Welcome to Newbury Home! This is your source for timeless home decor, gardening tips, and elegant living on a budget.
Learn how to add timeless charm to your bathroom with these simple tips and vintage bathroom design ideas (+ product sourcing advice).
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When it comes to interior design, the allure of vintage aesthetics never seems to fade. By infusing modern updates with old-time charm, you can transform the most plain space into a masterpiece that will withstand the test of time. One area of the home where this aesthetic can be particularly appreciated is in the bathroom.
Bathroom renovations are expensive, which means you want the design you choose to be timeless rather than trendy. Vintage-inspired bathrooms evoke classic elegance, while seamlessly integrating into modern homes.
With that in mind, check out these 14 dreamy vintage bathrooms that are sure to inspire you to elevate your own bathroom by adding some timeless vintage charm. Plus, learn how to implement these looks and where to source the products.
Ideas for Elegant Vintage Bathrooms
Ensure enduring appeal by selecting high quality materials
The starting point for any bathroom renovation is the materials. Timeless, high quality choices include marble or white ceramic subway tile for showers or walls and penny tile, black and white marble, or other natural stone tile for the floors. These are all classics and will never look dated.
When we renovated our bathroom, we purchased the marble tile for the shower from a local supplier. However, online retailers, such as The Tile Shop, will allow you to purchase samples for a small fee.
Select the perfect color palette for your bathroom
Don’t be afraid of adding color to your bathroom! Color plays a pivotal role in curating a charming bathroom. As you’ll see, none of the bathrooms that are featured in this post are plain white! Dramatic choices for paint or wallpaper will not look dated if they are executed correctly. If you’re working with a small space, the correct color choices can be especially transformative.
One of the most basic color principles is that dark colors recede from your field of vision, while light colors are brought forward. Use this to your advantage in a small space. If you paint your ceiling a darker color, it can help it “recede”, looking higher. Another trick you can use is to paint your ceiling, trim, and walls the same color. This removes the visual discontinuities, again, making your ceiling look higher and your room feel larger.
We applied some of these principles when renovating this small vintage bathroom (pictured below) and they helped completely transform the space!
Embrace colored shower tile for authentic vintage charm
One element of older bathrooms that people often think makes them look dated is colored tile. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! The issue is not understanding how to style the rest of the bathroom.
If you need proof, check out this gorgeous shower with colored tile below. The black accents and brass shower fixtures give it a modern, luxurious feel, while maintaining the vintage charm. Now, imagine that same shower with an old shower head, covered in hard water buildup, rusty knobs, and chipping paint on the windows… not as appealing, right?
Add hidden storage to your powder room with a skirted sink
You can accomplish several things by adding a skirt to your sink. You can easily and inexpensively hide unsightly plumbing, create hidden storage, and add an element of vintage appeal to your bathroom. If you have a sewing machine, this is a quick and simple DIY project.
Choose vintage bathroom fixtures
Invest in vintage-inspired fixtures to give your bathroom an authentically old feel, while enjoying modern amenities.
Surprisingly, vintage-inspired fixtures are difficult to find on a budget. We learned this the hard way when we renovated our bathroom. But, don’t worry! There are tricks to finding options budget-friendly options. If you aren’t limited by time, wait until the next sale. You can also find open box options on eBay or Facebook Marketplace if you are patient.
If you are on a budget, Kingston Brass and Signature Hardware both have nice options for reproduction vintage bathroom fixtures. We purchased these basin taps and this shower system. Both still look beautiful and function perfectly nearly 3 years later.
Illuminate your bathroom with vintage lighting
True vintage lighting is actually easier and cheaper to find than reproduction vintage lighting. If you go to your local Habitat for Humanity or check Facebook Marketplace, people are practically giving it away.
However, older lighting may not be the best option for a damp environment, like near a shower. For tips on finding beautiful reproduction vintage lighting for a great price, check out this post!
Create a jewel box powder room with statement wallpaper
Chinoiserie wallpaper is iconic and is featured in some of the grandest homes and palaces. Capture some of that grandeur in your own home by recreating the look in your powder room.
Incorporate wainscoting in your design
Adding wainscoting is an upgrade for your bathroom that you can complete in an afternoon! It is an easy way to add some vintage flair to your bathroom.
Select antique art for decorative bathroom accents
Another quick and easy way to add historic vibes to your bathroom is by hanging antique art.
Old books can be filled with colored or black and white lithographs that you can frame to create a unique collection for your bathroom.
Choose exposed brass piping for a vintage industrial look
Exposed brass piping adds a glamorous, industrial touch to your bathroom. In addition to creating a stunning focal point, exposed piping has the added bonus of greater accessibility for repairs.
Maximize the space in a small vintage bathroom
If you’re modernizing an older bathroom, chances are, you are working with a small footprint. Here are some space-saving tips:
- Choose a medicine cabinet mirror for additional storage space
- Pick a toilet with a round bowl rather than an oval-shaped one to take up less space
- Hang things where possible (like toilet paper holders and towel racks)
- Select a wall-mounted sink
- Utilize vertical space by adding floating shelves
For more small bathroom design ideas, read this post.
Accessorize your bathroom with classic flair
Vintage-inspired accessories like mirrors, hooks and towel racks, toilet paper holders, and even waste bins are a perfect way to help tie this look together.
Select vintage-style storage for added authenticity
Store your modern essentials like mouthwash or cotton rounds in sophisticated glass decanters or jars to enhance the vintage feel.
Focus on elegant details to add the final flourishes to your vintage bathroom
The key to taking your space to the next level is in the fine details. Elegant touches like contrasting trim on the sconce shades, decorative vases, and candles help add the final flourishes.
If you want to make your own pleated sconce shades, learn how here.
With these tips and ideas you will be able add timeless elegance to your own home by curating a vintage aesthetic in your bathroom.
I’ve linked some vintage style bathroom decor, fixtures, and lighting below. If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’ve suggested similar ones below the shopping suggestions.
If you’re interested in following along with my Victorian home renovation or garden projects, please visit my Instagram and TikTok pages.
Shop Vintage Style Bathroom Decor
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