18 Must-Try Spare Bathroom Remodel Ideas Your Guests Will Love

Why let your spare bathroom fade into the background when it can shine as one of the most impressive spaces in your home? With a little creativity and smart design choices, you can turn that unassuming space into a stylish retreat that’s equal parts functional and fabulous.

While your renovation budget might be lower for a guest bathroom update than it would be for a full master bath remodel, that doesn't mean you can't make this small space shine. From space-saving tricks to bold design ideas, I've rounded up 20 innovative ways to give your spare bathroom a fresh, fabulous makeover. Let’s dive in.

1. Make the Most of a Small Space

One of the ways to stop a small bathroom from feeling cramped is by incorporating vertical storage solutions. Think shelves that reach up to the ceiling, allowing you to store toiletries and decorative items without taking up valuable floor space. Mirrors can also significantly amplify light and create the illusion of a larger room.

Compact fixtures and multifunctional furniture are great for tight corners. A vanity cabinet with seating can maximize functionality without sacrificing style.

Large-scale prints can work wonders in a small bathroom, creating the illusion of more space. Glass dividers can open up the bathroom, making it feel larger and more inviting. And don’t forget about pocket doors; they save space by sliding into the wall rather than swinging open, making your small bathroom feel more spacious and functional.

2. Install a Space-Saving Vanity

A bulky bathroom vanity can make a small bathroom feel cramped. Choose a wall-mounted vanity to free up floor space and create an open feel. Corner vanities are another excellent option, efficiently utilizing often wasted space by fitting snugly into bathroom corners. A vanity with an integrated sink and storage combines essential functions in one unit, providing a space-saving solution.

Mirrored medicine cabinets are a brilliant addition to any guest bathroom. Mirrored medicine cabinets offer storage while acting as a mirror, thus saving space.

I'm not usually a fan of pedestal sinks because they don't incorporate any storage but for a truly small space, they may be your only practical option. A pedestal sink paired with floating shelves provides a minimalist look while saving floor space. Whether you opt for a small space vanity or a more integrated solution, these changes can make your guest bathroom feel more spacious and inviting.

3. Brighten Up with Light Fixtures

The right lighting can significantly affect a bathroom’s ambiance. Multiple layers of lighting—task, ambient, and accent — create balanced illumination, enhancing the room’s overall feel. LED lights are energy-efficient and come in various styles suitable for bathroom decor. Recessed lighting, if wet-rated, is ideal for the shower area, ensuring safety in humid environments.

LED mirrors, which mimic natural light, are a fantastic choice. They consume less energy and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting. The color temperature of LED mirrors can be adjusted, allowing you to create different atmospheres suitable for various tasks.

Sconces on either side of the mirror create even lighting, minimizing shadows and enhancing the bathroom’s overall aesthetic. They also provide light that is less harsh, making you look great when you look in the mirror.

4. Add Bold Patterns and Textures

Why settle for plain when you can go bold? Adding bold patterns and textures can transform a bland guest bathroom into a visually stunning space. Raised-pattern wood-look tiles introduce depth and a nature-inspired aesthetic, making the bathroom feel more inviting. Black-and-white patterns can create a striking visual impact without vibrant colors.

Dark, moody wallpaper designs can create a modern and sophisticated atmosphere. Adding bold patterns and textures is a surefire way to make your bathroom stand out, whether you choose tiles or wallpaper.

5. Upgrade Your Shower Experience

A shower should be more than a place to get clean; it should be a sanctuary. I almost always recommend frameless glass panels over the typical sliding glass-door shower enclosures. They offer a sleek look in a walk-in shower and are much easier to clean and maintain.

A colorful accent wall of tile, wallpaper, or a solid-surface material can add personality and dimension to the shower area, making it a focal point. Removing the shower door offers a spa-like feel and makes the space look more open and cohesive.

A rain showerhead can significantly enhance your shower experience, providing a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere. Incorporating multiple showerheads can provide a personalized and indulgent shower experience.

Using the same tile for both the shower and bathroom floor creates a cohesive look, making the bathroom feel unified and stylish.

6. Consider a Freestanding Tub

Freestanding tubs epitomize elegance in a bathroom. Usually they are reserved for the primary bathroom rather than the guest bath, but why not indulge your guests in a little luxury if you have the space?

Freestanding tubs serve as a focal point, transforming the visual impact of a renovated bathroom. Soaking tubs provide a luxurious bathing experience even in tighter areas. Freestanding tubs are stylish and practical, enhancing guest comfort and making the bathroom feel more luxurious.

A beautiful freestanding tub immediately elevates the space, making it feel like a high-end hotel bathroom. A freestanding tub, whether modern or classic, can significantly enhance the aesthetic and functionality of your guest bathroom.

7. Enhance with Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers can instantly uplift the mood of any room, including the bathroom. Fresh blooms in a bathroom can enhance mood and alleviate stress. Flowers foster balance and harmony, making the bathroom feel more serene. Arranging flowers promotes tranquility and relaxation.

Seasonal flower arrangements keep the bathroom looking vibrant and current throughout the year. Simple arrangements of white or cool-toned flowers are recommended for a serene bathroom ambiance. A few blooms and sprigs of foliage from the garden can create a beautiful and simple arrangement.

Change the water regularly to keep the flowers looking fresh and healthy.

8. Use Open Shelving

Open shelving offers a practical and stylish solution for bathroom storage and is well suited to a guest bath or powder room, where not much needs to be stored and guests don't want to have to go searching through a bunch of drawers to find what they're looking for. Open shelving offers an accessible way to store toiletries and decorative items, making them easy to reach. Open shelving reduces visual clutter, creating a more spacious feel while serving practical storage needs. Wicker baskets on open shelves keep items organized and visually appealing, maximizing space.

Built-in shelves utilize wall space effectively, providing additional storage while maintaining a clean look. Shelves can add visual interest to the bathroom while serving practical purposes. Whether used for decorative items or everyday essentials, open shelving enhances your bathroom’s functionality and aesthetics.

9. Create Hidden Storage Solutions

While open shelving is great for everyday items that guests will want to access, you will still want to design some hidden storage for cleaning supplies and other items.

Cabinetry with push-to-open mechanisms maintains a sleek appearance by hiding storage areas. A foldable or pull-out shelf creates additional workspace when needed, enhancing the functionality of the bathroom.

10. Install Privacy Features

If possible, your guest bathroom should have a window or windows for natural light, but you need a way to cover it to provide privacy.

Frosted window films obscure visibility while allowing natural light to enter, making them an effective privacy solution. Smart glass technology switches from transparent to opaque, offering privacy on demand. Roller shades offer adjustable privacy by being lowered for seclusion or raised to let in full light. And then there are simple curtains, for a classic look.

Transom windows above eye level provide natural light while maintaining privacy. Tall plants near windows can also enhance privacy while adding a natural aesthetic to the bathroom.

Window films, smart glass, or shutters ensure that your bathroom remains a private sanctuary.

11. Opt for Durable Flooring

Durable flooring is essential for any bathroom remodel. The classic choice for bathroom flooring is porcelain tile, which is moisture resistant and hard wearing. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is another choice that is gaining in popularity. For a powder room, which isn't prone to as much moisture, you can consider extending the hardwood flooring from the rest of your house into the bathroom.

12. Update Cabinet Pulls and Fixtures

If your renovation budget is limited, updating cabinet pulls and fixtures is an extremely cost-effective way to modernize your bathroom. Replacing outdated cabinet and drawer pulls and fixtures significantly enhances the bathroom’s aesthetic. Modern finishes like matte black or polished chrome handles add a contemporary touch to bathroom cabinetry. Unique hardware designs like hexagonal or crystal knobs serve as focal points in bathroom decor, and don't be afraid to mix and match designs.

Choose the length of cabinet pulls based on the size of the cabinet doors and drawers to maintain proportion.

13. Add a Statement Mirror

A statement mirror can transform bathroom decor. Large mirrors in bathrooms serve practical purposes and create dramatic visual effects, making the space feel more spacious and luxurious. A big mirror acts as a focal point, drawing attention to key elements like vanities or unique wall designs. Large mirrors complement various bathroom styles, from modern to vintage, while adding a sense of sophistication.

Whether you choose a minimalist design or an ornate frame, a statement mirror can elevate the overall aesthetic of your bathroom.

14. Utilize Vertical Space

I touched on this above, but I want to emphasize how important it is to think three dimensionally when you are planning your guest bathroom layout. Maximizing vertical space is key to optimizing a small bathroom. Vertical storage options, like tall cabinets, can help utilize limited floor space efficiently. Tall, narrow cabinets or linen towers provide significant storage capacity without occupying much floor area. Over-the-toilet cabinets can effectively store extra towels, toiletries and decorative items while maximizing vertical space.

Hooks and rails can be installed on various bathroom surfaces to hang towels and accessories, optimizing vertical storage. In a pinch, you can even use over-the-door organizers to keep smaller items easily accessible and off countertops.

15. Install a Pocket or Sliding Door

Pocket and sliding doors are a fantastic space-saving solution that are often overlooked. These doors slide into the wall (or over a wall for sliding doors), promoting a more open and fluid layout in small bathrooms. Pocket doors can significantly conserve space that traditional swinging doors would normally occupy, making the bathroom feel more spacious and functional. They also enhance the aesthetic appeal of a bathroom, blending seamlessly with various design styles.

There is one caveat, however. A lot of pocket door hardware out there is not good. The pull to close the door is too small to grab easily, and the locking mechanism doesn't feel secure. Cheap pocket door slides can cause the door to fall off the track, which is a major headache. For that reason, always opt for the most premium hardware you can find.

16. Make It Accessible

Accessibility is usually an afterthought for most people. But remember, even if you don't need accessibility features now, you or your guests may need them someday, and it's far better (and cheaper) to incorporate them now, when you are redesigning the bathroom than to try to retrofit them later.

Installing grab bars near the tub, shower, and toilet offers support and balance, helping to prevent falls. Choosing high-quality non-slip mats specifically designed for wet areas can greatly enhance safety by minimizing the risk of slipping. Positioning non-slip rugs outside bath or shower areas adds an extra layer of safety by preventing slips after bathing.

Also, consider making the doorway wide enough to meet ADA standards, install a seat in the shower, opt for rounded off corners on countertops, and choose tile or other flooring material that is slip resistant.

17. Illuminate with a Lighted Mirror

Incorporating LED lighting around a large mirror enhances its functionality by providing even illumination, which is essential for grooming tasks. Lighted mirrors provide excellent illumination, helping to eliminate shadows that standard lighting may create. They offer consistent and clear illumination that closely resembles natural daylight, enhancing visibility for grooming tasks.

The sleek design of LED mirrors adds a modern touch to bathroom decor, elevating the overall aesthetic of the space. Many lighted mirrors come equipped with features like anti-fog technology and adjustable lighting, enhancing their functionality.

Selecting the appropriate size and shape of the mirror can create an illusion of greater space, especially in smaller bathrooms. Lighted mirrors serve as both functional and decorative elements, making them a valuable addition to any bathroom.

18. Add Thoughtful Décor Accents

Normally, I like to keep "dustables" in a bathroom to a minimum, but a few thoughtfully chosen décor accents can significantly enhance the warmth and comfort of a guest bathroom.

Incorporating wall art can personalize a bathroom and create a welcoming atmosphere. Gallery walls can be created in bathrooms, mixing various sizes and types of artwork for visual interest.

Strategically placed plants can enhance air quality and bring a refreshing natural element to the bathroom.

By adding these thoughtful decor accents, you can create a guest bathroom that feels inviting and stylish with some guest bathroom ideas.

Ready to Remodel Your Guest Bathroom in Des Moines?

For those in Des Moines, Compelling Homes is dedicated to creating bathrooms that will last in both style and functionality for years to come. We are a full-service design-build company with experienced designers who guide you from planning stage to selecting colors, textures, lighting, and more to help bring your guest bathroom remodel ideas to life. Our attention to all the details and commitment to quality ensures that your bathroom remodel exceeds expectations.

Check out our gallery of recent bathroom remodel projects to see our expertise in action.

Don’t stop at “good enough”; make it compelling!