We open a new unit roughly every two months. That pace means we've stopped relying on memory and started relying on a list. What follows is the actual Airbnb setup checklist we walk through before every first guest, room by room, developed across seven units and a few expensive mistakes.
Unit 2 went live with no dish soap. Unit 4 went live with a WiFi password posted incorrectly on the welcome card. Unit 6 went live with a missing bath mat. Three separate first-night messages from guests, three things that could have been caught in twenty minutes with a list. Now we have the list.
Bedroom Checklist
- Mattress protector on and fitted correctly
- Fresh bottom sheet, top sheet, and duvet cover
- Two pillows per side, with pillow protectors under the cases
- Spare pillow set in the linen closet
- Spare full bedding set in the linen closet
- Blackout curtains hung and tested in full daylight
- Both bedside plug-in sconces on and working
- Hangers in the closet (we do 10 per unit minimum)
- Full-length mirror in bedroom or nearby
- Spare lightbulb in the nightstand drawer or linen closet
Bathroom Checklist
- Bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth per max occupancy, plus one set spare
- Bath mat with non-slip backing, freshly washed
- Soap dispenser filled (we use wall-mounted pumps in five units)
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash stocked
- Hair dryer tested and working
- Toilet paper (we stock three rolls visible plus a few in the cabinet)
- Small trash can with lid and a liner
- Mirror clean with no streaks
- Shower/tub scrubbed and drain clear
Kitchen Checklist
- Coffee maker clean and functioning, with filters and a bag of coffee stocked
- Kettle clean and tested
- Dishes, glasses, and mugs for max occupancy plus two
- Nonstick pan, pot, spatula, and tongs
- Chef's knife, paring knife, and cutting board
- Dish soap, sponge, and dish rack or drying mat
- Paper towels on the counter
- Salt, pepper, and olive oil (the three things every guest needs and nobody packs)
- Refrigerator clean, empty, and set to correct temperature
- All cabinet interiors wiped down
Living Area Checklist
- Seating for max occupancy, tested for stability
- TV working, streaming apps signed in and accessible without guest login
- Remote batteries fresh (we test every remote on setup day)
- Throw on the sofa, styled
- Statement lighting working: pendant light or floor lamp on and warm
- Local guide in binder, current and accurate
- WiFi name and password posted visibly (and tested from a phone not connected to the network)
We test the WiFi by disconnecting from the network and re-entering the password from the printed card. Three of our first six units had a transcription error that would have frustrated the first guest. One check prevents all three.
Property-Wide Checklist
- Check-in instructions do a real test, walk the entry sequence exactly as a guest would at night
- Lockbox or keypad code confirmed working
- Spare key or emergency access documented internally
- First aid kit stocked and visible
- Fire extinguisher present, charged, and accessible
- Smoke detector and CO detector tested
- Emergency contacts posted (building manager, local non-emergency line)
- Checkout instructions visible (we laminate one page and leave it on the counter)
- Trash and recycling instructions clear
- All windows and doors lock correctly
The 11 Things Most New Hosts Forget
Based on first-guest messages across seven units, these are the items that fall off checklists most often:
- Dish soap
- A can opener
- Salt and pepper
- Paper towels in the kitchen
- Spare toilet paper beyond one roll
- A working lamp in the living area (overhead only is not enough)
- A trash bag in every bin on day one
- The WiFi password correctly transcribed
- A place to hang a jacket at the front door
- Checkout instructions in a visible location
- Lightbulb spares anywhere in the unit
Print this list. Walk the unit with it the day before the first guest arrives, not the night before. You want time to fix things, not just find them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on an Airbnb setup checklist?
A complete checklist covers the bedroom (bedding, pillows, blackout curtains, lighting, hangers), bathroom (towels, toiletries, hair dryer, bath mat), kitchen (coffee maker, cookware, dishes, dish soap), living area (seating, lighting, TV, WiFi posted), and property-wide items (locks, detectors, emergency contacts, checkout instructions).
What do I need before my first Airbnb guest?
Before your first guest: do a real test of the check-in entry sequence at night, verify the WiFi password is correct and posted, confirm every light works including lamps, check that dish soap and toilet paper are stocked, and walk the unit as if you're arriving for the first time. Fix what you find that day, not the morning of.
How long does it take to set up an Airbnb?
Two to four weeks from empty apartment to live listing is typical for a studio or one-bedroom. Week one is furniture delivery and assembly. Week two is stocking, styling, and photography. Build in a buffer before your first available booking date and leave a day for the full setup walkthrough before you go live.
What makes a good Airbnb listing photo?
Warm layered lighting more than anything else. Overhead lighting alone makes rooms look institutional. Plug-in sconces by the bed and a pendant or lamp in the living area create the warm ambient atmosphere that photographs well. Style the bed with pillows and a throw, clear the counters, and shoot in the early evening when warm artificial light is most effective.
