When it comes to hosting guests, the guest bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. The cleanliness and freshness of that space or the lack thereof is crucial to providing a comfortable visit. Follow the tips below to make your guest bathroom welcoming.

1. Locate a bathroom that can be set aside specifically for guests. If you or members of your household will need to share the bathroom with guests, select the one in your home that is most suitable. Consider the proximity to the guest room or the make-shift guest area.
2. Decorate the guest bathroom so that it is appealing to house guests. Search for decorating tips in bathroom design or home decorating magazines. Offer a different color towel set (bath towel, hand towel and wash cloth) to each guest so that it is easy for them to keep track of which one is theirs. If there is enough space, include a hamper in the guest bathroom. Use an over the door hanger to hold bathrobes and other clothing.
3. Head off trips to the convenience store. Keep common travel items readily available. Place mouthwash, toothpaste, razors, etc. in a welcome gift basket or in a small basket in the guest bathroom. Include small toiletry bottles from one of your hotel stays as well as body lotion and other necessities.
4. Ensure common items are easy to find. Place cotton balls and swabs in a clear glass container on the counter top or on a nearby shelf. Place hand soap on the ledge of the sink basin. Store paper cups in a dispenser in full view. Store additional supplies of these items as well as extra tissues, toilet paper and soap where they can be easily located by guests.
5. Keep a well stocked medicine cabinet. Store over-the-counter medicine to relieve aches and pains. This will allow guests a measure of privacy about their personal concerns. For instance, they may not want to admit to their host that they have a headache or indigestion!
6. Ensure your guest’s safety. Place bath mats on vinyl floors and no-slip mats in the bath and shower area. Plug a night light in the guest bathroom and/or in the hallway leading to the guest bathroom so that visitors can navigate safely at night.
7. Make guests comfortable. Hang a plush terry cloth bathrobe on an over the door hanger and place comfy slippers on the guest bathroom floor. Encourage your guests to wear the items at their leisure during their stay. If you are able to find good deals on bathrobes and slippers, purchase these items in bulk when you see them and allow your guests to take them home when they leave.

More tips for hosting house guests…