The Complete Airbnb Inventory Guide: 200+ Essential Items For Your Vacation Rental – 2025 Checklist

Setting up an Airbnb is more complex than furnishing a regular home. You’re not just creating a living space – you’re building a fully-functional environment that needs to anticipate and meet the needs of different types of guests.

What Airbnb essentials are a must have? While many hosts focus on big items like furniture and appliances, it’s often the smaller essentials that determine a guest’s experience. This comprehensive guide covers every absolute necessity for your vacation rentals and holiday homes.

Let’s jump in.

The Foundation: Must-Have Airbnb Essentials

Before diving into specific rooms, let’s cover the non-negotiable Airbnb essentials that every successful host needs:

1. Smart lock system with backup key
2. Smoke and CO detectors on every floor
3. Fire extinguisher (clearly marked)
4. First aid kit in an accessible location
5. Emergency contact list
6. Motion-sensor outdoor lighting
7. Climate control (heating/cooling)
8. High-speed WiFi (minimum 100Mbps)
9. Quality lighting in all rooms
10. Basic cleaning supplies
11. Spare linens and towels
12. Noise reduction features

Bedroom Essentials for Holiday Homes and Airbnbs

Photo by: Gustavo Fring

Whether you’re running a studio apartment or a multi-bedroom property, quality bedding is non-negotiable. But if your Airbnb has dedicated bedrooms, you have extra opportunities to create truly comfortable sleeping spaces.

Here’s your complete bedroom setup guide for your holiday home:

1. Premium mattress (medium-firm)
2. Waterproof mattress protector
3. Season-appropriate duvet/comforter
4. High-quality bed sheets (minimum 300 – 400 thread count)
5. Multiple pillow options (firm/soft)
6. Extra blankets
7. Full-length mirror
8. Bedside tables with charging ports
9. Luggage rack or bench
10. Closet with quality hangers
11. Dresser or storage drawers
12. Blackout curtains

Bathroom Items for Vacation Rentals 

Your bathroom setup needs to match a hotel’s attention to detail while maintaining the warmth of a home. Start with high-quality towels in three sizes – bath sheets, hand towels, and washcloths – ensuring you have at least two sets per guest. Store these in easily accessible locations, preferably with a decorative ladder or modern towel rack system.

Photo by Jean van der Meulen

Essential toiletries setup for Airbnbs and holiday homes:

1. Full-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash (choose premium brands)
2. Fresh toilet paper (3 rolls minimum per bathroom)
3. Hand soap and lotion set by every sink
4. Hairdryer with diffuser attachment
5. Makeup remover wipes
6. Towel hangers/hooks
7. Basic styling tools
8. Bath towels
9. Hand towels
10. Toilet brush
11. Toilet cleaner
12. Fragrance and diffusers

In your vacation rental, consider installing a rainfall showerhead with adjustable settings – it’s an affordable upgrade that often earns mentions in positive reviews. 

For Airbnb bathroom storage, provide ample counter space or install floating shelves where guests can place their personal items. Don’t forget to include a bathmat that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing, along with proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

Essential Kitchen Items for Holiday Homes and Short Term Rentals

A well-equipped kitchen can be the deciding factor for longer stays. Remember some of your guests are choosing Airbnb (and not a hotel) so they can prepare their own meals.

Your vacation rental’s kitchen should have:

• A quality coffee maker with both drip and pod options – morning coffee is consistently mentioned in top reviews. 
• A microwave, toaster, and electric kettle
• Dishwasher and full-size refrigerator
• Non-stick frying pans in multiple sizes
• Saucepans with lids
• Large stockpot for family meals
• Baking sheets and casserole dishes
• Measuring cups
• A can opener
• Wine opener
• A quality knife set

Photo by: Mark McCammon

Make sure you store these in clearly labeled drawers or use magnetic strips (for knives) to create an organized, professional-looking space.

Living Room Essentials for Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

The living room serves as the heart of your Airbnb, where guests unwind, socialize, and often work remotely. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you need to create a space that’s both functional and comfortable:

Vacation Rental Seating and Furniture:

• A high-quality sofa that seats at least 3-4 people (choose durable, stain-resistant fabric)
• 1-2 accent chairs for additional seating and flexibility
• Coffee table with coasters
• Side tables with built-in or nearby power outlets
• TV stand or entertainment center with storage
• Ottoman or footstool that can double as extra seating

Entertainment Setup for Airbnbs:

• Smart TV (minimum 55″ for standard living rooms)
• Streaming device (Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick)
• Premium streaming subscriptions
• Universal remote with clear instructions
• Small collection of board games and cards
• Bluetooth speaker for music
• Fast, reliable WiFi

Photo by Jean van der Meulen

Comfort and Decor

• Area rug to define the space
• Throw pillows (washable covers)
• Cozy blankets
• Interesting wall decor
• Live plants or high-quality artificial ones
• Full-length mirror

Practical Necessities

• Power strip or extension cords
• Extra charging cables for common devices
• Small desk or workspace area
• Basic stationery supplies
• Storage solutions for magazines and remotes
• Air purifier
• Window coverings for privacy and light control
• Smart thermostat
• Appropriate climate control (AC/heater/fan)

Work-From-Home Airbnb Essentials

Photo by Jean van der Meulen

With remote work becoming standard, a well-equipped workspace can will significantly boost your bookings. Here are some essential work from home items that business travelers will appreciate in Airbnbs:

1. Proper desk (minimum 48″ wide) with ergonomic height
2. Comfortable office chair with good back support
3. Monitor stand or laptop riser
4. UPS or surge protector
5. Good lighting
6. Adequate power outlets nearby
7. Task lighting with adjustable brightness
8. Clean, uncluttered wall space for video calls
9. Basic stationery (pens, notepad, sticky notes)
10. Multiple charging cables (iPhone/Android/USB-C)
11. Basic noise reduction solutions (sound panels or white noise machine)

Must Have Outdoor Items For Short Term Rentals and Airbnbs

If your vacation rental property has an outdoor space, treat it as an additional room. Create an inviting atmosphere with:

1. BBQ grill with tools and backup propane
2. Outdoor dining set
3. Weather-resistant games
4. Basic yard maintenance tools
5. Protected storage for outdoor items
6. Weather-resistant furniture that’s both comfortable and stylish.
7. Outdoor lighting for ambiance and safety, including motion-sensitive security lights and decorative string lights.

Photo by Julia M Cameron

Family-Friendly Airbnb Amenities

Traveling with children can be a headache. By equipping your Airbnb with family-friendly essentials, you’re not just providing amenities – you’re helping parents create stress-free memories with their little ones. Here are the must-have items that will make your Airbnb property the go-to choice for family travelers:

Baby and toddler essentials for holiday homes:

1. Baby crib
2. High chair
3. Changing pad
4. Bottle warmer
5. Step stool for high surfaces
6. Small supply of diapers for emergencies
7. Baby-safe laundry detergent
8. Plastic dishes and cups
9. Bathroom stool for little ones
10. First aid kit with child-specific items
11. Non-slip mats for bathtubs and bathroom floors

Outro Thoughts: Creating Memorable Stays In Holiday Homes

The most memorable Airbnb stays often come down to the simplest things. That extra phone charger when you’ve forgotten yours, or finding everything you need to cook a meal after a late check-in. These moments define a great Airbnb experience.

At Homevy, this attention to detail has become our signature across our Dubai properties. 

Beyond just having the right items (including some exclusive touches we’ve developed), we’ve learned that true hospitality lies in anticipating what guests need before they even ask.

The best part? You don’t need to figure this all out on your own.

Whether you’re just starting your hosting journey or looking to better manage your existing property, we’re here to help transform your space into a guest favorite.

All you have to do is call Homevy.