Airbnb Kitchen Renovation – Should I Change the Countertops?

Question

Hey everyone,

I’m in the middle of a kitchen renovation for my Airbnb and could use some advice. I recently removed the upper cabinets to open up the space and will be installing floating shelves. I also plan to tile the wall behind them.

Now, my spouse is suggesting we replace the countertops with butcher block for a nicer aesthetic. My current counters are in decent shape—maybe just need a little touch-up—but I’m wondering if it’s worth the extra cost and effort to switch to butcher block. I know it would probably improve the look, but I’m trying to be mindful of budget vs. impact.

For those who’ve renovated an Airbnb kitchen, do you think new butcher block countertops would make a significant difference in bookings or guest experience? Or would touching up my existing counters be fine? I am doing most of the work so it will cost an extra $1.5k.

Appreciate any insights!

Andrew Steffens · Answer

While I think the butcher block is a nice aesthetic it is maintenance heavy and I agree with @John Underwood I have seen guests putting a real beating on them.  I would recommend a good durable stone such as the heat resistant Quartz or Granite.

Lauren Kormylo · Answer

I've seen other hosts complain about guests burning marks from hot pans on their butcher block countertops, and knife cuts like @John Underwood said. They then had to be completely sanded down and refinished. Besides that cost, that's lost time during which you can't book guests.  Butcher block is probably the most high maintenance countertop you could do, so it's a big no from me.  You should try to make your place as low maintenance as possible, and that means thinking of ways not-so-bright guests can ruin something.

John Underwood · Answer

Don't put Butcher block into any rental!

I have heard horror stories of people using these as a cutting board and damaging them. Not worth the risk.

Mike H. · Answer

After seeing the pics, I definitely think the 1500 would be well worth spending.  What you have there is builder grade laminate and youre missing the end pieces on the existing countertops which really detracts from the place.  I would definitely change out the tops.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Kenzer Hodgson. Those countertops look terrible. Those need to be replaced.

I would go with granite or quartz. Granite has been commoditized now so standard pre-finished countertops can be had pretty cheap. Under $100 for a 8 foot 25" deep with standard edging.

No way I would do butcherblock counters.

Check Craigslist for counters as well. It is amazing what people are giving away or for cheap. In our area, there are quite a few countertop companies that close out stuff or have extra material. If you aren't too picky, you can get a great deal.

Sandra Andrews · Answer

Although I usually dislike floating shelves (I know you didn't ask) in your case, with the slanted ceiling, I think it will work well.  Regarding the butcher block counters, that would be a definite NO.  It's one thing if it's your own home, but definitely not for any type of rental.  BTW, I think your counters look fine.

Nathan Bisson · Answer

Hey @Kenzer Hodgson, I generally agree with most comments made so far. I thought I would contribute one other aspect of Butcher Block counters that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Yes, any wood product will be treated like a cutting board and will also get dinged and dented. That's to be expected and like many have said, it's just a maintenance cost consideration for having a more unique aesthetic in your rental.

The other thing to consider is how water will affect the counter. Most butcher block counters you buy from HD or other box stores are simply glued together and not "pinned". Enough water intrusion from the side of the sink will cause the BB to separate over time. That's a much harder repair, as you're constantly chasing the swelling of the wood with clamps, glue and pins if you can manage it. An over-mount vs under-mount sink will mitigate this a bit, but water will always find a way. This is the main reason why I'm not going back to BB counters. I have some rustic, waterfront cabins in Maine and I have switched to live-edge, solid wood counters. Same concerns as mentioned previously when dealing with wood, but they provide a great pop in our photos. For your application, I agree a solid counter is worth the money. Just my 2 cents...

Jeremy Jareckyj · Answer

totally agree on this. quartz is relatively affordable.

Nick M. · Answer

@Kenzer Hodgson

I am dealing with a similar decision (replacing counter tops); currently have something similar to yours. I did for a short duration think about butcher block and decided against it for all the reasons mentioned already. Decided to go with a light (almost white) quartz with grey veins (have white cabinets and grey vinyl floor). You can’t really hurt quartz, it is very resistant to heat, scratches, etc.). Will probably think about a backsplash that accents well with this color scheme and make it pop!

Andrew Street · Answer

Hey Kenzer! Renovating an Airbnb kitchen is always a balancing act between cost and impact. Butcher block looks great and adds warmth, but it does require regular maintenance. If your current countertops are in good shape, a simple refresh might be the more budget-friendly option.

Guests usually care more about cleanliness and functionality than specific materials. That said, if the aesthetic upgrade aligns with your brand and can justify the cost, it could be worth considering. Happy to connect!

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Airbnb Kitchen Renovation – Should I Change the Countertops?