10 Best Midcentury Modern Bathroom Design Ideas
Spanning over several decades, mid-century modern is a behemoth of a style. It has its hands in every pot in terms of the shapes, colors, and textures that it encompasses. The same goes for bathrooms that emulate its style — some look so vastly different that it's hard to believe they're inspired by the same time frame.
While some of these characteristics can be found throughout (like wood vanities and vibrant paint colors or tile), you'll find that some powder rooms will hold more tightly to the vintage pastel colors of the '50s while others resemble the funky bohemian textures that entered in the late '60s and early '70s.
But that's what makes this style so wonderful. While your bedroom, living room, and kitchen may already be decked out in lucite chairs, terrazzo tile, wooden buffets, and hairpin legged tables, it's time for your bathroom to get the mid-century modern treatment.
If you're part of the large (and ever-growing) mid-century modern fan club, take a stroll through the following 10 bathroom ideas so you can reflect your affinity for this look in every room of your home.
01 Embrace Wood Paneling
It's a polarizing feature, wood paneling. Some think it's far too reminiscent of what could be considered a design faux pas of years past, but when constructed to perfection it can be a stunning addition to any bathroom. Try using it to frame your shower or line the walls and it'll serve as an instant time portal to mid-century modern style.
02 Focus on Lighting
You can infuse a good dose of mid-century modern flair through lighting alone. The oblong wall-mounted lights here are sleek and play beautifully off of the sharp black hardware, mirror frame, and faucets. If you're going to spend money on one thing for refreshing a bathroom, lighting can do so much.
03 Don't Be Shy to Experiment With Color
Pink, teal, olive green, and orange are just a few of the fun shades that were seen during the decades that mid-century modern covered. If you have a particular shade, like this fun bubblegum pink, that you're too timid to try in another room, coat the walls of your bathroom in it. You'll be staying true to your style and incorporating some extra fun tones.
04 Experiment With Shapes and Sizes
Mid-Century Sconce with Floral Linen Shade, Hardwired Indoor Wall Lamp with Curly Brass Arm, Vintage Wall Decor Lighting Fixture for Bedroom, Hallway, Bathroom, Staircase
The different circumferences of circular shapes reflected in everything from the mirror to the cabinet pulls are a chic complement to the angles of the vanity and tiles used on the floor. This is a nice little added bit of detail that's reminiscent of mid-century modern design. The selection of neutral colors also means that this bathroom will stay timeless for decades.
05 Cover Your Walls With Pops of Color
This room feels a little Art Deco and a little mid-century modern. The tile and bold green on the walls matched with the cylindrical mirror and rounded lights make this powder room an absolute show stopper (we're about ready to grab our own paint brushes). The jewel-toned hue, which can be found during any number of style eras, make for a bathroom that feels fun and far from boring.
06 Make a Minimalist Mark
Sure, many mid-century modern palettes include bright and bold tones, but muted color schemes are equally as popular. If you prefer quiet shades in your bathroom, stick with beiges, browns, grays, blacks, and metallics. A clean, simple bathroom like this is also reminiscent of Scandi-inspired spaces.
07 Lace in Just a Hint
It's completely possible to incorporate just a few touches of mid-century modern style to your bathroom if you appreciate several aspects but are satisfied with the set up you already have. Here, a wooden bar across the vanity, a rounded and angular mirror, and thick black accents all contribute to a slight air of mid-century modern without completely transforming the space.
08 Experiment With Fresh Colors
The funky tile coating the walls of this bathroom is one for the books. While it's elegant, it has fun at the same time and encompasses some mid-century modern traits, including contrasting the boxy vanity and rectangular tiles against the rounded mirror and sink. If you needed any help in constructing a space that pulled from eras past and mixed it with details (and color schemes) that pass as trendy today, this is it.
09 Source Wooden Focal Points
Blown Glass Steel Frame Triple Sconce Collection - Stylish Glass Sconce Options, Bathroom Sconces
Dark wood is a common feature, but if you prefer lighter shades of the material, switch it up. This flat-faced unit of drawers matches the shelving system behind it and maintains the simple shapes and details that mid-century modern design is known for.
10 Make a Major Mid-Century Modern Statement
A bathtub surrounded with wood? Yes, please. Not only that, but the matching wooden vanity and stool with tapered legs scream mid-century modern. If you have the space, it's totally worth creating an entire little vignette to really encapsulate the style. Even if you already have a fabulous set up, you can replace the legs on your furniture or your cabinet doors to really infuse this look.
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