Inviting and Practical Design Ideas for Your Guest Bathroom

Of all the rooms in your home, the guest bathroom is arguably the easiest to forget. It’s out of the way and rarely used by anyone who actually lives in the home. However, a well-curated guest bathroom is key to a five-star experience, as you will discover below with these top-notch guest bathroom ideas. 

No one wants to weather a full day of travel just to find cold, tile floors and burned-out bulbs in their temporary lodging. Putting some thought into the lighting, storage, and design of the space will make your guests feel welcome.

So read on for some guest bathroom ideas so good; you might have trouble getting visitors to leave.

1. Embracing Stylish Elegance in Guest Bathroom Ideas

Even though bright white bathrooms tend to be the go-to, dark colors can work wonderfully to create a strong atmosphere. Black walls paired with sleek, modern fixtures create a sultry vibe that lets visitors channel their inner Bruce Wayne. On the flip side, if you want a warmer feel, plush towels and cheerful wall decor soften the darkness and create a cozy, cocoon-like space.

Earthier colors, like dark moss green instead of black, evoke nature and healing–just the thing to help your guests relax. Letting in plenty of natural light will brighten the room, giving you that dark aesthetic without totally absorbing all the light. This is especially crucial for small bathrooms, which are easily overwhelmed by deeper shades.

Like the idea, but not ready to dive in headfirst? Try painting or wallpapering only the top half of your bathroom walls a dark color. Leaving the bottom white or painting it a lighter coordinating color cuts the darkness and adds levity. Just be sure to ground the space with a dark mat or rug–otherwise, it might end up feeling top-heavy.

2. Space-Saving Solutions

For the length of your visitors’ stay, the bathroom is their sanctum. It’s where they go through their final routines in the evening and get ready each morning to take on a new day. While it always feels a little weird to go about your business somewhere new, there are things you can do to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

A walk-in shower instead of a bathtub with a curtain is a great way to elevate your guests’ experience. Features like a rainfall showerhead or built-in shelves can take showers from good to great.

On the other hand, you can add some spa-like serenity with a vintage clawfoot tub–the perfect way to relax after a busy day. A ladder or step stool nearby works as a stylish place to set a candle, a book, and a drink, ensuring that your guest has everything they need right at their fingertips.

As for the vanity, counter space is king. A tiny pedestal sink might work in a half bath, but overnight guests will appreciate having room to lay out their toiletries. If you have a small guest bathroom or just can’t walk away from that minimalist aesthetic, make sure to add storage elsewhere. Your guest will need a place for shaving cream, moisturizer, and any other odds and ends to go.

3. Inspiring Decor Ideas

Even though you may not spend much time in your guest bathroom, you certainly don’t want the decor to reflect that. If the guest bathroom design doesn’t flow well with the rest of your house, it’ll definitely stick out.

You don’t necessarily have to deck your guest bathroom out head to toe, but make sure to incorporate your design style through the space. If the rest of your house has a farmhouse style, neutral colors, rustic wall art, and weathered wood cabinets will fit perfectly in your bathroom. If Scandinavian decor is more to your taste, pale gray or powder blue wallpaper and minimalist fixtures are the way to go.

Anything in your bathroom can function as decor. More obvious elements include things like wall art, shower curtains, rugs or mats, and plants. All of these elements can influence the tone of the room. However, even things that seem mundane can double as decor if you’re strategic about it. For a quick upgrade, decant soap into glass bottles and stack cotton balls in a mason jar instead of leaving them in the original plastic packaging.

4. Creative Wall Concepts

The four walls of your bathroom offer countless ways to make a statement. Wall tiles, whether funky or minimalist, colorful or black and white, are a surefire way to set the tone. Cover the whole room or tone it down with a single, eye-catching accent wall.

Wallpaper is another option, and with the rise in popularity of removable wallpaper, you don’t have to stress over making a permanent change. Alternatively, you could go for a totally different material–a shiplap wall, for example, would fit in perfectly with a farmhouse-style bathroom, and a textured stone wall adds a contemporary touch.

As a rule of thumb, warm colors like terracotta or lemon yellow energize the room, while cooler shades like navy or sage green are more calming. Playing with the tone and saturation of the colors lets you tweak the effect to your liking (pale red walls, for example, are more laid back than electric teal ones). And of course, you could also stick to classic neutrals.

Whether you go all white everything or brighten the room with pops of color, you’ll end up with a chic color scheme that’ll never go out of style.

5. Illuminating Charm

When it comes to lighting, you have more choices than you may realize. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box on this one! Lights inlaid across the tops and bottoms of the walls create a sleek, futuristic aesthetic, while a mirror with vanity lights around the border adds a glamorous, old Hollywood vibe.

You can’t go wrong with wall sconces and overhead lighting. Trading your current fixtures for ones that match the rest of your bathroom upgrades could be the defining factor in whether or not the room feels cohesive and deliberate. Look for things like unique metal finishes, ornate glass detailing, and striking geometric design to find the perfect lighting for the space.

Natural light can also play a major role. If your guest bath has a big window, play it up with stylish, sheer curtains and use it as a focal point. Sit some plants on the sill or hang them from the ceiling directly in front of it. They’ll love the sun and humidity, especially if the window faces south, and they’ll add a luxe, boho vibe.

7. Adding Luxury Touches

If you’re planning a full bathroom remodel, consider adding some luxury features to take things to the next level. LED lighting, a jacuzzi, and a spacious walk-in shower are just a few ways to elevate the room.

Big, stone tiles make your guest bathroom feel ultra-zen, while marble countertops and walls create a contemporary vibe. If there’s a nice view, consider expanding the window so it can double as a piece of art. This effect can be especially striking when set within the shower.

8. Powder Room Perfection

If you can’t decide on which way to take your powder room decor, take your cues from the rest of the house. Incorporate similar colors, materials, and textures. This way, your bathroom design feels cohesive and intentional, not completely random.

However, just because your guest bathroom design goes with the rest of the house doesn’t mean it has to match it completely. Spaces like powder rooms are great opportunities to play with decor that might feel too extreme on a larger scale, like ornate wallpaper or brightly patterned tile. Covering a small room in vibrant florals or attention-grabbing paisley makes it feel like a little pocket of design heaven.

8. Tile Inspiration

Playing around with the size, shape, layout, and color of the tiles in your guest bathroom can result in a one-of-a-kind bathroom design that feels uniquely you.

Subway tiles look great in a classic running bond, or you can add some flair by laying them in an eye-catching chevron pattern. Juxtapose light walls with dark floor tiles to ground the room, or install intricate mosaic wall tiles to function as wall art.

FAQs

What should I put in my guest bathroom?

The last place your guests will want to go after traveling is the store for toiletries, so stock their bathroom with anything they might need. Providing things like body wash, cotton swabs, new razors, and feminine products will let your guests relax and feel right at home.

What are the best colors for a guest bathroom?

Even though white bathrooms won’t be falling out of style any time soon, a few other hues are entering the scene. Sage green and powder blue symbolize nature and serenity, which makes them popular choices. Darker tones, which create a dramatic, sultry atmosphere, are also on the rise.

How do I make my guest bathroom inviting?

If your guests plan to arrive during the day, open up the windows and let the natural light pour in. Plush linens and a soft, comfortable bathroom mat make the space feel cozy and inviting. Adding flowers or greenery will brighten the whole room.

How do I make my guest bathroom luxurious?

For a luxurious, expensive-looking bathroom, focus on the details. Monogrammed towels, gold-toned metal accents, fancy glass containers, and a high-quality fabric shower curtain are surefire ways to dial up the luxury. An abundance of humidity-loving plants like birds of paradise or majesty palms will also do the trick.