9 Things In Your Bathroom Guests Notice Right Away
A guest coming over, especially if it's their first time, can feel vulnerable. We all want to be someone with a clean, tidy, and tasteful home, but it's impossible to accomplish 100% of the time. Bathrooms , the spot for some of our messiest tasks, can be particularly hard to maintain. Instead of panicking, consider this your checklist for what guests are actually noticing and exactly how you can fix them.
Uncomfortable Toilets
If your current toilet is giving you (or anyone else) flashbacks of an elementary school bathroom, it's too low. "As a rule, never put anything but a 'comfort height' toilet in your home," says Jenna Schnabel, principal designer at Schnabel Interiors in Lexington, Kentucky. "Not only is it ADA compliant, but so much more comfortable to users of all heights, allowing you to sit down and get back up easily."
Schnabel also recommends an oval or elongated seat, explaining that round seats are "necessary in certain situations where space is limited," but shallower and not considered comfortable to the end user.
Grungy, Mismatched, or Wet Hand Towels
Even in the most elegant bathroom, old towels instantly cheapen the space. That's why Nicolette Boxe, licensed realtor at Sotheby's International Realty in Hunt Country, Virginia, recommends investing in a set of plush, monogrammed guest towels in crisp white or neutral tones. "Display them neatly folded or draped for a boutique hotel feel," she advises.
On the other hand, when you're hosting a get-together, it can be tricky to ensure there's always a dry and clean hand towel at the ready. Mary Elizabeth Wiggins and Juli O'Neal, co-founders of Paperwhites Interiors in Brentwood, Tennessee, solve this problem by placing dinner-size disposable napkins ("There are many nice, thick, and pretty options now!") next to the sink on a small silver tray to make them feel more special.
Lack of Privacy
What happens in the bathroom should stay in the bathroom, but that's not always the case. "Barn doors on bathrooms, for instance, might be trendy in photos, but they're a mistake in real life because they don't block sound or seal tightly," explains Matt Marovich, owner and partner at Casey Key at Alair Homes in Sarasota, Florida. "Instead, we design with solid-core doors, water closets, and even acoustic insulation in the walls." Guests won't mention it directly, but they'll immediately feel more at ease.
Poor Ventilation
No one wants to use a bathroom that smells stale (or worse). If you can, Boxe recommends upgrading your ventilation system or installing a discreet fan timer. Not in the budget? "A well-placed reed diffuser with a refined scent like sandalwood or white tea can elevate the room," she insists. "Avoid anything overly floral or synthetic; it should smell expensive, not overpowering."
Outdated Fixtures
"Nothing dates a bathroom faster than a builder-grade faucet or yellowed light switch plates," Boxe insists. "Swap out hardware for brushed brass, matte black, or polished nickel ." It sounds dramatic, but this relatively low-cost upgrade can instantly transform the feel of a space.
Cluttered Vanities
Toothpaste, medications, makeup—no matter how tidy you are, these things inevitably end up scattered around your bathroom counter at some point. In addition to distracting from the rest of your bathroom, they also make guests feel like they're intruding on your personal space.
Boxe recognizes that storage can be tight, so "if you must leave something out, make it intentional: a crystal jar of cotton swabs, a small orchid, or a single artisan soap bar."
Lack of Function
A bathroom should be intuitive to use, especially as a guest. Matt Marovich, owner and partner at Casey Key at Alair Homes in Sarasota, Florida, likes to lean into custom details such as "built-in niches in showers, recessed shelving for towels, and vanities with hidden outlets for hairdryers or electric razors to keep the bathroom uncluttered without sacrificing convenience." Not in your budget? He also emphasizes that small, affordable details—such as an under-vanity night light that keeps guests from fumbling for a switch in the middle of the night—can be just as impactful.
Signs of Neglect
No space accumulates grime and debris quite like a bathroom. When a guest is on their way, the goal is to only have to give it a quick wipe and spray, addressing the most high-touch spots: the sink, mirror, faucet, toilet, and bathtub (if they're staying overnight).
According to Boxe, the details like the hidden corners, grout lines, and floor trim signal whether a home is truly cared for. "Use a grout pen or steam cleaner to freshen tile lines, and re-caulk around tubs if needed," she explains. "Baseboards should be dusted, and if scuffed, given a fresh coat of paint." These micro-maintenance touches go a long way in the perception of luxury.
No Toilet Paper
"Guests shouldn't have to ask—or worse—go looking for toilet paper," Boxe says. "Store extra rolls in a stylish basket or drawer within reach." It's also worth taking an extra minute to check the current roll to see if it's low so you can replace it in advance.
Read the original article on Southern Living
