Best outdoor equipment for holiday rentals
May 2026
You should put as much thought into your holiday rental’s garden as you do into the house itself. With careful planning, the outdoor space can become an extension of the living area. Here are some items that should be on every holiday rental landlord’s checklist.
How to furnish a holiday rental’s outdoor spaces
Let’s start by looking at the basics. These items of furniture are essential for a comfortable, welcoming holiday rental. If you want your guests to make the most of your outdoor space, be sure to include:
A comfortable place to sit or lounge
Whether you have an entire garden to fill or you just want to equip the balcony of your holiday home, this should be your starting point. Guests don’t want to stand up to enjoy their outdoor spaces. You need somewhere they can sit or, if space permits, lie down and sprawl out.
Items in this category include:
- Outdoor chairs
- Outdoor “sofas”
- Benches
- Swinging seats
- Dangling or egg seats
- Sun loungers
- Bali beds
Bali-style canopy beds have become very popular in recent years and are extremely Instagrammable. However, they do take up space, and you’ll have to check them regularly to make sure they’re still looking their best.
Outdoor sofas can’t be made of fabric or stuffing, like the sofas you use as furniture in your holiday rental. However, you can find wicker sofa frames and decorate them with comfortable, weatherproof cushions. Remember, outdoor furniture for your holiday rental should always be made of sturdy, weatherproof materials. Provide cushions and pillows for comfort, as outdoor materials tend to be very hard.
Tables
Tables allow your guests to enjoy a drink, snack or meal al fresco. Think beyond the dining table. Small tables next to sun loungers are essential for holding drinks, sunscreen and books. Side tables in a seating area also come in handy. Don’t be stingy with tables. Guests probably don’t want to put their bags or other belongings on the ground outside, so adequate surface space is essential.
Weather protection
Being outdoors means being at the mercy of the elements. Keep your guests safe from rain or excessive heat with canopy covers and sun umbrellas. If you have the space, you could even consider a gazebo to equip the terrace of your holiday rental. This adds a luxurious touch to your outdoor area.
Lights
Want your guests to enjoy your outdoor space after the sun has gone down? Then you’ll need some lighting. Motion-detecting automatic lights are popular for outdoor areas, but you shouldn’t rely on them alone. They have a tendency to switch themselves off when your guests don’t move around for a few minutes, which means they’ll disrupt reading or quiet conversations. Use spotlights to provide practical light for your outdoor spaces, and consider adding some smaller decorative pieces like tea lights, Chinese lanterns, or strings of fairy lights. These may not offer enough light to actually eat or read, but they can help create a particular atmosphere.
Fun outdoor equipment for holiday rentals
Now, it’s time to go beyond the basics and look at some more special pieces. These items are often centrepieces or talking points. You may want to use them when you advertise your holiday home, as they could be the USP that sets your rental apart from the competition. They include:
Cooking equipment
Food always tastes better when it’s cooked outdoors. Holiday rentals in sunny areas should definitely offer some kind of outdoor cooking facilities. You might consider:
- A standard barbecue. Whether electric or charcoal, guests will appreciate a BBQ.
- A barbecue pit. This is not as user-friendly, but some guests will jump at the chance to cook like a caveman.
- A wood-fired pizza oven. Again, this is rather a specialist piece, but it will attract a certain niche market.
Provide wood or charcoal, lighter fluid, and anything else your guests will need to fire up the grill.
A hot tub
This may be a bit of an extravagance, but it’s a great way to attract guests. Make sure the area around your hot tub is non-slip. Either place it under a canopy or roof or provide a cover for it. This will really help cut down on maintenance.
Outdoor games
If you’ve got the space, you might as well use it. Equip the garden with small football goals or place a basketball hoop in a paved area. Consider offering a box containing different kinds of balls, frisbees, racquets, and similar equipment.
Want to add some fun items in a smaller area? Try tetherball or swingball. Both of these games are quite similar — they consist of a pole driven into the ground with a rope hanging from its top. At the end of the rope is a ball, which players must hit around the pole either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Tetherball features a large ball for players to hit with their hands, so it requires no additional equipment. Swingball uses a tennis ball, and you’ll also need to provide racquets.
Kids’ play equipment
If you want to rent out a holiday home to families, consider adding something outdoors just for the kids. A sandpit is great fun for little ones — although it may mean more cleaning between guests. Try a tyre swing or a slide for simple, old-fashioned fun. A treehouse is a truly magical addition, but you’ll have to be very careful about health and safety. A Wendy house may not be quite as thrilling, but it comes with fewer risks.
Outdoor equipment for rent in a holiday home
Finally, you can offer some outdoor equipment that guests can pay a fee to use. This is a really effective way to increase your revenue without much initial outlay. The exact nature of the items for rent will vary according to your holiday rental’s location, but may include:
- Bicycles. You may be able to provide bikes for your guests to get around.
- Kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. These are very popular in seaside or lakeside holiday rentals. Just make sure to offer life jackets.
- Surfboards. These are a bit of a niche item, but if the nearby beaches have good waves, you’ll probably get some takers.
- Skiing and winter sports equipment. Include helmets and gloves, as well as skis and poles. Offer sledges and snow shoes for non-skiers who also want to have fun.
Make sure to mention the availability of these outdoor amenities in your listings on holiday rental portals, as they’re a great way to attract guests.