6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Hosting On Airbnb For The First Time

When we first started our Airbnb, I thought the hardest part would be getting everything cleaned, decorated, and listed online. But, this was not the case at all. The initial prep and listing took time because I was learning on the go, but those weren’t my biggest obstacles. What I didn’t realize initially was how much the setup phase impacts everything that comes afterward. Your setup and implementation of systems ultimately impact everything, from your booking price, to your reviews, your cleaning and management routine, your stress level, and honestly, whether hosting even feels manageable at all.

Looking back, there are so many things I wish I knew before hosting on Airbnb for the first time. Some would’ve saved us money, some would’ve saved us time, and some would’ve simply made the process feel less overwhelming. If you’re getting ready to start an Airbnb, here’s what I wish someone had told me before we began.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and affiliate for Studio McGee, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosting Isn’t Passive (At First)

One of the biggest misconceptions about Airbnb hosting is that it’s easy money. That it’s a great way to earn an income stream as you sleep.

And eventually, parts of it can become fairly streamlined. But in the beginning? There’s a learning curve.

The startup phase takes a surprising amount of time:

researching what you actually need
furnishing the space
creating systems
organizing supplies
preparing for guest questions
learning what guests care about most

Once you figure all of this out, automate your processes, and assemble your team, only then can you turn your short-term rental business into a well-oiled machine. But even then, it may be mostly passive when things are running smoothly. Inevitably, though, you’ll hit a snag. The guest has an issue – maybe the automatic door lock doesn’t work properly, or the heat goes out in the house. Maybe your cleaner cancels last minute, leaving you scrambling to turnover the house in between guests. Or, maybe there’s a shipping delay for some of your supplies, and you run out of toilet paper or hand soap. In these situations, you’ll have to jump in and handle them immediately. This can be stressful, but over time, and with the proper back-ups in place, you’ll be able to put out these fires quickly.

Setup Matters More Than You Think

This is probably the biggest lesson we learned.

A thoughtful setup affects:

your guest experience
the price a guest is willing to pay
your reviews
your cleaning process
how durable your space is over time
how stressful turnovers feel

In the beginning, I focused heavily on decor. But guests consistently notice practical things more:

Those are the things that make a stay feel comfortable and convenient. You don’t need to make everything look perfect immediately. Instead, creating a functional Airbnb matters much more than creating a Pinterest-perfect one. You can always upgrade and refine later.

Our Airbnb Starter Kit Essentials

If I were starting over today, I’d focus on a few core categories first before worrying about extra styling details.

Bedroom Essentials

The bedroom is one of the most important spaces in any Airbnb. Guests want it to feel clean, comfortable, and relaxing.

A few things that made the biggest difference for us:

Comfort matters more than overly complicated decor.

Bathroom Essentials

You don’t need a luxury bathroom to create a good experience.

Simple touches go a long way:

fluffy white towels
hand soap + body wash
extra toilet paper
storage hooks
a hair dryer
a clean, uncluttered setup

Guests mainly want things to feel easy and hygienic. Having space for the guest to put their things is another important (and overlooked!) detail.

Kitchen Basics

You don’t need to fully stock the kitchen with every gadget imaginable.

Most guests appreciate:

coffee setup (bonus: a fully-stocked coffee station!)
basic cookware
wine opener
enough dishes and silverware
paper towels, sponges, and dishsoap
simple organization

Functional always wins. Make sure you have the basics, but don’t go overboard.

Reviews Take Time

This is something I wish I understood earlier because it would’ve saved me a lot of unnecessary stress. You should know that even if your Airbnb is beautifully set up, bookings and reviews usually build gradually. At first, every review feels incredibly important (because it is!). But momentum takes time.

In the beginning:

you’re learning
your systems are evolving
you’re adjusting based on feedback

That’s normal. You also don’t have other 5-star reviews to fall back on. One low review can dramatically lower your rating. It can additionally be hard to book guests without a proven track record of bookings. Now, I try to focus on one stay (and one good review!) at a time. What can I do to make the guests comfortable so they enjoy their stay? Another helpful mindset shift for me was realizing that your first version doesn’t need to be your forever version. Hosting gets easier as you learn what guests actually use and value. You can (and should) make changes along the way.

Systems Make Hosting So Much Easier

This was the real turning point for us. Once we stopped trying to “wing it” and started creating repeatable systems, everything became more manageable. There’s always going to be a bit of a learning curve when you’re starting out. But doing research and taking a more thoughtful approach can lay the groundwork for a streamlined business model, making things easier for you in the long run.

Things like:

standardized cleaning checklists
backup supplies and a detailed inventory
organized and labeled storage bins
consistent guest communication (automated, if possible)
simplified, functional decor
duplicate essentials

all reduce stress significantly.

This became especially important because we manage one of our Airbnbs remotely. So for us, creating systems was absolutely essential. Systems aren’t just helpful, they make hosting sustainable long term, and make your business scalable.

Don’t Overbuy in the Beginning

If I could go back, I would spend less money upfront. I definitely overbought decor and “just in case” items early on because I thought we needed to anticipate every possible guest need. We had SO many extra sheets, towels, and cleaning supplies.

But most of the things that actually improve reviews are surprisingly simple:

cleanliness
comfort
convenience
clear communication

That’s it.

Start with the essentials and improve over time based on real guest feedback. In terms of backups, I now keep 1-2 spare pairs of bed sheets per bed, and a few extra towels. I take a detailed inventory every few months (at a minimum). This way, I know what needs to be thrown away and replaced. For us, it was too difficult to keep a large emergency stash of items. We have backups, but we also are dialed in to know what things are starting to run low, so we can replace them seamlessly.

Focus on Guest Experience, Not Perfection

One thing I’ve learned is that guests don’t expect perfection.

They want:

a clean space
a comfortable bed
clear instructions
thoughtful touches
a smooth experience

Sometimes the small conveniences matter more than expensive upgrades.

A basket with extra blankets, bedside charging access, or a fully-stocked coffee station can make a bigger impression than overly styled decor. I’ve also found that a full-length mirror, iron + ironing board, hairdryer, and luggage racks are guest favorites!

Final Thoughts

Starting an Airbnb can feel overwhelming in the beginning, especially when it seems like everyone online has a perfectly designed, fully optimized setup. But most hosts learn as they go. We definitely did! Now, as a seasoned Superhost, my one piece of advice to new hosts would be to start simpler than you think you need to. Focus on creating a comfortable, functional experience first. Then refine and upgrade over time. That approach will save you money, reduce stress, and help you build systems that actually last. And honestly? That’s what makes hosting feel sustainable in the long run.

Don’t know where to start? Check out my Amazon Storefront to see my complete Airbnb Starter Kit!