When you’re preparing your Airbnb for guests, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket items—like furniture, decor, or how to make the space Instagram-worthy. However, what you often overlook are the smaller, everyday essentials that can have a significant impact on your guests’ experience. The things that you might not even think twice about—like having the right cutlery, a bottle opener, or enough plates for everyone—are actually the things that will make or break your guests’ stay.
If you neglect these essentials, you risk having guests leave with a 4-star review (or worse) because they had to deal with basic inconveniences. The difference between a 5-star and 4-star review might be something as small as not having a vegetable peeler or not enough mugs for a group. It’s these tiny details that shape the guest experience and can mean the difference between a glowing review and a disappointed one.
The Most Commonly Forgotten Kitchen Essentials
When setting up your Airbnb kitchen, it’s easy to forget the little things that can make a huge difference to your guests. Here’s a comprehensive list of kitchen items that are often overlooked, divided into categories to make sure nothing is missed.
Cups, Mugs & Glasses
Your guests will want a selection of drinking vessels for different needs. Make sure to have a variety and plenty of options for everyone.
- Drinking Glasses (Enough for your maximum occupancy, plus a few extra for safety)
- Coffee Mugs (A mix of regular-sized mugs and larger ones for those who enjoy big cups of coffee or tea)
- Tea Cups (If you offer tea, guests will expect proper teacups, not just mugs)
- Kids’ Cups (Plastic cups or easy-to-hold options for younger guests, especially if you cater to families)
- Wine Glasses (Include different types of glasses: red, white, and perhaps champagne glasses for celebratory guests)
- Tumbler Glasses (Ideal for mixed drinks, iced tea, or even water)
Plates, Bowls & Serving Dishes
Guests are likely to cook at least one meal during their stay, so it’s essential to provide enough plates and bowls to accommodate all guests.
- Dinner Plates (A good set of dinner plates, enough to cover your maximum occupancy, with a few extra)
- Side Plates (For smaller meals, appetizers, or snacks)
- Bowls (Cereal bowls, soup bowls, and general-purpose bowls are essential)
- Kids’ Plates (Plastic plates, ideally with fun designs, for children)
- Kids’ Bowls (Shallow bowls that are easier for kids to use)
- Serving Platters & Bowls (For guests who want to serve family-style meals or share large dishes)
- Salad Plates (A separate set of smaller plates for salads, snacks, and desserts)
Utensils
Don’t forget that guests will need a full set of cutlery for every meal. The last thing you want is for them to run out of forks or knives!
- Dinner Forks (One per guest, plus extras in case some go missing or get dirty)
- Salad Forks (For those who may prefer a salad at mealtime)
- Steak Knives (For those guests who love a hearty steak)
- Dinner Knives (Good quality knives are important for basic meal preparation)
- Butter Knives (For spreading condiments like butter, jam, or peanut butter)
- Teaspoons (Perfect for stirring tea, coffee, or desserts)
- Soup Spoons (If you plan on offering soups, these are necessary)
- Children’s Utensils (Smaller, easier-to-hold forks and spoons for young children)
Cutlery & Kitchen Tools
Beyond knives and forks, don’t forget some of the essential kitchen tools your guests will need for meal prep.
- Can Opener (A simple tool, yet so easily forgotten, and guests will definitely need it)
- Bottle Opener (For beer, wine, and soda bottles—make sure it’s easily accessible)
- Peeler (For fruits and vegetables, this is an often-overlooked item that will definitely be missed)
- Vegetable Chopper or Grater (Great for chopping vegetables or grating cheese)
- Pizza Cutter (For pizza lovers, a pizza cutter can make life easier)
- Scissors (Useful for opening packages, cutting herbs, or anything else that needs a clean cut)
- Measuring Cups & Spoons (If your guests plan on cooking or baking, they’ll need accurate measuring tools)
Cooking Tools & Gadgets
Cooking tools can make your guests’ meal preparation much easier and more enjoyable. Be sure to stock up on these essentials:
- Tongs (For flipping food, tossing salads, or serving pasta)
- Wooden Spoons (Perfect for stirring without scratching pots and pans)
- Spatula (For flipping, serving, and even cooking)
- Ladles (For soups, stews, and other liquids)
- Whisk (For mixing or beating eggs, batters, and sauces)
- Egg Beater / Mixer (Ideal for guests who like to bake or cook larger meals)
- Colander / Strainer (For draining pasta, washing veggies, or any food prep that needs draining)
- Frying Pan / Skillet (A good frying pan is crucial for everyday cooking)
- Saucepan & Stockpot (Essential for cooking soups, pasta, and sauces)
- Baking Sheets & Pans (Great for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or cooking casseroles)
- Oven Mitts & Pot Holders (Ensure your guests are safe handling hot items from the oven)
Storage & Organization
Guests will need a place to store food or leftovers. A disorganized kitchen can be frustrating, so make sure these items are included:
- Plastic Storage Containers (Great for leftovers or storing snacks)
- Ziplock Bags (Perfect for sealing snacks or storing sandwiches)
- Cling Film / Aluminum Foil (For food storage or cooking)
- Spice Rack or Spices (Basic spices like salt, pepper, olive oil, and herbs are expected)
- Trash Bags (Always have extras on hand, and provide bins for recycling)
Appliances
You want your guests to have access to everything they need to prepare meals, so don’t overlook these appliances:
- Coffee Maker / French Press / Kettle (Coffee and tea are a must-have for many guests)
- Microwave (Not everyone wants to cook a full meal—make sure guests can reheat leftovers easily)
- Toaster / Toaster Oven (Perfect for breakfast or quick meals)
- Blender (For smoothies, sauces, or soups)
- Dishwasher (If possible, this can make your guests’ stay much more convenient and clean)
Kids’ Kitchen Items
Families with young children will have specific needs when it comes to kitchenware. Consider adding these items for the little ones:
- High Chair or Booster Seat (Essential for younger children at mealtime)
- Kids’ Cutlery & Plates (Plastic options for safety and ease of use)
- Children’s Cups (Sippy cups or easy-to-hold designs)
- Plastic Bibs (Helpful for mealtime)
- Kids’ Snack Containers (For easy and mess-free snacks)
Why These Essentials Matter
Having a fully equipped kitchen is not just about convenience for your guests—it’s about creating an experience that makes them feel comfortable and well taken care of. Guests want to be able to cook meals, reheat leftovers, and enjoy a snack just like they would at home. When they can’t, it can lead to frustration. A missing corkscrew, lack of enough plates, or no basic cooking tools can leave your guests feeling disappointed, and that can hurt your ratings.
It ties directly into the broader issue of quality setup in your Airbnb. Hosts often underestimate how much small details influence reviews, bookings, and long-term profitability. If you skip these fundamentals, you’re not just risking guest frustration—you’re impacting your income. You can read more about the cost of ignoring quality in your Airbnb setup and how it affects your business success.
Stay in Your Property to See What’s Missing
The best way to identify gaps in your kitchen setup is to stay in your property as a guest. Spend a night cooking a meal, making coffee, and using the kitchen the way your guests would. It’s often only when you experience the space first-hand that you realize what’s missing or inconvenient. Once you’ve spent time in the property yourself, you’ll be able to make improvements to ensure everything your guests might need is readily available and easy to use.
By focusing on the small details in your Airbnb kitchen setup, you can create a space where guests feel comfortable and welcome. And in turn, leave you those 5-star reviews that are so important to the success of your property.