One of the biggest draws of staying in an Airbnb over a hotel is the kitchen. Unlike hotel rooms, an Airbnb kitchen allows guests to feel at home, cook their own meals, and enjoy a more flexible, personalized experience. For many travelers, the ability to prepare meals, store groceries, and even enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning is a game-changer.
To make sure your Airbnb stands out and provides this kind of convenience, you’ll need to stock up on Airbnb kitchen essentials. A well-equipped kitchen can be a major selling point, so we’ve created a comprehensive checklist to ensure your rental is ready for guests. From cookware to coffee makers, we’ll help you choose the right items to create a kitchen that feels like home.
How to Set Up Your Airbnb Kitchen
Setting up your Airbnb kitchen requires careful thought to ensure it’s functional for guests. By focusing on accessibility, convenience, and quality, you’ll create a kitchen that guests will appreciate.
Start by ensuring you have the key items — cookware, utensils, and appliances — that make meal prep easy. Think about stocking your kitchen with versatile, durable tools that will work for a variety of cooking styles. Invest in durable pots and pans, sharp knives, and sturdy cutting boards, as well as a set of essentials like a coffee maker, microwave, and toaster. These are the items that make guests feel like they have everything they need at their fingertips, whether they’re cooking a gourmet meal or reheating leftovers.
In addition to the basics, add other touches that enhance the guest experience, such as a well-stocked spice rack, a variety of coffee and tea options, some coordinating decor, and maybe even a few local pantry items that highlight your area’s culinary offerings. Small touches like these make a big impact and help guests feel more at home, encouraging positive reviews and repeat bookings.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is an effective way to stock up on Airbnb kitchen essentials without constantly running to the store. It helps you save both time and money while ensuring you never run low on essential items.
Items like paper towels, napkins, and disposable plates are commonly used and need frequent replenishing, so purchasing them in larger quantities is a smart move. Plus, you can store bulk items in your pantry or cabinets to keep the kitchen well-stocked throughout the year.
What to buy in bulk:
- Paper towels and napkins
- Salt, pepper, and essential spices
- Coffee beans or ground coffee and tea bags
- Disposable plates and utensils
- Trash bags
- Ziplocs and Tupperware for storing leftovers
Ensure a Good Flow
Organization is key to creating a functional Airbnb kitchen. Guests appreciate a space where everything they need is easy to find, so take time to arrange items logically.
- Store similar items together, such as all your cookware, utensils, and cleaning supplies.
- Keep high-use items like plates, glasses, and cutlery within easy reach.
- Label shelves or use clear containers for dry goods and pantry staples
Keeping the kitchen neat and organized doesn’t just improve the guest experience — it helps you stay on top of your supplies and reduces the need for constant restocking.
One more tip: Make sure to leave enough counter space for guests to prep meals and store their items while they’re staying.
Need to furnish bedrooms in your STR? View our complete Airbnb bedroom essentials guide >>
Airbnb Kitchen vs. Kitchenette
A full kitchen is designed for guests who want to prepare complete meals.
Full kitchens typically include a:
- Stove
- Oven
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
With these appliances, guests can cook almost anything they’d want during their stay, so it’s essential to provide cookware like pots, pans, baking sheets, and utensils for meal prep.
In contrast, a kitchenette is a compact version of a kitchen, ideal for smaller spaces or rentals where guests may not plan to cook full meals. Kitchenettes usually feature a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and perhaps a toaster or hotplate. Of course, you’ll also need a few basic dishes: some mugs, water glasses, plates, and flatware.
In kitchenettes, your focus should be on providing convenient, easy-to-use appliances and meal solutions. Think compact and functional — stock it with essentials that help guests quickly heat up leftovers or prepare light meals.
Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist
Now that you’ve set up your kitchen for ease of use and comfort, it’s time to dive into the essentials.
Here's a list of the key items that should be part of every Airbnb kitchen:
Appliances
- Microwave
- Our pick: Breville ® Compact Wave ™ Microwave
- Oven
- Stove
- Refrigerator
- Blender
- Our pick: Cuisinart ® Velocity Ultra 1 HP Blender
- Electric kettle
- Toaster
- Our pick: 4-Slot Toaster from Zwilling
- Air fryer
- Slow cooker
- Pressure cooker
- Immersion blender
- Food processor
Coffee & Tea Supplies
- Coffee
- Our pick: Ground Coffee from Public Goods
- Mugs
- Coffee maker
- French press:
- Our pick: Clara French Press from Fellow Products
- Tea
- Our pick: Chamomile & Spearmint Tea from Public Goods
Cutlery and Utensils
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Mention a tip: when you buy flatware, purchase items that are frequently in stock so you can replace pieces as needed if lost/damaged. That way you can avoid mismatching flatware
- Spatulas
- Ladles
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
- Flatware — forks, spoons, knives
- Our picks:
- Chef’s knives
- Our pick: 12-pc Knife Block Set from Zwilling
- Wine opener
- Pizza slicer
- Grater and microplane
- Can opener
- Vegetable peeler
Dinnerware and Glassware
Dinnerware
- Dinner plates
- Dessert plates
- Pasta bowls
- Cereal bowls
- Dinnerware sets
Glassware
- Water/drinking glasses:
- Juice glasses
- Wine glasses
- Cocktail glasses
Cookware
- Pots and pans
- Our pick: Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- Baking sheets
- Our pick: Caraway Baking Sheet Duo
- Mixing bowls
- Colander
- Our pick: Cook Pro Stainless Steel Colander
- Potholders and oven mitts
- Cutting boards
- Our pick: OXO 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
Cooking Essentials
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil
- Basic spices (consider Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and any other basics)
- Sugar
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
Linens
- Napkins
- Dish towels
Cleaning and Organization
- Sponges
- Dish drying rack
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Our pick: Koala Eco Starter Collection
- Trash can
- Trash bags
- Air freshener
- Microfiber cloths/rags
Welcome Snacks
- Cute basket to store goodies
- Cookies
- Our pick: Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolates
- Mixed nuts
- Our pick: Ferris Deluxe Mixed Nuts
Special Touches
- Popcorn maker
- BBQ/grill supplies
- S'mores supplies
- Chips + dip bowls
- Serving platters
- Pitchers
- Salt and pepper grinders
- Our pick: OXO ® Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
- Comfy kitchen mat
FAQ
Do Airbnbs have kitchen utensils?
Yes! Most Airbnbs have essential kitchen utensils such as flatware, spatulas, ladles, and tongs, along with basic cooking knives and measuring cups.
Airbnbs that only have a small kitchenette might only have basic flatware.
Should Airbnb have salt and pepper?
Yes, providing basic spices like salt and pepper is a simple but important touch that guests will appreciate.
They’re considered an Airbnb essential.
Do I need to provide a microwave in my Airbnb kitchen?
While not absolutely necessary, providing a microwave can make your space more appealing to guests. Even if your space only has a small kitchenette, a microwave is a great way to allow guests to cook or reheat basic food.
Do I need to stock wine glasses and bar tools at my Airbnb?
While not mandatory, stocking a set of wine glasses and a few basic bar tools (like a corkscrew and shaker) can be a nice touch for guests who want to enjoy a drink during their stay. It’s an easy way to make your kitchen feel more like home.