Operating Supplies Guide for Hosts

Our Recommended Operating supplies

If you’re choosing to manage guests yourself, we want to help set you up for success.

Over the years, we’ve seen what works smoothly - and what tends to create stress, last-minute scrambling, or guest complaints. This guide walks you through our operating supplies and equipment or "OS&E" recommendations, explains what OS&E means, and shares why these details matter.

What is OS&E?

OS&E stands for Operating Supplies & Equipment.

These are the non-furniture items that make your home functional for guests (linens, kitchenware, small appliances, tech, cleaning supplies, safety items, and everyday essentials).

Furniture makes your home look great.

OS&E is what makes stays run smoothly.

When these details are thoughtfully prepared, hosting becomes significantly easier and reviews tend to reflect that.

🛏️ Linens

One of the most impactful upgrades you can make is investing in quality white linens.

Recommended Per Bed

4 fitted sheets
4 flat sheets
2 duvet covers
1 duvet insert
Mattress protector
Pillow protectors
2 pillows (Twin/Full) or 4 pillows (Queen/King)

Why White?

White linens:

Can be bleached and fully sanitised
Always look fresh and clean
Are easy to replace and match
Create a polished, hotel-style feel

Colored or patterned linens tend to fade unevenly and are harder to replace over time. White keeps things simple and consistent.

Why 4 Sheet Sets?

This is one of the most common areas where owners underestimate.

We recommend four sets per bed because:

Back-to-back bookings happen
Laundry delays happen
Stains happen
Quick turnovers happen

Having extra sets ensures you are never caught unprepared during a turnover.

🛌 Bedroom Setup (Beyond Linens)

In addition to linens, each bedroom should feel complete and functional.

Per bedroom, we recommend:

50 hangers
Wastebasket
Laundry basket (1 per every 2 bedrooms)
Luggage rack (1 per every 2 bedrooms)
Bedside lighting

These small details prevent guests from improvising - for example, hanging clothes on chairs or placing suitcases on beds.

🗝 Smart Locks

Making Access Simple

While traditional keys can work, we strongly recommend installing a smart lock.

We suggest locks that connect via WiFi or a Z-Wave module so you can control them from your phone. Brands such as Yale and Schlage have proven reliable to us.

With a smart lock:

You create unique codes per guest
Codes expire automatically
There is no key handoff coordination
You reduce the risk of lost keys
You can unlock remotely if needed

Access coordination is one of the most common friction points in hosting. A smart lock simplifies the entire process.

💻 WiFi, TVs & Streaming

Consistency Reduces Issues

Strong WiFi is essential. It is one of the top guest expectations.

We recommend:

A mesh WiFi system for consistent coverage. We use Eero 7 across our properties and find it performs reliably.
While its not essential we try and have A 55" TV as a minimum per home. And when we can we add a 50" TV per bedroom.
A standardized streaming device per TV. We use Roku across our portfolio.
Speakers (1 per home, this is optional but we fine guests appreciate it)

Reliable technology saves time and improves the guest experience.

💼 Workspace Setup (If Applicable)

If your home includes a workspace, we recommend:

27" monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Standing desk (approx. 55" W x 24" D)
Ergonomic chair

A proper workspace makes your property more attractive to longer-stay and remote-working guests.

☕️ Coffee Setup

Creating a Thoughtful Experience

In Rove homes, we aim to create a hospitality experience that feels comfortable and elevated.

We recommend having a high-quality coffee setup available. Ideally:

A pod machine
A drip/filter machine

Across our portfolio, we standardize with the Nespresso Vertuo machine because it is easy to use, consistent, and requires minimal cleanup.

While standardization is not essential for owner-managed homes, guests appreciate knowing what to expect. Providing a quality, easy-to-use machine helps bring that same thoughtful experience into your home.

We also recommend:

Nespresso pod variety packs
Coffee pod carousel holder
Coffee filters (if using drip machine)

Small details like this can positively influence reviews.

🍳 Kitchen Setup

Make It Feel Complete

A helpful question to ask:

“If I stayed here for three nights and wanted to cook, would I have everything I need?”

At minimum, we recommend:

Full cookware set
Utensil set
Knife set
Cutting boards
Mixing bowls
Measuring set
Baking sheets
Glass baking dishes
Colander
Can opener
Tupperware set
Oven mitts
Dinnerware set
Beverage glasses
Wine glasses
Steak knives
Silverware + silverware holder
Wine opener
Coasters
Large trash can (50L)
Paper towel holder

Pantry basics:

Salt & pepper set
Assorted spices
Olive oil
Flour
Sugar
Baking soda
tea & coffee

Cleaning basics:

Sponges
Dish scrub brush
Dish towels
Dish soap
Dishwasher pods
Rinse aid
Aluminium foil
Plastic wrap
Kitchen trash bags

When basic items are missing, guests often message during their stay asking for them. A complete kitchen prevents interruptions and keeps reviews strong.

🛁 Bathrooms

Slightly More Than You Think

Per bathroom, we recommend:

6 bath towels
6 hand towels
12 washcloths
3 bath mats
Trash bin
Plunger & toilet brush
Blow dryer
Glass wiper (for glass showers)

Toiletries (stocked in advance):

Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Hand soap
Lotion

Guests tend to use more towels than expected, particularly during longer stays. Having extras prevents mid-stay shortages.

🧽 Cleaning & Backup Supplies

Help Guests Care for Your Space

Even if you use a professional cleaner, we recommend keeping:

Vacuum
Swiffer + wet pads
Broom & dustpan
Surface cleaner
Glass cleaner
Bleach tabs
Oven cleaner
Cleaning gloves
Cleaning cloths/rags
Magic Eraser
Laundry detergent pods
Dryer balls
Toilet cleaning solution
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Tool kit + drill
Ladder
Batteries (AA, AAA, 9V)

Minor spills and small accidents are normal. Being prepared helps protect your home and avoids urgent guest calls.

🏖️ Outdoor / Pool / Grill (If Applicable)

If your home includes outdoor amenities:

For pool homes:

Pool towels (10 for occupancy ≤ 6 / 20 for larger homes)
Pool skimmer

For grill homes:

Grill tool set
Grill cleaning foam

A Final Note

The smoother your setup:

The fewer guest questions
The fewer urgent messages
The stronger your reviews
The easier it becomes to manage bookings confidently

We hope this guide helps you create a comfortable, well-prepared home for your guests.

Shop our Amazon list

For convenience, we’ve also created an Amazon shopping list featuring items we commonly use across our properties to simplify sourcing.

For other supplies we like to shop at

Public Goods - for our cleaning supplies

Malin + Goetz - for our toiletries

Revival - for our linens and towels