The Ultimate Airbnb Kitchen Essentials List for Successful Hosting

Derek Neill |

 

Discover the must-have Airbnb kitchen essentials for your Airbnb to enhance guest experience and streamline hosting. Read our comprehensive list now!

Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist - Setting up Your Kitchen

A functional and well-stocked Airbnb kitchen is an important part of your vacation rental.

Why?

A thoughtfully equipped kitchen can enhance the experience, increase positive reviews, and get more bookings. Many people opt for a specific vacation rental just because it has an organized kitchen with kitchen essentials like cooking utensils and modern appliances.

This short guide will help you get all you need for an airbnb kitchen essentials checklist.

Core Cooking Essentials - Absolute Essentials

Every good Airbnb kitchen checklist starts with essential items or grocery shopping for every modern and functional kitchen, like cutlery and other essentials. Although small and basic, these items are a foundation for every kitchen.

  • Cookware: For the best cooking results, your vacation rental kitchen needs skillets, saucepans, a large pot and a non-stick frying pan. Choose cookware in various sizes that will easily accommodate your guest's needs while cooking.

  • Baking Needs: A good baking set is a must. Be sure to equip your Airbnb kitchen with baking sheets, casserole dishes, oven mitts, and mixing bowls of various sizes. You can also add cute cookie and muffin molds that your guests will appreciate.

  • Cutlery and Utensils: A sharp chef's knife, a cutting knife, steak knives, butter knives, a spatula, tongs, serving spoons, and strainers for draining pasta are all things that you need to quickly cut and serve food.

  • Cooktop Options: Consider a hot plate or a portable induction cooker is needed. These are perfect for small kitchenettes where every inch of space is important.

Serving and Dining Essentials

A quality dining set will instantly elevate the look of your table setting for guests. If your budget allows, choose a set of dishes made from durable, chip-resilient porcelain, adding an elegant touch to your Airbnb kitchen.

Dinnerware sets must have a bare minimum of dishes, plates, bowls, and utensils for standard guest capacity.

Wine glasses, mugs, drinking glasses, pots and pans should be part of every well-equipped kitchen for guests. We recommend stemless, shatter-resistant glasses.

Add a wine bottle opener, corkscrew, can opener, and grippy pad for stubborn jars to make your kitchen user-friendly.

Serving Platters and Bowls are useful for when your guest are finished cooking.

Equip your Airbnb kitchen with napkins (reusable or paper), placemats, and coasters for a cohesive aesthetic. These inexpensive items will bring convenience to your space. Coasters are very decorative but will also shield your tables from scratches and other types of damage.

Convenience Appliances for Guest Comfort

Make sure you have a clear vision of how your Airbnb kitchen should look when deciding what you need.

Your Airbnb coffee setup is a must for providing guests with the best service.

Ideally, place a small pot of the single-serve coffee maker on the counter and a full-size coffee maker in the cabinet.

You can get a modern French press or an affordable coffee machine like Nespresso or Lavazza for your kitchen, depending on the style of your Airbnb vacation rental and the guests who want to stay there.

Do not forget the coffee cups. You can get them in various shapes, colors, and sizes. This adds a charming touch to your kitchen and makes most guests feel at home.

In your Airbnb kitchen, a toaster or toaster oven will help you make a tasty breakfast.

Microwaves are an easy option for guests, and if space allows, they should be part of the Airbnb kitchen. Just make sure your cookware and drinkware are microwave-safe.

If your rental caters to health-conscious guests, a blender would be nice to have for making delicious smoothies and shakes.

These are basic appliances that should be a part of every Airbnb kitchen. Additional basic appliances include; an air fryer, ice maker, griddle, dish washer, and waffle maker.

Basic amenities like those listed above are perfect for business travelers and other busy vacationers.

Food Storage and Organization

A neat and polished Airbnb kitchen will improve the experience and the quality of service for guests. It is important to keep this airbnb kitchen organized and decluttered. Every detail should have a purpose and its place in the Airbnb kitchen.

This is easily achievable -- use storage containers, shelves, and racks to organize the kitchen space effortlessly.

Choose BPA-free, sturdy plastic containers that can be used for leftovers.

Organize basic spices (olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper) in labeled containers. Use spice racks or starter packs.

Reusable storage bags are an Airbnb kitchen essential and are convenient for many guests. They are ideal for storing food. Aluminum foil and plastic wrap must be stocked in every kitchen.

Place clear, labeled bins in the discrete corner of your kitchen to encourage cleanliness and recycling.

Keeping the well stocked airbnb kitchen organized will let the guest know you are going the extra mile to improve their quality experience and get great reviews.

Cleaning Essentials for the Kitchen

If you are an experienced Airbnb host, you know that hygiene is the first priority in the Airbnb kitchen. It is the first thing guests notice and can be a determining factor.

You must provide guests with basic cleaning supplies, including a bar of dish soap, a fresh sponge, scrubbers, a multi-surface cleaner, dish towels, and a roll of paper towels. These items are essential for helping the guests keep the property clean.

If the space and budget allow it, put the dishwasher in the kitchen. Your guests will certainly appreciate the convenience. Otherwise, a spacious drying rack is fine.

Airbnb kitchen essentials can't go without trash bags or liners.

For quick clean-ups or extended stays, having a broom and dustpan is recommended.

Furniture and Layout Considerations

With a nice and welcoming space that makes guests feel like they are in their own kitchen, Airbnb kitchens must be easy to navigate with ample seating for guests.

Here are a few furniture pieces your Airbnb kitchen must have:

  • Compact Dining Table and Chairs: A sturdy, easy-to-clean table with enough seating for typical guest numbers. There's no need for luxury. A simple dining table and comfortable stools are enough for a comfortable mealtime.

At Neil's Home Store, you will find a good selection of dining room sets that satisfy every taste and budget option.

For small and well equipped kitchen, a dining set by Wildenauer with a butcherblock-style top provides a ruggedly chic contrast to the sleek base. Short on storage space? The pedestal’s built-in cabinet, with doors on each side for easy access, keeps essentials within reach.

  • Island or Bar Stools: Adding stools to kitchens with breakfast bars or islands can change the plan and make your guests feel even more at ease.

Storage Solutions: Consider shelving units or cabinets to keep items tidy and accessible. Make sure your Airbnb kitchen has enough space for all kitchen essentials.

Safety and Accessibility Essentials

The safety of your Airbnb guests must be your priority. That is why you need to have the following items to ensure maximum safety:

  • Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit: These are essential for guest safety, especially in cooking areas. When choosing a fire extinguisher, opt for a one—or two-liter powder extinguisher because they're multipurpose and the most effective for fires in the kitchen area.

  • Child-Safe Locks (if necessary): Helpful if hosting families with children.

  • Clear Instructions and Labels: Especially if your Airbnb has unusual appliances or recycling guidelines.

Airbnb Kitchen Essentials - The Final Word

Guest experience can make or break your Airbnb business adventure, so having a fully stocked kitchen will improve your overall rating and raise the chances the guest will visit you again.

Your aim is to give the guests an at-home experience with a warm and livable atmosphere.

Having the comprehensive airbnb kitchen checklist adds to the quality of your rental property. You can make sure your kitchen has everything your guests need for a great time with a little planning and effort.

FAQs

How to stock your Airbnb kitchen?

The first step is to do some research and make a list of things that the kitchen needs to be fully stocked, functional, and accessible.

Airbnb kitchen essentials list can be divided into a few separate categories:

  1. Main kitchen appliances: Toaster, refrigerator with adjoining freezer, microwave oven or a regular oven, coffee machine, tea kettle, dishes drying rack, and a fire extinguisher.

  2. Everyday cooking supplies: Airbnb silverware, measuring cups, strainers, cutting boards, a can opener, a vegetable peeler, paper towels, a large frying pan, sharp knives, small pots and pans.

  3. Extra kitchen amenities: water glasses, mugs, Tupperware sets, oven mitts, oven tray set, kitchen shears, pot holders, and trivet mats.

Is it necessary to have a kitchen on Airbnb?

Definitely not. Not all guests need a kitchen or a place to prepare meals, especially if they are staying briefly or if there's an affordable restaurant nearby.

What does an Airbnb kitchen need?

Airbnb kitchen essentials should have core cooking utensils, serving utensils and dining essentials, kitchen appliances, and storage containers. This is a list of basics needed for a comfortable experience.

What is a fully stocked kitchen on Airbnb?

A fully stocked kitchen includes basic supplies and cooking utensils needed to prepare and serve food.

Can I host Airbnb without a kitchen?

That is possible, especially if your guests are staying briefly or if there's a good restaurant/bar in your area. But remember that having a kitchen will significantly improve your hosting reputation.

What you should not put in the Airbnb kitchen?

Avoid perishable items like fresh fruit, milk, and anything that can be spoiled quickly.

Does Airbnb have kitchen supplies?

Yes, but often times, the kitchen is not as well stocked as your own. It's completely up to the host what kitchen appliances and amenities will be provided.

What type of wine glasses should an Airbnb kitchen have?

Inexpensive, stemless glasses that are easy to replace and less likely to be knocked over.