What to do and what not to do to offer your home as an Airbnb

AIRBNB , they don’t need to be fancy, but invest in a few sets specifically for visitors and keep an eye out for when it’s time to retire them.

If your guests have kitchen access, they need all the same stuff you would to keep the place clean and functional. That includes dish soap, a sponge or scrubber, light cleaning supplies such as paper towels and multisurface spray, a drying rack in the absence of a dishwasher, and laundry soap if there’s a washer/dryer.

Matt Marcus, an Airbnb host in Brooklyn, N.Y., said the three messages he receives most often are: “Where is the hair dryer,” “Where is the iron” and “Where are the extra blankets?” Don’t forget a pad of paper and pen, a flashlight, and a set of instructions that include the Wi-Fi password and any other useful information guests might need. Old Hudson, is in Hudson, N.Y. When people come to stay at his two-unit property, they’re looking for a getaway, and D’Argenzio provides thoughtful touches that make their stay feel seamless.

All guests are greeted with a bottle of wine from a local wine shop and other goodies found in town along with a map, curated by D’Argenzio and his wife, of fun places to shop, eat and drink. They also put coffee out on the counter along with a grinder and a French press, nice glassware, and sometimes chocolate or a cheese plate.

“You kind of want to let people imagine they live here,” D’Argenzio says. The sun-dappled space features vintage finds and plenty of comfortable places to read, recline and relax.

Sara and Rich Combs have added similar touches to their property in Joshua Tree, Calif., including a Chemex coffee maker and a record player — plus an outdoor hot tub — that make the space feel a little more like a home.

Thoughtful but practical touches, such as lamps by the beds and places to unwind, are a good idea for any host. The Combses suggest spending time in the space and paying attention to details that make it not just serviceable but enjoyable. They invested in nicer personal care products for guests and Casper mattresses for every room in their property, the Joshua Tree House. Hosts also might consider adding items you would find in a hotel, such as bathrobes.

If you’re hosting someone in a city where they might be wondering what to do, provide a curated list of recommendations in the booking letter or leave it on the counter for when they arrive. But supplying physical subway maps and guides can often be more convenient.

If you’re wondering what else you should provide, Jenn Lindberg, whose rental is in Lockhart, Texas, has some good advice: The guest knows best. “We ask every guest for ideas on how their stay, as well as the apartment, could be improved,” says Lindberg, who has dubbed her historic flat the Birkner.

“Thanks to this system, we’ve added umbrellas, a pizza cutter, Kleenex, mixing bowls and noise machines — that feedback has been invaluable.” the difference — and owners in this story agree that taking the “personal” out of the space is essential. “Between the plants, the records and what we leave out for guests, we want there to be signs of life. Just not signs of our life,” Rich Combs says.

That doesn’t mean removing every family photo in the house if you’re renting out an entire place. But it does mean personal pictures should come off the nightstands, and intimate artwork — such as boudoir photos — belong out of sight.

As for the decor itself, you don’t have to approximate the Ritz. Think simple and tasteful: a consistent color scheme, wellappointed bedding, uncluttered surfaces, subdued artwork or mirrors on the wall.

For Airbnb operators such as D’Argenzio, Combs, Lindberg and Marcus, incorporating the spirit of the cities where they are located has been a good design directive. Each of the spaces nods toward local heritage of the towns or cities — and all of them have excellent, honest photography that allow a renter to understand what they are signing up for when they rent the space. Getting everyone on the same page beforehand is crucial and can save hosts and guests a lot of headaches.