7 Guest Bathroom Essentials Designers Always Recommend
Here’s how to make your visitors feel right at home.
While a comfortable guest room always makes overnight visitors feel right at home, your guest bathroom matters, too. Whether it’s a compact layout or spacious en suite, interior designers say there are several details that can instantly make any guest bathroom feel more inviting.
“The key is balance, functionality, and cohesion: beautiful proportions, considered materials, and a sense of calm that allows the room to feel resolved and complete,” says Laura Hammett, creative director of the eponymous design studio and homeware brand, Laura Hammett Living. “It’s often a smaller space, but that doesn’t mean it should feel secondary. In fact, I see the guest bathrooms or powder rooms as a chance to wow your guests. I love crafting an unexpected jewel box of a room.”
Below, designers, including Hammett, reveal the guest bathroom essentials any visitor would appreciate. Keep these tips and tricks top of mind the next time you’re planning to host houseguests.
Features for Comfort
Comfort is key in a guest bathroom, and it should be prioritized with every detail, according to Hammett.
“The placement of fittings within easy reach, the feel of materials underfoot, and adequate storage for guest toiletries all contribute to how welcoming the room feels,” the designer shares. “These are subtle elements but they make a significant difference.”
A Good Night Light
It's never a good feeling navigating someone else's home in the dark. As a courtesy, use a night light to help put guests at ease should they need to use the bathroom when it’s late. They’ll thank you for not waking them up with harsh overhead lighting, says designer Nicole Forina of Forina Design & Co.
“This is one of those small details guests may never consciously notice, but they’ll appreciate. I love incorporating a very soft, low-level light, whether it’s an illuminated toe kick, discreet night light, or dimmable lighting,” Forina says.
Lighted Magnifying Mirror
One other “small luxury” that people shouldn’t overlook when it comes to guest bathrooms? A lighted magnifying mirror! “Whether someone needs a little extra light and magnification for shaving, applying makeup, or putting in contacts, it’s a thoughtful detail that anticipates what a guest might actually need while they’re getting ready,” Forina shares.
Calming Shower Spray
For designer Kate Hartman a relaxing shower spray is a non-negotiable. “I always have a eucalyptus and lavender shower spray,” Hartman says. “I love the scent, and there’s nothing better than a hot shower with a calming fragrance at the end of the day.”
Hair Essentials
The last thing any guest wants is to scramble to find the right hair products before rushing out the door. Hartman likes to keep a stash of everything her guests may need in the bathroom.
“I stock the bathroom with all the hair essentials, including a blowdryer, bobby pins, hair ties, and hairspray, along with comfortable robes. My goal is for every guest to feel completely taken care of and to be able to pack light, knowing they’ll have everything they need,” Hartman says.
Luxurious Towels
If you’re always impressed with the selection of plush towels at your favorite spa, designer Kristin Hildebrand suggests recreating the same vibe in your guest bathroom. “For me, an exceptional host has a neat, designated pile of clean bath towels and hand towels waiting for their guests,” says Hildebrand, founder and creative director of KH Interiors.
A Beautiful Hand Soap
“Never underestimate the impact of a beautifully packaged, beautifully scented hand soap,” says designer Saskia Blyth of Blyth-Collinson Interiors. She’s partial to brands like Aesop and Diptyque that have a range of unique fragrances.
“It’s such a simple detail, but it instantly makes the space feel more luxurious and thoughtfully put together,” she adds.
RELATED: 11 Best Luxury Hand Soaps That Make the Best Practical Gifts
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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