Many people these days have a downstairs bathroom that is used mainly by guests. This is not surprising since there has recently been a significant increase in the demand for guest bathrooms and cloakrooms.

However, as these extra rooms aren’t really used that often, they sometimes become filled with quirky and non-working features that can make interesting conversation points at dinner parties or other occasions. This can unintentionally put you in an awkward and unwanted position, so you need to ensure that your guest bathroom does not come out as a dull space.

What to Put in a Guest Bathroom

The beauty of guest bathrooms is that you can have them either full or half-sized. Half baths are usually located on the lowest level of multi-story houses, while a full-size bathroom can be added to your home’s shared space.

Guest bathrooms usually have a basin (or sink) and a toilet as these are standard fixtures. Other than these two, you can opt to have the following guest bathroom decor and attachments and make sure they’re working properly:

1. Faucet

This should have flowing water and not leaking. If the bathroom is near a guest bedroom, a drip could be a complete nuisance, especially at night.

2. Shower Head

Shower heads should be working properly as well. Limescale, a chalky deposit usually found in pipes and other areas where hot water flows, can accumulate and cause your shower head to clog up. So it’s best to do regular inspections. Use hot water and distilled vinegar to remove limescale if you notice a buildup.

3. Tub Drainage

Just like the bathroom sink, your tub should drain water fast. If this is not the case, have a professional drainage cleaning service scheduled right away.

4. Lighting

Guest bathroom essentials should include bright and clean lighting, regardless of whether it is natural or electrical. Guests will feel comfortable and safe in your home if you have a well-illuminated bathroom.

5. Decoration

Great-looking guest bathrooms usually have a theme. Although nautical is among the more popular guest bathroom ideas, other innovative designs should be considered.

Even without bright decorations, you can still create a beautiful guest bathroom by simply keeping it clutter-free. A carefully chosen set of cosmetics and toiletries stacked neatly inside a bathroom cabinet or a fresh bar of soap placed in a glass cloche can easily boost the guest bathroom’s overall look.

Benefits of Having Guest Bathrooms

A guest bathroom is a great way to keep visitors away from private areas of your property while making them feel at home. A shared bathroom can lead to uncomfortable situations, especially when private belongings are exposed.

Specifically, a private and clean bathroom for your guests will afford you the following:

1. Maintained Privacy

Many people often complain that they don’t have enough home privacy. One extra bathroom can give you the privacy you need, whether you are sick or just want to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath alone.

Although they won’t tell you directly, guests will naturally feel more at home using a spare bathroom than sharing the main one with you. Guests will feel more at ease if they have their own lavatory as they can use it whenever they want without having to wait in line.

2. Family Growth

Being a member of a large household can make it difficult to decide who gets to use the bathroom first. A second one can solve this problem and make your home more livable.

Extra bathrooms also benefit your kids, especially when they reach school age. If there is a second bathroom at home, your children won’t be fighting over who spends more time preparing for school. If you plan to grow your family, creating space for a spare bathroom will be a good idea.

3. Better Guest Accommodation

An additional bathroom is a good thing if you have guests who are staying over for holiday parties. This helps reduce the amount of foot traffic in your private bathroom while simultaneously controlling the spread of germs.

Guest bathrooms are also great for your kids who are having sleepovers.Imagine your frustration if your children and their friends invade your space or wake you up in the middle of the night when they go upstairs to use the bathroom because you don’t have an extra one.

4. Maximize Space

The best place to add an extra bathroom is the space that isn’t being used. This could be a spare bedroom or an empty office, which you can transform into your dream bathroom. If the space is too small, you can settle for a half-bath.

5. Increased Home Value

Guest bathrooms can bring added value to your property. Although this will still depend on where you live, the National Association of Home Builders states that adding a half-bath alone can increase your home’s value by 10.5%, up to 20% if you add a full one.

6. Improved Safety

This is particularly applicable if you are moving your elderly parents into your home as they need assistance. A ground-floor restroom is the best option if they have mobility problems and find it difficult to climb up the stairs to access your second-floor bathroom. Ideally, this should have special accommodation features such as handrails, non-slip flooring, and a walk-in shower to avoid bathroom accidents.

7. Alternate Plumbing

Guest bathrooms will benefit not only guests but homeowners as well. Aside from providing privacy to both host and guest, an extra bathroom with separate plumbing will offer you a backup in case your main bathroom’s plumbing needs repairing.

Key Takeaway

Guest bathrooms are beautiful additions to your home and could serve you well if you have visitors coming over for an extended stay. Family members can also use them, especially if you have a large one, thus effectively avoiding petty quarrels about who should be using the bathroom first.

However, as most guest bathrooms are not frequently used, they become poorly maintained and become problematic if unexpected visitors suddenly arrive. You can prevent this by finding out how to decorate a guest bathroom and ensuring that the basic fixtures, like the toilet and the sink, are fully functional. Otherwise, you’ll have to get the services of a professional plumber to do the needed repairs.

Contact Absolute Electrical Heating and Air if you have problems with your guest bathroom plumbing.

Maintaining an extra bathroom is not easy, especially if you don’t have many visitors, and the place is hardly ever used. Without proper maintenance, your spare restroom can become a breeding ground for various bacteria that could harm the fixtures and plumbing.

Our expert plumber in Colorado Springs can help you prevent this from happening. Contact us anytime, and we’ll do a thorough inspection of your spare bathroom. We’ll also provide you with practical guest bathroom ideas to ensure the place is ready for any visitor who might drop by unannounced and stay with you for a while. Call now.