Update a Mid-Century Bathroom

Here are some examples of typical Mid-Century bathrooms that many homes have.  Usually they have colored tile, toilets, bathtubs and sinks, which makes updating difficult without having to rip it all out.  Sometimes you just need to work with what you have until it's time to gut or maybe you love the look, so here are some ideas of how to update, without tearing everything out!

Here's what you're starting with....

But, your bath could look more like this ...

Another typical pink bathroom....

Or Shazam and it looks like this ......

Here are some inexpensive ways to update that old bathroom without ripping it to shreds:

A - Paint the walls with a neutral, like cream, white or grey maybe even soft colors that will coordinate with your color of tile.  A fresh coat of paint will go a long way in making your bathroom seem more up-to-date.

Or Wallpaper

Ferm Living, Half Moon

B - Paint the door and trim in the room. This will help to make the space feel fresh and bright.

C - Add large art to create a distraction from all that tile!

Art Space: Isca Greenfield-Sanders

Art.com: A Good Read  

Cozmia, Wild Herringbone

D - Change the sink with a new above counter sink that is large enough to cover the hole of the existing sink.  This way you don't have to disrupt the tile countertop.  White sinks are generally the least expensive finish.  

Kohler Purist Sink

Kohler Memoirs Sink

1 - Add a new sink faucet to modernize a little bit.

Polished Chrome is also the least expensive finish for faucets and towel bars.

Kohler Purist Faucet

Kohler Bancroft Faucet

2 - Change out the tub faucet if you can get to the plumbing from the backside of the wall.  Usually there will be a vent or door to access the plumbing.  If it's sheetrock you can cut it and patch.  If it's tile then you will have to live with the faucet until you are ready to remove tile!

Plumbing Access

E & 3 - Add a towel bar above the built-in soap alcove so that way the hanging towel will hide it.

F - Dress up the window with a grasscloth or fabric roman shade

The Shade Store

4 - If the tub is dingy, then have it refinished (painted).  It cost approximately $500.

5 - Remove towel rings (they are in a weird place), fill holes with grout and paint the grout to match the tile.  Clean the grout in the entire bathroom by using elbow grease or hire someone to steam clean.  You can always have the tile painted as well.  If professionally done it will last longer, though still subject to scratching.

G -A large tray on the counter can hide the tile countertop and give you a neutral base.

Jonathan Alder Lacquer Hexagon Tray

West Elm Leah Durner Tray

H - Use a few decorative accessories to bring your color scheme together.


I - Add a shower curtain to soften the tile walls.  You can embrace the color of the tile or you could go with a neutral to calm the color.  Also, by using art, wallpaper, rugs, shower curtains, you can introduce another color into the scheme.

Crate & Barrel Marimekko Unikko Red

West Elm Border Shower Curtain

Serena & Lily Feather Shower Curtain

J - A rug can cover a not so attractive floor tile, a runner may give you the most coverage since generally these bathrooms are long and narrow.

Surya, Fallon

Surya Frontier

There are so many options and styles that you can adapt this mid-century design to.  Send me some of your updates at brandy@twineinteriors.com

~brandy