An amazing kitchen is what makes staying in a vacation rental superior to a hotel room. It is an excellent venue for owners to generate rapport with their renters, as the kitchen provides many opportunities to make guests feel they’re being looked after.
Often, your guests’ opinion of your rental will depend on your kitchen. The best way to earn great reviews is by providing a neat, organized, and well-stocked kitchen.
Space and Storage
Lack of space is a major complaint about vacation rental kitchens. Some kitchens are rather small and some owners can’t provide cabinets or countertops where there simply isn’t room.
One easy workaround is to install wall shelving. Shelves are inexpensive and easy to install, and they put kitchen supplies right in front of your guests’ eyes, making it easy for them to find exactly what they need. A great example of this is this kitchen remodel by The Brauns.
For countertop space, we recommend a butcher-block island on wheels, like this one from Ikea. It can be used against the wall, but it is easy to roll directly into the center of the room whenever necessary.
Finally, ensure your cabinets are well maintained. Tightening or replacing your hinges should be an easy fix. New paint, some new knobs, and inexpensive shelf lining paper will keep them looking great.
Appliances
Make sure your refrigerator, oven, stove and other appliances are all working and easy to use. Many rental experiences are ruined because an outdated oven runs hot and ruins someone’s family meal.
Including a microwave oven is highly recommended. It is so essential that it is now even available in many hotel rooms, and your guests are expected to use it for a quick reheat or popcorn. Make sure it’s not an ancient model and can cook food uniformly.
In hotel rooms, a coffee maker is becoming a common amenity, and your guests would be delighted to have one. Include the right size coffee filters and use instructions. Some homeowners invest in a K-cup machine such as a Keurig, which requires less maintenance and is easier for renters to use.
A toaster oven, electric kettle, and a blender are optional but good to have appliances. None of them are strictly necessary, however visitors greatly appreciate them, and if you have the space to store them, they are well worth having.
Dinnerware
Another common mistake is not providing enough dinnerware to serve your guests.
Ideally, to meet the maximum capacity of your house, you should have twice the number of dishes, bowls, and water glasses. This makes it much easier for visitors, even if some dishes are already packed in the dishwasher, to deliver a complete meal.
We strongly suggest using matching dishware, silverware, and glassware from a common household goods store. You’ll be able to easily replace broken wares with matching items, and your dinnerware will remain attractive yet inexpensive. Guests associate matching dinnerware with quality, and find it difficult to overlook old, damaged, cracked, or mismatched ones.
Including wine glasses and coffee cups is also a good idea, although we believe that providing just enough for the maximum capacity of your home in this case is safe. Stemless glasses of wine are more difficult to break and usually dishwasher safe. While you should buy matching wine glasses, few people care about matching coffee cups, so do not hesitate to break the matching rule if you already have a variety of spacious mugs.
Ultimately, if you plan to rent to families, consider the needs of guests traveling with children. Providing sippy cups, kids’ dinnerware, and a high chair will be appreciated.
Cookware
For day-to-day cooking, your property should have a good collection of pots and pans.
Quality cookware lasts longer and works better! Holiday rental kitchens see a lot of use, and cheap pans need to be replaced quickly. Guests will also appreciate cooking with quality pots and pans.
Minimum recommended items:
- Small skillet (8 inch omelette size)
- Large skillet (12 in+)
- Small saucepan with lid (1.5 quart)
- Larger saucepan with lid (3 quart)
- Larger pot (e.g., stock pot size ~12 qt)
- Baking sheet/cookie sheet (2)
- Cake pan (round or square) (2)
- Muffin pan
- Loaf pan
- Casserole dishes (2)
- Large serving bowls and plates for family-style meals
Kitchen Utensils
Any kitchen without utensils is incomplete. You can purchase a bulk set of basics, or add the following:
- Tongs
- Spatula
- Slotted/unslotted spoon set
- Long-handled ladle
- Whisk
- Kitchen shears
- Grilling tools (if you have a barbecue)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large microwaveable measuring cup
- Vegetable peeler
- Can opener
- Corkscrew with bottle opener
- Box grater
- Mixing bowls
Dishwashing Items
If you can furnish your holiday rental with a dishwasher, do so! Guests enjoy it, and it saves time for you.
Provide a drying rack, kitchen towels, and a way to soak dishes. Consider a roll-up dish drainer to save space.
Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
Provide the following for guests:
- Sponges (new per renter)
- Liquid dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent (if applicable)
- Trash bags
- All-purpose cleaner
Place cleaning products away from children. Bonus convenience items:
- Ziplock bags
- Paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
Use a trash can that is large and convenient. Provide a recycling bin and inform guests about local sorting rules.
Pantry
Stock some basic cooking necessities:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Basil
- Oregano
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
Baking staples:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
Cooking oils:
- Vegetable oil
- Olive oil
- Cooking spray
- Vinegar
- Butter (store in freezer)
Coffee and tea are recommended. Leftover rice and pasta from previous guests can also be made available.
In Plain Sight
Essential items guests should find easily:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Coffee maker and kettle
- Wine opener
- Can opener
- Kitchen towels and oven mitts
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knives (in a butcher block)
Provide a small reference guide for the kitchen to improve guest experience and reviews.
