What to put in a vacation home before anyone sleeps there

A furnishing list for Orlando and Kissimmee rentals, aimed at the family that lands late and leaves a review about sleep and coffee.

Design matters less than the hour they arrive. They want the code to work, the rooms to match the listing, the AC already cool, and enough mugs in the morning.

Spend here first

• Mattresses and pillows you would use, plus a backup set of sheets per bed.
• Blackout on every bed that faces a Florida morning.
• A dining table that seats the occupancy you publish.
• AC service, fresh filters, and a note that says what temperature is normal.
• A lockbox or smart lock, a labeled breaker panel, and trash instructions a stranger can follow.

Skip or wait

Theme-park art, complicated coffee machines, and fragile decor create cleanup and disappointment. A sturdy starter kitchen, beach towels that can survive the pool, and a closet of paper goods will outperform a mural of the castle.

If you want Palm Hosts to look before you buy the last sofa, send photos with the co-host review. We will tell you what a guest will complain about, which is a shorter list than a decorator’s.