The holiday season’s arrival brings plans for sparkling parties and overnight visits from family and friends. Now is the time to give your guest bathroom or powder bath the once over. Maybe the spaces need sprucing up or just a few simple additions to make your guests feel at home. There is still time to make these bathrooms shine.
“I think the key is to imagine you are the person using that bathroom,” says Tammy Thiessen of Thiessen Design and Construction and Home at Last in Fairlawn Plaza. “I tell people to stay the night in their guest room so you know the mattress is comfortable and the hot water is getting to the shower.”
To prepare the guest bathroom for overnight visitors, Thiessen has a few ideas to allow your guests, tired and exhausted from traveling, to slip away for a bit of downtime. Start with a plush robe, a pair of simple slippers, and fragrant bath bombs for your visitors. Fill a basket or drawer with travel-size shampoos, conditioners, body washes, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, so they don’t feel like they’re inconveniencing you by asking for something they forgot.
“I love to shoot my guest a quick text saying I have a hair dryer, curling iron, and all of the toiletries, so then they’re only bringing their specialty items,” Thiessen says. “Go ahead and put a few of those extras in. Just remember your guest are going to come with luggage. A spot to put a toiletries bag, an open drawer so they can put some of their things in there while they’re staying with you, all of that is really helpful for the guest while they’re staying in your home.”
For holiday gatherings such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gift unboxing, and New Year’s Eve parties, the powder bath will see a lot of traffic. While decorative guest soaps and towels can be pretty and festive, guests are often reluctant to use them. Plus, many of those holiday hand towels are not the most absorbent. Your guest will appreciate soap in a beautiful pump bottle and a plush, absorbent towel.
Thiessen points out that the powder bath location is ideally away from the main living areas. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Infusers and candles in the bath can make visitors feel more comfortable. If the bathroom is in a high-traffic area, placing an infuser on a decorated table outside the door will also address any possible odor issues.
What if your powder room or guest bath needs a complete décor refresh? If you’re on timeline and budget conscience, Thiessen says swapping out a mirror is a quick and inexpensive way to dress up a bathroom. If the space looks a little drab, add a new piece of art for instant color and a toiletries basket for texture. As far as DIY goes, painting the vanity is something homeowners can easily do themselves.
If you love to dress up your home for the holidays, use those decorations in the bathrooms, too. Thiessen noted gold and copper tones are the trend this season, paired with jewel tones such as emerald green and deep navy. Remember to leave room on the guest bath vanity for your visitor’s toiletries, hair dryers, and make-up. In the powder bath, you can decorate however you like since space for these items isn’t necessary.
Thiessen says, “Paint your vanity, grab a new mirror, get a cute basket for toiletries and some fresh towels, and then light a candle, and it will be a homey space. Your guests are coming over to spend time with you. If your bathrooms reflect you and your personality and what you love and care about, your guests are going to love it because they love you. Our homes are an extension of us and meant to be enjoyed with the people that we love.”
Visit tdesigncompany.com and homeatlastco.com