4 Home Essentials Every Rental Host Needs

An inviting home with all the amenities means good ratings and more stays. Your vacation rental should make every guest feel welcome and at ease. When setting up or updating your rental, focus on creating an atmosphere guests will appreciate and love, outfitted with everything they need to enjoy their stay. Here are five things to prioritize.

1. Clean Rooms

No one wants to stay in a dirty house. Don’t let your guests be unpleasantly surprised. Before they arrive, thoroughly clean every room:

• Disinfect bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
• Stock fresh bedding. Put some on the bed, and leave the rest in the linen closet.
• Clean floors.
• Wipe down countertops.
• Remove trash, recycling, and compost.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try hiring a company or friend you trust to clean before guests arrive. Put all the necessary cleaning supplies in the appropriate areas for use, and ensure your guests know where those are. A sparkling clean house when they arrive, and rooms that are easy to clean during their stay, are sure to get you a 5-star rating from guests.

2. Cookware and Kitchen Essentials

When guests enter your vacation rental, the kitchen will make an immediate impression on them. Everyone enjoys being at ease and in a lovely setting while they cook and eat with their friends and loved ones. Quality kitchenware, cookware, and appliances make your guests feel excited to share a meal together and enhance the convenience of their stay.

Stock the kitchen with anything your guests would need. Make sure your appliances are in working order and that your cookware isn’t deteriorating and stained. Put staple items in the pantry, cabinet, and fridge. If you can, communicate with your guests before they arrive about dietary requirements, their favorite coffees, and anything else you think would add an extra special touch to your kitchen for their stay.

3. Soft, White Linens

Research has shown that guests prefer white towels in their vacation homes or hotel stays. Something about white linens says, “clean, comfortable, and luxurious”, especially when they’re fluffy and soft. Likewise, crisp, clean sheets and the perfect pillows are going to make your guests want to stay an extra day. If you’re updating your linen closet before opening your rental for the season, check reviews and go with the ones guests seem to love the most. To add an extra flourish, replace your bathmats, and consider ordering robes for your guests to keep after their stay.

4. Inviting Lighting

Even if your vacation rental is full of natural light, lighting fixtures and lamps in strategic places will contribute to the feeling of comfort. The proper lighting can transform the look and ambiance of a room and even an entire home. Consider placing lights in unusual places like shady corners, wall-ceiling joints, or under window sills. Strategically placed lighting that illuminates all parts of the room visually increases the space. With the right lighting, you can make your vacation rental look bigger and more spacious, help people feel more relaxed, and add a bit of glamor to the space. Good lighting is essential to a comfortable stay. Start with floor lamps and table lamps to create a cozy atmosphere. Then, if you have time, you can consider updating your fixtures or adding outdoor lighting.

Creating a Welcoming Stay

The right furnishings, decor, supplies, and essentials will make your vacation rental shine, especially if you add a personal touch. Creating a more pleasant atmosphere could be as simple as making a few updates in each room. If you don’t know where to start, use this guide as a checklist. Ask your friends what their favorite stays have been like. Even think of your own favorite vacations. What were the details that put it over the top and added those experiences to your cherished memories? Consider bringing that warmth and hospitality into your own vacation rental, and get ready for those 5-star reviews.