6 Things You Should Always Keep In Your Guest Bathroom

You may have spent plenty of time and effort preparing your guest bedroom for visitors, but have you thought much about the guest bathroom? It's an equally important space to tackle before hosting, and you will want to ensure that it also contains all of the right features that will make your guest feel at home. Here, Southern interior designers share six essential items to keep in your guest bathroom to allow for maximum comfort.

Fresh Cut Flowers

When Danielle Balanis travels to visit her in-laws in Valdosta, Georgia, she is greeted by freshly cut florals that her mother-in-law has thoughtfully displayed in the guest bathroom. "It's a beautiful and inexpensive touch that adds warmth and a little bit of charm to the bathroom," says the founder of Danielle Balanis Design in Birmingham, Alabama.

A Carafe of Water

Guests will always appreciate having water on hand to take nighttime medications or simply hydrate before bed. Wendi Gee, the founder of Wendi Gee Interiors in Austin, Texas, will always set out a carafe and some glasses in the guest bathroom—or even just a few water bottles—so that guests don't have to ask for a beverage. "If they wake up in the middle of the night and get thirsty, I hate the idea of them having to traipse across a house they don't know well in the middle of the night," she says.

Personal Touches

Samantha Voges, the founder of Samantha Voges Design also in Austin, likes to ensure that her guest bathroom is anything but generic. "I like to incorporate personal touches that reinforce the idea of home rather than hotel," she says. "A small piece of original artwork on the wall or vanity can make for a memorable moment." She notes that items you've brought back from your travels can be excellent pieces to display here.

A Plant

Add some sort of living element to your guest bathroom, whether it's the fresh flowers mentioned above or some sort of greenery. "Adding a plant can add life to what can sometimes feel like a sterile utilitarian space," Voges says. She recommends placing a small fern on a pretty pot, noting that the plant will fare just fine in a space with low light and humidity.

A Special Hand Soap

If you can elevate your guest bathroom with a special hand soap, it will be worthwhile, says Jamie Naugle, the founder of Jamie Naugle Interiors in Austin. "I'm talking glass bottle, beautiful design, and a gorgeous fragrance that keeps you smelling your hands long after you've washed them," she says.

Privacy Essentials

It may seem like a no-brainer, but plenty of privacy in the bathroom is paramount. "It is critical to include a well locked door and good fan as part of the design," says Alexandre Fleuren, the founder of Alexandre Fleuren Interiors in Charleston, South Carolina. "These are the items that really make a huge impact in how comfortable your guest will feel in the space."