New to hosting on Airbnb? Be your own first guest.

[Jamie600]

So, you've found the perfect listing. It's in the ideal location, with everything you could ever want just around the corner. But now comes the hard part, making it truly shine as an Airbnb. As a new host, you might be wondering what supplies and amenities are essential for your listing. After all, the difference between a great stay and a forgettable one often lies in the details.

One key piece of advice I can give you is this: Be your own first guest. It's easy to overlook things when you're in the planning phase, but when you step into your space with the mindset of a guest, you'll notice everything that makes or breaks the experience.

Here’s how I designed my space to be not only beautiful but extraordinarily comfortable, and how you can do the same!

Comfort First: Make it a Place to Relax

When I started hosting, I focused on what would make me feel at home. As someone who values peace and comfort, I wanted a place that felt cozy, relaxing, and stylish. Your listing doesn’t need to be filled with fancy furniture to impress; it needs to feel inviting. You should be able to imagine yourself curling up on the couch with a cozy throw blanket, sipping a hot drink, and feeling completely at ease.

I’ve always gravitated toward homes that look beautiful but also offer comfort. When guests arrive, they should immediately feel like they can kick back, relax, and enjoy their time.

Thoughtful Amenities That Make a Difference

While some amenities are standard (like a comfortable bed and a well-stocked kitchen), it’s the unexpected extras that often leave a lasting impression. I found that things people don’t always think about, especially for older guests, make a huge difference. Here are some of the thoughtful additions I made to my listing:

• Magnifying Mirrors: As a host, you might not always realize how much a small detail like this can improve a guest’s experience. Offering magnifying mirrors in the bathroom gives guests a simple but much-needed luxury, especially for those who need a closer look for makeup or grooming.
  
  
• Toiletries Kits: It’s always nice to have a little kit with essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and hair products. You never know when a guest might forget something, and having those thoughtful backups available shows you care.
  
  
• Slippers and Robes: A soft robe and cozy slippers aren’t just a treat, they make guests feel pampered and at home. Consider these items to elevate the comfort level of your space.
  
  
• The Softest Sheets: I splurged on Cozy Earth sheets, which are luxuriously soft and eco-friendly. I wanted to ensure that guests have the best sleep possible, and high-quality bedding makes all the difference. I also invested in Hutterite down comforters-Canadian Down & Feathers makes some lovely ones, and Jennifer Adams Eternal duvet covers (you can often find them at Costco). They’re buttery-soft, breathable, and make the bed feel like an indulgence.

Designing with a Personal Touch

Beyond just filling the space with the right things, think about the feeling you want to evoke. Design the space to reflect your personality, but also cater to your guests’ needs. Choose colors, fabrics, and furniture that encourage a sense of relaxation. Make sure there’s plenty of comfortable seating for all types of guests, whether they prefer curling up in a chair with a book or gathering around a table for conversation. And don’t forget about ambiance. Little touches like carefully chosen lighting, art that speaks to the area, and thoughtful decorations can create an inviting atmosphere that makes your place stand out from others.

Key Takeaways for New Hosts:

1. Comfort is Key: Prioritize comfort above all else. Think about how you’d want to feel as a guest, what makes you feel relaxed and at ease?
   
   
2. Think Beyond the Basics: Extra amenities like magnifying mirrors, toiletries kits, robes, slippers, and luxurious sheets show you care and elevate the guest experience.
   
   
3. Design with Purpose: Your home should feel like a retreat, a place guests can unwind and recharge. Create a space that’s both beautiful and inviting.
   
   
4. Be Your Own Guest: When setting up your space, step into the shoes of a guest. Make sure every detail, from the sheets to the lighting, feels right to you first.

By thinking of yourself as your very first guest and designing for comfort and peace, you’re already on the right path to becoming a successful Airbnb host. After all, it’s the little things that make a big impact on your guests’ experience.

If you’re a new host:
What’s one thing you’re unsure about setting up your space? Or what small change improved guest comfort the most?

Reply below – I would love to hear what’s working for you.

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Jamie600 

I completely agree with you.

In fact, I would add that we should be “guests” in our own homes, even several times a year in different seasons.

Personally, I often use my home in Venice for short vacations, and every time I do, I think of some improvements that I subsequently make 😉

Andrea

[Rebecca]

@Andrea6232 I agree with you about the different seasons, especially if the temperature and environment changes a lot. You may think of things that you might be missing that would bring your guests comfort! 

Have you got any examples of improvements that you made after staying in your home? 

[Andrea6232]

@Rebecca After visiting Venice with my daughters, I added a full-length mirror 😂

Buon Natale!

[Rebecca]

😂 That is a crucial addition, and I'm shocked that you didn't have one before @Andrea6232! 😉 A great example though, thanks so much for sharing. 😊

[Nandanie0]

These ideas are very important to develop my  bussiness . Thank you very much .

[Lonna13]

Lots of examples! We set up our vacation homes with ourselves and our guests in mind from Day 1, so there's a lot that we thought of in advance. I also bring my friends to stay with me, and they give me feedback, as well. Here's what we added in just the first year as a result of staying and having friends stay with us:

- humidifiers in every bedroom room or whole-house humidifier connected to HVAC (very dry climates!)

- waffle maker

- sugar bowl

- large serving platter (turkey sized)

- electric blankets

- cinnamon

- space heater for basement

- a toilet plunger that actually FITS the toilet! (That was embarrassing.)

- Christmas tree and outdoor lights

- gymnastics play mat for kids

- more variety in pillows (memory foam, down-alternative, medium firmness)

- washable placemats for kids

- tissues with lotion (our property manager's tissues were like sandpaper)

- softer toilet paper (see pm issue above)

- fragrance-free hand lotion

- sleds

- laundry sanitizer

- bathroom magnifying mirror

- chip clips

- air purifier

- shower grab bar

This is all stuff we easily could skip (except maybe that plunger that was the wrong size!), but we use them ourselves, so why not add them to the homes we vacation in?

And we have a full-length mirror, but our friends didn't see it... so maybe I will add more of them in the future 😉

[Faynan0]

This was a good read and a useful one; I can resonate with and make absolute sense of those key takeaways for new hosts. Thank you,  Jamie.

I am considering adding bath robes and improving sleep quality for our guests, further enhancing and prioritizing their comfort. A bit on Design and interior with indoor plants.

[Rebecca]

This is great @Faynan0 - did you buy manage to get some bathrobes or some lovely plants for your space? 

[Roberta1400]

You're absolutely right I agree with the bedding, yes Costco do have beautiful feather down's, comfort is key I will be adding the extra magnifying  mirror and take a step back and become a guest thankyou Jamie for your advice 

[Rebecca]

Thanks for stopping by and for thanking @Jamie600 for this post. It's wonderful to read that it's inspired so many people. A magnifying mirror is definitely an essential! 😊 

[Ann44347]

It was a very useful article. Thank you. The best advice I have is to spend the night there yourself. I have one bed that guests have raved over that I find way too soft and squishy for me! So, being your own guest may not be the perfect answer, but it gives you a great idea of what you might want to do differently. We stayed the first night without anything other than pajamas and a change of clothes. No toothbrush or toothpaste, but it was available! Shampoo, conditioner, soft absorbent towels, a shaver, shave cream, deodorant, etc. A blow dryer, hairspray, and makeup remover are also included. The list goes on. I try to anticipate what people want and provide it, although it is totally a fool's errand occasionally.

[Rebecca]

This is a great point @Ann44347, everyone is different but I think it's about putting yourself in your guests shoes, isn't it? 😊

[Amanda3370]

Bonjour @Jamie600 , merci pour l’article !

Je viens de lancer une nouvelle annonce et je vais justement faire une nuit “test” comme invitée (arrivée tardive, douche, nuit, petit-déj) pour repérer les détails à améliorer.

Si vous avez 1 ou 2 “petits détails” qui changent vraiment tout côté confort (en particulier pour les familles), je suis preneuse.

___

Hello @Jamie600  , thank you for the article!

I just launched a new ad and I'm going to do a "test" night as a guest (late arrival, shower, night, breakfast) to identify details to improve.

If you have 1 or 2 “small details” that really make all the difference in terms of comfort (especially for families), I'm all ears.

[Google translation added by OCM]

[Ashish197]

@Jamie600 Well, this is one of the most important ones i feel- being your own first guest!. Read your entire article word by words, by heart..haha.. It resonates with me so much.. That's how building spaces for me has been. 

Great must read post 🙂