Ten steps to a home that feels ready, generous and cared for, from the first walk-through to the final details guests remember.
Preparing your home for guests is part practical checklist, part hospitality. The aim is a home that feels ready the moment someone walks in: clean, calm and quietly thoughtful. These ten steps cover the essentials, whether you’re hosting for the first time or refreshing a home that’s already listed.
1. Declutter and depersonalise
Clear away personal items, family photos and excess belongings. A calm, uncluttered home lets guests settle in and feel it’s theirs for the stay. Keep a lockable owner’s cupboard for anything you’d rather stay private, and leave guests drawer and wardrobe space for their own things.
2. Deep clean, then clean again
Go beyond the visible: behind appliances, under furniture, inside cupboards, window tracks and grout. Have carpets professionally cleaned and every glass surface polished. Guests notice dust in places owners have stopped seeing.
3. Invest in linen and towels
Quality bedding and towels are the single biggest upgrade to how a stay feels. Choose soft, durable linen and plan for at least three full sets per bed: one on the bed, one at the laundry and one in reserve. Keep extra towels, bath mats and pillowcases on hand too, because they’re the first things to run short on back-to-back stays. Presentation matters as much as quality: crisp, neatly made, and consistent every time.
If you use your own linen, the real work is coordination. Whoever manages the home, the cleaners and the laundry all need to stay in step, and laundries vary in price, turnaround and service, from shopfront to mobile. Opening hours and holiday closures matter too, especially over Christmas and other peak periods, when same-day turnovers leave no room for a late delivery. This is often where most of the time goes, and where the guest experience is won or lost.
For homes under Cove Full Management, our linen service takes all of this off your hands: hotel-quality linen, professionally laundered, with a fresh pack delivered for every stay. There’s nothing to buy, store, wash or chase, and turnovers run faster and more consistently. For most homes, it’s also more cost-effective than buying and laundering your own. Prefer your own linen? That’s always welcome too.
4. Stock the essentials
Equip the kitchen with good cookware, utensils, a kettle, toaster and coffee machine, plus pantry basics such as salt, pepper, oil, tea and coffee. In the bathroom, supply quality toiletries, toilet paper and a hairdryer. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is now an essential too, especially for longer stays and guests working from home. A small welcome touch, such as local coffee or a treat from a neighbourhood bakery, goes a long way.
5. Put safety first
In NSW, short-term rentals must meet the STRA Fire Safety Standard, including interconnected smoke alarms, an evacuation plan, and a fire blanket and extinguisher in the kitchen. Add a first aid kit, check every lock and window, and make emergency contacts easy to find. Our NSW Short-Term Rental Rules guide covers the requirements in detail.
6. Write a clear house guide
A good guide answers questions before they’re asked: Wi-Fi details, how the appliances work, heating and cooling, bins and recycling, house rules and check-out steps. Add your favourite local cafés, walks and restaurants. It’s where your knowledge of the neighbourhood becomes part of the stay.
7. Make every season comfortable
Check that air conditioning and heating work well, and that windows and doors seal properly. Provide extra blankets in winter and fans in summer, so guests are comfortable whatever the weather.
8. Fix the small things
Walk through the home as a guest would. Repair dripping taps, sticky doors and tired fittings, replace blown bulbs, and test every appliance. Small faults are the ones most likely to appear in reviews.
9. Add the finishing touches: the Last 2%
Fresh flowers, a handwritten welcome note, a well-chosen book on the coffee table, a kitchen reset so everything is ready to use. At Cove, we call these the Last 2%: the details nobody asks for but every guest remembers. Most homes get the first 98% right. The last 2% is what turns a good stay into a five-star review.
10. Make arrival and departure effortless
Clear, simple check-in instructions set the tone for the whole stay. Use a secure smart lock or managed key handover, send directions and parking details ahead of time, and keep check-out steps short and easy to follow.
Ready to welcome guests
Once your home is ready, show it at its best. Professional photography is the first impression every guest sees, and it shapes both your bookings and your nightly rate. A well-prepared, well-presented home protects your property, earns better reviews and lets you price with confidence.
Cove’s Setup & Launch service helps owners get every detail right, from styling and photography to guest guides and compliance set-up.
Talk to us about your home → covecuration.com.au/contact