If you love hosting, you’ll know that there’s nothing better than opening up your home to friends and family. But it’s hard to deny that there’s also a lot of pressure to make your home look perfect - especially in shared areas that you know they’ll be using (and probably judging).
And while one of the best ways to ensure your house is always guest-ready is to make use of the rooms they won’t be using, this gets a little complicated in communal areas like the bathroom. All it takes is one trip to the loo, and nosy guests will be quick to judge everything they see in front of them… even if you think you’ve done a good cleaning job.
After all, so many of us are houseblind to our own clutter, which is why it’s important to step back and see things from your guests’ point of view. Is there something on show that needs to be hidden? Do you need to move something elsewhere? These are the messy things guests always notice in your bathroom, and what to do about it.
1. Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Bathroom essentials are exactly that: essential. That’s why it’s not a bad thing to find toothbrushes and toothpaste in a bathroom, as they’re the everyday items you and your family use regularly. But while they probably don’t look messy to you, guests often find them a little off-putting.
This is because toothbrushes and toothpaste (and other tooth-y items) are usually kept by the same sink that guests wash their hands in, meaning they’ll stare directly at them for at least 20 seconds - probably while humming "Happy Birthday" twice from start to finish. This can be especially horrifying for guests if they’re dirty and scummy.
The trick here isn’t to get rid of them, though. Sometimes, relocating them to a different area of the bathroom, or using one of the things people with tidy bathrooms have to hide them from view, is the solution. There are also so many aesthetically pleasing toothbrush holders out there, too. My current favourite? This Wavy Stripe Bathroom Tumbler (£6 at John Lewis).
Coming in four different colourways, this caddy has 6 slots for all of your tooth-cleaning products - and it's ventilated for quick drying.
These holders can be attached to the wall of your bathroom or even on the inside of your under-the-sink cabinet for safe storage.
This ribbed toothbrush holder will make a statement in your bathroom whilst also tidying up the sink area and keeping everything organised.
2. Shower and bath toiletries
The logical place to keep shower and bath toiletries in your bathroom is right beside (or even inside) the shower and bath. And while caddies and in-shower shelves like this Kitsure 2 Pack Rustproof Shower Caddy (£12.99 at Amazon) can be a game-changer when you need clever bathroom storage, they can look incredibly chaotic.
These bottles and potions are some of the messy things guests always notice in your bathroom, as they’re typically big, bulky, and always look out of place alongside your bathroom fittings and decor. Of course, it’s not the end of the world if your guests know that you clean yourself (shocker!), but you can make it look tidier if you want.
Focus on decluttering what you no longer need, pop the uglier items in a cupboard while guests come by, or you could decant your products into sleeker, more stylish bottles that can be attached to the bathroom walls for that luxe, hotel-like feel.
Popping your products in a basket like this can also allow you to move it around while guests are in the house - whether you want it on show or not.
These wall-mounted pumps will banish excess bottle clutter and make your wash space look like a hotel.
Instead of cluttering your shower or bath, place your essentials in this caddy and tuck it out of the way. But it still looks good if you can't.
3. Toilet paper
One of the first rules of hosting is having enough toilet rolls in the bathroom so nobody gets caught short, but there’s no denying that toilet rolls aren’t easy to store - and they’re not the prettiest, either. Because of this, it’s easy for them to look messy if they’re placed on top of or to the side of the toilet.
But what can you do about it so your guests don’t judge you for it? Our Content Editor, Holly, swears by a bathroom toilet-roll storage hack that lets you add a small curtain around your sink or open shelving to hide them from your guests’ view. Something like this Frilled Slot Top Unlined Undercounter Curtain (£15 at Dunelm) would do the trick.
If that’s not a route you want to go down, there are so many other options out there - from buying sleek and stylish toilet roll holders to storing them in wicker baskets with lids so they’re not visible at all. This way, they can remain nearby without making the space look messy.
Style your toilet paper up a notch with this bobbin stand. It has space for a few spares for your guests, too.
If you don't want to see toilet rolls in your bathroom at all, a lidded store like this can work wonders. It'll disguise them, but still keep them handy.
Sleek and stylish, this storage option will suit any bathroom. And it matches the caddy from earlier, too.
4. Wet, crumpled towels
In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than visiting someone’s house and wiping your hands on a damp, crumpled towel. It makes me wonder what kind of germs are lingering there, and it makes the whole bathroom look (and feel) messy and unloved - especially if there are other towels hanging haphazardly elsewhere.
Your guests probably think the same when they visit your house, which is why it’s always a good idea to refresh and fold your towels before they arrive. This will only take you seconds, but in the long term, you might want to think about your bathroom towel storage ideas.
Sometimes, simply switching up how you store and present the towels in your bathroom can make a huge difference to your experience - and your guests’. This can be especially handy if your towels are looking a little old and worn out, as you could opt for a solution that completely hides them from view.
This is so much more than towel storage. It has four shelves inside, mostly hidden behind a lovely oak cabinet door.
This wall-mounted storage solution has space for spare towels, as well as a shelf above and three hooks underneath.
If you want to be fancy and give your guests individual hand towels, these baskets will be the perfect hosting addition.
5. Bathroom bin
In my eyes, a bathroom bin is a must. It’s a handy way to dispose of all manner of bathroom items, from sanitary products to tissues, floss, cotton buds, makeup wipes, and any empty cosmetics and toiletries that can’t be recycled. But a bin is also one of the messy things that guests always notice in your bathroom.
This is primarily because bins aren’t attractive items, and they can often stick out like a sore thumb - especially if they don’t have a lid and are in an open, visible area of the room. They can be off-putting, and most people (both the guests and the hosts alike) don’t want the other to see what’s in there.
To maintain privacy and hide it from your nosy visitors, the solution here is simple: hide or change the bin. Hiding can work if you’re confident your guests won’t need it while they’re in your home, but changing it to one that looks better and has a lid is a happy medium for everyone.
Combining style and practicality, this swing bin will combat mess and blend in with the rest of your bathroom.
With an easy-lift lid to hide mess from guests' view, this bathroom bin is also lined with plastic for long-lasting use.
Cheap and cheerful, this pedestal bin comes in a variety of different colours and won't take up too much space in your bathroom.
With these handy storage solutions in your bathroom, you'll impress your guests AND keep clutter at bay.
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