Kitchen essentials checklist: what to stock and what to skip

Category: Design & Furnishing

By: Tony Russo

Posted: 2025-12-16T07:48:22.947Z

I'm furnishing a new STR kitchen and trying to figure out what guests actually use vs what just takes up cabinet space. My last property I overstocked the kitchen with specialty items (waffle maker, slow cooker, mandoline) that nobody ever touched. What's the essential kitchen checklist for an STR?

Reply by Brittany Simmons:

After running multiple STRs, here's my refined kitchen checklist. If it's not on this list, it's probably wasted space: **ESSENTIALS (must-have for every STR):** **Cookware:** - 10" non-stick skillet - 12" stainless steel or cast iron skillet - 3-quart saucepan with lid - Large pot for boiling pasta/soup - Baking sheet - 9x13 baking dish **Utensils:** - Spatula, tongs, large spoon, slotted spoon - Chef's knife (one good one > 5 cheap ones) - Cutting board (2: one for meat, one for produce) - Can opener - Peeler - Corkscrew/wine opener (guests WILL ask if you don't have this) - Measuring cups and spoons - Whisk - Colander **Dinnerware (service for max occupancy + 2 extra):** - Dinner plates - Small plates/bowls - Mugs (coffee) - Glasses (water) - Wine glasses (even if you don't drink — guests do) - Flatware set **Appliances:** - Coffee maker (Nespresso or basic drip) — THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT KITCHEN ITEM - Toaster - Microwave (usually built-in) **Consumables:** - Coffee pods/grounds + filters - Salt and pepper - Olive oil - Dish soap - Dishwasher pods - Trash bags - Paper towels - Saran wrap / foil **SKIP (takes space, rarely used):** - ❌ Waffle maker - ❌ Slow cooker / Instant Pot - ❌ Blender (unless it's a beach property — smoothies) - ❌ Rice cooker - ❌ Bread maker - ❌ Specialty knives (steak knives are fine, skip the bread knife and carving knife) - ❌ Double boiler, wok, specialty pans - ❌ Plastic containers (guests never return them to the right cabinet) **Rule:** If a typical guest staying 2-3 nights wouldn't use it, don't stock it. Vacation guests eat out 80% of the time and cook simple meals (eggs, pasta, reheating) the other 20%.

Reply by Grace Kim:

One thing I'd add to the essentials: **kid-friendly dishes.** If you allow families (most STRs should), include 2-3 plastic cups and a couple of plastic plates. Parents will love you for it and it prevents broken dishes. Also: label one specific drawer or cabinet "Coffee Station" and put everything coffee-related in it — machine, mugs, pods, sugar, creamer, stirrers. Guests shouldn't have to hunt for coffee supplies at 6am. This one organizational touch gets mentioned in reviews constantly.