8 Ways to Update Your Vintage Tile Bathroom

Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by lindseymahoney

Bathrooms built in the mid-century were bold and homeowners were definitely not afraid of color.

Preserving vintage tile bathrooms with these easy updates | Building Bluebird

While many of these retro bathrooms have been replaced over the years, many homeowners are beginning to appreciate the bold bathroom styles from 50+ years ago.

Homeowners who are determined to preserve their vintage tile bathrooms without giving up modern amenities in bathrooms built today.

In 2018, we purchased a flip house and I was determined to restore the 1950s vintage blue tile bathroom to its original glory.

We updated this blue bathroom for less than $600. A full gut and renovation would have cost us at least $5,000.

Choosing to keep many of the original features in your vintage tile bathroom helps to preserve the history of your home. It also preserves the money in your wallet!

Here are 9 easy ways to update your vintage tile bathroom for a fresh and modern look!

9 Easy Updates for Your Vintage Tile Bathroom

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1 | Clean the Grout & Tiles

One of the easiest ways to give vintage bathrooms a nice refresh is by cleaning the tiles and grout.

I like to use a homemade grout cleaner and a toothbrush to brighten the grout, especially if it’s white! If you enjoy satisfying cleaning projects, you will love scrubbing these old tiles!

Oftentimes the vintage tiles will have paint splatters or tough grime that can’t be removed with a toothbrush/scrub brush.

I recommend utilizing a razor blade scraper to remove any gunk that is stuck to the tile.

2 | Paint the Bathroom Walls

The quickest way to update a space is with paint! For our vintage bathroom at the flip house, I chose a calming white that really let the blue tiles pop.

Depending on the style you are looking to achieve, any paint color could work!

My brother and his wife restored an old, colonial home in Ohio and brought the vintage tile bathroom back to life!

I love how the dark, moody paint on the walls brings out the black ribbon around the top of the tile.

3 | Hang Fun Wallpaper

Source | Southern Living Design by Whitney McGregor Photography by Laurey Glenn

Hanging wallpaper in a bathroom with original fixtures or original colored tiles is a great way to modernize the space! The big fear with wallpaper in a bathroom is the shower steam!

These days there are durable wallpaper products to withstand steam and exhaust fans remove moisture quickly from bathrooms.

4 | Add Modern Functions to the Vintage Bathroom

By “modern functions”, I really mean, include all of the standard elements that you would include in a new bathroom.

The vintage bathroom at our flip house did not have an exhaust fan or outlets to code. The exhaust fan now lets the steam out of the bathroom preventing mold and other moisture issues.

Adding proper electrical outlets not only improves safety, but it allows a retro bathroom to function properly.

Replacing plumbing fixtures, like the showerhead can improve the function of the bathroom and update the look and feel of your shower.

5 | Hang Modern Art

Design by Katie Hodges Design | Source My Domaine

Hanging modern artwork is a great way to balance the “vintage-y” vibe that comes with colorfully tiled bathrooms.

Bathrooms are the perfect spot to hang unique artwork that brings a little humor to your home, too!

6 | Use White Towels

Fresh white towels create a spa-like vibe in retro bathrooms and let the colorful tile shine. I love how the crisp towels look against the light blue tile.

7 | Replace the Vanity

Replacing the vanity in a vintage bathroom can transform the way the space looks and functions. In our vintage blue bathroom, I really wanted to save the original sink, but it was in terrible shape.

The knobs were completely rusted and the plumbers recommended replacing the sink altogether.

I chose an era-appropriate pedestal sink.

Of course, if the original vanity functions properly and fits with the original design, definitely keep it!

8 | Apply New Caulk

How to update your vintage tile bathroom

If a vintage bathroom needs a refresh, there is a very good chance it needs a fresh application of caulk too.

Use a caulk removal tool to take out the old caulk and apply the new caulk where necessary.

9 | Lighting Update

If the bathroom includes a cool, original light fixture, take it down and give it a good cleaning. Replace light bulbs with the proper requirements to sufficiently lighten the bathroom.

If the light fixture isn’t anything special, replace it with a new fixture. You can lean into the retro style and pick something that fits the era of the bathroom, or create a juxtaposition with a modern fixture.

Additional Ideas to Modernize Your Vintage Bathroom

Add accessories like a glass soap dispenser or a basket for towels
Candles
Fresh flowers in a vase or a small potted plant
Swap out the old toilet for a modern, low-flow option
Update the toilet handle for a modern look
Add a fun bath mat
Update the curtain and curtain rod
Replace the mirror