From friends to family members, I love hosting overnight guests in my home. Before my guests arrive, the perfectionist in me always ensures my guest bathroom is impeccably clean and presentable (similar to my guest bedroom). I like to treat my guests the same way that I would want to be treated if I was a guest in their home. And, for me, that means preparing a bathroom that is comfortable, warm, and well-stocked. I want them to have an experience similar to a boutique hotel.
So, if you are anything like me and want to prepare your guest bathroom for your house guests adequately, check out this extensive guest bathroom essentials list. This list includes everything you may possibly need in anticipation of your guests’ needs while prioritizing style, comfort, and some luxuries.
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Guest Bathroom Essentials List Must-Haves
Bathroom Accessories
Every guest bathroom needs to have certain accessories that simply serve two main purposes: aesthetics and functionality. Without these little details, it is almost impossible for your guests to effectively utilize the bathroom. The following items should be standard in any guest bathroom space.
- Bath Mat
- Trash can
- Hand soap dispenser
- Plunger
- Toilet Brush
- Trash can
- Toothbrush holder
- Towel hook or towel bar
- Shower curtain
- Laundry hamper
- Mirror
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex tissue box
- Night light
Pro tip – Be sure to leave out lots of extra toilet paper so that your guests don’t have to ask you for extra consistently.
Guest Bathroom Toiletries Kit Basket
I like to keep a small basket on top of the bathroom counter with basic amenities and other bathroom essentials that my guests will need. These items are often forgotten at home by guests so it’s important to me that I keep them in stock in case my guests need them. Leaving out extra toiletries will add convenience for my guests. Here’s what to put in my guest bathroom basket:
- Toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton balls
- Q tips
- Feminine hygiene products i.e., tampons
- Gel Mask
- Bandaids
- Over-the-counter pain reliever (Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc)
- Razors
- Tweezers
- Face wash
- Deodorant
- Travel-size soap or body wash
- Lotion
- Lip Balm
Plush Towels
Towels are a huge part of the guest bathroom essentials list. While you may not need luxury towels, a high quality towel that is soft and absorbent is ideal. Soft towels you may want to include are:
- Bath towel
- Hand towels
- Wash cloth
I like to use white towels because you can see the level of cleanliness in the towels. White towels are the best way to assure my guests that the towel is unsoiled and fresh with no presence of stains and spots. White towels also give the guest bathroom a nice, crisp, clean feel.
Lastly, I like to keep extra towels in a decorative basket near the guest bath where my house guests can easily access them.
Hair Essentials & Supplies
Traveling with certain hair products might be challenging for your friend or family member. So be sure to stock your guest bathroom with hair products that they will likely need but are unable to carry or forget to travel with.
- Blow Dryer
- Comb
- Brush
- Hair Spray
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Hair pins
- Elastic Hair Bands
Provide Self Care Amenities
Add a little love and provide your guest with items that will allow them to unwind and have a spa like experience. Pack your guest bath with all the bathroom essentials needed for relaxation and pampering by curating spa-like items. Your guests will thank you for this.
- Candles
- Essential oil diffusers
- Bathrobe
- Bath slippers
- Bath salts
- Bubble bath
- Reading materials
- Blue tooth speakers
- Nail grooming Kit with nail clipper
Basic Cleaning Supplies
I try to keep very basic cleaning supplies under the vanity sink in the guest bathroom. While I don’t expect my guests to clean bathroom, they may want to do some basic cleaning touch-ups themselves or they may simply want to clean up after themselves. Cleaning supplies are essential for this. Try to keep the following handy for your guests:
- Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Air Freshener
- Clorox Wipes
- Rubber gloves
How to Decorate a Guest Bathroom?
Now that we covered what is needed in the guest bathroom to make your guests feel comfortable, it’s time to beautify and accessorize the space. This is a great way to showcase your personal style and make a stylish impression. You can easily accessorize your bathroom by incorporating the following guest bathroom ideas and decorative items:
- Greenery or Fresh Flowers – Whether real greenery, fresh flowers, or a fake plant, it will help to liven up the space and bring nature inside, giving the space lots of vibrancy.
- Add beautiful Wall art – Beautiful artwork can make your small space come alive. So add a couple of contemporary paintings that illustrate your stylish taste or design a gallery wall. A beautifully selected art piece will make a huge difference in the look of your guest bath.
- Bold bath mat – Don’t be afraid to go bold with the bath mat colors. Try out different colors like bright orange, yellow, earthy green, or other unique patterned designs for the bath rug. This delightful and tasteful pop of color can help to lift the bathroom’s spirits while giving your guests somewhere plush and dry to step after a shower.
- Bright shower curtain – similar to the bath mats, includes a new shower curtain that grabs your visitors’ attention instantly. This statement piece will be a focal point in the bathroom that is guaranteed to wow your guests. The shower curtain can also add so much personality and sophistication to your bathroom.
- Stylish refillable dispensers – use a cute hand soap dispenser with a matching lotion dispenser on the bathroom sink countertop. This can help to make your space look cohesive and coordinated.
- Jars for decanting – Use pretty jars to display frequently used loose items such as cotton balls and Q tips. This will make the space look less cluttered and tidy while adding a fancy flair. These small details will go a long way.
- Add a towel ladder – Towel ladders are super stylish and are a great way to add additional storage space to an already limited space. Your guests can use it to store their towels.
Tips for Easy Guest Bathroom Updates
If accessories alone won’t cut it, consider minor, noninvasive small updates to enhance the guest bathroom design. Before your guests arrive, it is a good idea to access your bathroom and determine if any necessary upgrades are needed. While a major renovation might not be possible, there are some simple additions and minor upgrades to consider that can make a drastic difference to the look and feel of your guest bathroom. Whether a small bathroom or large bathroom, the following upgrades might make a high impact:
Showerhead Upgrade – A new shower head can make a big difference in both the look and functionality of your guest bathroom. A new shower head can improve the shower experience and relieve body aches and pains. Give your guests the treat of an upgraded showerhead that provides maximum water pressure. Opt for a hand held or rainfall showerhead.
Replace the light fixture – Swapping out the light fixtures will provide your guest bathroom with an instant upgrade. It will also provide your guest with adequate lighting for their bathroom needs, especially in cases where the bathroom does not get any natural light. Upgraded light fixtures can help with mood settings that your guests will appreciate.
Switch out the hardware – Upgrade your guest bathroom by swapping out the hardware. Hardware can include bathroom vanity handles, toilet paper holders, towel holders, or even the sink faucet. Changing the original hardware in your bathroom is a quick and easy way to get an instant update on your bathroom. You can change the go with a gold finish, matte black finish, or oil-rubbed bronze finish for the new hardware to help modernize the guest bathroom.
I hope you have found this bathroom essentials list useful. Please drop a comment below to let me know what you think of this guest bathroom essentials list. Feel free also to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration, DIY projects, and home decor ideas.
