How to Prep Your House for Airbnb Guests

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New to Airbnb hosting? We’ll help you prepare your home for Airbnb with this list of tips on how to make your property a haven that your guests will remember. Some of the items on these lists are “must-haves,” while others fall under the “it would be nice to offer.” But one thing is for certain: investing in keeping your guests happy means positive online reviews and recommendations, which means more renters (and money) in the long term!

What to Do First

Before you open up your home or property for guests, there are a few things to do first:

  1. Remove or securely lock up your valuables (passports, important papers, etc.).
  2. Fix any safety/maintenance issues (a missing or cracked step, leaky toilet, etc.).
  3. Write out and leave a list of house rules (no smoking, no pets, no loud parties, water the plants, etc.).
  4. Write out and leave a list of instructions for the TV, DVD player, and other electronics.
  5. Most guests consider Wi-Fi an “essential.” Make sure you have it, that it’s functional, and that you leave the Wi-Fi password for your guests.
  6. Leave any passwords (for alarms, etc.) your guests will need.
  7. Make sure your smoke detector (and CO detector, if you have one) is working. Leave replacement batteries for your guests.
  8. Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher for the rental.
  9. Leave your (and if applicable, your landlord’s) phone number for your guests, and any local emergency numbers.
  10. Clean your home inside and out (maybe it goes without saying, but we’re saying it just in case!)

Prepping Your Home from the Outside In

Think about how your guests will first be seeing your home: from the outside in. What decorative accents do you want them to notice? What security options might you need to add? Below is a list of airbnb host tips for your home’s exterior:

  • Invest in window boxes that accent the style of your home.
  • Make your new window gardens maintenance-free with lifelike artificial plants.
  • Mow the lawn, and water plants and flowers for a welcoming front and backyard.
  • Install a decorative iron latch on your back gate to make your backyard secure.
  • Keep your property lit with an all-in-one landscape lighting kit.
  • Place doormats in front of every exterior door (it will save your carpets!)
  • Get more effortless curb appeal tips for your home’s exterior here.

Laguna PVC Window Box

Gothic Slider Latch

The Interior: Re-Creating the Comforts of Home

Providing a clean and well-maintained house or rental is, of course, key to making your Airbnb guests happy. However, to stand out from the crowd (and keep those positive reviews coming!), you need to give them the feeling of being “home away from home.” To help you achieve this, our list of Airbnb essentials include:

Bedroom

  • Extra sheets, blankets, and pillows
  • Alarm clock
  • Small fan
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Clothes hangers in closet
  • Full-length mirror

Bathroom

  • Extra towels
  • Soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Aspirin/other OTC pain relievers
  • First aid kit
  • Disposable razors and shaving cream
  • Blow dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Tissue box(es)
  • Air freshener spray

Kitchen

  • Toaster and/or microwave oven
  • Pots and pans
  • Dishes and glasses
  • Utensils
  • Cutting board
  • Kitchen towels
  • Dishwasher soap
  • Sponge
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Trash bags
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee maker
  • Coffee and tea
  • Salt and pepper
  • Sugar and creamer
  • Bottled water
  • Dog/cat bowls (for pet-friendly rentals)

Living room

Windowsill Self-Watering Planter

Other Items to Consider

  • Eye mask and ear plugs
  • Air mattress
  • Dog bed (for pet-friendly rentals)
  • Night light
  • Luggage rack
  • Extra light bulbs
  • Vacuum
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Carpet cleaner
  • Batteries for smoke alarms/CO detectors
  • Extension cords
  • DVDs
  • Books and magazines
  • Indoor games (Jenga, Twister, playing cards, etc.)
  • Lawn games (bocce ball, horseshoes, etc.)

Special Touches They’ll Appreciate

  • Fresh flowers
  • Bottle of wine (and don’t forget the wine glasses!)
  • Handwritten welcome note, signed by you
  • Breakfast tray
  • Basket of local treats
  • Cookbooks
  • Toys for guests with children
  • Universal phone charger
  • Local guidebook (for out-of-town guests)
  • Bath salts or bubble bath
  • High thread-count sheets

Want more interior accents and home improvement products to make your Airbnb rental guest-friendly? Visit us at HooksandLattice.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-896-0978.

Photo credits (top to bottom, left to right): Arveed, Mycatkins, Philip Wilson, Hooks and Lattice (two photos), Stuart B, cat’s_101, Marek Miglinski, Horia Varlan, ab,  Jico Wu, Mark, S Ehlers, Louise Soe, Hooks and Lattice, Meg, Edwin Torres,  Project LM, Crystal Paradis, Wicker Paradise, and Kathryn Yengel.
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