So, you have houseguests coming! How well-prepared is your Guest Bathroom?
While you are not trying to be a 5-star hotel, you want your guests to feel comfortable, relaxed, and attended to!
Assemble a little “guest bathroom basket” under the sink, or place it in a vanity drawer or their bedroom closet. Fill it with items your houseguests may have forgotten or appurtenances they may suddenly discover they need. This extra effort will relieve your houseguests because they do not have to “ask you” for something; it’s all at their fingertips if needed!
The Houseguest Bathroom Essential List:
Linens: Two big fluffy bath towels (or more), two hand towels, and two washcloths per guest (a black make-up hand towel is thoughtful, too)
A white cotton floor mat near the shower or tub
A new bar of soap on the sink AND in the shower/tub
A bottle of liquid body soap (millennials prefer this over a bar of soap)
Shampoo (get one for color-treated hair… just saying!)
Conditioner
Mouthwash (fill a crystal decanter with mouthwash and place it next to the sink… it will look pretty!)
Small drinking glass (I prefer a silver mint julep cup, it cannot break!)
A hairdryer
Hooks on the door or a place to hang damp/wet towels
A box of tissues
Two terry robes: Medium & Large for the Guest Bedroom or Bathroom
A magnifying mirror on the wall or on a stand
A pretty waste bin
A small vase of cut flowers or a little orchid plant by the sink (a silver baby cup is the perfect size for either)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS- place these under the sink or in a vanity drawer:
Shower cap
Hair spray
Hair mousse
Body lotion
Extra rolls of potty paper
Travel-size toothpaste
New toothbrush
New razor
Shaving cream
Make-up remover
Cotton balls
Nail file
Nail polish remover
Tweezers
Roll of Tums or antacid
Advil or Tylenol- small bottle
Needle and thread kit
A pair of little scissors
Lint brush
Comb
Small hairbrush
Q-tips- a small amount
Spray deodorant
Feminine products
Sunscreen (for a resort house)
Room scent spray
Nightlight (I keep one plugged in the bathroom outlet)
While this list may seem extensive, you may already have some of these items.
Grand Millennial Tips:
If you have items collected from a previous hotel stay such as a needle and thread kit, comb, nail file, or shower cap, repurpose them for your guest bathroom… one and done!
I purchase as many items as possible in “travel-size” so that they do not take up much room and can be tossed after a guest has used them.
My daughters in Berlin and Park City thoughtfully provide electric curlers in their guest bathrooms for me so I do not have to pack mine!
Even though you are not running a hotel, your houseguests will appreciate your attentiveness. (Warning: they may choose to stay and never leave… good luck with that!)
Xx
Holly
PS: Please share this with a friend who may appreciate this list for their Guest Bathroom too!