10 Essentials Every Airbnb Kitchen Needs
When travellers choose an Airbnb over a hotel, it’s often because they want a home-like experience. And a big part of that? The kitchen.
If we don’t care about cooking, meal prepping, or making coffee at our own pace, we’ll book a hotel. But if we’re booking a home with a kitchen, that kitchen better be the real deal. Not just a sink and a mini-fridge. Guests expect to be able to cook breakfast, prep snacks for a hike, make coffee before heading out, or sit down to dinner with family or friends.
The best Airbnbs we’ve stayed in all had one thing in common: hosts who thought three steps ahead. They pictured guests cooking full meals, brewing their morning coffee, and keeping up with daily routines. Those kitchens weren’t just staged — they were intentionally designed by people who clearly use kitchens themselves, and it showed.
That’s why a thoughtfully stocked kitchen is one of the fastest ways to boost reviews, stand out in search results, and create repeat guests. Guests will forgive small quirks in a space, but an underwhelming kitchen? That’s the deal-breaker.
Here are the 10 essentials every Airbnb kitchen should have, with our top picks to make stocking simple.
1. A Proper Coffee Setup ☕
The very first thing most guests want in the morning? Coffee. A thoughtful setup goes beyond just putting a machine on the counter. No one wants to be scrambling in an unfamiliar place for their first cup of the day. Even something simple — a Keurig with pods or a reliable drip machine — goes a long way. Want to go the extra mile? Stock a grinder and some local beans. Add sugar, honey, and a few creamer or milk options, and pair it all with quality mugs. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact on how a guest starts their day.
👇 Shop our top picks on Amazon
☕️ French press
2. Sharp Knives 🔪
A set of dull knives can make even simple meal prep frustrating and unsafe. Guests don’t want to saw through a tomato or hack at an onion with a blade that barely cuts. Sharp, reliable knives make cooking faster, easier, and far more enjoyable. Choosing a decent, reliable set shows you’ve thought about the guest experience beyond the bare minimum.
🔪 We recommend this great stainless steel block set
3. Colander 🍝
From rinsing fruit to straining pasta, a sturdy colander is one of those items guests will look for and instantly appreciate. It’s the kind of everyday tool that makes a kitchen feel complete — and guests notice when it’s missing.
4. Wine Glasses 🍷
Vacation often means celebrations; anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, or just a long-awaited getaway. Nothing kills the mood faster than having to toast with a plastic cup or a chipped coffee mug. A small set of proper wine glasses instantly elevates the experience, making even a casual dinner feel special. They don’t have to be crystal or expensive; just sturdy, attractive glasses that give guests the sense that you’ve planned for those celebratory moments.
5. Drinking Glasses 🥤
Versatile, sturdy glasses are one of those essentials guests use daily, for water, juice, soda, or cocktails at night. Nothing feels more disappointing than arriving at a property stocked with only a couple of novelty cups or mugs that don’t match the need. Guests traveling as families or groups especially notice when there aren’t enough glasses for everyone. Stocking a simple set of durable, stackable drinking glasses ensures your kitchen feels ready for actual use, not just staged for photos. It’s a small investment that pays off every time a guest sits down for a meal or drink.
✨ These are great and come in different styles
6. Peeler 🥕
A peeler might seem like a small, forgettable tool… until a guest goes to make breakfast or prep veggies for dinner and realizes there isn’t one. Suddenly, they’re awkwardly trying to shave potatoes with a knife, which is both frustrating and unsafe. A sharp peeler makes prep quick and effortless, and it’s one of those inexpensive items that immediately signals to guests: this kitchen is truly usable. It’s a tiny detail, but it leaves a big impression.
👉 This peeler is affordable, sharp, and has a soft grip
7. Cheese Grater 🧀
Few things say “comfort food” like a homemade pizza or a pasta night, and a cheese grater is essential for both. It’s also handy for grating vegetables, zesting citrus, or even prepping ingredients for baking. Guests notice when a kitchen has the little tools that make cooking easier, and a good grater is one of them.
👉 Our favorite multi-use grater
8. Mixing Bowls 🥗
Mixing bowls are the unsung heroes of any kitchen. Guests need them for everything from pancake batter in the morning to tossing salads, marinating meats, or serving popcorn during movie night. Without them, cooking feels clumsy and incomplete. A nested set is the way to go; they stack neatly, save cupboard space, and provide the right size for any task.
🥣 Shop these handy mixing bowls (with lids for food storage!!)
🥣 Get this bang for your buck set that comes with baking utensils
9. Cutting Boards 🪵
Cutting boards are essential not only for meal prep but also for food safety. We recommend having at least two available, one for produce and one for proteins, so they don’t have to juggle everything on a single tiny board. A good set that’s durable and easy to clean makes the whole cooking process smoother and shows you’ve considered their needs. Providing multiple cutting boards also prevents frustration when several people are prepping at once.
👉 Shop our absolute favorite cutting boards!
10. Basic Pantry Staples 🌿
While not technically “tools,” a few thoughtfully chosen pantry staples can completely change how guests feel about your kitchen. Salt, pepper, olive oil, and a starter set of spices are inexpensive to provide but often end up being the first thing guests mention in glowing reviews. They save travellers from having to buy full bottles of basics for a short stay, and they make cooking feel easy and welcoming.
👇 Some starter items to include
🧂 Salt & pepper is a non-negotiable
🌶️ Spices will get you extra points
Final Thoughts 💭
A kitchen is more than a room with appliances. Guests book a short-term rental because they want the option of living like they do at home while they’re away. Whether it’s brewing coffee first thing in the morning, meal prepping for a work trip, or cooking dinner for the family, a real, usable kitchen is what turns a stay from “fine” into fantastic.
If your listing says it has a kitchen, it needs to be more than four walls with a fridge and a sink. Stocking these 10 essentials shows guests you’ve thought about their routines and how they’ll actually use the space. And the details matter: knowing your audience helps. Families might love mixing bowls and a cheese grater for quick dinners, while business travellers are looking for a solid coffee setup they don’t have to think twice about. When you stock intentionally, guests feel it.
The hosts who get this right are the ones earning glowing reviews, repeat bookings, and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Want more practical tips like this? Explore our blog at www.hellohostandstay.com/blog-airbnb-hosting-tips for strategies to attract better guests, boost reviews, and grow your revenue.
