How to Create a Welcoming Guest Bath

It’s always exciting when guests come to visit, but it can easily turn into a nightmare if you don’t have enough space in your home. Instead of walking on each other’s toes, it can be extremely beneficial to design a welcoming guest bathroom. By having a space where your guests have exclusive access to, it prevents your home from feeling overcrowded and reduces the chances of people needing to use the bathroom at the same time. But you can’t just build four walls, throw in a sink and toilet and call it a day. Here are a few recommendations on remodeling your guest bathroom that your friends and family will love during their stay.

Layout

No one likes walking into a bathroom and having to navigate their way through a poorly designed space. Can you imagine bumping your knees on the sink while trying to sit on the toilet? Although your guest bathroom doesn’t need to be as luxurious as your master ensuite, it still needs the proper layout that will enable your guests to efficiently navigate the space. Focus on incorporating the most important elements — a toilet, sink, shower, and when possible, a tub — and making sure there is enough space around each of these elements without making your guests feel claustrophobic. Instead of overcrowding the bathroom, consider opting for smaller elements such as a stand-up shower instead of a tub. By taking the time to consider the efficiency of your guest bathroom layout, your guests will be pleased with the accommodations.

Lighting

Does your guest bathroom get a lot of natural lighting? Oftentimes the smaller square footage of a guest bath means that there isn’t a window in the room to let in the sunlight. If this is the case, you need to brighten up the guest bath with ample bathroom lighting. Not only will this make the bathroom feel more inviting for your guests, but it will make it a lot easier for them to do their nightly tasks such as showering, washing their face, brushing their teeth, and more. Opt for a luminous light fixture over top of the vanity mirror that provides adequate bathroom lighting, as well as additional lighting options throughout the room as needed.

Linens

Have you ever been a guest at a hotel and been completely wowed by the soft and fluffy towels you found waiting for you in the bathroom? That should be the exact feeling you try to recreate for your guests! Instead of setting aside your old and worn towels for guests to use, purchase a lush set that is specifically for guests — helping to keep them looking their best since they won’t be used regularly in your normal bath towel rotation! Keep extra washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels underneath the sink or in a linen closet for easy access so your guests don’t need to ask you for additional towels during their stay. Before they arrive, place the freshly laundered towels in a visible area so your guests can shower as they please. You may even want to hang up a few comfortable robes for your guests to use and relax while they unpack and unwind from their travels.

Toiletries

It’s extremely common for guests to forget a few of their bathroom necessities when traveling. Instead of doing a last-minute run to the local drug store to grab a toothbrush or other forgotten item, you can recreate a hotel-like experience in your guest bath by providing them with travel-size necessities. Display a basket of necessities that are easily forgotten such as shampoo, cotton swabs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, and feminine products so they have access to the toiletries they need when they need them. By putting together a basket of toiletries, you can have peace of mind knowing that your guests have everything they need for a comfortable visit to your home.

Storage

When it comes to a guest bathroom, you’re often working with a smaller floorplan than a master ensuite. With that in mind, you must consider how you can have enough bathroom storage in the room without compromising the layout or design. When designing your bathroom, add in shelves or hooks that are easily accessible from the shower or bathtub so your guests can reach the towels or their belongings without stepping out onto the tile flooring. You may also want a place to store guest towels and toiletries while the bathroom isn’t in use. If space allows, incorporate a linen closet into your bathroom design or ensures there is enough room for bathroom storage underneath the counters. If you plan on having guests for extended periods, you may even want to add a hamper to the room so they have a place to put their soiled clothes.

Greenery

Oftentimes guest rooms can feel very sterile and unlively, especially when there is limited natural lighting in the bathroom. To help liven up the guest bathroom, introduce live greenery or a fresh bouquet on the day your guests are arriving. Not only will fresh-cut flowers or plants create a beautiful backdrop for the guest bath, but will add a lovely fragrance and make your guests feel like they’ve stepped foot into the bathroom at a five-star hotel. Depending on the bathroom’s color palette, you can opt for neutral white flowers or add some life to the space with vibrant colors.

Fragrance

One of the downsides of a guest bathroom is that it isn’t used regularly. Because of this, you may find that your guest bath often smells a bit musty or moldy. To keep your bathroom smelling fresh or give it a bit of a revival before your guests arrive, allow the room to air out. Keep the bathroom door open and if there is a window in the room, open it a day or so beforehand. You may also want to install an air freshener, leave out incense, or burn a candle so the guest bath smells amazing upon your guests’ arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good size for a guest bathroom?

If you’re remodeling your home to include a guest bathroom, it’s recommended that you design the space to have a minimum of 36 to 40 square feet. With this square footage, you’ll be able to fit in all the necessary elements, such as a toilet, sink, and shower, or bathtub without feeling too cramped. The most common dimensions for a guest bath are 5′ x 8′ but that can be adjusted depending on the size of your home.

How much room do you need for a bathtub?

You may be deciding whether your guest bathroom has enough space for a bathtub or if you should opt for a shower instead. While there aren’t code requirements that prevent you from adding a bathtub to a small guest bath, it isn’t recommended in smaller spaces. An adequately sized bathtub should be about 60 inches long and 30 inches wide for your guests to bathe comfortably.

Is a 3/4 layout ideal for a guest bath?

After reviewing various bathroom remodel guides, you may be wondering what the best layout is. When working with smaller square footage, you can opt for a 3/4 bathroom instead of a full guest bath. The difference between a 3/4 bathroom and a full-size bathroom is that the 3/4 bath has a standing shower, a sink, and a toilet — saving space by removing one of the largest elements in a bathroom, the bathtub.

What’s the best location for a guest bathroom?

You want your guests to feel like they have privacy while using the guest bath. When your space allows, it’s best to have the guest bathroom directly attached to the guest bedroom as an ensuite. If it isn’t possible to have the guest bathroom be exclusive to the guest bedroom, incorporate a door directly from the bedroom and the hallway into the same bathroom — allowing access to the same room from two different spaces.