Excited about your vacation rental?
Let’s stock your kitchen.
Vacation rentals are great investment opportunities, as you can charge higher rates and maximize profits in the right areas. That’s why the vacation rental industry is expected to see a 5.5% CAGR through 2030.
However, vacation rentals come with some unique challenges, as guests will not bring all of their belongings with them. Fortunately, it’s easier than you’d think to fully stock your property. Here’s what your real estate company should stock in a vacation rental kitchen.
Pots and pans save vacationers money.
When travelers save money by cooking their meals themselves, offering different pots and pans to your guests is essential.
You should have at least a couple of frying or cooking pans, a baking sheet, and a couple of pots to boil water in. A tea kettle and some other specialized equipment can also help guests feel at home.
Knives, cooking utensils, etc.
You’ll need to offer knives, including chef’s knives, steak knives, and more. A knife rack with a decent selection is the way to go here. Travelers want to feel at home where they’re staying, and it’s hard to cook meals without proper equipment.
It’s best to have a selection of cooking utensils available. Spatulas, spoons, whisks, can openers, vegetable peelers, and more. These shouldn’t cost more than $30 to fully stock, and they can last a long time, so it’s well worth the investment.
If you have an outdoor grill or cooking situation, offer some outdoor cookware separately to allow your guests to enjoy their time by the fire.
Grill brushes, metal spatulas, tongs, and lighters should cover the essentials for this. Just remember to offer cookware compatible with these setups.
Please pass a fork.
Silverware is an essential item for a short-term rental kitchen, as most travelers would never think to pack it themselves. You don’t need a lot, but a few of each item per guest can go a long way to allowing your renters to enjoy a meal after a day of fun.
Time to clean it all up.
You’ll need dish soap for your rental cleaning team anyway, but you should make it available to guests as well. They can wash their own dishes during longer stays and possibly help clean up after themselves.
Don’t forget sponges, brushes, and drying cloths. A drying rack will also help if you don’t have a dishwasher.
Additional appliances. For a better cooking experience.
You probably already have a refrigerator, microwave, and range, but why stop there? There are plenty of other appliances that require a very small initial investment but can still add a lot of value to your guests. There are plenty of others, these are the most common:
- Slow cooker
- Waffle iron
- Blender
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Air fryer
- Electric Skillet
- Rice cooker
Yes, tableware too.
A place to eat the delicious food your guests make is important. Adding tablecloths, cushions to chairs, and centerpieces can make this space more inviting. More importantly, it needs to be functional. The essential items include:
- Bowls
- Plates
- Cups
- Water glasses
- Specialized glasses (wine glasses, champagne glasses, etc.)
- Coffee mugs
- Pitcher
- Serving platters
You can always use disposable versions (paper plates, disposable cups, etc.), but it won’t cost much more to stock your kitchen with permanent items. This will ultimately save you money in the long run.
The morning coffee. Nothing’s more important.
Coffee makers, coffee filters, and of course, coffee.
Luckily, coffee makers are fairly inexpensive. You can choose anything from a standard coffee maker to a Keurig or even a French Press. If you really want to impress your guests, consider adding a coffee grinder to the list.
The more options you offer, the better. Tea, creamers, sugar, syrups, and more can benefit different vacation renters.
For sipping or chugging.
Wine bottle openers, beer bottle openers, wine glasses, beer mugs, and more. While they aren’t entirely necessary, they can help add value to your guests.
A few basic food items.
Non-perishables, spices, and condiments are excellent items to boost your vacation rental. The fewer items’ travelers have to pack or purchase, the better. Here are a few examples of consumables to offer:
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, etc.)
- Soy sauce
- Dried herbs and spices
- Salt and pepper
- Dry pasta
- Rice
- Beans
- Sauces
Have checklist. Stock today.
A fully stocked kitchen will help promote the best guests, the best reviews, and the highest returns. For only a small upfront investment, you can add a lot of value to your property for your guests.
Stay up to date with our latest real estate tips, and don’t hesitate to contact 30A Local Real Estate with any questions.