The Complete Short-Term Rental Furnishing Checklist

Furnishing a vacation rental is much more involved than furnishing an empty house. You aren't only creating a place that looks finished. You are creating a property that needs to function for people who have never been there before.

Guests shouldn't have to improvise because something obvious was forgotten.

Bedrooms

A bedroom needs more than a bed. Think about where guests will place their phone, charge devices, store clothing and put luggage.

Every bedroom should have comfortable bedding, appropriate bedside lighting, window coverings and some kind of clothing or luggage storage. Small conveniences can make a room feel much more thoughtfully designed.

Living room

The living room needs enough seating for the property's realistic occupancy. If eight people are staying at the house, they should be able to spend time together without half the group sitting on dining chairs.

Think about the sofa, chairs, side tables, lighting, rug placement, television and how people will move through the room.

Dining room

The dining room becomes more than a place to eat in a vacation rental. Guests use the table for games, conversations, laptops and gathering together.

Whenever possible, the dining capacity should make sense for the number of people the property accommodates.

Kitchen

A beautiful kitchen can still frustrate guests if it isn't stocked properly.

Cookware, utensils, knives, cutting boards, glasses, dishes, coffee equipment and other basics should match the type and size of the property. A home sleeping twelve people shouldn't have six dinner plates.

Bathrooms

Towels, bath mats, mirrors, storage and good lighting make a big difference. Hooks are another small detail that gets overlooked constantly.

Guests need somewhere to put towels, toiletry bags and clothing while they're using the bathroom.

Entryway

Vacation rental guests arrive with suitcases, jackets, shoes, bags and sometimes coolers or recreational equipment.

A bench, hooks, durable rug or designated luggage area can immediately make the property easier to use.

Outdoor spaces

If outdoor living is one of the reasons guests choose the property, treat it like another room.

Comfortable seating, dining areas, fire pits, grills and recreational equipment can all become part of the experience you're selling.

Once the functional pieces are in place, design is what brings everything together. Color, texture, lighting, artwork and décor help turn a fully furnished house into a property people actually remember.