HAPPYFurnishing a Short-Term Rental Apartment: The Complete Room-by-Room Checklist
Updated October 2026 · The HAPPYDAYS team, preparing and running serviced apartments since 2014
A guest who books your apartment compares it with a hotel room and writes the review on that basis. One small missing thing — an extra towel, a charger socket by the bed, scissors in the kitchen — can be the difference between an 8 and a 9.5. This is the list we follow when we prepare apartments, room by room.
In short:
- Buy durable mid-range quality rather than cheap items that break fast or expensive ones you worry about.
- For everything that gets washed or used up, keep at least two sets per bed.
- The things that earn reviews: a comfortable bed, strong Wi-Fi, a good hot shower, quiet air conditioning and blackout curtains.
- Keep the apartment simple and clean, with no personal belongings.
Bedroom
- A bed with a good mattress (the single most important thing in the apartment) and a waterproof mattress protector.
- Two pillows per person, one soft and one firm if possible.
- White sheets and covers, at least two sets per bed. White looks clean and is easy to wash and bleach.
- A blanket or duvet for winter, even in Hurghada.
- Good blackout curtains.
- A bedside table and lamp by each bed, with a nearby socket (ideally with USB).
- A wardrobe with enough hangers (at least 8–10).
- A full-length mirror.
- Air conditioning in every room, ideally with a heating mode.
Bathroom
- A shower with good pressure and hot water, and a water heater sized for the number of guests.
- A bath towel and a hand towel per guest, in two sets.
- A bath mat.
- Soap and shampoo in refillable dispensers (cheaper and cleaner).
- A hairdryer.
- A bin with a lid, and spare toilet paper.
- Towel hooks.
Kitchen
- Fridge, hob, kettle and microwave.
- Two pots and a frying pan, plus basic utensils (cooking spoon, colander, a good knife, chopping board, scissors).
- Plates, cups, mugs and cutlery for the number of guests + 2.
- Glasses for water and juice.
- A can opener and a bottle opener.
- Sponge, washing-up liquid and tea towels.
- Welcome basics: tea, coffee, sugar, salt and bottled water for the first day.
- A dishwasher if space allows — a big plus for long stays.
Living room
- A comfortable sofa, ideally a sofa bed to host an extra guest.
- A smart TV where guests can log in to their own accounts (Netflix, YouTube).
- A dining table with chairs for all guests.
- A small desk and a comfortable chair for remote workers.
- Warm lighting, not a single white ceiling light.
The essentials many owners forget
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A strong Wi-Fi router, with the password clearly displayed | One of the first questions and one of the most common reasons for bad reviews |
| Washing machine and drying rack | Essential for long stays and families |
| Iron and ironing board | For business trips |
| Fire extinguisher, smoke detector and first-aid kit | Safety, and often part of licensing requirements |
| A small safe | Reassures guests about passports and money |
| Extension lead and plug adapter | Foreign guests have different plugs |
| A printed house guide on display | Wi-Fi, air conditioning, water heater, rubbish and emergency numbers |
| Smart lock or key box | Makes late-night check-in easy |
Common furnishing mistakes
- Too much décor and personal items: family photos and ornaments make the space feel cramped and less “hotel-like”.
- Dark colours and weak lighting: they look bad in photos.
- Old mattresses: the most common complaint in reviews after cleanliness.
- Very cheap furniture: it breaks in the first season and you pay twice.
- Noisy air conditioning: the guest won’t sleep, and will write about it.
How much does furnishing cost?
It varies a lot with the apartment’s size, its current condition and the standard you want. What matters is treating furnishing as an investment: a well-prepared apartment earns a higher nightly rate and better reviews, which pays the cost back faster. See also how to compare short-term and monthly rental.
HAPPYDAYS prepares it with you
During our free visit we walk through your apartment with this list, tell you exactly what it needs and what you can skip, then photograph it and run it. List your property.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to spend on?
The mattress and the bed, followed by Wi-Fi, air conditioning and the shower. These affect reviews the most.
How many sets of sheets and towels do I need?
At least two per bed and per guest, so one set is in the wash while the other is ready.
Should I leave my personal belongings in the apartment?
Better not. Guests want a clean, neutral space, and personal items can get damaged.
Do I need a dishwasher?
Not essential, but a big plus for families and long stays if space allows.
Should I buy new furniture or use what I have?
Use what you have if it is in good condition and looks clean, but replace old mattresses and linen in particular.