One of the most important spaces to consider when preparing for guests is the bathroom. Whether your guests are staying for a few hours or a few days, prepping your bathroom accordingly can help create a comfortable stay, regardless of the duration.

Before stocking up on towels, soaps, lotions, and more, it’s important to give special attention to the cleanliness of your space. Sparkling floors and hardware can work wonders no matter how basic your bath. From there, build your ideal guest retreat starting with the essentials and working your way up to the special flourishes.

Here, we’ve outlined the best way to prepare your home’s bathroom for guests. Of course, a personal touch always goes a long way so look to this list as a starting point, and tailor your bath to your unique situation and the needs of your guests.

Give It a Deep Clean

We’re talking from ceilings to floorboards—that bathroom should sparkle. Wipe down any drawers and disinfect all surfaces, including the walls. Once you’ve scrubbed the tub, shower, sink, and toilet, and are satisfied with your cleaning job, focus on what’s underfoot. If time allows, vacuum before you begin your scrubbing and once again after. Finish by mopping or steam cleaning the floors. Now you’re ready to start building your guest-ready bath.

Lay Out the Essentials

Prepping your guest bath begins from the floor up. Set the foundation with a comfortable rug and bath mat. A set of bath towels per guest (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth) for one night should be sufficient, but plan to increase your towel count accordingly for anything beyond that.

If you’re preparing your guest bath for visitors who won’t be spending the night, a pretty hand towel holder with high-quality disposable hand towels can ensure a clean and tidy bath without fear of a damp, crumpled-up hand towel ten minutes into the party.

Opt for a liquid hand soap in a pretty bottle or use a refillable dispenser to add an elegant touch to your countertop. While not essential, a coordinating bottle of hand lotion—particularly when stocking a bathroom for overnight guests—is a thoughtful addition.

Towels, toilet paper, and tissues are the basics, but also consider stocking additional items your guests might benefit from as well. An extra toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, shower supplies, floss, and even mini deodorant and hairspray ensure a true home-away-from-home feeling.

Stock Up

Keeping all the essentials out in the open can help guests avoid rummaging through the cabinets and closets looking for items like a bath towel or tissues. If possible, neatly display the essentials, but ensure your cabinets and closets are properly stocked with surplus items like extra rolls of toilet paper, tissues, and towels. Additionally, those extra items we mentioned earlier (toothbrushes, floss, etc.) can be stored in a medicine cabinet or drawer—just be sure to mention their location to guests when they’re getting settled.

For a bath being used for guests who aren’t staying the night, you’ll still want to have many of these surplus supplies, though you can skip the linens. If you’re opting for disposable hand towels, stock a nearby drawer with extras, and be sure to check in halfway through the party to see if the bathroom needs a refresh. If you opt for linen towels, plan to place a new towel out halfway through the gathering or anytime you notice a fresh one is needed.

Finish with Special Touches

Candles, fresh flowers, and even a little ambient lighting (a small, battery-powered lamp can work wonders) can all add an extra-sweet element to your guest bathroom. These little flourishes go a long way in creating a thoughtful retreat that shows how much you care about your guests and their experience in your home. Also, consider the personality of your visitors and any unique items that might particularly benefit them. Maybe a special bar of soap they can use during their stay or bring home. Wrap it up with a bow and include a handwritten note to ensure they know it’s for them.