How to Set Up an Airbnb (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Thinking about starting an Airbnb, Vrbo, or Furnished Finder rental—but not sure where to begin?

You’re not alone. When we first got started, I remember feeling overwhelmed by all the information online. Everyone seemed to have different advice, and it was hard to know what actually mattered.

My husband and I now own and manage three rental units:

One 2-bedroom, 2-bath home about 2.5 hours away
Two units in our neighborhood (a 2-bed/2-bath main floor + a separate basement studio)

Over time, we’ve learned a lot, and believe me, some of it the hard way. But that experience has helped us create systems that actually work, both for the nearby rentals and one we manage remotely.

If you’re starting from scratch, this guide will walk you through everything you need to go from empty space to your first booking. It’s exactly what we needed when we first started hosting!

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Step 1: Define Your Airbnb Strategy

Before you buy a single item, take a step back—your setup should reflect your goals.

Think About Your Ideal Guest

Are you targeting:

Couples?
Families?
Business travelers?
Long-term stays?

For us, it’s important to dissuade parties and large gatherings at our properties. The size of your house and the number of beds you offer tends to play a role in this. Accordingly, we don’t have any properties with more than two bedrooms, so that automatically discourages large groups.

Additionally, our basement studio is about 340 sq feet and doesn’t have a full kitchen, so it’s perfect for travelers who are just passing through the area rather than those who plan to vacation for several days.

That’s why it’s important to think about your ideal guest and who your space is best suited for.

Consider Your Location

Your location plays a huge role in who books your space.

Near a university? That means you’ll probably attract parents visiting for orientation, graduation, and football weekends.
Close to hospitals or convention centers? This snags business travelers and traveling nurses.
Near downtown or outdoor attractions? This often equates to plenty of weekend visitors.

Being in any of these locations will also open the door to mid-term rentals (3–6 months), which can be a great option in certain markets.

Short-Term vs Mid-Term Rentals

Short-term: 1 night to a few weeks
Mid-term: 1–6 months (great for traveling nurses, relocations, internships)

Your setup may vary depending on which you choose.

Step 2: Prepare the Space (Clean, Repair, Refresh)

Before furnishing, start with a completely clean slate.

If the space was previously lived in:

Remove all personal items
Deep clean EVERYTHING
Fix anything broken
Touch up paint

This is your chance to handle all those “we’ll get to it later” tasks. Trust me, you’ll still be doing frequent maintenance as a host, so starting fresh makes a huge difference.

Step 3: Furnish Your Airbnb (What You Actually Need)

Now for the fun part—turning your space into something guests will love.

Here’s what I consider the true must-haves:

Bedroom Essentials

Comfortable mattress, mattress pad, and mattress protector
2+ sets of sheets per bed (I use the
Neutral, easy-to-wash bedding (I prefer lightweight quilts)
Extra blanket (for comfort + styling)
Nightstands and lamps

Living Area Essentials

Durable, easy-to-clean sofa
Coffee table
TV with streaming apps available (guests can use their own log in credentials)
Throw pillows + blankets

Kitchen Must-Haves

Basic cookware
Utensils & dishware
Coffee setup (we use a Keurig with K-cups, creamer, sugar—always a hit!)

Bathroom Essentials

Towels (I recently switched from white to cream to better hide stains)
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion)
Hand soap at every sink
Storage space for guests
Bath mats

Bonus Items Guests LOVE

These small touches go a long way:

Full-length mirror
Luggage rack
Blackout curtains
Extra blankets
Air mattress (great for flexibility)

Step 4: Design for a 5-Star Experience

You don’t need a designer budget—but you do need intention.

Here’s what I focus on:

Keep the base neutral but warm
Add texture (rugs, curtains, greenery)
Stay consistent with your style

When we first started, our space was pretty minimal—and that’s okay. You don’t need a TON of furniture or decor. Focus on the basics. Make sure you have all of the functional pieces to make a guest feel comfortable. I’d prioritize function and comfort over filler. Things like lamps and mirrors should be bought over extra decor and unnecessary furniture. Over time, you can gradually add decor and upgrade key pieces to make the space feel even more warm and inviting.

In our living room, you can see we started with the key pieces – a couch, chairs, coffee table and a rug. But the decor was minimal. On the right is a picture of where we’re at now; we’ve upgraded the rug, chairs, and coffee table, added in greenery and stayed consistent with an interior design style. Both are fine, but the one on the right is much more inviting to guests.

Same with the primary bedroom. The left picture is where we started. We only have one nightstand, and the room is bare, but functional. Now, we’ve upgraded the nightstands, added bedside lamps, and added to the decor to offer a more comfortable experience to guests. It doesn’t happen overnight, but you can keep adding pieces as often as you can, until you have the space just right!

Step 5: Stock Your Airbnb for Guests

This is where you make your guests feel taken care of.

We personally buy in bulk (hello, Costco!), especially for our remote property.

Our Go-To Supplies:

Toilet paper
Paper towels
Dish soap + sponges
Dishwasher + laundry detergent
Hand soap
Toiletries
Coffee/tea setup

Optional (but appreciated):

Snacks
Bottled water
Travel toothbrushes

Having a system for restocking is key—especially if you don’t live nearby.

If you want everything in one place, I’ve saved my full setup here!

Step 6: Create a Welcome Experience

A welcome binder is a must. It’s often overlooked, but I find it can make a difference in reviews and repeat bookings. Not to mention, before we created one, we got so many repeat questions from guests. Now, everything is in one place and the experience feels much smoother.

You want your guests to feel comfortable, informed, and taken care of as soon as they enter the home. Therefore, your welcome binder should answer every question a guest might have without them needing to message you. It should include:

Emergency contact information
Check-in + check-out instructions
Parking details
Wifi & tv info
Appliance instructions
House rules
Local recommendations (restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, things to do)

Go Beyond the Basics (Small Touches Matter)

If you want those 5-star reviews, it’s often the little things guests remember. Try offering:

A small snack or bottled water
A handwritten note (even a printed one works!)
Clear, friendly instructions

These don’t have to be expensive—but they make your space feel intentional.

Step 7: Set Up Your Listing on Airbnb

Once your space is ready, it’s time to actually get it in front of guests. This part can feel intimidating, but it’s really about clearly communicating what you offer.

Create a Listing That Stands Out

When setting up your listing, focus on:

A clear, descriptive and keyword-friendly title
Highlighting your best features and what makes your space unique
Being honest and provide accurate details.

Think about what you would want to know when booking.

Writing a Description That Converts

A common mistake is listing features without context. While a “2-bed, 2-bath with kitchen” is technically accurate, a statement like: “perfect for couples or small families, this cozy 2-bedroom home features a fully stocked kitchen, comfortable living space, and is located just minutes from downtown.” provides quite a bit more information and will attract far more interest from potential guests.

Focus on how the space feels
Call out who it’s perfect for
Mention standout features early

Don’t Skimp on the Details

Make sure you fill out:

Amenities (this affects search results!)
House rules
Safety features

The more complete your listing, the more trustworthy it feels to potential guests. Airbnb and other sites often have several different areas to complete. Don’t stop at the Listing Description!

Step 8: Take High-Quality Photos (This Matters More Than You Think)

If there’s one thing that directly impacts bookings, it’s your photos. Guests often decide in seconds whether or not to click on your listing, and the photos are the first thing they see.

Tips for Better Airbnb Photos

Hire a real estate photographer
Shoot during the day with natural light
Open curtains and turn on all lights
Turn off all ceiling fans
Use wide angles to show the full space
Keep everything clean and clutter-free
Style lightly (pillows, throws, simple decor)

Our Experience: Why Photos Are Worth Upgrading

When we first listed our properties, our photos were… fine. Instead of taking my own advice, I let a friend take the photos. They were new to photography and didn’t usually shoot homes. The photos showed the space, but they came out dark and uninviting. Once we received several reviews saying the place was much cuter in person, I knew it was time for a reshoot. After hiring a photographer who used better lighting, and better styling on our end, we saw a noticeable difference:

More clicks
More bookings
Better overall engagement

It’s one of the highest ROI upgrades you can make. See the difference?

Step 9: Set Pricing + Availability

Pricing can feel like a guessing game at first—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by researching similar listings in your area. Look for houses with the same number of bedrooms and comparable amenities. Price slightly competitively at the beginning, and adjust as you get bookings and reviews. Over time, you’ll notice patterns.

Airbnb offers a suggested pricing tool that you can turn on to help you adjust prices according to other listings. You can also do this manually by keeping an eye on local happenings. Graduations, conferences, and local events could drive up demand, and therefore your prices.

Step 10: Prepare for Your First Guest

This is where everything comes together.

Your Pre-Guest Checklist

Deep clean the entire space
Restock all supplies
Make beds neatly
Set out towels and toiletries
Test Wifi and tv
Check locks and entry instructions
Ensure everything is working properly

Do a “Guest Perspective” Walkthrough

Before your first guest arrives, do a full walkthrough of the space, pretending you’re the guest.

Ask yourself:

Would I know how to get in?
Is anything confusing?
Is there anything missing?

This step helps catch small issues before they turn into negative reviews. You want all of your guests to enjoy a smooth, stress-free stay.

Your First Reviews Matters Most

Your first few guests set the tone for your listing. To increase your chances of a 5-star review:

Communicate clearly
Be responsive
Make the experience as smooth as possible

Once you build momentum with good reviews, it gets much easier to attract future bookings.

Final Thoughts: Is Starting an Airbnb Worth It?

For me, it’s a resounding YES! But I totally get it, starting an Airbnb can feel overwhelming. But, if you put in the work to do it the right way, it can also be incredibly rewarding. It takes effort upfront, and you’ll learn as you go (we definitely did). But once your systems are in place, it becomes much more manageable, and even fun. And, you might end up with more than one unit to rent!

If you’re just starting out, remember:
Start with the basics, keep improving over time, and focus on creating a great guest experience.

Don’t know where to start? This is everything I’d use again if I started from scratch!