Tips for Revitalizing Your Retro Bathroom Tile
Home renovations are pricey, and multi-room remodels in particular can rack up time and expenses rather quickly. Trust us, it’s ok to not spend an arm and a leg on every single room in the house. Besides, sometimes it's the simplest updates that bring the most personality to your home. Take our clients’ hall bath for example. The nearly 60 year-old teal tile looked good as new, but the fixtures and accessories left the space feeling a bit drab. In this post we’ll cover how they revamped their vintage tile into a fun and fresh bath for their kids.
1. Tile Check
We’ll be the first to admit that it’s ok to use what you’ve got– especially when you’ve got a bathroom with pristine vintage tile! Any successful room revamp starts with a good base. In order to avoid an all-out bathroom renovation, your tile has to be in great condition. Any cracked tiles or signs of water damage are an indication that your bathroom will need a complete remodel. Otherwise, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, and keep rolling with your retro tile!
2. Freshen Up the Plumbing Fixtures
Chances are, if your tile hasn’t changed in several decades, then the plumbing fixtures haven’t either. But hey, if matching your toilet to your tile is your thing, then keep it! Otherwise, we generally recommend new plumbing fixtures to avoid leaks and cut down on water usage.
3. Walls: The Bolder the Better
Ok, this is where things get fun. Your walls are really going to be what sets the tone for your space. An eye-catching, modern wallpaper is a great way to coordinate with your existing vintage tile. If paint is more your speed, then consider a deeper hue that contrasts with your tile design. No matter if you choose wallpaper or paint, we say the bolder, the better!
4. Go All In with Accents
If you’re going to go all out, you might as well carry it through to the details. Feel free to go a little out of your comfort zone with the light fixtures, mirrors, cabinet pulls, and art work. Chances are, they aren’t going to outshine your walls, but rather accentuate your bathroom’s overall look.
Design Idea: Kids' Bath Revamp
This hall bath is part of a large, full-home remodel. Despite being 60 years old, this tile looked as good as the day it was installed! Also, considering that this is the bathroom for their two young kids, our clients were open to a more youthful look for the space. A jungle themed wallpaper ended up being the perfect match for this retro tile. Combine that with a custom vanity and new plumbing fixtures, and this hall bathroom is good to go for another couple of decades!
Before and After Gallery
In the end, it's completely up to you whether your vintage tile stays or goes. However, giving it new life might just be a great way to save money and personalize your home! If you’re looking to remodel your home, contact us today.
