Irina

Small guest bathroom updates for maximum impact

Posted on 11th December 2024

When was the last time you gave your guest bathroom some TLC? Make your loved ones feel welcome and a little spoiled when visiting with the help of these updates…

If you love hosting on every occasion, your spare rooms need to be up to par. If you don’t know where to begin sprucing up your guest bathroom, simply imagine what you would want or need to have when staying over at a hotel, for example. I’m talking cotton towels, aromatherapy, plush robes and comfortable slippers.

To help you effortlessly refresh your guest bathroom and make sure you have all your basics sorted, here are some quick and easy fixes. Bonus: they won’t break the bank either…

Green bathroom design with slim metro tiles and fitted bath. — Get your guest bathroom ready with a handy tray for keeping toiletries organised, tactile towels, and a plush bath mat. Saturn modern bath by Britton.

Easy fixes

You won’t believe the difference new hardware can make to your guest bathroom. From giving your space a shiny new look with metallic handles or towel rails to adding extra hooks for bath robes, make sure you select your solutions in the same finish for a cohesive look.

Towel rails in brushed brass. — Enhance the aesthetics and functionality factor of your guest bathroom with new towel holders. Illustrious towel rails by Swadling Brassware.

A gold towel rail. — Ensure your guests have space for hanging robes and towels with a stylish solution like the Oakley Multi Hooks in Brushed Brass, £135, Origins Living.

Wrap up warm

Speaking of towels, here is a small update but one that can transform your guests’ experience – swap your old tired face, hand and bath cloths for glamorous new cotton ones. Make sure they’re soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye. In addition, why not purchase new cotton robes and plush slippers to complete the retreat-like experience? Your family and friends will feel snug and cocooned in them as a result. It’s the little details that make all the difference.

White luxury towels in a shower. — Upgrade your guests’ experience with luxury hotel-like white towels. From Tielle, £16 for a face cloth.

Striped unisex bathrobe. — Who doesn’t love a bathrobe? This Cotton stripe unisex design, £70, from John Lewis is oh-so-stylish.

Mirror, mirror…

Aside from brightening up the space and giving the illusion of a bigger room, mirrors are a must-have addition to any bathroom. Especially so if they include LED lighting, as they’re perfect for doing your makeup in the morning or prepping your nighttime routine.

They come in a variety of styles – from classic designs to ultra-sleek with smart features – sizes and shapes, so you are bound to find one to suit your scheme. As an alternative solution, pop a magnifying mirror on the vanity unit in case your guests need it when getting ready.

Modern bathroom with fluted basin, marble tiles and an LED mirror. — A guest bathroom update that can transform your space and last you for years, an LED mirror is a pretty and practical addition to your design. Olivia battery-operated illuminated LED mirror 70x50cm in Brushed Brass, £143, Bathroom Mountain.

Vanity mirror. — A vanity mirror, such as the Claremont design from Armac Martin, is a great solution for ensuring your guests have everything they need for their routines.

Add an extra layer of comfort

Be honest: is there anything more irksome than stepping out of a hot shower or relaxing bath onto a cold floor? So why not add that extra layer of comfort to your guest bathroom with a soft and fluffy rug. Choose one that matches your bathroom’s aesthetic, or go bold with a statement design.

Spa-like bathroom with a scallop mat. — Bright a touch of the outdoors in through jute and rattan soft furnishings. The Natural Scallop Border bath mat, £18, Next is ideal for a spa-like guest bathroom.

Scalloped bath mat with 'Ciao' message. — Put a smile on your loved one’s face with a personalised bath mat. Green Ciao bath mat, £35, Rockett St George.

Spruce up your guest bathroom with spa-like toiletries

Don’t you love a good shampoo and conditioner combo, paired with a hydrating hair mask? Or bath bombs for a bubbly soak, and a really effective scrub to leave skin baby-soft? Prep these bathroom essentials ahead of your guests’ arrival. Then, put them on display on a vanity unit, on an open shelf or in a shower nook for easy access.

Guest bathroom with terracotta-coloured furniture. — Fill your guest bathroom cabinets with essential toiletries, from toothbrushes to cleansers and lotions. Burford 60cm sit-on countertop unit in Terra, Roper Rhodes.

Relaxing aromatherapy

Essential oils, stylish diffusers and soy wax candles – you name it, I love it all. These guest bathroom essentials leave your space smelling fresh and add to the spa-like feeling. Pop a diffuser near the basin or add one on top of your wall-mounted cabinet for an even distribution throughout the room. And don’t forget to accessorise your bath with candles for the ultimate relaxing experience.

Aromatherapy set with a diffuser and essential oils. — Infuse your guest bathroom with calming scents. Unwind Blue ceramic electric aroma diffuser and fragrance oil gift set, £58, Oliver Bonas.

Refresh your bathroom accessories

Hygiene comes first, so upgrade your soap dish and dispensers with new chic and practical solutions (and pair them with a good anti-bacterial soap that also smells divine for an extra lovely touch). You could go for matching jars to store bamboo buds and cotton pads, which will always come in handy, as well as decorative boxes for tissues and extra toilet paper.

Guest bathroom neutral accessories. — Add a fresh touch to your guest bathroom with new accessories. Black beaded tray, £12; Black beaded dispenser, £6; Black beaded soap dish, £3; Natural beaded dispenser, £6, and Natural beaded soap dish, £3, all George Home.

Bath and shower updates

If you have a bath, you can give it a fresh look by adding a stylish tray for holding bathing essentials. Alternatively, if you have a shower, you can add personality through a new curtain (which is seriously back in style). A wood stool is another update which can contribute to the spa-like look while enhancing your space’s accessibility.

Bathroom design with shower-bath and a patterned shower curtain. — Revive your guest bathroom with a statement shower curtain. Sylvie cotton percale embroidered border shower curtain, £116, Anthropologie.

Bathrack in gold and white. — Complete your loved one’s visit with a practical bath tray. Heritage Vintage gold bath rack, £148.32, Sanctuary Bathrooms.

Wood stool. — If you lack storage space in your shower area, wood stools are ideal for keeping spa-inspired essentials and towels on hand. Small recycled teak wooden stool, £82, After Noah.

Guest bathroom storage

Can you ever have too much storage? I don’t think so. Ensure your guests have plenty of space to get nice and comfortable during their visit with countertop organisers, spacious laundry baskets, practical hooks and caddies.