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Sensible Style for Your Holiday Guest Bath
Pamper visitors with great bathroom lighting, plush towels and user-friendly features for sink and shower
Too often, guest bathrooms are afterthoughts in your home. If you value the people visiting you, they shouldn't be! As you're likely to have overnight guests during the holiday season, I'm happy to share these tips from a frequent host — and guest.
| A guest bath should be as well-lit as your master bath. The handsome sconces flanking the mirror add targeted illumination and tremendous style. |
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Guest baths should look great, as this one does. They should also be highly functional, if only for a weekend visit. This contemporary vanity offers ample counter space for a visitor's kit bag, an easy-to-operate faucet and even accessibility for a wheelchair user.
A barrier-free shower is ideal for a guest bath — and great-looking, too. A shower bench is also ideal for these spaces, as well as towel hooks or bar within reach of the door. (If your guests have children, provide access to a tub elsewhere in your home.)
A hand-held showerhead is ideal for any bathroom, including your guest bath. Consider one with a massage feature as a pampering element for your valued visitors.
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If your guest bath will be shared by multiple users, you might want to consider a mostly hands-free faucet. Unlike the public restroom variety, models designed for home use allow users to vary the temperature. This sleek model coming Spring 2012 has tap on-off technology. No shaving cream on this beauty! And fewer cold germs, too.
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Don't skimp on guest bath towels. Quality choices will wash better, last longer and feel much nicer against the user's skin. If you like them enough to have them stay over, treat them to yummy towels!
by Pottery Barn
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Be sure your guest bath (or adjacent guest room) has a full-length mirror. Your guests want to check their hems, too. If you don't have floor or wall space for a beauty like this one, consider hanging a mirror on the back of the bathroom door instead.
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Add a double hook or two single hooks for your guests' convenience. Choose a finish and style that coordinates with your other bath finishes. If you lack wall space, consider installing your hook or hooks on the back of the bathroom door. Just choose a location that won't get easily bumped.
by Pottery Barn
»
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OK, so I like to spoil my guests. A pair of robes will make them feel like they're at a resort. (Only indulge them if you want repeat visits!) And don't forget the slippers.
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When you select accessories for your guest bath, add a second tumbler for a second guest. I also suggest buying tumblers that are dishwasher-friendly.
More: How to Give Your Guests the Royal Treatment
Powder Rooms That Really Perform
Browse most popular bathroom photos
More: How to Give Your Guests the Royal Treatment
Powder Rooms That Really Perform
Browse most popular bathroom photos
Comments
patscats2 I cannot believe someone would actually pay $799.00 for a faucet. That's insane.
18 months ago · Like
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eydie come on now...don't be a drip!
18 months ago · Like
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kyle benedict what exactly about the second image provides "accessibility for a wheelchair user"?
18 months ago · Like
Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS Kyle, there's enough room for the foot section of a wheelchair to roll underneath.
18 months ago · Like
marlou Oh please, $799. for a faucet?
18 months ago · Like
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kyle benedict I thought that is what you were implying. What do you mean the foot section of a wheelchair? Because the combined depth and overall height of that sink does not look like someone could roll unobstructed beneath it. And, if they could, then that would mean the sink was way too high. If you are implying just their feet can roll under, then that would mean they might be able to get marginally closer (at best) to the sink but not enough to consider that "accessible". Not trying to be a hardass, but as someone that uses a wheelchair, I see enough things labeled "accessible" that are most certainly not and that appears to be the case here.
18 months ago · Like
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Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS Kyle, I appreciate your insights -- especially as a wheelchair user. I'm sure you've found that many homes you visit don't have any bathroom accessibility at all. The inclusion of the floating vanity was to provide some accessibility and to get folks thinking along those lines. If designing for someone who uses a bath full-time, rather than occasionally, (if at all), I would use full universal design principles!
18 months ago · Like
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Cassie Green Oh my, people complain about that price for a tap... mine comes in 2 parts and costs about that much PER PART :S Worth every cent for good quality and the perfect style!
6 months ago · Like
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suzanne803 I've always found if you spend a few nights in your guest suite, you will know what is lacking. My number one pet peeve is the guest room without a luggage rack. Number two is a guest bathroom without a place to set your toiletry bag. Having to place these items on the floor is not convient, nor do I want suitcases on the bed or other furniture. Also making sure there are bathroom items that the guest forgot to pack, like shampoo, razors, etc. Also back rolls of toliet paper and paper cups.
6 months ago · Like
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Mackenzie Austin Design $799 for a hands free faucet sure seems about right to me. If you want a nice looking high quality faucet...well, you get what you pay for. That said, I don't typically source my clients' plumbing fixtures from big box stores (not that there's anything wrong with that though).
6 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Dec. 7, 2011.
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