Last Updated on November 25, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
The key to styling a bathroom with modern vintage design is to choose three major pieces in classic shapes. Accessories complete the modern vintage look.
Designing a modern vintage bathroom can be approached from two ways.
First, the room’s major items (bathtub, toilet, sink) can be chosen to suit a sleek, modern design, and then accessorized with vintage pieces.
Second, the major pieces can be more traditional, while the accessories are used to incorporate a modern design.
Related: Best material for shower walls
Sinks for a Modern Vintage Bathroom
Pedestal sink + wainscoting
Gray and White Vintage Modern Bathroom
Traditional Taste
Pedestal Sink Ship Lap Bathroom
French Master Bathroom with Pedestal Sink and Gold Mirror
A popular sink design is the pedestal sink. These freestanding sinks provide the basics: a basin affixed to a “pedestal” base. Pedestal sinks are available in a wide range of designs and styles, from retro to ultra-modern. Pedestal sinks will not offer an ample amount of counter space.
Beautiful Bathroom Sink Consoles Made from Vintage Dressers
Replicates console sinks of an earlier era
Double Console Sinks
Vanity Area with Furniture-Style Cabinets
Craftsman Full Bathroom with Console Sink
A console sink can either be freestanding with four legs or attached to the wall with two legs. Console sinks can be found in a variety of styles, from decorative traditional to plainer modern. Console bases are available in materials from wood to porcelain to metal.
Modern Vintage Bathtubs
A Beautiful Clawfoot tub Shower
Clawfoot tub
A New Tub Turned Vintage With Lime & Chalk Paint
Vintage Clawfoot tub
Vintage claw foot tub
Repainted claw foot tub
A black Tub
The ultimate vintage bathtub is the freestanding clawfoot tub. A clawfoot tub is so indicative of traditional style that it will immediately set a vintage tone to a bathroom. Clawfoot tubs can be found in the classic shape, with a rounded front end, or in a “slipper” style, with one or both ends raised and rounded.
Pedestal bathtub
Inspirational Tubs
Another freestanding tub, the pedestal tub sits on a short base. These tubs can be found in a variety of materials, including cast-iron, acrylic, or even copper.
Lighting a Modern Vintage Bathroom
Sconce lighting
Wall sconce lighting
Before and After Bathroom Makeover
Lights on either side of the mirror
A traditional bathroom lighting solution is sconce lighting. These fixtures are versatile and won’t overpower the space. Sconce lighting is available in styles from traditional Victorian to modern cube fixtures.
Contemporary Master Bathroom
Glorious master bathroom vanity lighting
Dat hanging lighting
Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity
Master Bathroom Reveal
Farmhouse bathroom vanity light fixture
Beautiful Farmhouse Bathroom
DIY Mason Jar Vanity Light
Another classic option for bathroom lighting is a vanity light. This option is essentially a strip of lighting fixtures that would be installed above a bathroom vanity.
Accessories for a Modern Vintage Bathroom
Wall paint color is Light French Gray
Choosing Bathroom Wall and Cabinet Colors
Budget bathroom remodel
There are a number of color combinations that will suit a modern vintage bathroom. Warm colors like a beige or tan are flattering, while pale blue lends a spa-like feel to a bathroom space. Gray is an unexpected neutral which is easy to accessorize.
Pyramid Coat Rack Floating Towel Storage
Vintage Window Towel Holder
Textiles in a bathroom will help set the room’s tone. Bright white towels, mats, and curtains look well against a blue or gray wall color. For a beige or tan room, try light-to-medium blue, deep purple, or dark red textiles.
Decorative accessories
Less is often more when it comes to decorative items. To drive home the vintage design, try toothbrush holders, toilet paper holders, and other accessories in metals with finishes in silver, copper, or chocolate brown.
Hold extra toiletries and washcloths in simple dark brown baskets. A few key pieces like an antique alarm clock or a vintage bath soap advertisement will complete the modern vintage look.
With a little research and some careful planning, any home can welcome a stylish and functional bathroom. The right pieces and appropriate accessories will give a humdrum bathroom space a chic modern vintage look.
