A juxtaposition of vintage style in a modernist bathroom can bring a classic charm to your home. If you’re planning to renovate your bathroom, consider getting retro-style tiles and old school plumbing fixtures to commemorate the decades past.
Sure enough, planning and decorating a vintage bathroom isn’t as easy as slapping a sleek, contemporary look on the space. However, a little inspiration for choosing the right materials, colors, and textures can help you bring the picture in your mind to life.
Here are some stunning vintage ideas to inspire you for your next bathroom remodel.
Although the designers have done this to their cottage bathroom, you can easily follow this bathroom renovation idea in your suburban house. Let’s start with the wooden plank on the window. Despite being subtle, it adds a vintage touch to the room.
Moreover, you can spot vintage decor in the bathroom, from the claw foot tub to the fixtures for hanging towels. Even the wall colors are kept light and muted, as a reminiscence of the beautiful olden times.
At a glance, you can tell that there’s a lot to love above this vintage-inspired bathroom. From the wooden mirror to the subway tile, everything about this space has a vintage theme to it.
Plus, the muted walls behind the mirror further accentuate the vintage element of the space. Despite the overall neutral tones of the area, the sink is bright white to attract light and bring a hint of freshness to the room.
If you’re planning to replicate this idea, I’d suggest using brass fixtures for the sink as they’ll amp up the vintage vibe even more.
Old school doesn’t always have to mean dull and boring. Take a look at this bathroom where colors are abundant, yet the overall vibe is still retro. While the brightly-colored towels and nostalgic accessories brighten up the room, the plants liven up this space.
Furthermore, the patterned tiles are an ode to the timelessness of the vintage style and decor.
Some of you might be surprised to find this, but pink was an accent color a few decades ago. The different shades of pink used in this bathroom allow the color to pop without being too overwhelming.
While the pink tiles behind the bathtub add texture to the area, the blush-pink countertop goes nicely with the green plants.
Besides, the subtle wooden accents, such as the bath salt container and the toilet seat, give off a retro feel. Lastly, the flowery shower curtain brings the whole look together, keeping it well-balanced.
Speaking of colors, blue is just as retro as pink, and this vintage-style bathroom is an accurate representation of that. First off, the floors are as old school as it gets. The penny floor tiles look perfect against the blue vanity with white cabinet pulls.
Moreover, the rusted wooden frame for the mirror further adds retro vibes to the area. On the side, you can spot the printed curtain with different shades of blue and green to finish the style perfectly.
It’s impressive how the designer has managed to create a vintage-style space without overdoing the theme.
It’s hard to say which part of this room is the most retro. Firstly, the green bathtub is a fantastic addition to the room since the color is in stark contrast to the pink square tiles, white vessel sink, and the antique plumbing fixtures.
At the side is a large window that lets in enough light to brighten up the room despite the dark colors. Plus, the vanity and floors match the tub, giving a breathtaking vibe to the entire space.
Lastly, the sign above the tub completes the mid century look with a unique charm and elegance.
Judging from the picture, I can easily say that walking into this bathroom will instantly fill you with peace and serenity. Even though the bathroom’s overall theme is white, tiny black and wooden accents break this monotony.
From the black mirror frames to the wooden basket on the floor, everything blends well with the otherwise white space. Most importantly, the black and white floors hold the whole design in place.
When replicating this idea, you can place vintage oriental rugs at the entrance like the designer has done here.
When going vintage, it’s important to choose the right colors, and the designer has done an excellent job of that in this bathroom. While the green walls capture most of your attention, the black accents add a charm of their own.
Also, the white clawfoot tub, light fixtures, and toilet seat blend in well with the other two colors in the room. Finally, this design confirms that you can never go wrong with pedestal sinks.
If quirky vintage is not your style, opt for antique elements in your bathroom. The white marble countertops with thin wooden legs speak a vintage language while the golden fixtures on the wall allow elegance to seep into the room.
Notice how the dotted floor floors contrast with the green hues of the wall tiles, bringing everything together quite nicely. You can attain a similar design with vintage wallpaper in a modern farmhouse or master bedroom.
Before becoming a modern favorite, pastels were already adored by people in the past. Even though the room has at least half a dozen different colors, the suitable matching and smart placement of these shades allow the overall finish to be easy on the eyes.
Although the other parts of this room are equally vintage, it’s the colorful bench and wooden vanity that seem to be doing the trick. If this style is too old fashioned for you, go ahead and jazz it up with a funky wallpaper or patterned tiles.
Here’s an option for people who like to couple modernism with old school sophistication. Although the floors and walls are pretty modern-design-inspired, the claw foot tub and storage space add a vintage hint to this style.
Owing to the number of colors used in this design, the bathroom gives off a vintage-style diner vibe. The pink floor tiles contrast well against the blue shower tiles, while the wooden cabinets help dilute the excess of color in the room.
If your bathroom doesn’t have a large window, consider adding a few more lights as this design only has one.
REVIEWED BY
Donella (Sustainability Institute Staff)
Hi, I'm Donella, Editor of the Sustainer Site. Getting your home set up can be confusing and challenging for several people to achieve. However, if you read through our blog, you can have it all accessible in no time without having to do so much. Several home design ideas are covered all through the site. Even if you want to learn how to get your house in order or are in the mood for something more elaborate. Here you have access to all that and even more, as our insight gives you all that.