5 Tips For Setting Up A Short Term Rental Bathroom
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Bathrooms are one of the easiest rooms to get right for Airbnb hosts, and are somewhere you don’t have to invest a lot to get a big result.
The good news is that the bathroom has one of the shortest lists of essentials to shop for, so you can knock it over pretty quickly. Some towels, some toilet paper, a bit of soap and you’re good to go….well, almost.
Some very simple touches are all you need to give your bathroom a luxe feeling, even on a budget.
Read on for 5 simple and easy to action tips that will elevate your bathroom to 5-star reviews....some tips more glamorous than others!
HOW MANY TOWELS DO I NEED?
The Rule of 2
You need to have a minimum of two bath towels for every guest who can be accommodated in your short term rental property, plus two hand towels and two face towels per bathroom or powder room; plus two bath mats per bathroom.
So for example, if you have a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom property, that sleeps 6 people, you would need 12 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 4 face towels and 2 bath mats.
This is a minimum quantity guide. Add more if you want to, towels will never really go astray, and I’m pretty sure no guest ever complained about having too many towels onsite. However, the Rule of 2 will ensure that at least the basic comforts are provided.
DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER?
Yes, it does.
Opt for bath towels that offer generous dimensions for maximum comfort and coverage. A good size bath towel is 27” x 54” that should be sufficient to wrap around guests of all sizes.
If you are chasing Airbnb Luxe status, or want to offer your property as a high-end booking, bath sheets, which range in size from 35”x60” to 40”x70”, are a must.
Bath linens are going to need regular replacement, so you want to provide good quality without breaking the bank. Here are some of my top picks for bath linen sets, in a variety of colors.
18 piece set from Lane Linen, with 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels and 8 face cloths, in a variety of colors
8 piece set from White Classic Store with 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 face towels, 700GSM, in a variety of colors
4 piece bath sheet set from Lane Linen, with a set of four 35”x66” bath sheets, and able to purchase matching hand and face towels separately.
THE GROOMED GUEST
As a bare minimum, like a hotel you should supply a hair dryer in your bathroom so that your guests can look their best during their stay. Whilst the occasional particular guest may bring their own, most guests will not expect to have to travel with a bulky item like a hair dryer. You won’t need to supply a hair salon quality hair dryer, and for most properties one hair dryer will be enough, but if you have a place that caters for larger groups, you may want to add an extra one - particularly if you are used to hosting larger groups.
If you only have limited bathroom space, a compact travel hair dryer, like this one from Revlon with a folding handle will do the trick, Depending on your layout, you also might want to consider getting a wall mount or hook to free up some storage space under the vanity unit,
For something standard size, and with some basic attachments, all you need is a simple hairdryer like this one I’ve linked for you won’t break the bank, and will keep your guests looking good.
To really take your guests hair care to the next level, you could provide other tools like a hair straightener or curling iron, like this one, but most guests would not travel with an expectation of this kind of product being provided.
THE UNGLAMOROUS
ESSENTIALS
The humble toilet brush and plunger….these unassuming tools may not be the most glamorous, but trust us, they are indispensable in ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for your guests.
A toilet brush should be provided for every toilet in your property, so that guests can tidy up after themselves if needed. Whether it’s a simple toilet brush designed purely for function, like this one, or something more decorative like this toilet brush holder and stand, your guests will appreciate having it on hand at some point during their stay, in addition to it being an essential tool for your cleaning crew.
The other essential that you MUST have on hand is a toilet plunger on your property, one for the whole property is sufficient. I’ve been called at 6.30am by frantic guests asking for a plunger after the toilet blocked overnight, and it was a situation no one wanted to be in.
It all could have been avoided with a simple plunger being on hand. Save your guests the embarrassment of having to call and ask for one, or the expense of calling a plumber, for situations that may ‘go down’ (or not, as the case may be!), and most guests will take care of a simple blocked toilet situation themselves if they have the right equipment on hand. The basic plunger from Clorox is an easy to use plunger that you can keep on hand for emergencies.
STYLE IT UP
The bathroom is, first and foremost, a functional space, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bland. Style up your bathroom with one of the quickest Airbnb hacks around - a small fake plant to add some greenery, and a decorative soap dispenser. Easy and inexpensive, these two small additions will elevate the look of even the most basic bathroom.
Extra storage is always useful in a bathroom, so incorporate floating shelves to provide extra space for guests belongings and add a few decorations to give that bathroom a glow up.
The bathroom is one of the smallest rooms of the house, but boy will you hear about it from your guests if you don’t get some of the basics right!
But follow these simple tips and you will have it done in no time. From quantity and sizing to quality and color, we've got you covered.
Happy hosting!
