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These captivating midcentury modern bathrooms will inspire your next reno

Amelia Wilson
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There’s something comforting about relaxing in a newly finished midcentury modern bathroom. Whether it’s the vintage tile, the colorful aesthetic, or the unique furnishings, retro bathrooms offer an eclectic retreat where we can wind down at the end of the day. If you’re looking for captivating midcentury modern bathroom ideas to inspire your next retro renovation, here are some gorgeously designed spaces on Instagram to help get you started.

Incorporate midcentury tile into your design

One of the best ways to renovate your midcentury modern bathroom is to incorporate the existing tile into your design. Like @chelsearobinsoninteriors shows on Instagram, it’s easy to polish up old midcentury tiles to use in your current design. This designer turned their midcentury modern bathtub tile design into a statement piece within the room. A vintage standing sink allows the tile to become the star of the show while inviting a retro feel that helps you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. To keep things crisp and refreshing, the walls, sink basin, and tub are a clean white tone that helps add a modern touch to this design.

Many midcentury homes will have a variation of green, blue, or pink tile. Depending on what you may already have in your space, you’ll have to consider whether you want to incorporate the existing hues into your design or paint over the tile. Painting tile can be an easy way to spruce up the space. Additionally, you can choose whichever color you like. For a fresh, modern take, paint your tile white and opt for a colorful wallpaper design for a retro-inspired look.

Use a fun pattern on the wall

Patterned tile can be a sleek, modern twist on midcentury styles. Instagram user @kastconcretebasins shows off a stylish modern sink on a midcentury-inspired tile wall. The orange colors are reminiscent of vintage and retro designs without being too overpowering. Sleek finishes like the black faucet and simple round mirror help create a subtle look that allows the retro-inspired tiles to become the focus of the design. If you want a stylish and unique take on a midcentury modern bathroom, this is a great place to start.

Play around with pink

Pale pink and light blue were common hues in midcentury bathroom designs. Often, homes built in the 1940s and ’50s featured bathrooms with blue tile and pale pink walls. This color combination was exciting and unique for the time. Today, people looking to veer away from the stark white designs of modern bathrooms can find inspiration in these retro styles. @houmi.projekty on Instagram shows us just how to pull off a pink bathroom wall in the modern day. Paired with white tile, light woods, and a patterned floor, this pink bathroom is sweet and delicate without looking too old-fashioned.

Make your vanity the focal point

Everyone knows what midcentury modern furniture looks like — instantly recognizable, a classic vanity can set the tone for your whole remodel. @missalicedesigns paired a gorgeous mid-toned vanity with green tile as well as gold and chrome finishes, creating a modern space with a midcentury modern aesthetic. This simple, understated design makes the most of a small bathroom space, creating an elegant, unique look.

Midcentury modern bathrooms are a great way for homeowners to revamp and style their outdated spaces. If your bathroom looks like it’s been stuck in time—and not in a good way—refresh it by incorporating modern elements like white tile or more streamlined decor. Alternatively, new-build homes or rooms where more excitement and color are necessary can benefit from trying out a fun midcentury-inspired tile or wallpaper to create more dimension and interest in the space.

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