Airbnb Shopping List – Kitchen Essentials

Setting up your new short-term rental can be a daunting task. It can be hard to know what to include and how much to spend. Through trial and error, we’ve found the products that work best for us and our guests. You don’t have to buy the most expensive products to give your guests everything they need to have a great time. Since you don’t know if your guests plan to eat out or cook for themselves, keeping your Airbnb stocked with kitchen essentials is a must. Here is a foolproof checklist to stock your short-term rental!

Kitchen Basics

Stick to durable, classic kitchen essentials. We’ve had great success with these products:

8-Piece Glassware Set

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These glasses give your guests enough variety for whatever they’re drinking. They are also very durable, so you won’t have to worry about replacing broken glasses every few weeks.

100% Cotton Towels

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You’ll want to have at least 4 kitchen towels set out for your guests to use, and keep the color scheme simple.

20 Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set

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It’s a good idea to find an affordable and timeless set of flatware so that you can have an extra set in your owner’s closet. Forks and spoons will inevitably go missing from time to time. Make sure to have a backup set so you can keep your kitchen stocked.

Flatware Organizer 

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Don’t forget to buy an organizer for your flatware!

Silicone Pot Holders

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It’s easy to forget potholders. If your guests want to do any cooking, these are a must. We recommend silicone, which provides better heat protection than traditional cotton.

Pots and Pans

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You can get a reasonably priced set of pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Your guests will love having the option to cook!

Knife Set 

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You’ll want to invest in a mid-range knife set. It’s not something you want to spend too much money on, but guests will notice if you get something low quality.

Dinnerware

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Again, simplicity in style and color for your dinnerware is best. Avoid fragile or clunky plates and bowls. This set has worked great for us, and is very affordable – true kitchen essentials!

Wine Glasses

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We realized soon after renting out our first property that many guests were asking about wine glasses. They are now standard in all of our properties. We recommend stemless, shatter resistant glasses.

Wine Bottle Opener

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It goes without saying that guests who want wine glasses will also appreciate a wine bottle opener. It’s worth spending a few extra dollars for a more user-friendly kitchen essential.

Cutting Board

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This dishwasher friendly, antimicrobial cutting board is perfect for use by multiple guests. Another Airbnb kitchen essential your guests will appreciate!

Bakeware

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There will be many guests who stay at your home without doing any baking. Bakeware is something that is great to have and will earn you rave reviews for those guests who do, however.  This set works great for the occasional baker and is easy to clean.

Paper Towel Holder

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Don’t leave your guests without a holder for the paper towels. This countertop holder doesn’t require any installation, like wall-mounted options, and it goes with most decor.

Mixing Bowls

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Mixing bowls are another item we didn’t think to add to our homes until several guests asked about them. Stainless steel is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Salad Bowls 

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This set of bamboo salad bowls has gotten great guest reviews. We didn’t think to add it as a kitchen essential until one guest commented that they didn’t like mixing their salad in a stainless steel bowl.

Kitchen Utensil Set

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Make sure that your guests are able to use all of the other kitchen essentials you’ve provided them by stocking your home with this kitchen utensil set. You don’t want your guests to realize halfway through making their pancake batter that they don’t have a spatula! This silicon set will also protect your cookware and stainless steel mixing bowls.

What items do you consider essential for your Airbnb kitchen? Let us know in the comments!