Adding vintage touches to your bathroom can give it a charming, nostalgic feel. From antique hardware to retro tile, there are many ways to incorporate vintage style into your bath design. Here are 10 ideas for bringing vintage flair to your bathroom.
Add Vintage Hardware
One of the easiest ways to vintage up your bathroom is by switching out the hardware. Replace modern knobs and pulls with antique designs to give your vanity and cabinets an old-fashioned look. Some vintage hardware styles to consider include:
- Ornate crystal or glass knobs
- Ceramic knobs with delicate patterns
- Distressed metal pulls with keyholes
- Porcelain handles with roses or scrollwork
- Cast iron pulls with art deco shapes
Look for vintage hardware pieces at flea markets, antique shops, architectural salvage yards, or online stores. Mix and match knobs and pulls in different shapes, styles, and finishes for an eclectic vintage vibe. Hardware is an inexpensive way to transform the look of your bathroom.
Use Vintage Fixtures
Along with the hardware, changing out the fixtures in your bathroom is another impactful way to get a vintage aesthetic. Swap modern spout faucets and shower systems for fixtures with old-fashioned designs. Options include:
- Clawfoot tubs
- Free-standing tub fillers with porcelain handles
- Widespread faucets with cross handles
- Two-handle wall-mount faucets
- Pedestal sinks sitting on claw feet
- Wall-mount or pendant lights made from clear glass
Antique fixtures have more ornate details and a uniquely nostalgic shape compared to today’s minimalist styles. Visit antique stores or architectural salvage yards to hunt for vintage bathroom fixtures to refresh your space.
Install a Subway Tile Backsplash
Subway tile is a classic vintage choice for a bathroom backsplash. The rectangular tiles are typically 3 by 6 inches and made from glazed ceramic. They are laid in a brick pattern with the grout lines creating a grid effect.
Subway tiles were first used in early 20th century subway stations, but soon made their way into kitchens and bathrooms. Available in glossy white, bold colors, or pastel hues, subway tile backsplashes have a clean, retro look.
Pair subway tile with vintage hardware and fixtures for a cohesive old-fashioned style. The tiles are affordable and easy to install as a do-it-yourself project. For extra vintage appeal, choose tiles with slight imperfections or a crackled finish.
Use Black and White Hex Tiles
Another way to achieve a retro 1920s or 1930s aesthetic is to use black and white hexagonal floor tiles. The unique shape and bold contrast create eye-catching vintage style.
Lay the tiles in a geometric pattern or combine them with other vintage flooring like penny rounds. Black and white hexagonal tiles work especially well for a black-and-white art deco style bathroom.
Pair them with a clawfoot tub, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, and graphic black-and-white prints on the walls. The hex tiles can be used on the floors or as a bathroom wall accent.
Add Beadboard Wainscoting
Beadboard wainscoting is another detail that calls to mind old-fashioned bathrooms. The vertical tongue-and-groove boards have a small raised bead shape running along each one.
Beadboard offers a budget-friendly way to give walls a vintage look with classic horizontally lined texture. Paint it in a crisp white or pastel hue and pair with other traditional elements like framed botanical prints and a pedestal sink.
Use beadboard wainscoting as a full wall treatment from floor to ceiling or in a partial application on the lower half of the walls. It can even be installed inside a standalone clawfoot tub surround for a cozy cottage effect.
Display Vintage Bathroom Signs
Add a touch of old-time charm with vintage-style bathroom signs and prints. Options include:
- A distressed “Bath” sign on the door
- A framed black-and-white “washroom” sign above the toilet
- An antique medicine cabinet with “His” and “Hers” lettering
- Vintage patent medicine ads
- Botanical drawings of herbs or flowers
Look for reproductions of Victorian bath prints you can frame. Or find genuine antiques at flea markets or online auctions. Vintage signs bring personality and nostalgia to your bathroom.
Incorporate a Freestanding Tub
For a true vintage soaking experience, install a freestanding tub in your bathroom. Clawfoot tubs are probably the most well known style, featuring feet in shapes like animal paws or balls. Slipper tubs are another vintage variety with one rounded end and one flat end.
Freestanding tubs have an ornate, nostalgic shape that contrasts modern alcove tubs. Place a freestanding tub on a focal wall and accent it with vintage hardware, a ruffled shower curtain, and fresh flowers. This creates an elegant spa-like retreat with old-world charm.
Display Antique Vanity Items
Decorate your bathroom vanity or shelves with vintage vanity items for an extra dose of old-fashioned flair. Some antique-style accessories to display include:
- Apothecary jars filled with cotton balls or bath salts
- Vintage perfume bottles
- A tray holding crystal bud vases and flowers
- An antique comb, brush, and hand mirror set
- Ceramic canisters labeled “soaps” or “bath salts”
- Glass bottles containing cotton swabs or Q-tips
Add an elegant vintage touch by placing a lace doily underneath your accessories. Look for decorative silver or porcelain trays to corral all your vintage vanity items.
Choose Vintage Wall Coverings
Unique vintage-inspired wall coverings like beadboard or embossed wallpaper can provide period charm. Some options include:
- Pressed tin wall tiles with an embossed floral motif
- Textured grasscloth wallpaper in neutral earth tones
- Anaglypta wallpaper with raised damask or flower shapes
- Flocked velvet wallpaper in a ornate Victorian pattern
- Colorful hand-painted fresco wall tiles
For a budget option, use wallpaper with a vintage inspired print. Florals, geometrics, or whimsical travel posters all evoke a feeling of yesteryear. Wall coverings are an impactful way to add big style without a big renovation.
Paint in Historical Colors
The color palette you choose can make a big difference in creating a vintage aesthetic. Stick with paint hues popular in historical eras for an authentic touch. Some vintage color ideas include:
- Soft pastels like mint green, buttercream, or pink for a 1950s vibe
- Bold saturated brights like mustard yellow or teal to channel the 1960s
- Muted earth tones like sage green or brick red for an arts-and-crafts feel
- Dark inky colors like navy blue, emerald, or burgundy for an edgier Victorian style
Look for paint brands that offer historical collections with period-specific shades. Behr Paint and Sherwin Williams are two national brands with paint colors influenced by past design eras.
Consider Resale or Reclaimed Materials
Finally, don’t overlook reclaimed or secondhand materials when designing your vintage bathroom. Resale items like old doors, windows, tubs, or sinks often have more character and authenticity than new products.
Check out architectural salvage warehouses where you can find quality vintage materials at affordable prices. Use reclaimed wood planks to make a rustic bathroom vanity, or give an antique writing desk new life as a bathroom sink.
With some creativity, you can repurpose salvaged materials into charming vintage fixtures and features in your bathroom remodel. Taking a sustainability-minded approach fits with the vintage ethos as well.
Vintage Bathroom Ideas By Decade
Incorporating vintage touches into your bathroom design can take inspiration from varied decades. Here are some ideas for achieving popular historical styles:
Vintage Bathroom Ideas – 1920s
- Black and white hexagon floor tile
- Subway wall tiles
- Nickel hardware and fixtures
- Freestanding porcelain tub
- Art deco prints and geometric patterns
Vintage Bathroom Ideas – 1930s
- Pedestal sink
- Pressed metal wainscoting
- Vintage medicine cabinet
- Wood plank floors
- Fabric shower curtain with floral pattern
Vintage Bathroom Ideas – 1940s
- Bubblegum pink tiles
- Corner sink vanity
- Glass block window
- White clawfoot tub
- Wrap-around linen closet
Vintage Bathroom Ideas – 1950s
- Candy-colored toilet, tub, and sink
- Black and white checkerboard tile floor
- Lucite furniture and accessories
- Oversize wall mirrors
- Retro starburst light fixtures
Vintage Bathroom Ideas – 1960s
- Beadboard wainscoting
- Wallpaper with bold graphic print
- Floating wood vanity
- Vessel sink
- Pendant lights over tub
FAQs About Creating a Vintage Bathroom
What paint colors work well in a vintage bathroom?
Some popular vintage paint colors for bathrooms include pastels like powder blue, mint green, or daffodil yellow. You can also consider deeper hues like navy blue, emerald green, and burgundy. Neutral beige and tan tones are additional vintage color options.
Where can I find vintage bathroom lighting fixtures?
Check antique stores, flea markets, salvage yards, or online auction sites. Reproduction vintage lighting is also available from retailers like Rejuvenation or Schoolhouse Electric.
What type of flooring suits a vintage bathroom?
Vintage flooring options include hexagonal tile, black and white checkerboard tile, subway tile, penny tile, wood planks, black and white diamond tile, and decorative mosaic patterns.
What are some affordable ways to create vintage style?
Install beadboard wainscoting, replace modern hardware with vintage-style knobs and pulls, use subway wall tiles or tin ceiling tiles, and incorporate salvaged or antique accessories.
How do I give my pedestal sink a vintage look?
Paint the pedestal sink a retro color like robin’s egg blue. Change out the faucet for vintage cross handles. Add retro accessories like glass bottles with bath salts. Finish it off with an antique floral shower curtain.
Final Thoughts on Vintage Bathroom Style
With the right details, it’s possible to transform a bathroom into a nostalgic vintage retreat. From clawfoot tubs to hexagon floor tiles, traditional materials never go out of style. Vintage bathrooms have an enduring, romantic appeal that feels cozy yet elegant.
When designing your vintage bathroom, don’t be afraid to mix old and new elements. Inject modern comforts like heated floors and spa-like showers while maintaining the classic charm. With creative touches, you can refresh your space with yesteryear flair that looks and feels just right.
