For most of us, our homes never see as many visitors as they do over the festive period. And it's probably the first time since last year that you've taken the time to really look in on your guest spaces.
And the most overlooked room? Your guest bathroom. If it's been barely used over the last 365 days, it's probably seen better days, and it might even be feeling a bit out of style. And according to designers, there are a few things that will definitely make your guest bathroom feel outdated.
But fear not – hosting season is just gearing up, so there's still time to get your space into shape, and plenty of easy swaps and fixes to give your guest bathroom a much-needed refresh before friends and family come to stay.
6 Things Making Your Guest Bathroom Look Dated
No one is suggesting you rip out your guest bathroom and start from scratch, but there are a few small-scale swaps and updates you can make to not only refresh your guest bathroom but to create a more elevated hotel-style experience, too.
1. Shower Curtains with Overly Busy Patterns
When your guests come to stay, you want them to feel really comfortable, but also like they are getting a bit of a luxury experience, and a worn-out shower curtain will not only make a guest bathroom look dated, but can make it feel a bit unclean, too.
'Old shower curtains with excessively busy patterns are a sure-fire way to make a guest bathroom feel dated. The good news? This is one of the easiest bathroom elements to update. I recommend shower curtains in solid colors or petite prints that don’t overwhelm the space,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo.
'A textured shower curtain is another chic way to bring in visual and tactile interest! And to create a truly luxe look, choose an extra-long shower curtain instead of the standard height; this gives the illusion of a taller ceiling and creates a more seamless, polished appearance,' she suggests.
If you're going to choose a patterned shower curtain, a classic design like this cream and tan checkered curtain. It's timeless and sophisticated, but brings interest into your space – perfect if you have a very neutral guest bathroom.
There's something rather luxurious about a deep-toned shower curtain, like this mauve design from Target. The waffle texture instantly elevates the look – it comes in 7 hues, but mauve is really having a moment right now.
Available in earth-toned colors, this shower curtain ticks all the boxes for a refreshed guest bathroom. Timeless colors, a subtle pattern, and plenty of texture. It's the perfect design to add a touch of luxury.
2. A Builder-Grade Guest Bathroom Mirror
Nothing says outdated and overlooked more than a guest bathroom fitted with basic, builder-grade features, and the most obvious of them all? The vanity mirror. After all, it's the one place you can guarantee your guests will spend time looking at.
'Are you still living with that big, builder-grade mirror over your sink? Swapping it out is a quick and easy way to add instant style to a guest bathroom. A vintage mirror can give you character, and a new piece will help your room look current,' says interior designer Laura Medicus.
Your guest bathroom is the perfect place to bring in a more decorative mirror, or that design you loved but just wasn't quite right for your main bathroom. The Frida Fluted Wood Wall Mirror from West Elm is a playful yet timeless choice, or for a metallic option, the Jane Brass Scalloped Framed Mirror from Magnolia is so chic.
This mirror comes in three finishes, but this heritage brass option is seriously chic. The shelf at the base is particularly useful in a guest bathroom, as it creates a designated space for guests to store their essentials.
There aren't many designs quite as iconic as Anthropologie's Gleaming Primrose Portrait Mirror, and they have one that's perfect for a guest bathroom if you want to bring in that vintage feel.
As we mentioned, a guest bathroom is a place to have fun with your design, and this asymmetrical vanity mirror is a perfect example. It's still functional in design and timeless, but it feels a bit more design-forward than a simple circle.
3. Lack of Decent Storage
It's easy to overlook the more functional details in a guest bathroom. You don't use it frequently, and guests won't be bringing bags full of toiletries, but inadequate storage will leave your guest bathroom feeling cluttered and dated.
'When it comes to an outdated guest bathroom, the first thing we notice is a lack of storage and functionality,' says Jody Jones, a Chicago-based interior designer and founder of Blue Indigo Designs.
While you might not need to store the same volume of items you would in a primary bathroom, you still need somewhere to store guest towels, cleaning supplies, and small essentials and gifts you might like to leave out for guests.
'We love having a designated area in our guest bathroom's linen cabinets or vanities for those forgotten hygiene items. Think toothbrush, toothpaste, lotions, and sunblock. Similarly, we love having a drawer equipped with electrical outlets for hair tools all ready to go for your guest,' Jody adds.
Display any spare essentials in a tray on your guest bathroom countertops (this Threshold Rattan Tray from Target is a stylish option), hide overflow toilet paper and cleaning supplies in pretty boxes, such as Rejuvenation's Rinna Rattan Collection, or add wall-mounted storage, like this Mid Century Bathroom Cabinet from West Elm, in smaller schemes.
Simple yet effective, this wooden cabinet offers plenty of shelf storage for essentials, but its narrow form makes it a good fit for many guest bathrooms. The unfinished wood means you can personalize it to suit your scheme, too.
Prefer something with a vintage vibe? This Mid-century style cabinet is such a chic choice for a guest bathroom, making it really clear to guests what has been provided for them, whether it's towels, shower products, or hair appliances.
Prefer a pop of color? This subtle blue design really adds a stylish nod to a guest bathroom and features so much storage. You will need a decent amount of space to accommodate it, but it will instantly transform your guest space.
4. Underwhelming or Unflattering Lighting
We've all experienced arriving at a gorgeous hotel for the weekend, only to be let down by the bathroom lighting. And there's nothing like a bad lighting scheme that provides only harsh down lighting to make your guest space feel unwelcoming.
'Another telltale sign that you have an outdated guest bathroom is the lighting. No one wants shadows or spotlights when they are getting ready,' says Jody, noting one of the most overlooked elements of guest bathrooms.
'Make sure to use a layered approach when updating bathroom lighting. We love a brass or bronze sconce to add some warmth to the space while providing just the right amount of lighting.'
A designer-approved way to add extra lighting and a cozier feel is with a bathroom lamp perched on a vanity or open shelf – this wood and white design from Amazon is waterproof, cordless, and dimmable, perfect for a guest bathroom.
Rewiring is a huge job if you don't already have wall lights, so this plug-in sconce is a great compromise. The brass mixed with the cream fluted shade is a total classic, and the adjustable arm makes it ultra-practical for your guests.
Bathroom lighting doesn't need to be overly decorative or sculptural to not be dated – this classic brass and white design will instantly add style and enduring appeal to your guest bathroom, and it's currently on sale for $49.99.
In a neutral guest bathroom, wall lights are a great way to add a pop of color. This double sconce from Wayfair comes in 4 different colors, but this green finish feels the perfect balance of playful yet sophisticated.
5. Overly Stylized Plumbing and Hardware
We often recommend going a bit bolder with guest bathroom colors for a fun design moment and to create the boutique hotel look, but that doesn't mean you should go wild with trending features. Because past trends in a guest bathroom will result in a space that looks instantly outdated.
Robin Burrill, CEO and principal designer at Signature Home Services, says 'The biggest culprits dating guest bathrooms are trend-driven choices, like the overly stylized plumbing or cabinet hardware that are in now. A guest bathroom is usually smaller and used less frequently, so anything trendy tends to linger long after it has gone out of style.'
'Cabinet hardware, especially, can be swapped out quickly when your tastes change, so you can add character without locking the room into a trend. Go crazy with that if you want, but to avoid the guest bathroom looking dated later, be prepared to update the hardware when it's time!'
If you're going to bring in decorative hardware, focus on your cabinet knobs. This Art Deco-inspired design is a playful choice – they are certainly more decorative, but the brass finish adds a more timeless feel.
If you want to have fun with fixtures, this magazine rack meets toilet paper holder is such a fun choice for a guest bedroom. It's a bit cheeky and a bit chic, perfect for giving guests an unexpected feature to enjoy.
If you're going to introduce really decorative, stylized elements that you're likely to want to swap and change over time, this charming freestanding towel stand is a great option, so you can avoid constantly drilling into walls.
6. Grout Lines That Have Seen Better Days
There's nothing like grime and build-up to make a guest bathroom feel dated. As a space you use yourself very rarely, it's important to go in and do a deep clean before guests arrive, and check if any tiles need regrouting.
'Over time, grout lines naturally collect dirt, lose brightness, and can start to discolor unevenly, especially in areas that are exposed to water or steam,' says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra, who notes that bad maintenance can make a guest bathroom look just as dated as out-of-style trends.
'A deep clean or re-grout can quite literally lift the entire room, brightening the tile surface and restoring definition to patterns or layouts that may have become muted over time. It might not be the most glamorous part of a bathroom, but it is often the detail that defines how fresh and polished the space feels.'
It's never been easy to give your guest bathroom a refresh, and these designer tips will ensure your visitors have the best experience in your home. Don't forget to top up your guest bathroom essentials to really elevate your guests' experience.
