Tips for Prepping Airbnb Kitchens for Guests!

DIY PROJECT

At the end of the year, we like to go through our Airbnb homes and purge anything in the kitchen that has seen a lot of wear and tear. After a few years of doing this, we have some tips for durable and affordable items to get if you are hosting guests at a short-term rental. We are seeing guests use the kitchen WAY more during the pandemic, so we wanted to make sure it is fully stocked! All our tips and shopping links after the break!

Full Set of Pot & Pans – In the past we had a few pots and pans for light cooking, but now are seeing people use our homes during holidays or for a getaway from their own home, and they are cooking feasts! We upgraded to a full set of pots and pans so they would have everything they need. Make sure to account for how many people can stay at your house. This one can sleep 8, so we got cookware large enough.

Special Events – Guests are now doing more getaways for birthdays and anniversaries. I like to have items like a cake stand, birthday candles, champagne glasses at the house to make the celebrations special.

Cooking Utensils – Get utensils that hold up to heat (ie, not wood or plastic)! I really like this matching silicon set that has everything guests need! Bonus if they are dishwasher safe.

Durable Dishware – The dishes in the house need to be hard working, because they get used and washed in the dishwasher a lot. Our old pattern ones were seeing a lot of chips, so I got two sets of the sweet Pistachio color ones. They have a nice weight to them and look pretty on the open shelving. Form & function! 

Local Coffee – A nice touch is getting coffee beans from a local coffee shop. If people don’t feel comfortable going to a coffeeshop, they can still get a taste for the neighborhood.

Wine Glasses – By far the items that get broken the most are wine glasses. I like to buy extra and stash them away so they are easy to replace. Since we have a backyard space with a grill, we also have some unbreakable outdoor glasses for wine and cocktails.

Silicone Oven Mitt – We were replacing oven mitts ALL the time, because they would get stained. So I switched to a silicone oven mitt, so it’s more durable and cleans easy!

Make it feel like Home – I know that when I stay at Airbnbs, I want it to feel like a home away from home. Those little touches like a candle, thoughtful decor and art, and plants or flowers (real or faux) make a stay so much better.

Shopping

12-Piece Dinnerware Set, Pistachio
Weave Accent Rug
12 Piece Silicone Utensil Set Merlot
Acacia Cake Stand
Soft Cashmere Amber Candle
Rectangular Casserole Baking Dishes
Fabric Lined Silicone Oven Mitt
Culinary Stripe Kitchen Towels
Fringe Kitchen Towel
Rose Gold flatware
All Purpose Glasses

2020 Renovations & Room Reveals!!

DIY PROJECT

Looking back on 2020, I could not believe that we did more than a dozen room reveals, including a full restaurant makeover! Navigating this year, raising our first baby during a pandemic, the uncertainty with our small businesses…it was a lot. But throughout, I repeated my word of the year: Quality. I set out in 2020 to make quality content, and am really proud of the spaces Mr. Yolo and I created this year. We were forced to slow down, pivot, and re-think our businesses. Since we were staying at home more we focused on making a backyard oasis and creating more spaces in the house for Baby Yolo. While our rentals were guest-free, we touched up, renovated, and upgraded them; looking ahead to a day when people would travel again. We reached out to local businesses that closed their doors and offered pro bono design work to get customers excited for the day doors could reopen. The slower pace allowed me to be more thoughtful with my design, try new paint colors, and be more intentional with the details. In the end, I feel like the work we did this year, more than ever, is a true reflection of my design aesthetic and direction. Let’s take a look back!

My First big reveal in January was Baby Yolo and her Schoolhouse nursery!

BARNHOUSE | Christmas Holiday Decor Tour 2020

DIY PROJECT

Year two of decorating our 140-year-old Barnhouse for the holidays, and year one giving a tour! I am still fine tuning the decor and building up the holiday stash, but the traditions are starting! Yes, it’s the first week of December and all the fresh garland is crispy… And Yes, Mr. Yolo had an allergic reaction after cutting down the Blue Spruce, then the lights on the tree blew out…And yes, my fingers are still regaining feeling after hanging cedar garland on the exterior in freezing rain, but it was worth it, right?!

More pics after the break!