EPIC Retro Bathroom Makeover on a Budget

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Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by lindseymahoney

Revamping a dated bathroom can be a daunting task, especially when you’re working with a tight budget. However, transforming your retro bathroom into a stylish space with modern amenities doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some savvy shopping, you can achieve a fresh, updated look without compromising on charm or functionality.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some cost-effective tips and tricks to give your retro bathroom a budget-friendly makeover, proving that a little can go a long way in creating a stunning and inviting space.

Table of Contents

• Retro Bathroom Before
• Affordable Bathroom Makeover Projects to Complete:
• Budget-Friendly Retro Bathroom Makeover
• 1 | Remove Dated Wallpaper
• 2 | Update Bathroom Lights and Outlets/Switches
• 3 | Clean the Retro Blue Bathroom Tiles
• 4 | Cosmetic Updates in the Retro Bathroom
• 5 | Retro Bathroom Organization
• 6 | Hang Modern Artwork
• Bathroom Makeover Source List
• More Content You Will Love

Retro Bathroom Before

Our master bathroom was tired, outdated, lacking function, and ready for a makeover. I embraced the retro style of the 60s and our master bathroom is now a showstopper after a few budget-friendly improvements!

Here is our retro master bathroom before the makeover when we first moved into our home:

Affordable Bathroom Makeover Projects to Complete:

• Remove wallpaper and paint the walls
• Add organization features to improve the function of the bathroom
• Update light fixtures and electrical outlets
• Clean the original tile and grout
• Remove the glass shower door (already complete)
• Add modern design elements that compliment the vintage vibe
• Hang artwork

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Budget-Friendly Retro Bathroom Makeover

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1 | Remove Dated Wallpaper

The first DIY project in our master bathroom was to remove the peeling wallpaper. With the right tools and a wallpaper steamer, this DIY project is super easy to tackle on your own.

Once the wallpaper was removed, I painted a fresh coat of white paint on the walls using the color Snowbound by Sherwin Williams. The neutral white wall color allows the blue shower tile and original tub to really shine!

This fun pop of color keeps that vintage feel and classic look of a 1960s bathroom.

2 | Update Bathroom Lights and Outlets/Switches

Vanity Light

The existing light fixture in our bathroom looks like it was replaced by the previous owners in the last decade or so, it is definitely not original. Because I am not doing a full bathroom renovation, I replaced this light fixture with a more era-appropriate bar light that works with the existing electrical box.

Another big issue in this bathroom was the spacing between the vanity light and the medicine cabinet.

The glass domes on the light hung in a way that prevented the medicine cabinet (on the wall to the right) from fully opening. It was only a matter of time before I opened the cabinet and shattered the glass light fixture.

Because I was not moving the placement of the vanity light, I chose a light fixture that no longer got in the way of the medicine cabinet. I love how it gives the retro bathroom an Art Deco vibe!

Old Electrical Outlets

When we moved into our home, we realized that every electrical outlet is installed upside down, including in the bathroom. 

After years of use, the outlets in our older home have become loose and no longer hold plugs tightly. In our bathroom, items would constantly become unplugged because of the loose outlets. 

I replaced all of the light switches and outlets with new, white outlets and flipped the socket right-side up.

3 | Clean the Retro Blue Bathroom Tiles

Cleaning the original bathroom tiles and grout makes a HUGE difference!

The square tiles are a popular mid-century material found in bathrooms stacked on top of each other to create clean lines. The entire design of the bathroom makeover is centered around the retro blue wall tile and they needed to really shine. 

I whipped up a homemade cleaning recipe and scrubbed the tiles and white grout until they sparkled! 

The white floor tile was in rough shape and in desperate need of a deep cleaning. Using a toothbrush and the DIY grout cleaner, I tackled the bathroom tile and it looks so much better with clean grout lines. Watching the grout go from brown to white is so satisfying!

*Check out our kids bathroom makeover where I replace the retro shower tile with white tile and dark grout that blends seamlessly with the original design!

4 | Cosmetic Updates in the Retro Bathroom

Because the bathroom did not get a complete renovation, the vintage style vanity got a budget-friendly makeover. A fresh coat of paint and new hardware was all this vanity needed to feel like new.

The bathroom cabinet is painted a crisp white color in a satin sheen. The flower knobs were swapped out with a simple round knob with a satin nickel finish.

I replaced the curtain rod along with the shower curtain. I really struggle with tension rods and decided to swap out the old brown one with a brushed nickel rod that connects to the wall.

5 | Retro Bathroom Organization

With the medicine cabinet now fully accessible and the bathroom vanity cabinets organized, I was able to finally clear off the counter!

Vintage Tray

To keep with the retro vibe of the bathroom, I added a vintage try found at an estate sale to collect odds and ends. The tray holds a small bowl that is the perfect spot for my jewelry that I take off at night.

Refillable Soap Dispenser

Around the sink, I added a re-fillable, glass soap dispenser that is functional and super cute!

Towel Hooks

Our bathroom desperately needed more places to hang towels. First, I hung a double hook next to the shower for easy access.

Over the toilet, I reused the towel rack that originally hung in the vanity room. The new location allows for easy access outside of the shower.

I installed double hooks on the back of each door as well. My goal is to avoid towels hanging on every doorknob in our bedroom and bathroom.

Shower Organization

Before the bathroom makeover, our shower tub was filled with bottles that lined the edges of the tub. Every time we used the shower we would kick a bottle into the tub.

To eliminate many of the soap bottles in our shower, I installed this stainless steel shower caddy to hold three refillable soap dispensers. It is SO nice to have soap bottles off of the ledge of the tub!

*Check out how I installed a shower niche in the kids bathroom to store soap bottles!

Chris and I decided to cut down on the number of shower products we used. Instead of having body wash that is made for “him” and “her”, we use the same one. The same goes for our shampoo and conditioner.

Decreasing the variety of products allows us to buy in bulk which creates less plastic by purchasing fewer bottles. This is just one sustainable change we made in our bathroom to make it more eco-friendly.

6 | Hang Modern Artwork

When I began planning this bathroom makeover, I knew I wanted to incorporate this custom art I had made for Chris’ birthday last year.

The abstract paintings show two of my family’s favorite places, the mountains, and Cape Cod. The blues worked perfectly with the vintage tile bathroom and we went from there!  

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With a little creativity and sweat equity, our retro bathroom looks beautiful and functions for the modern family today. Simple, affordable updates can make your vintage, original bathroom look like new!

Bathroom Makeover Source List

• Hand Towel Hook
• Custom Artwork by Caroline Morgan
• Wall Paint (Satin Sheen)
• Vanity Light and Light Bulbs
• White Pump Bottles
• Hanging Shower Caddy
• Mirrored Tray – vintage
• Vanity Knobs
• Shower Rod

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