‘Tis the season for baking cookies, decorating the tree, and singing carols. This time of year, we decorate the living room, the entry way, and the kitchen. We hang lights outside on the house and fill little bowls with special treats. We set out holiday scented candles and read the Twelve Days of Christmas.

But, what about our bathrooms? They are some of the hardest working rooms in our homes and they often get overlooked. While most of the house seems to be infused with the Christmas spirit, the merry making seems to skip the bathrooms altogether.

5 Tips to Get Your Bathroom Guest and Holiday Ready

1. Make any necessary bathroom repairs.
   Check your plumbing and lighting fixtures to ensure they are not only in good working condition, but now may also be the time to change them out for updated ones, or a new finish or style. And remember your toilet, especially if it runs constantly. If you’ve been considering a new color of paint, consider doing it before the holidays for a fresher aesthetic and palate to start with.
2. Deep clean your bathroom.
   Take everything out of the bathroom, including from any cabinets and/or closets, and deep clean from ceiling to floor. Clean your light fixtures, your mirrors, tub/shower and even look over your walls. Check for hard water etching on your faucet and tub/shower fixtures. My personal favorite cleaner for the shower head is vinegar. Take off the shower head and put it in a plastic bag filled with vinegar and soak it overnight. It works wonders!
3. Stock your bathroom in advance with all the essentials for overnight guests.
   Place a basket with additional toilet paper and add some holiday greenery. Have tissue, soap, towels, and any toiletries your guests may have forgotten set out as well. (Use those samples you’ve been collecting from hotels and throw in a toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste).
4. Add decorative touches.
   Switch out the everyday rug for a festive holiday one and do the same for hand towels. Hang a wreath on the door. If your vanity is large enough, consider a pretty tray with a small Christmas tree and other decorations. A few chocolate peppermint kisses in a little dish are always a hit. A mini bouquet of holiday flowers or a small poinsettia are always a great addition too.
5. Make sure your bathroom smells great.
   The deep cleaning will help with this, but other options are available. Consider a simple scented candle, reed diffuser or an electric oil diffuser. It’s also nice to have a fragrance spray readily available and within reach. I love evergreen holiday hand soap in my bathrooms to bring a scent of the holidays in. Tie some eucalyptus to the shower head, and the steam from the shower will extract the oils from the leaves. It smells great!

Bathrooms are great places to add some Christmas cheer. It doesn’t take much to make the whole room feel merry and bright. Happy Holidays from Corinthian Fine Homes!