Media pays a lot of attention to the public parts of the hotel: the lobby, the bar, and the restaurant. However, guests are often most moved by the private spaces that allow them to live our their lives. The guest rooms and the bathrooms are equally (if not more) important. When we talk to hotel owners, they often have great ideas about the public spaces and very little thought about how to outfit the bathrooms.

This week, we have narrowed down some of the essentials to think about when remodeling a hotel bathroom.

Adequate Lighting and Fixtures

Even the most perfectly styled and decorated bathroom will be dingy and disappointing without proper lighting. The right bathroom lighting is the secret ingredient that makes the metallic hardware, smooth porcelain surfaces, and mirrors really shine.

Whether it’s upgrading light bulbs or light fixtures, the right light is essential to the ambiance of any hotel bathroom. The best light is always natural light. If you have the ability, big windows make for an incredible guestroom bathroom. In the public bathrooms and suites, upgrade the lighting to chandeliers. A hotel bathroom should offer guests the elegance and style they cannot find at home.

A Touch of Green

Another simple but impactful way to sophisticate a bathroom is incorporating a green design concept. Gather sink water to be recycled for watering your landscape. Reduce energy-waste by utilizing radiant floor heating while keeping wet toes warm. One of our favorite environmentally friendly approaches is to use reclaimed materials to make the bathroom unique, beautiful, and green.

Take “green” a touch further by adding plant life. Whether a small potted plant or a vase of flowers, plants add freshness and vitality to a space and can serve as a point of interest. The natural element is reminiscent of a retreat spa and adds luxury to the bathroom.

A Memorable Shower

The shower is one of the most important features of a bathroom, both stylistically and functionally. While not all guests use bathtubs to relax, nearly everyone uses a shower. A luxury shower should be walk-in style with a bench. A raindrop showerhead upgrades the daily experience, while double shower heads allow guests to share their intimate time with someone they love.

Place towel racks where they can be easily reached from inside the shower and from the sink. A bathrobe and slippers may also be a welcoming amenity.

A Compelling Mirror

Every bathroom has a mirror, but how many of them are an asset to the space? A mirror should be a statement piece in the bathroom that helps to carry the vision of the hotel. In a large luxury hotel, we expect the mirror to be big enough to extend the spatial appearance of the room. For boutique hotels, we love using vintage or recycled mirrors. A hotel with a modern design would be wise to choose unique shapes.

Regardless of the mirror you choose, make sure it is also sturdy and functional. Guest should be able to stand close enough to check their teeth, and far enough to examine their full outfit. Add sufficient lighting for guests to do their hair and makeup with ease.

Personal Care and Toiletry Sets

One easy way to provide a memorable experience for your guests is by offering complimentary toiletry sets that include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and even face wash.  Items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, makeup removal wipes, shaving cream, or lip balm provide the comforts of home to your guests. Going the extra mile to provide these personal care items enhances the overall ambiance of the room and can transform a simple bathroom into a spa-like getaway!

Find a toiletry set that fits your aesthetic from sleek, modernistic packaging to relaxing to invigorating scents. If you are going to offer these amenities, do not forget to design the bathroom to avoid counter-top clutter. They may need their own shelve or dedicated place in the bathroom.

Now that we have covered some hotel bathroom essentials, it is time to start looking at the options for redesigning your hotel. With these in mind, you and your designer can create bathrooms more incredible than you ever could have imagined.