26 Creative Guest Bathroom Ideas

Install Privacy Shades

Most everyone loves a bathroom with natural light, but guests will be more comfortable when they can close the shades to change or shower. A simple pull-down shade is often the best guest bathroom idea for a window treatment, so guests aren't left wondering how to open and close them. Make sure it's also easy to adjust the window opening so visitors can let in a breeze or shut the window if it gets chilly.

Corral Essentials on a Tray

To pack efficiently, travelers often bring the minimum, especially if they're flying with a carry-on bag, and must abide by the FAA's 3.4-ounce rule. If you have the counter space, a welcoming guest bathroom idea is to fill a tray with everyday toiletries such as lotion, cotton swabs, and cleansing pads. Leave space for guests to lay out their own products, makeup, and hair tools as well.

Add Easy-to-Reach Storage

A small bathroom can present some challenges when preparing for guests. One solution to limited storage is to add shelves above the toilet. In addition to creating more space, displaying items in the open, such as plush bath towels, makes it easier for guests to find things. You can install open shelving with brackets or add a freestanding unit that fits neatly over the toilet for storage.

Layer in Little Luxuries

After a long trip (or even a short one), there's nothing like a hot shower or bath. Keep your shower stocked with all the bathing essentials, such as washcloths, razors, body and face scrubs, and more, in a corner shelving unit. If it's in the budget, splurge on a nice shampoo or conditioner.

Provide a new loofah or scrub brush for a luxurious touch that guests will appreciate. Give them any extras you enjoy using. Chances are they will enjoy them, too.

Don't Forget the Toilet Paper

Nothing is worse than an empty toilet paper roll when visiting someone else's home. Don't keep guests wondering whether there's a roll in the vanity drawer or nearby linen closet. Displaying a basket out in the open is a guest bathroom idea that makes it easy for guests to find what they need for their comfort.

Make It Accessible

If your visitors include little ones, a step stool is a guest bathroom idea parents will appreciate since it makes it easy for kids to reach the sink. If they're old enough to brush their teeth and wash their hands on their own, they won't have to call their parents in for a boost, and it can minimize drips and spills that need to be cleaned.

Consider Open Shelving

Opening and closing cabinets over and over gets old (and noisy). Designing a guest bathroom with open shelving keeps bathroom accessories in the open and easy to locate. Here, wicker baskets keep extra towels neat and at the ready on an open vanity shelf. Leave small vanity organizers out on the countertop for them to use during their stay.

Add Greenery

There's no reason houseplants can't be used as a guest bathroom idea for decor similar to other rooms in your home. If it's a space used only when guests are in town or if the bathroom is windowless, consider an artificial plant instead. If your counter space is limited, consider hanging plants in lieu of tabletop pots. Whether real or not, a touch of nature brings life to a space.

Fake a Medicine Cabinet

If you have a small bathroom sans a medicine cabinet, you can create storage by choosing a mirror with a built-in shelf. Make sure to add a cup to hold a toothbrush and toothpaste should guests want to store it there during their stay.

Punch It Up with Patterns

If your guest bathroom is small and windowless, don't fight the lack of natural light. Rather than trying to brighten it up, embrace it by leaning into darker colors. Complete the look with bold patterns to make the space feel special. Install ample artificial lighting for morning prep, makeup application, and other personal care. You can find bathroom mirrors with built-in lighting for convenient use.

Add Fresh Flowers

A bouquet of flowers is a guest bathroom idea that goes a long way to freshen up a bathroom and make visitors feel welcome. Your floral arrangement doesn't have to be elaborate, either. A few blooms and sprigs of foliage cut from the garden can be the perfect touch. While guests are busy doing other things, take a minute to change the water to keep the flowers looking fresh and healthy.

Put Hidden Storage in Plain Sight

Rolling carts double as functional vertical storage in lieu of a vanity or medicine cabinet. If a traditional utility cart isn't the right solution, try a slimmed-down version that can slide between the sink and the toilet. Before purchasing a slim bathroom storage unit like this one, ensure it has enough room to fit all the essentials and easily glides into the intended space.

Add a Peg Rail

Hooks are a guest bathroom's best friend, and a peg rack is especially versatile and storage-friendly. Use one to hang fresh towels, bathrobes, or body brushes. You can even hang a basket to stash smaller bathroom accessories. Locate the rack close to the shower or bathtub for easy access so guests can hang their personal items on it as needed.

Swap a Bath Mat for a Vintage Rug

A super-soft bath mat is ideal for stepping out of the shower but can accumulate dirt in a high-traffic bathroom. For everyday use, opt for a vintage rug instead. They can be incredibly durable, and choosing a vibrant pattern will mask dirt and spots. Vacuum it regularly and wash it every so often to keep it from getting stained.

Incorporate Bathroom Hooks

Incorporating hooks is an affordable and clever guest bathroom idea for added open storage. Hooks are ideal for holding everything from towels to robes, swimsuits, toiletry bags, nightgowns, and sweaters. Use clear hooks so they're unobtrusive, or look for colorful hooks to add a decorative accent.

Install Bathroom Wallpaper

Wallpaper can make a guest bathroom feel particularly special. Floral wallpaper can help transport guests to vacation mode by outfitting a small bath with colorful, bold designs. When choosing bathroom wallpaper, consider scaling the blooms to the size of the room. You don't have to wallpaper every inch of the room—add it to the upper walls or even the ceiling and leave practical tile for backsplashes and shower surrounds.

Turn an Antique Dresser into a Vanity

Antique and vintage furnishings add warmth, character, and an unmatched patina as a guest bathroom idea. Dressers can easily be transformed into beautiful, functional bathroom furnishings. If you're handy, you can convert a piece of furniture into a unique vanity with a few tools and a new faucet and sink. Your DIY skills will impress guests, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind furnishing.

Transform a Tiny Space

Don't let a small space deter you from finding clever guest bathroom storage ideas. Vertical bathroom storage is often the best option; even one or two shelves go a long way for storing a couple of towels and toilet paper. You can also carve out space on a shelf for an empty basket where guests can stash their toiletries and toothpaste during their stay.

Decorate with Candles

When creating a relaxing space, nothing adds to the ambiance like the flicker of a warm candle. Since everyone has a different tolerance for scents, offer some options, such as unscented and floral, at the ready for guests. Don't forget to add a nice box of matches nearby so guests can light bathroom candles as they choose. If children are visiting, opt for flameless candles so they can enjoy the atmosphere, too.

Hang a Statement Mirror

A whimsical mirror might not be practical for a primary bathroom, but it can make a statement as a guest bathroom idea. Choose a piece that balances fun and functionality, like this organic coastal-inspired mirror. Consider guests' needs and pick a mirror that's large enough to be useful.

Add Artwork

Artwork is a guest bathroom idea that adds personality to what could otherwise be an ordinary space. Not only does it make a bathroom feel welcoming, but it also adds character. Just make sure to choose a durable piece that can withstand a humid environment.

Upgrade Your Tub

You don't have to fill it with water, soap, and bubbles the moment guests arrive, but preparing a bath for them is a nice way to help them relax after a long trip. If your tub needs replacing, consider a freestanding style for a bit of glam. To make visitors feel right at home, here are a few things to have ready: a tray for a book, bath salts, a bathrobe, and a stack of freshly laundered towels.

Utilize a Stool

When preparing a guest bathroom, remember that guests range in age. A stool can come in handy for sitting down, reaching the sink, stacking towels, or placing next to a tub for a potted plant or a cup of coffee. Find a stool that works with your design style and offers practical use.

Make Storage Clear

Visible storage will make your and your guests' lives easier. Anything you can do to make it convenient for guests to find items is always a big plus. Consider open shelving, lidless baskets, clear acrylic containers, glass jars, and plenty of wall hooks. If you don't have open storage, create a guide to where things are in the bathroom and place it in a frame that you can put on the vanity for quick reference.

Double the Sink

When your guest bathroom needs to accommodate multiple people, a double sink can ensure there's always plenty of space for handwashing and teeth brushing. A vintage-inspired trough-style sink adds a timeless look to a small guest bath.

Put in a Pocket Door

Small guest bathrooms often need to multitask. Adding a pocket door allows a guest bathroom to function separately as a toilet and a vanity area where people can brush their teeth, shave, apply makeup, and more. A pocket door takes up less space than a traditional swing-open door, so there's little need to move out of the way as people come and go. In some bathrooms, a barn door could serve the same function.