27 Vintage Bathroom Decor Ideas
Stepping into a vintage bathroom should feel like opening a time capsule with style. Whether you’re reimagining a powder room or revamping a master bath, vintage decor adds timeless elegance, quirky charm, and unexpected comfort. Below are 27 vintage bathroom decor ideas to inspire you, filled with practical tips, design insights, and just a hint of nostalgia.
Antique Mirrors: The Magic Portal
Nothing says vintage like an ornately framed mirror. It’s not just a reflective surface — it’s a statement. Look for gold gilt frames, rococo styles, or even worn wooden edges. These mirrors bring a touch of Victorian drama or French countryside calm, depending on your frame.
Tip: Scour estate sales or antique stores. I once found a 1920s mirror in a dusty attic shop for $40 — a steal considering its elegance.
Clawfoot Tubs: Royalty for Your Bathroom
If your space allows, a clawfoot tub is the crown jewel of vintage bathroom decor. These tubs, originally popular in the late 1800s, offer that luxurious deep-soak experience with plenty of aesthetic punch.
Fun stat: According to Houzz, clawfoot tubs were among the top 5 features added in vintage-style bathroom remodels in 2024.
Classic Subway Tile: Never Out of Style
Subway tile isn’t just timeless — it’s a chameleon. Pair white subway tile with dark grout for a bold, early 20th-century look, or keep it clean and light for a 1930s washroom vibe.
Pro tip: Want an authentic touch? Go with beveled subway tiles. They’re historically accurate and add texture to your walls.
Vintage Brass Fixtures: Warmth with Elegance
Trade out your modern chrome for brushed brass or antique bronze fixtures. Faucets, showerheads, and towel bars in these finishes create an aged, elegant effect.
Insider trick: Let the brass age naturally. The patina it develops over time adds character, telling its own story.
Wainscoting and Beadboard Walls: Charming Boundaries
Beadboard or wainscoting brings a tactile, farmhouse-friendly texture that defines vintage style. White-painted wood instantly transports your bathroom back to the 1920s.
A friend of mine installed beadboard halfway up her powder room wall and painted it sage green. The result? It looked like a countryside inn from a 1935 postcard.
Pedestal Sinks: Delicate and Functional
The pedestal sink is the vintage equivalent of minimalist chic. It offers sleek lines and is perfect for smaller bathrooms. Choose porcelain with gentle curves for authenticity.
Warning: No under-sink storage. But hey, that’s what vintage cabinets are for (we’ll get to those).
Art Deco Lighting: Glamour in Every Glow
Vintage lighting is where your bathroom can truly sparkle. Think Art Deco sconces, milk glass globes, or crystal chandeliers.
According to interior design surveys, vintage lighting choices like schoolhouse pendants and globe sconces are increasing in popularity — up by 32% year over year.
Floral Wallpaper: A Garden Indoors
Vintage floral wallpaper might seem risky, but it’s a high-reward move. Think soft pastel roses, delicate peonies, or whimsical vines.
Design tip: Use floral wallpaper on just one accent wall or behind the mirror for a chic feature that won’t overwhelm the space.
Freestanding Cabinets and Dressers
Forget wall-to-wall built-ins. Add a freestanding vintage dresser as a vanity or a narrow linen cupboard. The worn wood and quirky knobs bring character you just can’t fake.
Pro tip: Add a marble countertop to an old dresser to combine vintage flair with bathroom durability.
Framed Art and Botanical Prints
Bathrooms don’t need to be sterile. Hang framed vintage posters, botanical illustrations, or even black-and-white photography in ornate frames to breathe life into your walls.
When I moved into my 1940s bungalow, I found old seed catalog prints in the basement. I cleaned and framed them — they now hang proudly above my towel rack.
Porcelain Accessories and Soap Dishes
Swap your modern soap pump for a ceramic soap dish. Add a vintage toothbrush holder, and maybe even an old-school shaving mug.
It’s the little things that tie a vintage theme together — much like the ribbon on a 1940s perfume bottle.
Patterned Floor Tiles: Geometry Meets Nostalgia
A black-and-white hex tile floor or mosaic pattern adds instant character. These designs were staples of early 1900s homes and still look stunning today.
Fact: According to a survey by Realtor.com, bathrooms with patterned tile floors sell homes 18% faster on average.
Soft Curtains and Lace Accents
Replace harsh blinds with sheer linen curtains or lace panels. They diffuse the light softly, giving your space a warm, romantic glow.
Curtains may feel like an odd bathroom choice, but trust me — paired with vintage hardware, it’s pure magic.
Apothecary Jars and Glass Containers
Store cotton balls, bath salts, or Q-tips in clear glass jars with lids. Line them up on a shelf for both function and vintage form.
This trick not only looks great but encourages you to keep things neat. No one wants a cluttered 1930s bathroom.
Cast Iron Radiators: Cozy Meets Classic
If you’re lucky enough to have a cast iron radiator, don’t hide it. Paint it matte black, deep green, or keep it raw and sealed. It’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Plus, nothing beats the feeling of a warm towel draped over one on a chilly morning.
Period-Style Toilets and Tanks
Consider a high-tank toilet with a pull chain. It’s quirky, dramatic, and oh-so-vintage. These were common in homes before the 1940s and scream turn-of-the-century charm.
Note: Modern replicas now offer the look without the plumbing headaches.
Color Palettes that Whisper History
Stick with classic tones like mint green, soft pink, dusty blue, or ivory. These hues dominated bathrooms from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Paint company Benjamin Moore reports a 19% spike in requests for vintage pastel bathroom palettes in 2024.
Vintage Rugs Over Tile
Ditch the microfiber bathmat. A Persian-style runner or kilim rug adds warmth and flair underfoot.
I once laid an old hallway runner in my guest bath. Guests raved about it, and it made the whole room feel like a powder room at grandma’s — in the best way.
Copper and Tin Ceiling Tiles
Adding tin ceiling tiles — or even faux versions — gives your bathroom a regal, old-world touch. Pair with crown molding for added depth.
Even just a tin tile backsplash behind your sink can be a wow-worthy moment.
Vintage Perfume Bottles on Display
Collect and display vintage glass perfume bottles on a tray or window ledge. They catch the light and add delicate charm.
You don’t need a full collection — even three or four can add that curated, artful effect.
Monogrammed Towels and Linens
Add a personal, old-school touch with embroidered towels. Bonus points if you can thrift actual vintage ones — or embroider your own initials.
It’s like having a little Downton Abbey moment every time you wash your hands.
Aged Wood Elements
Mix in reclaimed wood shelves or an old wooden stool. Even a weathered ladder used as a towel rack can amplify vintage energy.
Pro tip: Sand lightly and seal with clear wax to keep the worn look without splinters.
Repurposed Vintage Finds
Turn an old bar cart into a towel caddy, or a typewriter table into a sink stand. Vintage decorating thrives on creativity and repurposing.
One of my proudest DIYs was turning an antique sideboard into a double vanity — cost me $300 and a weekend of elbow grease.
Mason Jar Lighting
Install mason jar light fixtures or even DIY your own. The industrial-meets-farmhouse style pairs perfectly with vintage bathrooms, especially when paired with Edison bulbs.
They glow like a memory.
Bathroom Plants in Antique Pots
Add greenery to soften the space, but skip the plastic pot. Use metal basins, ceramic urns, or repurposed tea tins for plant containers.
Top tip: Choose moisture-loving plants like ferns, pothos, or peace lilies to thrive in humidity.
Period-Accurate Hardware
From glass doorknobs to vintage-style cabinet pulls, hardware is the jewelry of the bathroom. And just like a brooch can elevate a plain dress, these little pieces elevate your space.
Look for: Pressed glass, ceramic knobs, and aged metals.
Freestanding Towel Racks
Skip the wall-mounted bars and go for a freestanding metal towel rack. These were common in pre-war homes and add a dash of grace and mobility.
They also make a bathroom feel more like a living space — which, in the vintage mindset, it truly was.
Built-In Medicine Cabinets
Recessed medicine cabinets with mirrored fronts were all the rage from the 1920s to 1950s. Modern versions are out there, but nothing beats an original.
They’re often found behind layers of renovation, waiting patiently to be rediscovered.
Final Thought: Let History Guide, But Don’t Be Afraid to Mix
Vintage decor isn’t about living in a museum. It’s about bringing the warmth, soul, and beauty of the past into your daily routine. Choose pieces that tell a story, mix old with new, and let your bathroom reflect not just another era — but your own personality.
So go ahead — hang that brass mirror, roll out that floral wallpaper, and soak in your clawfoot tub like it’s 1929. Just don’t forget to enjoy the history, one bubble bath at a time.
