Remember those colorful bathrooms from your grandparents’ house? Well, they’re back in style!
Retro bathrooms blend nostalgic charm with modern functionality, creating spaces that feel both fresh and familiar.
Regardless of if you’re renovating completely or just adding a few vintage touches, these ideas will help you create a bathroom that’s both stylish and full of personality.
1. Pastel-Colored Fixtures
Who says toilets and sinks must be white? Mint green, baby blue, or blush pink fixtures instantly transport your bathroom back to the 1950s with charming flair.
Finding vintage colored fixtures at salvage yards gives your space authentic character, but several modern companies now produce retro-inspired pieces with updated efficiency. The soft hues create a gentle atmosphere while making a bold design statement.
2. Checkerboard Floor Tiles
Nothing screams retro quite like a classic black and white checkerboard floor. This timeless pattern creates instant visual impact while anchoring the entire bathroom design.
Modern vinyl options make installation easier and more affordable than traditional ceramic. For a subtle twist, consider navy and white or pink and white combinations that maintain the vintage vibe but with a fresh perspective.
3. Claw-Foot Soaking Tub
Lounging in a classic claw-foot tub brings luxury from yesteryear into today’s homes. These stunning centerpieces create an immediate focal point that whispers of leisurely Saturday soaks.
Original cast iron tubs can be found at architectural salvage shops and restored to their former glory. For those seeking modern convenience, contemporary versions offer the same aesthetic but with updated materials that retain heat better and weigh considerably less.
4. Brass Hardware And Fixtures
Forget chrome and stainless steel! Warm brass fixtures add instant vintage appeal while creating a luxurious atmosphere in any bathroom space.
From faucets to towel racks, shower heads to cabinet pulls, these golden-hued elements develop a beautiful patina over time. Unlacquered brass ages naturally, developing character with each passing year – exactly the kind of authentic detail that makes retro spaces feel genuinely special.
5. Glass Block Shower Walls
Remember those translucent walls that let light through while maintaining privacy? Glass blocks are making a stylish comeback, creating shower enclosures with distinctive retro flair.
Unlike their predecessors, today’s glass blocks come in various patterns and even colors. They allow natural light to filter through while creating interesting shadow patterns. As a bonus, these blocks provide excellent insulation and are surprisingly durable for wet environments.
6. Hexagon Floor Tiles
Small hexagonal tiles create instant vintage vibes while offering endless pattern possibilities. White hexagons with black accent pieces were bathroom staples in the early 20th century.
For a more playful approach, consider pastel hexagons arranged in random patterns or geometric designs. Modern manufacturing techniques mean today’s tiles resist staining and cracking better than their ancestors, while maintaining that perfect old-school look that grounds any retro bathroom design.
7. Pedestal Sink With Scalloped Edge
Graceful and elegant, pedestal sinks with scalloped or fluted edges bring instant vintage charm to any bathroom. Their slim profile works wonders in smaller spaces while maintaining authentic period appeal.
Complete the look with a vintage-inspired faucet set and matching soap dish. For storage solutions, consider a nearby étagère or medicine cabinet to keep necessities close at hand.
8. Wood Paneling Or Beadboard
Adding wood elements brings warmth and texture to bathroom spaces that might otherwise feel cold and clinical. Beadboard wainscoting or full wood paneling creates instant cottage charm reminiscent of early 20th-century homes.
Modern sealants make these materials more bathroom-friendly than ever before. Paint in crisp white for a clean look, or choose bold colors like forest green or navy blue for dramatic impact. Either way, this architectural detail instantly adds character that new constructions often lack.
9. Bold Wallpaper Patterns
Vibrant florals, geometric prints, and whimsical motifs adorned bathroom walls throughout the mid-century decades. Today’s moisture-resistant wallpapers make it possible to recapture this bold look without fear of peeling edges.
For maximum impact, paper all four walls in smaller powder rooms. In larger spaces, create an accent wall behind the vanity or tub. The right pattern instantly establishes era-specific character while bringing color and personality to your bathroom retreat.
10. Medicine Cabinet With Beveled Mirror
Practical yet stylish, medicine cabinets with beveled-edge mirrors were bathroom staples for decades. Their recessed design saves precious space while providing essential storage.
Vintage cabinets can be found at salvage shops and restored to their former glory. Modern reproductions offer similar aesthetics with improved functionality like soft-close hinges and adjustable shelves. Look for models with chrome or brass frames for the most authentic period appearance.
11. Terrazzo Flooring Or Countertops
Speckled with colorful chips of marble, glass, and quartz, terrazzo creates a playful yet sophisticated surface that screams mid-century modern. This material experienced huge popularity in the 1950s and 60s.
Modern manufacturing methods have made terrazzo more accessible for home use. Consider it for floors, shower surrounds, or vanity tops. The random pattern of embedded materials means each installation is unique, creating a one-of-a-kind statement in your retro bathroom design.
12. Retro Color Schemes
Forget today’s gray and white palettes! Authentic retro bathrooms embraced color with enthusiasm – think pink and black, turquoise and yellow, or avocado green with gold accents.
Creating a period-appropriate color scheme instantly establishes vintage authenticity. Don’t be afraid to go bold with wall colors or fixtures. Balance brighter hues with white elements to keep the space from feeling overwhelming, and consider using black as an accent for definition.
13. Built-In Storage Niches
Charming recessed shelves for toiletries were common in pre-war bathrooms, combining practicality with architectural interest. These built-in features feel special and intentional compared to today’s over-the-toilet shelving units.
Creating tiled niches during renovation adds period-appropriate storage that doesn’t consume floor space. For authentic details, finish niche edges with bullnose or specialty trim tiles.
14. Ribbed Glass Light Fixtures
Frosted or ribbed glass light fixtures cast a flattering glow that softens the bathroom environment. These distinctive luminaries were bathroom staples from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Look for drum-shaped ceiling fixtures or tubular wall sconces with chrome or brass accents. The textured glass diffuses light beautifully while adding visual interest. For period authenticity, choose bulbs with warm color temperatures rather than stark white LEDs.
15. Porcelain Accessories
Matching porcelain bathroom accessories were once considered essential finishing touches. Soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and cups in coordinating colors created a pulled-together look.
Hunt vintage shops for original sets, or purchase new reproductions that capture the charm without the chips and cracks. White porcelain pieces work with any color scheme, while colored accessories can highlight accent hues from your tiles or wallpaper.