The Ultimate Airbnb Consumables & Essentials List (2025 Edition)
Everything you need to set up a beautifully functional, guest-ready short-term rental — without the overwhelm.
Setting up an Airbnb can be one of the most exciting phases of hosting… and one of the most stressful. Between furnishing, styling, stocking, photographing, and trying to remember the fifty tiny things guests will expect, it’s easy to feel completely overloaded.
When we first started hosting, we constantly found ourselves running back to the shops after realising we were missing something obvious - a can opener, a coffee scoop, a cork screw, spare batteries. Eventually we built a complete system so we’d never have to guess again. And today, we’re sharing that system with you.
This blog gives you an overview of the essential categories every great Airbnb needs, and at the bottom you can download our full Airbnb Setup + Consumables Checklist (the exact one we use when we set up and style properties for clients).
Let’s walk through the key areas.
Bedrooms: Comfort Comes First
Great reviews almost always begin with a great night’s sleep. The bedroom section of our checklist focuses on creating a comfortable, practical, and welcoming space. We’re thinking the right pillows, proper linen rotation, soft lighting, somewhere to put luggage, and a few touches that make guests feel immediately at ease.
You don’t need to over-style it, but you definitely can’t under-think it.
Bathrooms: Clean, Stocked & Simple
Bathrooms tend to expose the gaps in a setup faster than anything else. Guests notice instantly if something is missing. In the checklist, we highlight everything from the basics (like quality shampoo, large towels and toilet paper) to the often-forgotten pieces like hooks, bins, bath mats, and backup supplies.
A well-stocked bathroom is one of the easiest ways to keep guests happy and complaints to a minimum.
Kitchen: Where Hosts Undervalue Stock the Most
If there’s one space that can make or break longer stays, it’s the kitchen. In our full checklist, we break down everything you need for a functional, guest-friendly space. Think cookware, utensils, cleaning supplies, pantry basics, coffee setups, storage, safety equipment and more.
A thoughtfully equipped kitchen increases guest satisfaction and booking appeal, especially for families, professionals and longer-stay travellers.
Living Spaces: Practicality Meets Ambience
Your living room is where guests spend time relaxing, reconnecting and unwinding, so comfort and atmosphere really matter. You’ll see in the checklist that we cover things like lighting, throws, entertainment options, and layout flow. The goal is to create a space that photographs beautifully, but also feels inviting the moment someone walks in.
Outdoor Areas: The Hidden Revenue Booster
Outdoor spaces can dramatically improve perceived value, especially in the Australian market. Whether it’s a balcony, courtyard, or full acreage, having the right furniture, lighting, amenities and outdoor systems in place helps guests see your property as more than just a place to sleep.
The checklist covers everything from BBQ setups to games, lighting, cushions, and essential safety elements.
Other Amenities: Families, Pets & Work-Friendly Touches
In the full PDF, you’ll see a small section on how to cater to different types of guests, families, pet owners etc. Sometimes it’s the smallest things (a portacot, a high chair, pet towels, or a desk setup) that dramatically widen your property’s audience and increase your occupancy.
Consumables: The Backbone of Smooth Turnovers
This is where hosts often get caught off-guard. Consumables include everything from cleaning products to guest toiletries, pantry basics, garbage bags, firewood, and light bulbs. We also include recommended quantities, how much to stock, how often to rotate, and how to build a system that avoids mid-stay panics or 9pm grocery runs.
Having the right consumables on hand is what keeps turnovers smooth and guest expectations consistent.
Cleaner Essentials & Maintenance
Behind every great Airbnb is a great cleaner, but they can only do their job if they’re properly equipped. Your downloadable checklist includes the full list of cleaning items, tools, and maintenance supplies recommended for a reliable, professional-looking property.
We also include the practical items hosts forget until they’re needed: first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, spare batteries, and seasonal maintenance needs.
Download the Full Airbnb Setup + Consumables Checklist
If you want the full, room-by-room breakdown — including quantities, categories, and extras you may not have even thought of — you can download the complete checklist below.
👉 Download the full Airbnb Setup + Consumables Checklist (PDF)
This is the exact streamlined system we use inside Gather & Co when we set up and manage short-term rentals for our clients.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or want professional guidance through your own setup, feel free to reach out — our mentoring package may be exactly what you need to build a polished, profitable, guest-ready Airbnb from the very beginning.