If your home has a guest bathroom, you may need to think about giving it a few updates. Because a guest bathroom isn't always being used like a master bathroom, it is easy to forget to update it or give it enough attention. This guide will highlight the signs it may be time to upgrade your guest bathroom and how you can do it yourself.
Look for Damages
If your guest bathroom has any number of damages, you should consider some type of update. Damages can occur in essentially any area of your bathroom design, so it is important to always keep an eye out for them. Depending on the severity of the damages as well as where they are located, the updates you may need to do. For example, broken bathroom sinks must be replaced immediately. This is for both the safety of the bathroom as well as the functionality of the design. On the other hand, something like a cracked soap dish does not need as much immediate attention. However, it should still be fixed or replaced. If you let damages pile up, the guest bathroom design will become extremely uncomfortable and even unusable.
Look for Outdated Design Elements
A comfortable and up to date bathroom design is more important that one might think for a guest bathroom design. Just because it isn’t one of the most used rooms in the house, doesn’t mean that you should overlook it in terms of design. A high quality guest bathroom design in all areas of the bathroom will ultimately improve every aspect of the bathroom style. Any outdated elements of design should be considered for replacement, especially if they are very old anyway.
Is the Area Cluttered?
Another reason you might need to consider and upgrade your guest bathroom is that it is hard to keep it organized. If you have a cluttered area, the environment becomes uncomfortable and inaccessible. To remedy this problem, consider some type of organized storage. This can come in a variety of different forms, so explore your options. A stand alone storage unit could be the only thing you need if your guest bathroom is relatively small. On the other hand, recessed storage can also be incredibly rewarding in terms of both design and accessibility.
Check the Lighting Situation
Lighting is one of the most important elements of a bathroom design, whether it is a guest bathroom or any other type of bathroom. In a guest bathroom, lighting needs to be perfect. There are several ways to incorporate effective lighting in a guest bathroom, giving you plenty of affordable options in terms of upgrades. LED lighting and natural light are two of the most effective light sources, so if you can incorporate either of these, you should definitely consider it.
Make the Decision
If you find that your guest bathroom design is lacking in any of these areas, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Any combination of these issues can cause some major issues in terms of how comfortable your design can be. Upgrading a guest bathroom can be a big project depending on the size and scale of the area, so make sure you go in with a solid plan. On the other hand, a small bathroom upgrade may be all you need. Whether you are working with a large or small bathroom, think about any upgrades you may be able to make and decide whether or not it would be worth it.
What You Need to Do
Replace Your Fixtures
One of the first places you should look to in terms of upgrading is your fixtures. Bathroom fixtures play an incredibly important role in any bathroom design. If they are dysfunctional in any way, you should absolutely consider replacing them. Fixtures such as bathroom vanities, bathroom sinks, faucets and other essential guest bathroom fixtures are very important to replace if they are struggling with functionality issues. Broken bathroom fixtures can cause a multitude of problems that will affect how comfortable your guest bathroom can ultimately be.
If you plan on replacing your guest bathroom fixtures, there are several things to keep in mind. First of all, you need to find the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Unless you don’t mind how much you are spending on your guest bathroom this is an important factor to take into account. A guest bathroom definitely needs to be as comfortable as possible, so don’t automatically resort to the cheaper fixtures that lack in quality. A guest bathroom deserves as much attention as any other bathroom in the home, even though it may not be used as frequently.
Update Your Lighting
As previously mentioned, lighting is one of the most important components of a high quality bathroom design. Due to this, the lighting in a guest bathroom should be as close to perfect as it can get. Light can be brought into a guest bathroom through several methods, but the most effective types of lighting are LED and natural lighting. LED lighting can be used in ceiling lighting and stand alone floor lighting. If you currently have incandescent light bulbs in your guest bathroom, replace them with LED light bulbs. LED bulbs are much more energy efficient, saving you money in the long run. In addition, LED lighted mirrors are perfect options if you need to replace the mirror currently in your design. You essentially should be looking to have all of your light bulbs be as efficient as possible while providing a clear and comfortable source of light.
If your guest bathroom has the ability to incorporate natural lighting, this is definitely something you need to consider. Natural light is one of the most welcoming and warm types of lighting, perfect for a guest bathroom design. Of course, if your guest bathroom doesn't have access to natural light, this isn’t possible for you. However, if your guest bathroom has any type of access to a window or skylight, there are several ways to maximize the amount of natural light that can enter the area. First, remove any obstructions from the window. Then add some shades or curtains to adjust the light entry perfectly. Clear glass and frosted glass are two incredibly elegant and effective types of glass that are commonly used in bathroom windows. Different types of windows work in different ways, so depending on the window you have, the amount of natural light in your design may vary. A combination of LED lighting and natural light will create a beautiful guest bathroom design.
Create a Coordinated Color Scheme
A coordinated color scheme will create the blueprint for a cohesive guest bathroom design in more ways than one. First of all, a coordinated color scheme will create a much more comfortable environment. A good color scheme will combine relaxation with elegance, making for a comfortable and beautiful design. If too many contrasting colors and design elements are used, the color scheme of your guest bathroom will lead to overwhelming aesthetics and discomfort.
For a guest bathroom, it is important to think neutrally. White is always a good color to start with, especially for the base color of the guest bathroom design. Combine white with other neutral or soft colors to create a nice and relaxing color scheme. Contrasting colors can also be quite effective if used correctly. For example, black and white are some of the most effective colors to use in bathroom design. Tiles, wallpaper and many other elements of a guest bathroom can use these colors in tandem extremely well. Remember that personality is important in a guest bathroom. Try to get a little creative while keeping the design calm and welcoming.
Update Your Storage Situation
Because storage is so important in a guest bathroom, it is crucial to make sure you have the best upgraded storage you can find. Storage can come in multiple different forms to help you with organizing your design effectively. First, consider your bathroom vanity storage or medicine cabinet storage. These are two very common types of storage solutions for guest bathrooms, because they are generally already a part of the design. Consider drawer dividers for your vanity to keep everything neat and organized. For medicine cabinets, try not to have too many items inside of it at once. This will inevitably lead to dropped items and uncomfortable access to necessary items.
In terms of additional storage methods, you should consider some stand alone storage units. These can be cabinets, drawer units or other similar types of storage. Recessed storage will open up the space in your bathroom, so if you have a smaller design, this is definitely something to consider. Organized storage is very important to a functional and comfortable guest bathroom, so explore your options to see which types of storage methods will be most effective in your guest bathroom design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a guest bathroom upgrade? - This will depend on a number of factors, mainly including the size of the bathroom and your personal budget. A typical guest bathroom upgrade, if going for a complete remodel, can cost several thousands of dollars.
How much time will a guest bathroom remodel take? - Again this will depend on how much is being upgraded and remodeled. Sometimes this can take a few hours or a few weeks. Small upgrades will take much shorter time than a complete overhaul of the bathroom design.
How often should a guest bathroom be maintained? - A guest bathroom should be treated like any other bathroom in terms of maintenance. Just because it may not be used, doesn’t mean you should lack the maintenance and cleanliness of the bathroom.
What fixtures should be in a guest bathroom? - At minimum, a guest bathroom should include a bathroom sink, bathroom vanity and a toilet. In addition, it should have comfortable storage and necessary bathroom accessories.
What colors work best in a guest bathroom design? - If you are unsure about a color scheme, you can never go wrong with neutral base colors. Colors such as white, black and gray are incredibly effective places to start with a guest bathroom color scheme.
How big is a guest bathroom typically? - In general guest bathrooms are some of the smaller bathrooms in a home design. The typical size of a guest bathroom will be around 5 feet by 8 feet. This will provide enough space for a comfortable design while not being overly large.
Final Note
A guest bathroom deserves all of the attention as any other bathroom design. A high quality guest bathroom needs a high quality design in terms of comfort, accessibility and aesthetic, so all of these factors need to be taken into account. When all is said and done, Your guest bathroom will be a comfortable environment for your guests.