How to Get a Bathroom Ready for House Guests

A few weeks ago I wrote about little things that you could do to make your guest room extra special when you have visitors.  Sharing household space with your best gal pals can be a fabulous experience, or you may find yourself getting on one another’s very last nerve.

I think sharing bathroom space can bring out the worst in people.  Inevitably, one person leaves the cap off the toothpaste, neglects to clean up powder spills, leaves soap scum in the sink basin, or forgets to put away the coffee cup that they were drinking from while putting on their makeup.

What’s a girl to do?

Well, if you have more than one bathroom, you can relegate your guest to the one that you don’t use.  If it’s just a powder room (no shower or bathtub), they can still use it for doing their make up and hair, which frees up your personal space.

Here are some ways to make a bathroom inviting and useful for a guest, whether you’re sharing it or not:

Make sure it sparkles.  In this case, cleanliness really is next to godliness, so make sure the tub/shower, toilet, sink, mirror and floors are as clean as can be.  No one wants to use a bathroom that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in a decade.

Add some flowers.  If you have the space, a simple bud vase, a floating flower, or even some stalks of bamboo can make a bathroom inviting.

Make some room.  Your guest is going to have her own “stuff” and stuff has to go somewhere.  Help keep it neat and out of sight by providing a drawer, area in a closet, or even a pretty basket (that can be tucked away or returned to a guestroom).

Add a scented candle and matches.  In addition to adding a little ambience at bath time, a scented candle (or the sulphur from lighting a match) can help mask unpleasant bathroom odors.  Alternatively, include some air freshener.

Make sure there are lots of towels.  And make sure they are ones that are okay to use.  Nothing is worse than being in a bathroom with towels that look like they are for decoration only.  If you have pretty ones on display, make sure your guest knows where to find ones that can be used.

Include some amenities.  Sure we all have our favorite products, but with liquid and gel restrictions, we often have to leave them at home.  Have some nice shampoo, condition, bath gel or sweet smelling soap in the shower, and some bubble bath by the tub.  Other nice things to have easily available might be a hair dryer, body lotion, aspirin, toothpaste, and an extra deodorant (stock up on some trial sizes).

Hands off items.  If there is anything that is off limits to your guest, make sure you let them know.  Some guests will ask before using something, but if it’s one-of-a-kind or you’re down to the last drop, make sure you put it away or let your guest know that it’s one item you can’t share.

Do you have any way to make sharing a bathroom with a houseguest easy for both of you?

Photo credit: SXC