My heart breaks a little every time I see a charming powdery pink and teal bathroom swapped out for the usual cream and monochromatic marble. It’s the standard practice these days, but what if we’ve gotten it all wrong? The pendulum seems to be swinging back, and bathrooms are now looking to the past for a stylish revival —if the array of retro bathroom accessories out there are anything to go by.
Early to mid-20th-century bathrooms felt decadent, interesting — jewelry-box-like — in a way that today’s often lack. Think purple tiles, terracotta tubs, and the glossiness of a jet-black toilet. We have Kohler, the originator of this colorful style, to thank for that. “The charm of retro bathroom design lies in its blend of bold colors, intricate patterns, and vintage fixtures that create a space with real character — one you actually want to spend time in,” says Kohler Marketing Director Alyssa Wilterdink.
