my new Airbnb Hosting Group on Facebook. It’s a great place to bounce ideas off me (and other hosts) and ask for advice!