10 Retro Ideas Reworked for Modern Living: The Bathroom
Create a cool aesthetic in the bathroom with mid-century highlights
Many current bathrooms draw inspiration from mid-20th-century design features, particularly vibrant hues and geometric patterns. The difference these days is that the latest materials and fixtures add quality and longevity to these elements, as well as bringing a suave sophistication to the bathing space.
2. Clever cabinets
Once referred to as a medicine cabinet, a wall-mounted storage unit with a mirror front is now deeper, wider and often extends all the way to the ceiling. After all, moisturisers and scrubs aren’t just for women these days, so a lot more storage is required! Back then, a finger pull or a knob was required, but now handleless doors provide a sleek, streamlined look.
Once referred to as a medicine cabinet, a wall-mounted storage unit with a mirror front is now deeper, wider and often extends all the way to the ceiling. After all, moisturisers and scrubs aren’t just for women these days, so a lot more storage is required! Back then, a finger pull or a knob was required, but now handleless doors provide a sleek, streamlined look.
3. New take on tiles
While these classic tiny square tiles have a real touch of nostalgia, they have a contemporary edge as they’re made of glass. Small tiles add a decorative touch for bath surrounds, but the dazzle factor can be really ramped up when they are used on a full feature wall.
Penny tiles in the bathroom
While these classic tiny square tiles have a real touch of nostalgia, they have a contemporary edge as they’re made of glass. Small tiles add a decorative touch for bath surrounds, but the dazzle factor can be really ramped up when they are used on a full feature wall.
Penny tiles in the bathroom
4. Scandi style
When viewing this ’70s-inspired space, all that’s missing is a Swedish sauna! The burnt-orange and lime-green hues signal mid-century chic, but the contemporary surfaces – coloured recycled plastic sheeting, hoop-pine plywood panels for the ceiling and concrete flooring – brings 21st-century know-how to the fore.
When viewing this ’70s-inspired space, all that’s missing is a Swedish sauna! The burnt-orange and lime-green hues signal mid-century chic, but the contemporary surfaces – coloured recycled plastic sheeting, hoop-pine plywood panels for the ceiling and concrete flooring – brings 21st-century know-how to the fore.
5. Circular patterns
A subtle nod to the clunky Besser blocks of the past, these geometric patterns offer an optical illusion – do you look at the diamonds or the circles? The best trick is to draw one of the graphics – say, the circle effect – and mimic it in fittings, such as the mirror, basin, pendants and even the accessories.
A subtle nod to the clunky Besser blocks of the past, these geometric patterns offer an optical illusion – do you look at the diamonds or the circles? The best trick is to draw one of the graphics – say, the circle effect – and mimic it in fittings, such as the mirror, basin, pendants and even the accessories.
6. Glamour lights
Usher Hollywood glamour into your bathroom by introducing a retro-inspired make-up mirror. It’s the next best thing to natural daylight in a bathroom. These days, the bulbs don’t get too hot and a handy option is to include a dimmer – as it gives you full control any time of the day and night.
Usher Hollywood glamour into your bathroom by introducing a retro-inspired make-up mirror. It’s the next best thing to natural daylight in a bathroom. These days, the bulbs don’t get too hot and a handy option is to include a dimmer – as it gives you full control any time of the day and night.
7. Space capsule shapes
If the original Star Trek series had ever shown the Starship Enterprise’s high-tech bathroom, it probably would have looked something like this. The freeform Victoria & Albert Barcelona bath works as the star attraction in this curvaceous space. If you’re prepared to boldly go where no man has gone before, introduce your own sci-fi fantasy when renovating the bathroom.
Futuristic bathrooms
If the original Star Trek series had ever shown the Starship Enterprise’s high-tech bathroom, it probably would have looked something like this. The freeform Victoria & Albert Barcelona bath works as the star attraction in this curvaceous space. If you’re prepared to boldly go where no man has gone before, introduce your own sci-fi fantasy when renovating the bathroom.
Futuristic bathrooms
8. Wall coverings
Popular in the 1960s, wallpaper played with colour, pattern and texture to liven up a rather functional zone. Here, the Scalamandre wallpaper in ‘Zanzibar Gold’ adds a touch of the wild to this modest ensuite.
The good news is these current ranges are more durable than mid-century papers – they easily withstand moisture and condensation. If it’s a little overwhelming, try removable wallpaper – a non-vinyl, non-PVC fabric with an adhesive backing.
Popular in the 1960s, wallpaper played with colour, pattern and texture to liven up a rather functional zone. Here, the Scalamandre wallpaper in ‘Zanzibar Gold’ adds a touch of the wild to this modest ensuite.
The good news is these current ranges are more durable than mid-century papers – they easily withstand moisture and condensation. If it’s a little overwhelming, try removable wallpaper – a non-vinyl, non-PVC fabric with an adhesive backing.
9. Designs on glass
Frosted, etched and painted designs on glass were a common feature on shower screens from the ’30s to the ’60s. While the look has been out of fashion for many years, these rebooted screens are sleek and sharp. And thankfully, the sea creature motif that was a favourite in the ’60s has been radically updated!
Frosted, etched and painted designs on glass were a common feature on shower screens from the ’30s to the ’60s. While the look has been out of fashion for many years, these rebooted screens are sleek and sharp. And thankfully, the sea creature motif that was a favourite in the ’60s has been radically updated!
10. Shapely mirrors
When it comes to bevelled-edged mirrors, one is never enough. Here, the original mirrors have been repurposed and given a new lease of life.
The bathroom’s mid-century elements continue with a dark timber veneer and small tiles. As a finishing touch, towels by Irish designer Orla Kiely – touted as ‘the Queen of Prints’ – were added to the bottom rack (right). The whimsical leaf design has proved to be so popular, it’s now available on everything from cups to handbags.
TELL US
Is there a retro design feature in your bathroom? Tell us about it or share a picture of it in the Comments section below.
MORE
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When it comes to bevelled-edged mirrors, one is never enough. Here, the original mirrors have been repurposed and given a new lease of life.
The bathroom’s mid-century elements continue with a dark timber veneer and small tiles. As a finishing touch, towels by Irish designer Orla Kiely – touted as ‘the Queen of Prints’ – were added to the bottom rack (right). The whimsical leaf design has proved to be so popular, it’s now available on everything from cups to handbags.
TELL US
Is there a retro design feature in your bathroom? Tell us about it or share a picture of it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Are the Pastel Tides Turning on the Pink Sink?
15 Bathroom Trends Splashing Down in 2016
10 Retro Ideas Reworked For Modern Living: The Kitchen
Chocolate-brown and burnt-orange was a popular combo in the late ’60s and early ’70s, so why not replicate this palette in a modern setting? Nowadays, wooden veneer walls are almost more realistic than actual timber. And splashbacks have come a long way, utilising lustrous coloured glass. Not only is glass decorative, it’s also extremely hygienic and easy to keep clean.