22 Vintage Bathroom Decor Ideas
When it comes to vintage bathroom decor, you don’t need to break down walls or rip out your tub to get that charming, old-world feel. With the right pieces, a bit of imagination, and some strategic styling, you can transform your bathroom into a graceful nod to the past — all without sacrificing function.
In this article, I’m opening up the vault of timeless vintage bathroom ideas. Whether you’re working with a small powder room or a sprawling master bath, you’ll discover ways to add soul, elegance, and warmth to your space.
1. Embrace the Clawfoot Tub Comeback
There’s something romantic about a clawfoot tub — the curved lines, the ornate feet, the vintage soul. Whether painted a bold navy or left in classic white, this one piece can instantly transform your bathroom into a scene straight out of a 1920s love story.
My grandmother had one tucked beneath a frosty window in her upstairs bath, and every Sunday evening she’d soak for hours. To this day, I associate clawfoot tubs with calm. It’s not just about aesthetics — they invite slow living.
Tip: Don’t hide it behind a curtain. Let it shine as the centerpiece.
2. Use Antique Dressers as Vanity Bases
Swap out your modern vanity for a repurposed vintage dresser. With a little plumbing magic and a marble or porcelain sink on top, it becomes a statement of charm and character.
I once found a scratched-up walnut dresser at a flea market for $60. With some TLC and a vessel sink, it became the hero of my small bathroom remodel. The patina? Unmatched.
Pro tip: Choose dressers with drawers deep enough to hide plumbing and keep your essentials tidy.
3. Add Beadboard or Wainscoting to Your Walls
Beadboard and wainscoting aren’t just wall treatments — they’re mood setters. Adding beadboard paneling halfway up the wall, topped with a chair rail, gives any bathroom a tailored, classic feel.
Paint it a creamy white, soft sage, or muted gray for an authentic vintage touch. Pair with hexagon or penny tile floors and you’ve just recreated a pre-war spa escape.
4. Go All-In with Vintage Tile
The unsung hero of vintage bathrooms? Tile. Think checkerboard black and white, pastel pink and mint squares, or tiny penny tiles with contrasting grout.
The bathroom in my first apartment had mint green tile halfway up the walls, paired with dusty pink trim. I thought it was outdated—until I realized it was iconic.
Don’t replace it. Lean in and style around it with coordinating textiles and fixtures.
5. Incorporate Gilded Mirrors and Frames
A gilded mirror can elevate even the simplest sink setup. Look for mirrors with intricate detailing, curved edges, or patina-rich gold leaf finishes. They instantly add drama and a sense of history.
If you have the space, flank it with antique-style sconces for a Parisian powder room vibe.
Insider trick: Estate sales and local auctions are goldmines for original frames that outshine modern reproductions.
6. Install Vintage-Inspired Lighting Fixtures
Lighting is where most bathrooms go wrong. Those builder-grade overhead lights? They rob your space of character. Instead, opt for vintage sconces, schoolhouse pendants, or milk glass globes.
When I replaced my plastic globe with a 1940s opal glass sconce, it was like switching from flip-flops to heels — same bathroom, but suddenly elegant.
Choose warm bulbs to mimic candlelight and create an intimate glow.
7. Pick an Old-School Color Palette
Vintage doesn’t mean beige. Lean into color palettes inspired by specific decades — soft robin’s egg blue, dusty rose, sage green, or even butter yellow.
One of the easiest ways to achieve vintage charm is with color. Paint your walls, vanity, or even tub to align with the era you’re channeling.
8. Feature Freestanding Cabinets and Linen Towers
Modern bathrooms rely on built-ins, but freestanding furniture is where vintage shines. Tall wood cabinets, open metal shelving, or even antique apothecary drawers add personality and function.
I rescued a tall wooden cabinet from a neighbor’s curb. With a little sanding and new hardware, it now holds rolled towels and perfumes — and everyone thinks it came from an antique shop.
Key takeaway: Look beyond bathroom furniture. Dining hutches, old bookcases, and even wine racks can be converted.
9. Frame Vintage Prints or Advertisements
Don’t underestimate the power of art. Frame vintage advertisements, botanical sketches, or black and white photographs to layer in history.
I once found a 1930s French soap ad at a thrift store for $5. Framed in an old brass frame, it now hangs over the toilet — and guests always ask where I bought it.
Mix and match frame sizes and styles for an authentic gallery wall.
10. Opt for Exposed Plumbing Fixtures
There’s something beautifully utilitarian about exposed pipes in a vintage bathroom. Whether it’s copper, brass, or chrome, visible plumbing beneath a pedestal sink or along a clawfoot tub adds architectural interest.
Vintage design didn’t try to hide function — it celebrated it. Choose fixtures with cross handles, gooseneck spouts, or porcelain-tipped taps.
11. Use Apothecary-Style Jars and Canisters
Declutter your vanity and add character by swapping plastic for glass apothecary jars. Store cotton balls, bath salts, or handmade soaps in clear containers with labeled lids.
It’s a small detail that speaks volumes. A row of apothecary jars on a shelf feels like stepping into a 1920s pharmacy — in the best way.
12. Bring in an Antique Chair or Stool
A well-worn wooden chair in the corner of a bathroom is more than just a perch — it’s a story. Drape it with a towel, use it for clothes, or place a candle on top. The scuffs and scratches become part of your bathroom’s narrative.
Look for pieces with chipped paint or curved backs for that charming, lived-in look.
13. Hang a Fabric Shower Curtain with Classic Patterns
Those plastic, mold-proof shower curtains? Functional, yes. But decorative? Not even close.
Instead, choose a fabric curtain with vintage-inspired prints — think toile, ticking stripe, floral chintz, or damask.
Bonus points if you use a brass or wrought-iron curtain rod and ring clips to hang it, giving it the feeling of a dramatic drape.
14. Style with Vintage Perfume Bottles and Trays
Bathrooms are the perfect place to indulge in some glamor. Style your vanity with cut-glass perfume bottles, silver trays, or mirrored compacts.
It’s not about function — it’s about ambiance. Even if you don’t use them, they whisper elegance and make everyday routines feel indulgent.
15. Layer in Vintage Rugs for Texture and Warmth
Don’t stick to bath mats. Instead, layer in a small Persian or Turkish rug. The worn wool underfoot brings warmth, color, and a touch of luxury to even the tiniest powder room.
I scored a faded runner at a local market and placed it in front of the tub — suddenly, the whole room felt richer.
Pro tip: Look for low-pile rugs to avoid mildew and make cleaning easier.
16. Refinish or Distress Wood Accents
Smooth, polished surfaces are great — but vintage thrives on imperfection. If you have wooden frames, cabinetry, or shelves, consider distressing or refinishing them to highlight their age.
Use chalk paint and sandpaper for a faux-aged look, or strip and wax for a natural, raw wood feel.
17. Introduce Wallpaper with Nostalgic Flair
Wallpaper can transform a bathroom faster than any other design choice. Look for vintage-inspired patterns — botanicals, toile, damask, or even Art Deco geometrics.
One bathroom I designed had a soft gray floral wallpaper behind a pedestal sink, and every time I stepped in, it felt like stepping into a Victorian daydream.
18. Incorporate Lace or Embroidered Curtains
Skip the heavy blinds. Opt for lace curtains or embroidered café panels to soften your windows and add a whisper of romance. Light filters through them in the most flattering way, and they’re surprisingly easy to find at antique stores.
Tip: Hang them on a tension rod or an old brass rod for an authentic touch.
19. Use Old Crates or Baskets for Storage
Storage doesn’t have to be sterile. Stack vintage crates, wooden boxes, or woven baskets to store toilet paper, towels, or bath toys.
I once used an old wine crate to hold rolled washcloths. Functional? Absolutely. But also filled with character.
20. Choose Vintage Faucets and Handles
Hardware is like jewelry for your bathroom. Swap out modern handles for porcelain and brass knobs, crystal pulls, or cross-handle faucets with retro charm.
Many hardware stores now carry vintage-replica plumbing fixtures — or go the authentic route with salvage yards.
21. Display Antique Books or Magazines
Place a small stack of vintage books or magazines on a stool or in a basket for a lived-in touch. Think old poetry collections, Reader’s Digest, or weathered decor books.
It’s the kind of detail most won’t notice consciously, but it adds layers of depth and nostalgia.
22. Add a Touch of Nature — The Vintage Way
Finish off your vintage bathroom with a bit of green. Place a fern in a porcelain pitcher, hang a dried flower bouquet, or tuck sprigs of eucalyptus into a glass bottle.
Nature, styled thoughtfully, gives your bathroom the warmth and softness of a room that’s been cared for through the decades.
Conclusion
Decorating a bathroom with vintage flair isn’t about playing dress-up. It’s about creating a space that feels loved, lived-in, and rich with story. It’s about morning rituals that feel sacred and nighttime routines that soothe the soul.
You don’t need to gut-renovate or spend a fortune. All you need is an eye for detail, a love for the past, and the courage to say goodbye to boring.
