How to Prep Your Bathroom for Guests

If you have guests coming over, a clean and well-stocked bathroom is key to making them feel at home during their stay. It may be one of the smallest rooms in your house or apartment, but a clean bathroom makes everyone feel welcome and refreshed. So, whether you have guests stopping by for dinner or are hosting people overnight, here are some tips to make sure your bathroom is sparkling clean, organized for your guests to use.

Having guests over is a great opportunity for giving your guest bathroom or the bathroom they will be using a deep clean. Nothing is more unpleasant than being greeted with a dirty or grimy bathroom when staying or visiting somewhere. So gather your bucket of cleaning supplies, your broom, mop, and scrubbing brushes, and head over to the bathroom to give it all you've got. This includes cleaning sinks, countertops, mirrors, toilets, floors, bathtubs, and showers. Once you've given your bathroom a good wipe down, use the proper sprays and tools for specific areas. A good, go-to all-purpose household cleaner is a simple white vinegar spray. Otherwise, feel free to use specialized cleaning products such as tile and toilet cleaners.

If your guest bathroom is looking a little sad, consider using incoming guests as an excuse to give your bathroom a facelift. Without gutting the whole bathroom, there are some quick updates you can do to make the space look sparkling and just like new. Updating bathroom hardware and accessories is an easy way to give your guest bathroom a fresh look. Items such as faucets, shower fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinet hardware, toilet paper holders, and towel racks are easy to swap out. In addition, shower curtains can get old and dirty quickly. Replacing them is simple, and if you choose a new design or color, it's a change that can pack a big design punch. If you enjoy DIY projects, bathroom mirrors and cabinets can also be switched up and refreshed without too much fuss to help give your bathroom a noticeably different look. And for a more dramatic bathroom refresh, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. Whether you're changing up paint colors or simply repainting the walls, a new paint job may be just the spruce-up you need to get your bathroom ready for your guests to arrive.

When preparing your bathroom for guests, you will want to ensure that you have all the basics they may need. Those necessities include soap, towels, and toilet paper, of course. But you may also want to consider adding a few other nice-to-haves too. Items such as fresh towels, tissues, and a towel rack (especially if there aren't many places to hang used towels to dry) are always useful to have out in plain view.

If you are having guests over who are spending the night, it's nice for them to have some of the basic comforts they need to feel right at home. While it's standard practice to layout fresh towels and washcloths for guests, it's also great to have extra towels on hand and accessible. Stock your bathroom with a few extra bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and even a plush guest bathrobe so that your guests feel comfortable and will have everything they may need without having to ask or search for anything themselves.

Clutter instantly detracts from a clean space, even if it's minor. So be sure to give your bathroom a good once over to remove any items strewn about the space. Pick up any kids' toys, clothes, or used towels that are around, and organize the toiletries and any reading material you keep in the bathroom. That way, the space will look clean and welcoming when your guests arrive. Finally, if other family members normally use your guest bathroom, consider removing their personal items, such as step stools, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and hair accessories.

Creating a special basket of toiletry items can add a nice homey touch — and they're especially useful to have on hand if a guest forgets to bring their own or has had to travel lightly. Items such as extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, razors, shaving cream, floss, cotton balls, Q-tips, and lotions can be good additions to your guest’s toiletry basket. This will not only help your guests feel right at home, but it will also ensure they have everything they may need without feeling like they have to go out and buy something or bother you.

In addition to a toiletry basket, be sure that your guest bathroom has all the bath products that they may need. The basics should include soap, shampoo, and hair conditioner. If you want to give your guest bathroom a spa-like appeal, then add items such as loofahs, sponges, bath salts, bubble bath products, and a nice-smelling body wash to make your guest bathroom feel even more luxurious and welcoming for your guests.

Last but not least, give your guest bathroom an extra appeal with small decor and aesthetic touches. Finishing touches will help to make your bathroom as inviting and comfortable as possible. Think about fabric touches for curtains or linens as opportunities to give the space style or brighten the space up. Accessories such as plants, decorative items, candles, and nautical items such as shells and sea glass are wonderful ways to make your guest bathroom feel cozy, comfortable, and homey. You may even want to set out fresh flowers or potpourri to bring some smell, warmth, and life into the space.

Preparing your bathroom for your guests will not only help your guests feel welcome, comfortable, and right at home, but it will make their stay with you as smooth and pleasant as possible.