How to Furnish Vacation Rentals for Maximum Rentability

I don’t currently own a vacation rental, but I prefer to stay in them when traveling, so I feel like I have the experience from a user’s perspective to voice my opinion.

While we were in Florida for a Disney trip, we stayed at a vacation rental complex. The unit was huge, and the space was really well laid out. But they offered absolutely nothing in the way of extras. They give you one roll of toilet paper per bathroom, and if you need more, you have to buy it. What?!?

There are a few aspects that make me come back again and again, and if the rental doesn’t have these things, I look for a different unit to rent the next time I am there.

How to Furnish Vacation Rentals for Maximum Rentability

Keep a Well-Supplied Kitchen

One of the top reasons I like to stay at vacation rentals rather than hotels is the ability to cook at least some of my meals in the kitchen, rather than going out to restaurants the whole vacation. Many of the places I have stayed at have minimum cookware: no bowls large enough to stir things in, limited serving utensils, etc.

When you are gathering up things to put into your rental, look around your own kitchen and see what you have. Your vacation rental probably doesn’t need a turkey baster, but you should have several serving spoons and at least one pair of tongs. A wine bottle opener, a whisk, a slotted spoon and a knife sharpener would be wonderful to find in a drawer.

Vacation rentals always seem to collect odds and ends when it comes to spices and sauces. Go above the norm, and add a few simple spices. Italian seasoning, garlic salt and lemon pepper in addition to regular salt and pepper is a great start. Add a bottle of Tabasco and a can of cooking spray, and most cooks can make it work.

Make sure everything is dishwasher safe! Everything — pots and pans, dishes, glassware, etc. It WILL be put into the dishwasher, so make sure it CAN be put in there.

People don’t typically make big, elaborate dinners while on vacation, but it is frustrating to not have even the basics.

Have Kid-Friendly Items on Hand

After I had children, I noticed that there are few kids items in vacation rentals, unless you are near Disney. Even then, there are limited options — almost like the items that are there were left by a previous guest, rather than supplied by the owner. Ikea sells inexpensive plastic dishware and cutlery in bright, fun colors. Parents will thank you for supplying these items.

A few kid-centric games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders will help keep the kiddos busy so the adults can talk. Kids of all ages will play with Duplo blocks (they are kind of like large Legos — too big to swallow).

Add in the Extras

If you are located near a cold place like a ski resort, please have extra blankets available for the beds. Skiers like to dry off their skis before storing them in the unit. I know I would love to find a ski-towel at a resort.

If you are near the beach, some inexpensive beach toys are so welcome. Supply extra towels so your renters don’t have to dry off from the shower with a sandy towel.

DVDs can be picked up for next to nothing at your local big box store, and a few really popular movies can be a great distraction on a rainy day. Again, remember the kiddos here, too. Some children’s movies can be scary, but the Shrek series is fairly tame.

Supply single-serve snacks and inexpensive breakfast options. Microwave popcorn is easy to make and inexpensive to supply if you buy in bulk. Ditto for granola bars, instant oatmeal packets, hot cocoa and bottled water. A little really does go a long way.

Make a guide book. If you know the area well, recommend some off-the-beaten-path places to visit, local restaurants that serve amazing food, and anything else that might be of interest to someone new to the area. Local hotels will almost always have a rack of brochures for local tourist places. Make a visit and grab one of each.

Are you local yourself? Include a phone number (and times that it is ok for them to call to ask questions), and tell them you are happy to make recommendations. They most likely won’t take you up on it, but be prepared for the call. Being available to answer questions really makes an impression.

Check Out the Competition

Most rentals advertise online. Click through their listings and see what they are offering. Make sure you are the best rental around. People rent cars almost everywhere, so it isn’t a big deal to drive a little farther to get to the better rental.

Investors: How do you go the extra mile at your vacation rental? Renters: What would you like to see more of?

Let me know your suggestions in the comments section below!

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.