If you’re fortunate enough to have a spare bedroom - lavishly decorated with bedroom wall panels - with an ensuite bathroom attached, you might want to transform it into the perfect guest suite. However, guest bathrooms in particular can be a tricky thing to execute well. The challenges comes in ensuring that it still feels like a cohesive part of your home while also being a comfortable and welcoming space that your guests will enjoy.

Here are some tips you can follow to create the perfect guest bathroom for anyone who comes to stay in your home.

Why you should have a guest bathroom

When guests decide to come for an overnight stay, or even longer, they’ll probably want some privacy. Don’t get us wrong, sharing the main bathroom is completely fine. But, if you have the luxury of a guest bathroom you should try to make it more than just a functional space. Your guests will love it, and it’s sure to give you a confidence boost too.

Having a guest bathroom will ultimately make your guests feel more comfortable and at home, making their visit more enjoyable overall.

Let the light in

Bathroom lighting is massively important in creating a space that’s light, airy, and spacious feeling. Ideally, a guest bathroom should make full usage of the natural light you have to play with. No one likes a dark bathroom; they can feel dank and gloomy, and are often not the best start to a day. So, try to enhance any natural light in your space.

Avoid heavy curtains or blinds, and instead opt for light drapes which can let the light in whilst also retaining some privacy for your guests. If you don’t have any windows in your bathroom, try to make sure that you add as much light in as possible.

Remember to clean any light fixtures before your guests arrive to allow them to shine as brightly as they can!

Keep it neutral

When you decorate your master and main bathrooms, it’s crucial to inject as much personality in there as you can – after all, you’ll be using it every day, and you should feel comfortable and relaxed.

However, for a guest bathroom it’s probably best to keep things as neutral as possible. Think white subway tile panels, rustic wood, or for a pop of colour, maybe even red brick. You can add some interest by playing with texture and material, but it’s best to stick with a basic palette that will feel relaxing to your guests.

If you want to spruce up a basic bathroom, try adding a unique vanity or a modern sink. Be sure also to have a mirror, ideally a large one; guests will need somewhere to shave or apply makeup, so it’s best for them to have one accessible in the bathroom.

Functional accessories

If you opt for a more neutral design, it’s natural to want to accessorise to enhance your space. You can do this without taking away from the design, and you can add things to your bathroom that will not only look appealing but will be useful for your guests.

Consider sourcing some good quality towels for your bathroom – no one wants a threadbare towel that feels like sandpaper, and towels that are in good condition won’t go unnoticed. You don’t need to purchase a whole set; bath towels, a hand towel and a face cloth should suffice. You can fold these neatly and leave them on top of the toilet or vanity in a nice display.

Other fun and functional accessories you can add are miniature toiletries. If you’ve been travelling and have a collection of mini hotel shampoos and body lotions, then why not arrange these in the guest bathroom? Most people forget toiletries when they travel, and will appreciate anything you have to offer.

You could arrange these toiletries alongside a spare toothbrush and toothpaste, and may even painkillers too.

Personal touches

Whilst you want your guest bathroom to feel like a luxurious space, it’s important not to forget that it is in your home, and not a hotel. Therefore, you should try to add some personal touches to remind your guests of this fact.

Consider adding some fresh cut flowers to the room if you have the space. Whites and pastel colours work well, but if you know your guests’ favourite flowers then these will work even better.
You could also add a decorative tray with a scented candle and some matches, ideally of the same notes as the scent you might usually feature around your home. Both of these touches will add some personality to the bathroom, as well as adding a beautiful and relaxing fragrance.

Accessibility and storage

Something hotels do really well is having lovely spaces that are also completely accessible. Remember, guests won’t know their way around your bathroom. So, anything they may need should be readily available to them.

Toilet roll, for example, can be arranged in a basket or on a shelf. This way, it can look appealing as well as being visible to your guests.

Where possible, use open storage solutions like shelving to allow your guests to find anything else they might need. Additionally, whilst you might want to decorate to your heart’s desire, it’s important to leave room for your guests. They will bring their own things, and they will need somewhere to put them for the duration of their stay. So, be sure to leave an empty shelf, and perhaps consider an over-door hook for them to hand any clothes or towels.