20 Retro Bathroom Ideas With Unique Fixtures and Accents

Retro bathrooms blend nostalgic charm with playful color and vintage details. Embracing mid-century and Art Deco influences, these spaces celebrate bold patterns and classic fixtures. Create a bathroom that feels both timeless and full of personality with these curated design tips.

Retro Bathroom Advice

• Install checkerboard or penny tile flooring in black and white or pastel hues for an authentic retro foundation that instantly sets the tone.
• Choose a pedestal sink or a wall-mounted basin with chrome or colored porcelain finishes to evoke a classic mid-century look.
• Incorporate pastel or saturated wall colors such as mint green, powder blue, or blush pink for a cheerful, vintage-inspired palette.
• Opt for a statement mirror with a scalloped or sunburst frame to channel the glamour of the 1950s and 1960s.
• Use vintage-inspired lighting fixtures like globe sconces or atomic-style pendants to enhance the retro ambiance.
• Accessorize with patterned shower curtains, geometric bath mats, and colorful ceramic accessories for layered visual interest.
• Display framed retro advertisements or vintage prints as wall art to reinforce the nostalgic theme.

Retro Bathroom Ideas

Try a Saturated Citrus Wall for Instant Warmth

Bathed in a vivid orange, this bathroom’s walls create a lively, retro-inspired backdrop that instantly energizes the space. The floating wood vanity and mirrored cabinet add sleek functionality, while the color choice feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Natural light streams through the large window, softening the palette’s intensity and highlighting crisp lines throughout the room.

The interplay of glossy surfaces and matte finishes keeps the look current, making the space feel bright and inviting.

Let Graphic Wallpaper Energize a Classic Bath

Striking geometric wallpaper transforms this bathroom into a true statement space, lending a lively vintage flair. The crisp black-and-white palette feels timeless, while the repeating pattern adds a sense of rhythm and movement.

Industrial sconces and a chrome-leg console sink reinforce the period vibe, balancing decorative and functional elements. The built-in bench beneath dark window shutters grounds the space and offers a practical touch.

Use a Schoolhouse Sink for Playful Nostalgia

Retro charm radiates from this bathroom, where a vintage-inspired trough sink in bright red instantly commands attention. The glossy white subway tile backdrop keeps the look crisp and timeless, letting the bold sink color shine without overwhelming the space.

Framed mirrors with petite shelves introduce both function and whimsy, while the playful lettered plaques above create a sense of personality. The overall effect is both practical and cheerful, blending utility with vintage flair in a way that feels fresh and approachable.

Anchor the Room with a Clawfoot Tub and Patterned Tile

Moody green walls and classic white subway tile set a sophisticated stage for the showstopping clawfoot tub. The patterned floor tile grounds the space with vintage flair, balancing playful detail against the clean lines of the fixtures.

What I love is how the glass shower enclosure keeps the room feeling open while letting each element shine. The built-in shower niches and curated shelf styling add subtle personality, making this bathroom feel inviting and collected.

Let a Dazzling Chandelier Bring Glamour to Retro Tile

Suspended from a soaring ceiling, a sparkling chandelier instantly elevates the bath’s vintage spirit. The bold patterned floor tile energizes the space with a playful blue-and-green motif, while mirrored wall panels reflect light for a sense of expansiveness.

In this space, I love how the glitzy lighting fixture adds unexpected drama to the otherwise classic palette.

The combination of reflective surfaces and intricate floor patterning creates a lively, inviting atmosphere that feels both timeless and fresh.

Layer Jewel-Toned Tile with Deep Hues

Glossy teal subway tiles wrap the lower half of this bathroom, instantly energizing the space with their rich color and reflective surface. The mirrored upper walls amplify the light and create a sense of openness, making the room feel larger and more dynamic.

Red roman shades add a bold accent, echoing the deep burgundy of the tub’s exterior and warming the cool palette. The interplay of saturated tones, classic fixtures, and mirrored expanses creates a distinctly retro yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Let Botanical Wallpaper Set a Playful Tone

Floral wallpaper instantly enlivens this bathroom, wrapping the space in whimsical pattern and color. The pairing of traditional wainscoting and intricate wallpaper creates a layered, nostalgic feel that feels both curated and fresh.

Twin arch-topped mirrors above a crisp, white vanity add architectural interest and echo the vintage mood. The choice of a striped bath mat injects a subtle pop of color beneath, while classic details like the claw feet on the tub reinforce the retro spirit.

Consider a High-Tank Toilet for Vintage Flair

Moody blue walls and pristine white subway tile set a crisp, tailored tone in this compact bathroom. The high-tank toilet instantly channels early 20th-century nostalgia, making the space feel delightfully transportive.

A chevron-trimmed mirror and dog-themed artwork bring gentle whimsy, while marble-effect flooring introduces a quiet elegance. The restrained palette keeps the look cohesive, allowing the period details to shine without overwhelming the small footprint.

Play with Color-Blocked Tile and Unexpected Accents

Emerald green herringbone tile wraps the lower walls and shower, creating a vibrant, unified envelope that instantly draws the eye. The interplay of glossy green tile with the soft blush upper walls feels both retro and refreshingly modern.

Golden fixtures and lighting add a glamorous edge, while leafy plants in patterned pots echo the tile’s energy. The framed abstract art above the tub brings a touch of graphic contrast, anchoring the space with personality and depth.

Play with Open Shelving and Retro Tile for a Lively Mix

Framed by vibrant, glossy red tiles, this bathroom feels both energetic and inviting. The open wood shelving provides a playful spot for quirky figurines and colorful accents, breaking up the bold tile with personality and warmth.

Hexagonal floor tiles ground the space with a subtle pattern, while the sleek white tub and simple window keep the look fresh and unfussy. The layered display on the shelves turns functional storage into a curated moment, making the room feel truly lived-in.

Use a Distressed Vanity for Instant Vintage Soul

A timeworn turquoise vanity immediately sets a nostalgic tone, its heavily distressed paint finish giving the space a sense of storied character. The copper-toned faucet and basin reinforce the retro mood, while the countertop remains simple to let the bold vanity shine.

Above, a rectangular mirror in a matching distressed frame ties the look together, flanked by classic twin sconces that offer warm illumination. A glass jar filled with colorful seashells adds a playful, personal touch, proving that curated accessories can soften and enliven vintage design.

Play with Black-and-White Patterned Flooring for Instant Drama

Graphic black-and-white floor tile injects a sense of movement and energy into this retro-inspired bathroom. Paired with soft gray cabinetry and subtle marble wall tile, the bold pattern anchors the space without overwhelming it.

A round accent table with brass detailing and a navy stool add vintage character, while the wood-framed mirror and sliding door warm up the palette. The mix of metals and finishes creates a layered look, making the space feel curated and inviting.

Use Mint Tile and Black Accents for a Crisp Vintage Look

Mint green tile wraps the lower walls, instantly conjuring a nostalgic vibe while feeling fresh and uplifting. The black tile border provides sharp definition, highlighting the architectural lines and lending a tailored finish to the palette.

A pedestal sink centers the space, its classic silhouette echoing the vintage spirit of the tilework. Sleek wall sconces flank the mirror, adding symmetry and a subtle touch of modernity. The careful balance of old and new makes this bathroom feel both timeless and inviting.

Play with Pixelated Tile for a Fresh Retro Pop

Soft peach walls set a cheerful backdrop for the bold, pixel-inspired mosaic tile that wraps the backsplash and continues into the tub surround. The square, glowing sconces add a playful, graphic rhythm that echoes the tile’s geometric motif, unifying the entire space with visual cohesion.

In this space, I love how the cabinetry’s clean lines and integrated handles keep the look crisp and unfussy, allowing the color and pattern to shine. The open shelving with vintage ceramics adds just enough personality without overwhelming the retro-modern balance.

Let Bold Patterned Tile Set a Playful Retro Mood

Oversized floral tiles in green and cream wrap every wall, instantly establishing a lively, vintage-inspired atmosphere. The repeating motif draws the eye around the room and balances beautifully with the streamlined wood vanity.

Mirrored surfaces and glass details amplify the tile’s playful energy while keeping the space feeling open. The double sinks and integrated shelving create a functional, well-organized zone, making this bathroom both practical and visually striking.

Use Chevron Tile for Playful Movement

Chevron-patterned tile wraps around the tub and continues seamlessly onto the floor, creating a lively sense of motion throughout the bathroom. This dynamic motif energizes the compact space and feels both retro and refreshingly current.

A wall-mounted sink and simple toilet maintain an open, airy footprint, while the glass shower screen preserves sight lines. I love how the bold tile is balanced by understated fixtures and a large mirror, making the room feel larger and more inviting.

Bring Botanical Drama with Saturated Wallpaper and Sage Green

Moody, saturated wallpaper enlivens this bath, its leafy greens and rich florals setting a lush, retro tone. The sage green tub with ornate white feet grounds the space, creating a striking focal point against the vibrant backdrop.

A woven pendant adds warmth overhead, while the round side table keeps the look fresh and functional. The palette of greens and natural textures feels both inviting and sophisticated, making this bathroom a standout example of retro-inspired comfort.

Use Steel-Framed Glass for a Modern Retro Shower

A steel-framed glass shower enclosure instantly gives this bathroom a crisp, architectural edge. The interplay between the deep blue wall tile and the bold black grid feels both retro and refreshingly current, grounding the space with graphic clarity.

In this space, I love how the red bench injects a jolt of warmth against the cool blues and monochrome lines, making the room feel inviting rather than austere. The black stone console sink and geometric mirrors further reinforce the tailored, vintage-inspired mood.

Use Grid Tile to Create Crisp Retro Geometry

Grid-patterned white tile wraps the entire space, establishing a clean, retro-inspired rhythm that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The black grout lines sharply outline each tile, giving the room a graphic punch and a visually grounding sense of order.

In this space, I love how the floating sink and wall-mounted toilet contribute to the sense of openness, allowing the grid motif to remain uninterrupted. Minimal black fixtures offer just enough contrast, ensuring the look stays sophisticated rather than stark.

Let Vintage Typography Take Center Stage

Bold, oversized lettering across the distressed vanity instantly commands attention, infusing the bathroom with graphic personality. The high-contrast black-and-white palette feels both retro and fresh, ensuring the space is playful yet sophisticated.

Above, a simple square mirror and wall-mounted faucet keep the look streamlined, while the high-tank toilet nods to classic design. The glass shower enclosure and light walls allow the statement vanity to shine truly, creating a space that feels curated and unique.