Furnishing and Setting Up a Vacation Rental
Part of our series Let Others Pay for Your Vacation Home.
Furnishing a rental is different from furnishing your own home. Everything needs to be comfortable, easy to clean and hard to break, and the home needs the features guests actually search for. Here's a practical plan.
Start with what guests search for
Airbnb publishes the amenities guests searched for most often worldwide in 2025 (Airbnb):
- Pool
- Free parking
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning or heating
- Kitchen
- Hot tub
- Washer or dryer
- Self check-in
- TV or cable
- BBQ grill
You can't add a pool on a whim, but several of these are easy: fast Wi-Fi, a smart lock for self check-in, a grill, a washer and dryer. Airbnb also lists remote-work extras (fast Wi-Fi, a dedicated workspace, good lighting) and kid- and pet-friendly items (high chair, travel crib, safety gates, pet bowls) as ways to welcome more guests.
Not confirmed: we found no reliable public data on how much any single amenity raises nightly rates. Use comparables in your own market to judge (see our pricing guide).
The essentials Airbnb says guests expect
Toilet paper, hand and body soap, one towel per guest, one pillow per guest, and linens for each guest bed (Airbnb). Provide more for big groups and long stays.
Safety items
Airbnb "strongly urge[s]" hosts to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and suggests a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit (Airbnb). The National Fire Protection Association recommends:
- Smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including the basement, ideally interconnected, tested monthly (NFPA).
- Carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level (NFPA tip sheet).
Also consider: ☐ fire extinguisher in the kitchen ☐ first-aid kit ☐ emergency numbers and the home's address posted ☐ exit map for each floor ☐ outdoor lighting on steps ☐ pool and hot tub rules and covers. Your city's STR permit may require specific items; check it (see our rules guide).
Durable choices (general advice)
- Performance or washable slipcover fabrics on sofas; darker or patterned colors hide wear.
- Hard flooring with washable rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpet.
- Mattress protectors on every bed, plus pillow protectors.
- White towels and sheets that can be bleached, all the same style so sets are easy to match (see our turnover guide).
- Simple, sturdy dishes in a set you can replace piece by piece.
- Wall-mounted TVs and furniture anchors for tall pieces.
Room-by-room checklist
Kitchen: ☐ cookware set ☐ knives and cutting boards ☐ dishes and glasses for at least the max guest count ☐ coffee maker and a few pods or grounds to start ☐ toaster, kettle ☐ baking sheet, mixing bowls ☐ dish soap, sponges, trash bags ☐ salt, pepper, oil
Bedrooms: ☐ quality mattress with protector ☐ two sets of linens per bed ☐ two pillows per guest ☐ blackout curtains ☐ nightstands and lamps with outlets or USB ☐ hangers and a luggage rack ☐ extra blanket
Bathrooms: ☐ towels (bath, hand, washcloth) per guest ☐ hair dryer ☐ shampoo, conditioner, soap ☐ toilet paper backup ☐ plunger ☐ trash can with lid
Living areas: ☐ seating for every guest ☐ TV with streaming ☐ Wi-Fi details posted ☐ board games or books ☐ charging spots
Outdoors: ☐ weatherproof seating ☐ grill and tools ☐ outdoor lights ☐ hot tub cover and rules sign
Owner's closet: a lockable closet for your own items and backup supplies.
Before the first guest
☐ Take photos (photo guide) ☐ list every amenity accurately (listing guide) ☐ write a welcome guide (reviews guide) ☐ do a test night yourself
Related guides
- Vacation Rental Photos That Book
- Vacation Rental Cleaning and Turnovers
- Buying a Vacation Home to Rent Out
- Back to the pillar: rent out your vacation home
Checked October 19, 2026. Safety rules vary by state and city; follow local code.