Updated October 2026  |  By Jack, property photographer  |  12 minute read

The Complete Airbnb Essentials Checklist (2026)

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Most of setting up a short-stay is shopping. The hard part is knowing what guests actually use, what they'll complain about if it's missing, and what's a waste of money.

I photograph short-stays for a living, so I walk through a lot of them with a camera. You can usually tell within a minute which hosts have set the place up properly. This is the Airbnb essentials checklist I'd work from if I were setting one up myself, room by room, with the products I'd buy.

Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.

Bedroom

Start here. The bed is in your photos, it's what guests judge comfort on, and it's the thing reviews mention most. Go white. It bleaches, it matches, and it looks clean on a phone screen.

• Three sets of sheets per bed. One on the bed, one in the wash, one spare. Brushed microfibre is wrinkle resistant, which saves you ironing between guests.Pick: Mellanni Iconic Collection Sheet Set, White (paid link)
• A washable comforter or duvet insert. Lightweight and machine washable, with corner tabs so it stays put inside the cover.Pick: Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert, White (paid link)
• Two duvet covers per bed. A zip closure makes turnovers much faster than buttons or ties.Pick: Bedsure Duvet Cover Set, White (paid link)
• Four pillows per queen or king bed. Two per side looks generous in photos and lets guests choose soft or firm.Pick: Utopia Bedding Gusset Bed Pillows, Set of 4 (paid link)
• A waterproof mattress protector. Skip this and one spilled drink can cost you a mattress.Pick: SafeRest Waterproof Mattress Protector (paid link)
• Pillow protectors. Zipped, waterproof covers keep pillows fresh and make them last years longer.Pick: Utopia Bedding Waterproof Pillow Protectors, Set of 4 (paid link)
• Blackout curtains. Guests sleep better and leave better reviews. A white front keeps the room looking bright in photos.Pick: NICETOWN White Blackout Curtains (paid link)
• Bedside lamps with USB charging. Guests want to charge their phone next to the bed. Choose a linen or white shade.Pick: Bedside lamp with USB ports (paid link)
• A luggage rack. Keeps suitcases off the bed and away from your walls.Pick: Folding luggage rack (paid link)Or: Folding luggage rack, second option (paid link)
• Spare blanket and hangers. Fold a spare blanket in the wardrobe and leave at least eight matching hangers.

Bathroom

Guests decide how clean your place is in the bathroom. Keep everything white and matching, so a stained towel is easy to swap out.

• Three sets of white towels per guest. Bath towel, hand towel and face washer each. White can be bleached, and it looks fresh in every photo.Pick: White bath towel set (paid link)
• Bath mats. A pack of cotton mats covers several turnovers.Pick: Amazon Basics Cotton Bath Mats, White, 6-Pack (paid link)
• Refillable soap, shampoo and conditioner. Wall dispensers mean no half-empty bottles left behind, and refills cost far less than minis.Pick: Shower dispenser for soap, shampoo and conditioner (paid link)
• A hair dryer. If you don't have one, expect the question before check-in.Pick: Hair dryer (paid link)
• A toilet brush and plunger. Make the plunger easy to find. It saves you a late-night message.Pick: Toilet brush and plunger set (paid link)
• A first aid kit. Cheap, small, and very welcome when someone needs a Band-Aid at 10pm.Pick: First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit (paid link)
• Starter supplies. Two spare toilet rolls per bathroom, tissues, a bin with liners, and a few spare bin liners underneath.

Kitchen

A kitchen sits high on Airbnb's most-searched list, and it's where guests look hardest at cleanliness. Stock it properly, then keep the benches nearly empty. A clear bench makes a kitchen look much bigger in photos.

• A coffee machine and coffee station. The first thing most guests look for in the morning. Keep it simple enough that nobody needs instructions.Pick: Coffee maker (paid link)
• An electric kettle. Tea drinkers and international guests notice straight away when it's missing.Pick: Electric kettle (paid link)
• A complete cookware set. Fry pans, saucepans and a larger pot in one set.Pick: Cookware set (paid link)Or: Cookware set, second option (paid link)
• A sharp knife set. Blunt knives are one of the most common kitchen complaints. A set with a block keeps them together and easy to find.Pick: Knife set with block (paid link)
• White dinnerware. Plain white plates photograph well and are cheap to replace when one chips. Stock for two more guests than you sleep.Pick: Amazon Basics Porcelain Dinnerware Set, White (paid link)
• Cutlery. Buy two simple sets so a lost fork doesn't break the set.Pick: Cutlery set (paid link)
• Glasses and mugs. Water glasses, wine glasses and mugs for every guest, plus a couple of spares.Pick: Drinking glasses set (paid link)
• Cooking utensils and a chopping board. Spatula, tongs, ladle, peeler, can opener, corkscrew and a decent board.Pick: Kitchen utensil set (paid link)
• Cleaning basics. Dish soap, dishwasher tablets, sponges, tea towels and a dish rack. Store them under the sink so the bench stays clear.Pick: Dish drying rack (paid link)
• Pantry starters. Salt, pepper, oil, sugar, tea and coffee, so guests can cook on the first night without a shop.

Living area

This is usually your first photo, so it pays to get right. You need comfortable seats, good light, somewhere to charge a phone, and a TV guests can actually log into.

• A streaming device. Guests sign in to their own Netflix or Prime. Remember to log your accounts out between stays.Pick: Amazon Fire TV Stick (paid link)
• Charging stations. A power strip with USB ports next to the sofa ends the hunt for a free power point.Pick: Power strip with USB ports (paid link)
• A throw and cushions. Two to four cushions per sofa and one throw folded over the arm. Neutral textures add depth in photos.Pick: Cotton throw blanket (paid link)
• Lamps. At least one floor or table lamp. Warm lamplight makes the room feel cosy at night, and it helps dusk photos too.
• A small guidebook. Your favourite cafe, dinner spot, beach and walk. Guests use it, and they mention it in reviews.

Laundry

A washer or dryer is one of the most-searched amenities, especially for longer stays and families. If you have one, list it and stock it.

• Laundry detergent. Leave a starter supply for guests.Pick: Laundry detergent (paid link)
• Wool dryer balls. Reusable, and they soften towels without dryer sheets.Pick: Wool dryer balls (paid link)
• An iron and ironing board, or a steamer. Work travellers ask for these more than you'd expect. A steamer is quicker for guests and easier to store.Pick: Iron (paid link)And: Ironing board (paid link)Or: Clothes steamer (paid link)
• A clothes airer and laundry basket. Useful for beach towels and swimwear.Pick: Clothes drying rack (paid link)And: Laundry basket (paid link)

Safety and check-in

Self check-in is on Airbnb's top-ten searched list, and a smart lock is the easiest way to offer it. Safety gear is required in many areas and should be listed in your amenities.

• A smart lock. Give each guest their own timed code, so there are no keys to hand over or lose.Pick: Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Keypad Smart Lock (paid link)
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. A combination alarm covers both. Check your local rules for how many you need.Pick: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm (paid link)
• A fire extinguisher. Mount one in or near the kitchen where guests can see it.Pick: Fire extinguisher (paid link)
• A fire blanket. The fastest way to smother a small stovetop fire, especially oil. Hang it near the cooktop, not right above it.Pick: Fire blanket (paid link)
• A Wi-Fi sign. Wi-Fi is one of the most-searched amenities. A QR code sign means guests connect without messaging you.Pick: Wi-Fi QR code sign (paid link)
• A torch and spare batteries. For blackouts and late arrivals.

Guest touches

None of these are essential. They're the things guests remember when they write the review.

• A welcome basket. Local snacks, a bottle of wine or juice, and a handwritten note.Pick: Welcome basket (paid link)
• A lockable owner's cupboard. Keep spare linen, restock supplies and cleaning gear locked away. If you already have a linen cupboard, hidden magnetic locks are the easiest fix: nothing shows in photos, and guests can't open it without the magnetic key. No spare cupboard? A tall lockable cabinet in white or light grey blends in.Pick: Magnetic cabinet locks (paid link)Or: Tall lockable storage cabinet (paid link)
• A house rules and welcome sign. Short, friendly and framed. Check-out steps, Wi-Fi and your contact details.
• Beach or outdoor extras. If you're near the water: beach towels, an umbrella and a cooler bag.

Quick answers

What are the Airbnb must haves?

If you can only buy a few things first: good white linen with a mattress protector, enough towels, a stocked kitchen with coffee, fast Wi-Fi with the password on display, and working smoke alarms. The rest can come later.

How many sets of linen do I need?

Three per bed: one on, one in the wash and one spare. The same goes for towels.

Should I buy everything before my listing photos?

Buy the bedding, towels and anything that will be in shot first. Your photos will be on your listing for years, so they should show the place fully set up.

What do guests complain about most?

Cleanliness comes first, then uncomfortable beds, then running out of basics like towels or toilet paper. Most of this list exists to stop those three.