Retro-style bathroom – rich aesthetics, functional interior!

The classic style, also known as retro or vintage, is the kind of aesthetic that looks particularly striking in bathroom schemes. The effect is impressive, however, only when the individual elements of the bathroom décor work together in harmony. It’s true that the retro style is rich in ornamentation, but it’s worth using embellishment wisely. Then a retro bathroom becomes truly captivating, functional and… timeless!

Retro bathroom and its fittings

Bathroom furniture, brassware, ceramics and baths must, in a vintage bathroom, follow a particular aesthetic. It isn’t uniform, but it does have several features that set it apart from modern or minimalist styles. If you’re going for a retro tap for the bathroom, choose one with brass handles. Retro tap: https://lazienka-rea.com.pl/bateria-umywalkowa-rea-retro-old-black.html for the basin shouldn’t be too modern, so it’s worth avoiding contemporary solutions and opting for classic ones!

A vintage-style bathroom will, through its fittings, reference a distinctly pre-war aesthetic – the bathrooms of the well-to-do middle classes, even the aristocracy! Contemporary bathroom radiators are devoid of ornament, whereas those in a vintage/retro style are distinguished by a wealth of detailing, fluting and relief. They are indeed more expensive than simple radiators and made from different materials (brass, copper), but their aesthetics and design are hard to mistake for anything else.

Basin, bath and shower brassware also has a distinctive look. Vintage-style models are primarily gold, copper and brass, less often silver or steel. The latter – if you do opt for them – are usually made of stainless steel. The shapes of retro fittings are distinctive too, echoing the trends of the 1920s and 1930s (broad, bell-like shower heads, knobbed tap handles and long spouts).

The aesthetics of the basin and bath themselves also matter. An embellished basin and a cast-iron or stone bath on beautifully carved feet will make a retro bathroom interior even richer. Of course, a claw-foot bath requires a little more space (and, if it’s heavy, a suitably strong floor/ceiling slab) than a modern built-in one, but for smaller bathrooms you can opt for a styled shower enclosure.

Colour scheme and accessories

There isn’t just one answer to this, though there are colours commonly associated with the retro style. Chiefly light tones, gold, shades of grey or silver, but also black and other dark hues. The latter work especially well when used as accents.

A large, spacious vintage bathroom full of white, with tiling styled on pre-war designs in light colours, will look even more impressive when the bathroom furniture and the floor are kept dark. The countertop basins will, of course, also be light and creamy, but their black plinths provide an excellent counterpoint to the light tones, harmonising with the bright backdrop of the interior!

By contrast, bathrooms styled to be especially refined will look great when most of their elements are kept in gold. Ornate chandeliers, mirrors in gilded frames with fanciful shapes, a bath on golden feet and the obligatory taps in similar tones are a great recipe for a vintage bathroom with a strong dose of glamour!

Beyond the essentials — basin, bath or toilet — it’s also worth choosing accessories with care. These might include styled golden towel holders, soap dispensers, small flower vases or baskets for toiletries. You can have quite a few accessories, but in smaller bathrooms it’s best not to go overboard. Retro style does allow for a touch of opulence, but better in slightly larger spaces.

It’s worth stressing, however, that a retro bathroom can draw inspiration from other styles — just adapt them appropriately to achieve an interesting effect, for example by combining retro with glamour! There really are plenty of possibilities, and the style should adapt to the household, not the other way round, so do experiment and don’t be afraid to break (some!) of the rules that apply within a given style!