The Guest Bathroom Checklist, According to Designers
There are apps devoted to mapping beautiful bathrooms. Entire TikTok accounts, even. And an acceptable excuse for leaving your friend stranded at the bistro table a little too long is, ‘sorry, it was a really good bathroom.’ Maybe they were taking photos. Maybe they got lost in the dimly layered lighting, notes-app’d the candle set, and vowed to copy both at home. The extra five minutes away are forgivable.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and while your guests will talk about the table, every single one of them will end up in the powder room or guest bedroom – prime real estate for quiet flexes. The ultimate ‘who, me?’ humble brag, the loo is proof you have taste, restraint, and probably a candle budget.
So, I called on a few interior designers who’ve mastered the art of the stealth statement in guest spaces. Ahead, the 12 essentials that’ll make your guest bathroom the most talked-about room of hosting season.
A Well-Chosen Wastebasket
(Image credit: Photo by Andrea B. Swenson/Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty )
The secret to making a splash in a guest bathroom is going all in on the details most people overlook. Anyone can choose a tasteful bathmat – but a tasteful trash can? That’s taste on another level. ‘By making your trash can, tissue cover, or small accent piece high design, you subtly signal that everything in the space was considered,’ says Preston Konrad, co-founder and designer at Preston Lane, who’s a firm believer in elevating the everyday, especially where people least expect it.
West Elm
Burled Wood Waste Bin
Burl wood has that perfectly imperfect, retro elegance that feels just right for the holidays. If you’re feeling extra, use it as a chic drop-off for reusable hand towels, leaving the utilitarian bin out of sight near the toilet.
A Statement Mirror
(Image credit: Studio Duggan)
For anyone still waiting on that long-promised bathroom renovation – or quietly accepting it may never happen – this is your shortcut to redemption. A mirror swap can do more for a space than any contractor ever could. ‘Even if the bathroom is not newly renovated or you don’t wish to change the whole space, I’d definitely add a statement mirror. It makes a huge difference in my opinion,’ says Mugdha Girish Uma, founder and principal designer of MGU-Design, a Los Angeles–based interior design studio. We’ve rounded up all the best places to buy mirrors so you can explore the Homes & Gardens’ approved brands for a guest bathroom update.
Lulu and Georgia
Rook Mirror by Sarah Sherman Samuel
A statement mirror doesn’t necessarily mean you need to choose an ultra-thick, highly ornate frame or go with a wild color. Statements can be made simply, as seen in this playfully curved wall mirror by Sarah Sherman Samuel.
Plush Hand Towels
(Image credit: Aimee Mazzenga. Design: Abrams Valenti Interiors & En Masse Architecture and Design)
There’s no faster way to telegraph quiet luxury than with a really good hand towel. ‘Nothing says luxury like thick, hotel-like quality towels with subtle monogramming,’ says Molly O’Donnell, senior designer at the Chicago branch of Melanie Olson Design Group. ‘They feel indulgent, look polished, and instantly elevate the guest experience. Roll a few on a vintage towel rack (or vintage-style like this one from Pottery Barn) so guests know exactly where to find them. Not only does this look chic and intentional, but it also signals thoughtful hospitality,’ she explains.
Matouk
Gordian Knot Milagro Towels
Molly swears by heritage standbys like Weezie and Matouk, but this knot-motif hand towel from the latter is a standout. A cult favorite for its plush, ultra-absorbent texture and preppy-meets-classic sensibility, fold it neatly on the counter or simply let it hang loose.
An Exceptional Hand Soap
(Image credit: Mark Bolton / Kelling Designs)
It might sound a little absurd to spend close to $100 on a hand soap you’ll eventually have to refill – but according to nearly every designer I spoke to, it’s worth every drop. The right bottle works on two levels: psychology (niche labels quietly signal luxury) and sensorial pleasure (it feels and smells incredible). ‘In a guest bathroom, I always opt for a really nice – aesthetic and fragrance – bottle of hand soap,’ says Rosanna Bassford, founder and principal of Memmo Interiors. ‘It’s a great place to splurge and let guests enjoy a small luxury in your home. I think it makes it feel extra inviting, like you let your guests use your best stuff! Plus, if it complements your decor, even better. A nice hand soap definitely elevates any bathroom.’
You could also invest in a nice soap dispenser like this marble design from West Elm. You can refill it time after time, and it will always look chic. Or if you are a traditionalist who likes a bar of soap, a stylish dish like this one from Magnolia can elevate a simple bar.
LOEWE PERFUMES
Tomato Leaves Hand Cleanser
Loewe’s Tomato Leaves hand soap is the insider pick of the moment. Its earthy, green scent and sculptural vessel capture the brand’s signature mix of play and impossible chicness – details that even clueless guests will clock immediately. A surefire conversation starter.
A Complimentary Lotion
(Image credit: Nkuku)
If you only buy one thing from this list, make it the hand soap. But if you can swing two, don’t skip the lotion – it’s the final note that makes the whole experience feel considered. The soap and lotion don’t have to match (though it’s nice if they do), but they should at least be in conversation – visually, aromatically, or both. ‘Last, but certainly not least, providing a luxury body lotion that guests can enjoy is always necessary,’ says Molly O’Donnell of Melanie Olson Design Group. ‘Oftentimes, guests travel with their skin essentials, makeup, and necessary toiletries, but a body lotion gets overlooked. Arrange this on a tray or shelf near the accessorized toiletries, and guests will feel like they are staying at a five-star hotel!’
FRAMA
Herbarium Hand Cream Tube 60ml
Copenhagen-based design house FRAMA makes one of the best. Its apothecary hand lotion is nourishing, relatively rare (which matters), and, packaged in a striking orange tube, it’s a perfect contrast to Loewe’s smoky glass pump.
Captivating Wall Art
(Image credit: Becca Lea Photography. Design: Saab Studios)
Lend a bathroom authority by treating it like any other room in your home. That means art. Even the tiniest powder room can take on personality and polish with a framed piece (or two). ‘Fine art can really mess with your finances, but you don’t have to be a billionaire to wow your walls,’ says designer Jonathan Adler. ‘Whatever you buy and surround yourself with should reflect back your most glamorous, interesting self… even in what’s supposed to be just a boring guest bathroom,’ he adds, only half joking.
ArtMuseDecor
Polo Horse Art Print
The best bathroom art should say something about you – your humor, your interests, your style. As a self-proclaimed horse girl, I went with a vintage-style polo scene surrounded by punchy cabana-striped matting.
Vintage perfume bottles
(Image credit: Etsy)
‘My very chic grandmother used to have vintage perfume bottles with the squeeze pump in her powder room and guest baths,’ shares designer Molly O’Donnell. They look beautiful on their own – like tiny heirlooms – but they’re also functional, adding a little ritual to the experience. Fill one with a favorite fragrance for guests to use, just as you’d find in the bathrooms of great hotels and old-world restaurants. ‘Using them is always a highlight!’ Molly says. ‘They add a touch of sophistication and uniqueness that feels effortlessly elegant… guests will remember it!’
Vintage
Crystal Engraved Perfume Bottle
If you don’t happen to have a glamorous grandmother’s archive to raid, turn to Etsy or Chairish – both are full of hidden gems if you’re willing to dig. This fringe-accented crystal bottle, for instance, clocks in under $40 and looks like it was plucked from the vanity of an old Hollywood starlet.
A Bold Wallpaper
(Image credit: David Hillegas)
Even the most wallpaper-averse people tend to cave when it comes to the guest bathroom. There’s an unspoken understanding that this is where you can have fun – a little jewel box moment that breaks from the rest of the house.
Go bold, get weird, and make your wallpaper idea memorable. ‘Want to keep the tile natural? Let’s add that flair and personality with a rad wallpaper that adds color, design, and texture,’ says Megan Gribble of Megan Gribble Home. ‘It also makes for the perfect selfie background in the mirror reflection,’ she adds. So don’t be surprised when your bathroom ends up starring in your Gen Z niece’s Instagram story come Thanksgiving.
MaVoix
Uno Nessuno Red Classic Burgundy Wallpaper by Marika Tardio
It’s surreal in the best way, a harmonious blend of interlocking hands, floating eyes, a moody oxblood backdrop. Printed on fine art paper with a matte, hand-drawn finish, it’s exactly the kind of subversive elegance a powder room deserves
A Basket of Essentials
(Image credit: Original BTC)
For any out-of-towners staying the night this Thanksgiving, a little forethought goes a long way. ‘A small woven basket with makeup wipes, travel-size toiletries, and a spare toothbrush saves guests from having to ask for anything,’ says LA-based designer Amy Pigliacampo. It’s equal parts hospitality and dubiously humble flex – think Acca Kappa toothbrushes in tortoiseshell, Linhart toothpaste, and Slip silk hair ties. The message is that you planned for everything, down to the Q-tips.
Quince
Handwoven Rattan Bowl
Amy swears by a simple woven bowl like this one from Quince – understated but intentional – to corral mini essentials. Tuck it under a floating shelf or on a lower ledge rather than center stage on the bathroom counter. Guests will spot it, smile, and immediately know it’s there for them.
Fresh Flowers
(Image credit: Jeffrey Johnson. Design: Abrams Valenti Interiors)
‘Guests appreciate and remember the smallest details most. Don’t overthink this – you can’t go wrong with classic white hydrangeas in a glass vessel,’ notes Reanna Channer, founder of Seattle-based studio Design to Elevate, on the importance of blooms. ‘Place fresh flowers on a beautiful tray with a diffuser or a scented candle, along with a few of your favorite pampering bath products, and your guests will never want to leave,’ she jokes.
The Firecracker bouquet from UrbanStems strikes the perfect autumnal note for Thanksgiving, offering a bright, unexpected mix of orange and yellow thistle, craspedia, and roses. Have it delivered just before the holiday and cross ‘florals’ off your list early. You’ll be busy enough with the turkey.
A Signature Candle
(Image credit: Nkuku)
Hotels have signature scents – why shouldn’t you? A candle that feels distinctly you instantly makes your home more memorable (and your bathroom feel like it belongs in a boutique hotel). ‘I always light a favorite candle before guests arrive to set the tone,’ says designer Amy Pigliacampo, who loves styling them alongside a few matchbooks collected from hotels or local restaurants. ‘I like to be inspired by where other folks go or give guests ideas of spots to check out,’ she explains.
Le Labo
Verveine 32 Scented Candle
You can’t go wrong with a Le Labo candle, which are all soy-based wax and feature clean cotton wicks. Verveine 32 is Amy’s go-to, a fresh, grounding blend of citrus, florals, and soft woods.
Attention-Grabbing Accessories
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
Every bathroom deserves something unexpected that makes people smile mid–hand wash. Maybe it’s a scalloped wall shelf styled with perfume bottles, or a toilet paper holder that doubles as a conversation starter. ‘Anthropologie is a super fun source for this,’ says designer Megan Gribble. ‘A peacock toilet paper holder? Count me in. It’s the little details that really show the intention of a space and the thought that leave people talking.’
Anthropologie
Arthur Toilet Paper Holder
Give the most overlooked spot in your bathroom a little attitude. This wall-mounted holder, with its sculptural starburst design, offers a low-lift upgrade that makes an outsized impression.
The guest bathroom should have your attention at this time of year, it’s going to be seen a lot. And it doesn’t need a total renovation to get it looking beautiful; some simple switches like an elegant candle and a decadent new hand soap will make all the difference.
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