Have guests coming over or just want to decorate your guest bathroom so everyone’s comfortable? Here’s how to create a company-ready guest retreat so overnight guests (and even daytime friends who pop in unexpectedly) feel welcome in your home.
You don’t need to have the fanciest bathroom to make guests feel welcome. Instead, focus on giving your guests a clean, thoughtfully equipped area where they can relax.
Think of the little details
Make your bathroom comfortable and bright – a welcoming retreat that anyone would want to visit!
Think about little details:
- A clean, comfortable bath mat
- Good lighting and a space to apply makeup or get ready
- A nightlight so guests don’t trip over something at night
- A magnifying mirror
- A fan, scented candle (and matches), or scented spray (PooPouri is a fun spray that comes in seasonal and hilariously named scents, or DIY your own room spray with essential oils and a diffuser)
Decorations are also a great way to personalize your bathroom and put guests at ease. Check out these funny bathroom signs.
Deep clean your bathroom (and guest bedroom)
Above all else, make sure that the entire guest area is CLEAN.
- Deep clean the shower with this DIY shower spray
- Scrub the sinks, toilet, and floors
- Wipe the light fixtures, ceiling fan, and mirrors
- Dust the baseboards
Spend some time organizing the linen closet before guests visit, too.
- Put sheets on different shelves or in labeled baskets, according to their size.
- Make sure towels and linens are neatly folded and accessible.
- Create an emergency first aid kit, fully stocked with bandages, pain relievers, cold/flu/allergy remedies, and stomach aids, and keep it easily accessible (or do yourself a favor and buy this done-for-you first aid kit).
Even if you lay out everything, your guests will probably need to dig in your closet (both the linen closet, areas under the sink, or bedroom closet) for some forgotten item, so make sure everything’s tidy!
Lay out extra towels, pillows, and blankets
Set out a clean bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth for each guest. You may want to take it a step further and provide each guest with his or her own color coordinated towels (this is what we do at my in-laws’ cabin – everyone has their own colored towel for the weekend so that we save laundry and don’t accidentally use someone else’s towel).
You may also want to keep an extra blanket (or two) on the foot of the bed and place more than one pillow for each guest on the bed. Also, if your guests have young children, plan ahead with a waterproof mattress pad and extra sheets!
Provide toiletries and bath necessities
Make your guests feel at home by providing necessities like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and even extras like lotion, disposable razors, and feminine products.
For female guests, you may also want to keep an extra hair dryer, straightener or curling iron, and styling products in the bathroom.
Make a toiletries basket that you can easily set out on the sink or back of the toilet to make your guests feel welcome. Include the following items in your bathroom vanity basket:
- Shampoo, soap, and lotions (either full sized products or tiny samples from hotels)
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss
- Cotton balls, Q-tips, and cotton pads
- Hair spray
- A scented candle and small matchbook
- Deodorant
- Baby wipes
- Sunscreen and bug spray for summer guests
I keep my bathroom toiletries basket in a glass cupboard over the sink so guests can easily find it (and because it’s pretty enough to use as a display). 😉
Show guests where they can find extras
Even if you set out extra towels, toiletries, and toilet paper, your guests are bound to run out of an item or realize mid-shower that they forgot to pack something.
In addition to making everything accessible, show your guests where you store extra bedding, towels, and toiletries so that they don’t have to ask you.
Once you have your guest bathroom cleaned and stocked, you’ll feel confident and ready to entertain!
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