Over the past 14 months, we’ve lived exclusively in houses and apartments listed through home-sharing websites like Airbnb and VRBO. In that time, we’ve come to discover what we really appreciate in a well-stocked Aribnb kitchen.
So what’s so important about the kitchen anyway? Well, I think it’s what drives a lot of people to choose a home-sharing website over a hotel. The ability to cook meals saves money and, if you’re like us, allows for experimenting with local ingredients, or cooking up the familiar taste of home. So, in my mind, you can’t underestimate the value of a pleasurable kitchen experience.
One note about this post: we’re building this off our experience as long-term renters (usually for at least a couple weeks in each house). If your rental is only for short-term stays, say a night or two, then I could see this being more than you need (although short-termers may also hope to cook up something savory in the kitchen). But if you rent, or hope to rent, to long-termers, here’s an insider look at what’s appreciated!
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COUNTERTOP
The counter is the most inviting part of the kitchen. Is it cluttered with numerous tea sets? Is it well-lit and spacious? The countertop is the kitchen’s first impression, so make it welcoming, simple and clean.
Basics:
- Dish towels
- Sponges
- Dish soap (at least enough for a day or two)
- Oven mitts
- Trivets (so guests don’t burn your lovely countertops)
- Dish drying rack (if no dishwasher)
- Paper towels
In the stoveside utensil container:
- Wooden/plastic stirring spoon
- Rubber spatula
- Wooden/plastic whisk
- Plastic ladle
- Wooden/plastic tongs
- Wooden/plastic turner
- Plastic pasta server
- Potato masher
(I know what you’re thinking: why all the wooden/plastic utensils? Why not some good ol’ fashioned metal? The answer: not every guest will know how to wield such metal without damaging your cookware. Play it safe and stick with the plastic and wood.)
APPLIANCES
Nobody’s expecting a KitchenAid mixer here, but there are a few simple appliances that can meet a number of guests’ needs. These include:
- Toaster
- Coffee Maker
- Kettle
- Maybe microwave (I get this doesn’t fit into every house’s motif, but consider it)
- Water pitcher (with water purifier if your guests aren’t sure about tap water quality in your location)
- 2 cutting boards
- Colander
- Ice cube tray
- Recycle bin (if a service in your neighborhood)
- BONUS: blender (for those morning protein shakes), salad spinner
UTENSIL DRAWER(S)
The rule of thumb here, along with the dishware, is this: please provide more than the minimum number. If your space accommodates 2 people, have more than 2 forks. You get the idea.
Basic utensils:
- At least 8 forks (some for eating, some for preparing the food)
- At least 8 spoons
- At least 8 knives
- A set of sharp cutting knives (I ended up having to pack my own knives because I couldn’t count on homes to provide this)
“Random” utensils:
- Can opener
- Measuring spoons & measuring cup
- Vegetable peeler
- Wine/beer opener
- Cheese grater
- BONUS: meat thermometer (especially if you rent through the holidays-gotta bake that turkey somehow!), garlic press
POTS/PANS
Since you won’t know what the guests will want to cook (Spaghetti? Fried eggs? Stew?), it’s good to have a full set of pots and pans, just in case. If there’s an oven, then this point includes a baking sheet. True story, I once stayed in a long-term rental with an oven and nothing to use in it.
- Large saucepan/pot + lid
- Small saucepan/pot + lid
- Medium nonstick skillet + lid
- Vegetable steamer
- Baking sheet
- BONUS: Roasting pan and/or baking dish, anything cast iron
Why lids? Let me ask you this: do want boiling oil flying all over your walls, backsplash and countertops? Do yourself a favor and provide covers.
DISHWARE
You know the drill here–more than the minimum.
Also, as a guest, please don’t spend a lot of money on these! I’ve broken a few over time, and I feel much better if I know they didn’t cost the host a fortune.
- 8 water glasses
- 4-6 wine glasses
- 6-8 coffee/tea cups
- 6-8 small plates
- 6-8 dinner plates
- 6-8 bowls
- BONUS: If you have a combination of wide bowls and deep bowls, for those who like pasta and their morning cereal.
And don’t forget those coasters around the space! (Cat optional)
CUPBOARDS
Last stop: inside the cupboards. Although this is pretty open to interpretation, this is what I’ve generally found and what I’ve appreciated:
- Cooking oil
- Coffee
- Tea
- Sugar
- A few ziplock/storage bags
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil (for protecting your lovely baking sheets)
- Salt
- Pepper
- BONUS: Literally, any other spices. Basil, rosemary, oregano, garlic salt, paprika, cumin, curry, cinnamon…I’d take any of these. Sometimes, I spend a small fortune rebuying spices in each new location. Something like this would make all the difference.
