Why the first purchases matter for a holiday let
A holiday let lives or dies on first impressions. Guests arrive tired after a long journey, and they expect a clean, comfortable space with everything needed for a few days away. Before you spend anything, decide who the property is for: a couple on a city break, a family in the school holidays, or a group staying for a wedding weekend. That answer sets the number of beds, the size of the dining table and the amount of crockery you need.
Start with the things guests use every day and the things that wear out fastest. Kitchen equipment, bedding, towels and cleaning supplies get the heaviest use, so buy those well and plan to replace them regularly. Consider security and energy use early too, since they affect insurance conditions, guest safety and running costs. Shopping in the right order saves money and avoids replacing items that were chosen in a hurry.
How to choose: criteria, trade-offs and common mistakes
Focus on durability first. A holiday let is used by a different group of people almost every week, so furniture, fabrics and kitchen equipment need to handle frequent cleaning and rough treatment. Look for solid frames rather than flimsy flat-pack, washable covers, and stainless steel or hard-anodised cookware. Cheap items often look fine on day one but chip, stain or loosen within a season, which means extra replacement costs and unhappy reviews.
Next, weigh the trade-offs between cost, comfort and maintenance. Pale sofas and light rugs look appealing in photos but show marks quickly, while darker, patterned fabrics hide wear. Matching crockery is pleasant, yet a mixed set of sturdy pieces is often easier to replenish. For energy, a smart thermostat is useful where the heating is controllable, but check compatibility with your boiler or heat pump before buying and make sure guests understand the settings.
Buy for the guest who arrives tired on a wet Friday night: durable basics, clear storage and nothing that needs a manual.
From the editors
The most common mistake is buying for the photos instead of the use. Sizing a dining table without measuring the room, forgetting spare toilet rolls and bin bags, or skipping a basic first-aid kit and smoke alarm check are easy errors to avoid. Another is ignoring cleaning products that suit your surfaces, which can cause damage over time. Make a simple inventory, measure every space, and keep a short list of replacement items so the property stays ready between bookings.
What you really need to buy
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Kitchen starter set
A matched set of pans, a couple of baking trays, a sharp knife and basic utensils covers most cooking needs. Choose hard-wearing, easy-clean materials that tolerate frequent washing.
Search termsholiday let kitchen equipment · cookware set · kitchen utensils
Our recommendationhartsofstur.comBest for kitchen basicsDining set for four to six
Plates, bowls, cutlery and glasses in a number that matches the property's sleeping capacity. Pick durable pieces that are simple to replace and dishwasher safe.
Search termstableware for holiday let · dining essentials · cutlery set
Our recommendationhartsofstur.comBest for kitchen basicsSturdy dining table and chairs
A table and chairs sized for the room and the maximum number of guests. Look for stain-resistant surfaces and frames that do not wobble when used daily.
Search termsdining furniture · holiday cottage furnishings · family room furniture
Our recommendationhaodirect.co.ukBest for living spacesSmart thermostat
A programmable or app-controlled thermostat lets you set temperatures between stays and avoid heating empty rooms. Check that it suits your existing heating system before buying.
Search termssmart thermostat · holiday let energy · heating control
Our recommendationhivehome.comGreat for energy controlHard-surface cleaning products
Multi-surface cleaners and suitable treatments for worktops, tiles and sealed floors keep the property presentable between guests. Use products that match the surfaces in the property.
Search termsholiday let cleaning products · surface cleaner · hard surface treatment
Our recommendationgoglean.co.ukIdeal for surface careGuest welcome mugs and teapots
A small set of mugs and a teapot makes the property feel cared for without much expense. Choose pieces that are sturdy enough for dishwashers and frequent use.
Search termswelcome pack · holiday let tableware · teapot and mugs
Our recommendationemmabridgewater.co.ukWelcome touches
Where to start shopping
Begin with the rooms guests use most: the kitchen, the living area and the bedrooms. Make a room-by-room list with quantities based on the maximum number of guests, then check what you already own. For kitchen and dining basics, hartsofstur.com is a sensible first stop, as it covers cookware, utensils, tableware and cutlery in one place. Once those are sorted, look at energy and security. hivehome.com is worth comparing for thermostats if you want to control heating remotely, while thesafeshop.co.uk suits a lockable cabinet for keys or valuables. Keep a small budget for consumables and replace them on a fixed schedule, such as before each new booking period.
Before you order
- Measure each room and the dining table space before ordering furniture.
- Count beds, chairs, mugs and towels against the maximum number of guests.
- Check which heating system you have before buying a smart thermostat.
- Confirm the surfaces in the property so you buy suitable cleaning products.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and keep spare batteries.
- Store spare bulbs, bin bags, toilet roll and first-aid supplies in one place.
- Write a simple inventory and check it before every new booking period.
The stores at a glance
hartsofstur.com
Best for kitchen basicsHarts of Stur at hartsofstur.com covers cookware, utensils, tableware and cutlery, so you can equip the kitchen and dining area from one order.
Recommended for Kitchen starter set and Dining set for four to six
haodirect.co.uk
Best for living spacesHome & Outdoor Direct offers living room and family room furniture, useful for sofas, tables and seating that can take regular guest use.
Recommended for Sturdy dining table and chairs
hivehome.com
Great for energy controlHive Home offers smart thermostats and other energy products that can help you manage heating between bookings and keep an eye on usage.
Recommended for Smart thermostat
thesafeshop.co.uk
Good for securitySafe.co.uk sells safes, locks, alarms and CCTV systems, which help you protect the property and any valuables you leave on site.
goglean.co.uk
Ideal for surface careGoGlean at goglean.co.uk sells hard-surface cleaners and treatments, practical for worktops, bathrooms and floors between changeovers.
Recommended for Hard-surface cleaning products
emmabridgewater.co.uk
Welcome touchesEmma Bridgewater sells mugs, teapots and pottery that give guests a warm welcome and add character to the kitchen.
Recommended for Guest welcome mugs and teapots
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Frequently asked questions
What should I buy first when setting up a holiday let?
Start with items guests use daily and items that affect safety: a working set of kitchen equipment, bedding, towels, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and a basic first-aid kit. Furniture and decorative items can follow once the essentials are in place.
How do I choose cleaning products for a holiday let?
Check which surfaces you have, such as stone, laminate, tiles or wood, and choose cleaners suitable for each. Keep a small stock of consumables like cloths and bin bags, and test any new product on a hidden area first.
Is a smart thermostat worth buying for a holiday let?
It can help you heat the property only when needed and adjust settings between bookings. Check that it is compatible with your heating system and that you can explain its settings clearly to guests and cleaners.
How much crockery and cutlery do I need?
Match the quantities to the maximum number of guests, then add a few spares for breakages. Sturdy, dishwasher-safe pieces are easier to replace than delicate sets.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
