23 Aug Vintage vs. Retro: 5 Bathroom Remodel Concepts You’ll Love

There’s a saying that goes “everything old is new again” and that certainly applies to bathroom remodel concepts today. Vintage and retro bathrooms are among the top home design trends and with good reason. These designs are stylish and comfortable as they evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia in your home. And, with vintage and retro styles in mind we think these are some bathroom remodel concepts you’ll love.

Vintage vs Retro: What’s the Difference?

First let’s look at the difference between vintage vs retro. Vintage refers to something that is authentic and dates back to an era that’s at least a few decades ago. Retro denotes new items designed to imitate a style from a specific era. Think of the mid-century modern trend and how homeowners who embrace the style often mix authentic vintage pieces like furniture with retro-designed components. Such as items like wallpaper and other design elements that are manufactured in the present day to reflect the era.

5 Bathroom Remodel Concepts You’ll Love

As we mentioned earlier a vintage bathroom design embodies a sense of nostalgia that transports you back to an era of elegance, true artisan craftsmanship and often a sense of pride that’s missing today. Incorporating vintage pieces in your newly redesigned bathroom is one of the popular bathroom remodel concepts you’ll love. Here are our favorite vintage and retro bathroom remodel concepts.

1. Timelessly Elegant Old-Fashioned Bathroom

Old-fashioned bathrooms are elegant, although less opulent than other vintage bathroom remodel concepts. Begin with a simple design and sturdy natural materials. A retro stand-alone clawfoot bathtub ensures you’ll have the look of timeless elegance with the benefit of modern plumbing accoutrement. A high cistern toilet and antique porcelain basin accentuate the old-fashioned ambience.

2. Art Deco Bathroom Remodel Concepts

Bold patterned wallpaper and tile together with opulent fixtures in chrome or gold showcase the favorite design of the Roaring 20’s. The classic basket-weave tile made popular in that era complement the bolder elements in art deco bathroom remodel concepts. A marble pedestal sink beneath a mirror framed in metal or wood, stained glass windows or sidelights, Tiffany wall sconces or globe sconces and a clawfoot tub complete the picture. Use one or more of these vintage and retro design pieces to create your art deco bathroom.

3. Mid-Century Modern Charm

The mid-century aesthetic is more than a trend. In fact it seems to be among those classic bathroom remodel concepts that are here to stay. Elements found in bathrooms that strike a mid-20th century chord are bold and vibrant. Colors like orange or avocado or even a bright “Barbie pink” in tile, fixtures and wallpaper shout out a return to that definitive era. Geometric-shaped mirrors and pendant lights, checkerboard floors, bold cabinetry with unique hardware styles, composite countertops with a colorful speckled design and reflective fixtures are all part of  retro/vintage mid-century bathroom remodel concepts. 

4. The Opulence and Grandeur of A Victorian Style Bathroom 

To create the style celebrated in Victorian grandeur we once again encourage the clawfoot freestanding bathtub. These tubs were found in bathrooms of the era and suit this style concept well. In addition to the tub think “ornate”. From wallpaper in heavily floral or bird motifs to crystal wall sconces and chandeliers, elaborate beveled edge mirrors and fussy fixtures nothing is too ornate for this style. Your Victorian era bathroom is the perfect place to blend vintage pieces like a marble-topped dresser-turned-sink with retro accents.

5. Farmhouse Fancy Vintage Bathroom

A farmhouse style is simple when it comes to bathroom remodel concepts. Vintage and retro elements combine to provide the look. Shiplap may be used on the walls or you might consider a faux brick paneling. Butcher block countertops with an antique wash basin, pump-style spigot, wrought iron fixtures and Edison lights are elements of a farmhouse bathroom. Think repurposed or antique mosaic tile, accessorize with vintage pieces and repurposed wood shelving or custom shelving and cabinetry that mimics the look. So lovely and so vintage.

Make Your Vintage Bathroom Dazzle

As you can see, when you plan your specific bathroom remodel to focus on vintage style and ambience you’ll benefit from blending era-specific retro pieces with those authentic elements. Dome right, these bathroom remodel concepts are sure to be a hit. Find plenty of help and inspiration when you contact the remodel and design professionals at Seiffert Building Supplies.