Setting Up Your Airbnb for Success

What are the 5 must haves for an Airbnb to stand a chance in today’s So you’ve set up your vacation rental or room and had your first guest review saying how they wish your Airbnb had this or that, or that you were missing some items they thought essential.

The good news is that your next guest can leave you a perfect review because now you can get your FREE Airbnb Setup Checklist Spreadsheet.

The Airbnb Checklist includes a comprehensive breakdown of items you need by room, both basic and upgrades you need to get 5-star reviews for your Airbnb.

What makes this Airbnb checklist great is that it’s also a spreadsheet, meaning you’ll be able to track your expenses and price compare to make sure you don’t exceed your budget and know exactly how much money is going out.

If you currently don’t have a big budget to upgrade or add more items to your Airbnb, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Before you start spending money, if you are using your own home as an Airbnb, the first thing you should do is to declutter all the areas the guest will be using.

Not only will this benefit you in your everyday life, but this makes a HUGE difference for the guest experience.

If you do have a limited budget for setting up your Airbnb, here are the 5 must have items you should definitely invest in before anything else:

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1. A Great (not just good) Mattress

When your guests are looking to book an Airbnb, they are looking for reviews that rave about how great the beds are, and since that is usually the main function when staying at an Airbnb, you’ll want to make sure that providing a great sleep experience is your #1 priority when it comes to setting your Airbnb.

Here is the most highly recommended mattress by Airbnb hosts, and be sure to check out the top 5 recommended mattresses for your Airbnb.

2. Pillows

As mentioned, your guests want (and need) a great sleep experience, so if you can’t get your hands on a great mattress, make sure to give them great pillows. The recommended setup is 1 soft pillow and 1 (alternative) pillow per guest.

3. Sheets

There is a great debate regarding sheet color for Airbnbs, but the general consensus is that white is the way to go as they are easier to clean and bleach.

You’ll want to get breathable non-iron sheets with a thread count of at least 400. Egyptian cotton or Pima Cotton if you’ve got the budget for it, however, many hosts rave about this budget-friendly alternative and if you have a bit more budget to invest these sheets come highly recommended.

4. Statement Piece

If you don’t have the budget to invest in Airbnb decor items, then go for a statement piece. This can be an interesting large headboard, wallpaper or bold accent wall.

5. Fresh Coat of Paint & Cleanliness

The most important thing you will want to make sure of is that your Airbnb is clean, and I mean hotel standard health inspection grade clean.

If cleaning isn’t your strong suit or you are unable to thoroughly clean it yourself, hire a professional to do this.

This investment is worth the money. Nothing will hurt you more than being reviewed as a dirty listing.

You’ll also want to have a fresh coat of paint every so often to make your space look cleaner and well-kempt.

As you start getting more bookings, be sure to put aside some of the profits into upgrading and adding more items to your Airbnb.

I hope you found these tips useful in setting up your Airbnb for success. Don’t forget to check out the Airbnb Setup Spreadsheet to make sure you have everything you need and more for your Airbnb.