Today’s top interior designers still take cues from the mid-century modern era’s playful colors, sculptural shapes, and innovative materials. And mid-century modern bathroom ideas prove it’s the perfect place to experiment with the look, with the room’s more intimate scale meaning you can really make a splash.
The principles of a mid-century modern home are all about blending clever function with striking forms, and the design language of mid-century greats like Richard Neutra and the Eames (who all cherished efficiency as much as aesthetics) hasn’t dated. It translates fluently to mid-century modern bathroom ideas in a way that looks and feels contemporary.
Whether you’re on the hunt for new tiles or are considering going for a full-scale bathroom renovation, each of the expert-approved mid-century modern bathroom ideas below is positively dripping with style.
1. Blend Your influences
Mid-century modern designers loved to use materials in a stand-out way, and this bathroom shows how ‘now’ the effect can look.
(Image credit: Yoshihiro Makino. Design: Jamie Bush + Co)
If you want to give an updated spin on mid-century, don’t be afraid to mix in other points of view. “This bathroom was created with more than a nod to the historical mid-century homes in the surrounding area, but we were also inspired by the Japanese idea of Wabi-Sabi,” explains its designer, Jamie Bush.
The mix of contrasts in the space marries the two influences perfectly — the floor and walls are lined in a book-match gray quartzite, and the ceiling is clad in warm wood to give an organic, raw quality.
Curves are another classic feature of mid-century design. “Here, we used them on the rounded ends of the vanity and the arc of the shower enclosure to soften the rectilinear space,” says Jamie.
2. Reinvent and Refine
This mid-century modern bathroom features a thoughtful use of vintage furniture, giving it an added sense of purpose.
(Image credit: James McDonald. Design: The Lore Group)
There’s a treasure trove of authentic mid-century furniture out there, if you know where to look. One of our go-to marketplaces is Vinterior, a specialized online retailer who have just collaborated with London’s Sea Containers Hotel to craft a mid-century modern suite.
Its designer Jacu Strauss, Lore Group’s design and creative director, explains the thought process behind the ensuite. “Mid-century modern design is perfect as it focuses on usable, durable pieces that still look rich and beautiful,” he says. “The mirrors were a great find, and their organic shapes add a sense of playfulness.”
“The vanity unit is actually a refurbished and upcycled vintage sideboard,” reveals Jacu. “I love the mix of elements, the wood, the metal, the marble. It is incredibly durable and transforms the piece into something highly practical for a bathroom.”
H&M
Large Mango Wood Mirror
Dark timbers are common in mid-century modern bathrooms, and this organic-shaped mirror feels like a fun way to do it.
Jacu heads up the Lore hotel group’s creative team. He conceptualized and designed both the Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam and the Riggs Washington DC. In both instances, he moved to the cities to understand their look, feel and vibe before applying what he’d learned to the execution.
3. Go for Serenity
A gentle mix of color and tactile materials gives this mid-century bathroom idea a calming feel.
(Image credit: Caitlin Atkinson. Design: And And And Studio)
This mid-century modern bathroom’s full-height window looks out over a lush garden, which became the starting point for the colors and textures used within it. The effect? A calming, zen-like space dedicated to relaxation, rather than just a room to quickly pop in and out of.
“Materials are a huge source of inspiration in this bathroom,” says Annie Ritz, who created it as part of an ongoing project for And And And Studio. “There’s a fresh, holistic feel in the space from the soft green bathroom tiles, the toffee terrazzo and the wood, all chosen with a mind to the mid-century.”
On her contemporary interpretation of the mid-century look, Annie explains that design is always looking forward. “I think creativity comes with love and reference to the past, but with an open-mindedness to the future,” she says.
4. Decorate with pattern
Wallpapering a powder room is an iconic decorating move for a reason. Mid-century modern prints often feature repeating patterns.
(Image credit: Buff Strickland. Design: Andrea Leigh Interiors)
Mid-century modern bathroom ideas should be all about geometric patterns, often interpreted in a fairly organic way. A contemporary example? Phillip Jeffries’ retro-inspired ‘Modern Moon’ bathroom wallpaper, pictured in Dusty Green as the centerpiece of this bathroom.
“It was the first selection we made for the space,” its designer, Andrea Leigh explains. “The patterned wallpaper helps to make the bathroom something of a fun surprise in this home.”
If you’re introducing a pattern into a bathroom, think about ways to use the colors from within the design elsewhere in the space. “We replicated the green of the paper for the window trim and the inside of the jib door,” reveals Andrea.
Graham & Brown
Stitch Craze Sage Wallpaper
If you’re opting for wallpaper as a mid-century modern bathroom idea, try to find a geometric pattern, to really channel the era.
5. Embrace the Landscape
A wow-factor tub sits below a characteristically mid-century clerestory window in this Phoenix bathroom.
(Image credit: Kevin Brost. Design: Kaitlyn Wolfe)
The best mid-century modern bathroom ideas feel rooted in their environments, using materials that connect both inside and out for a natural bathroom feel. Rather than simply relying on surface-level details, architects and designers loved to make a statement.
“We wanted to embrace the organic desert landscape in this bathroom renovation, which is part of a 1960s home near the Camelback Mountains in Arizona,” explains its designer, Kaitlyn Wolfe. “We preserved the spirit of the original architecture while layering in tactile materials that reflect the surrounding landscape.”
As the centerpiece, the Konkret bathtub is made from stone, sand, and cement. “This is one of the standouts in the space,” says Kaitlyn. “It complements the natural tones of the flagstone walls, while earthy tiled floors add a further layer of dimension and texture.”
Based in Arizona, Kaitlyn heads up a residential and commercial project team working across interior design and construction. She is known for taking inspiration from natural materials and has a passion for travel — she’s even visited each of the 63 US National Parks.
6. Throw a Curve
Blue graphic tiles were chosen for this bathroom project in San Francisco, to reflect the home’s calm and serene take on mid-century modern style.
(Image credit: Jessica Burke. Design: Regan Baker Design)
Shower room ideas deserve a bit more playfulness. Tiles are the perfect way to play with the mid-century modern era’s love of curves — for a contemporary look, go for a more abstract, restrained tile layout.
“These tiles from Smink Studio are another element of this mid-century home’s love of curves, with their graphic silhouettes playing off the mid-century feel that also comes from the oak vanity and its circular handles,” explains the bathroom’s designer Regan Baker.
“We chose a watery blue color palette to pop against the white, keeping the space feeling bright and contemporary,” she adds. “The blue is also a graphic representation of our client’s love of artistic synchronized swimming.”
7. ‘Wow’ With a Window
The circular window in this mid-century modern bathroom offers a counterpoint to the space’s otherwise linear geometry.
(Image credit: Anson Smart. Design: Studio Doherty)
Mid-century architects loved creating spaces with oversized or statement windows, and this design principle is just one of many from the era that has endured. In this bathroom, the circular window connects the space to the landscape.
“Our clients have a deep love of mid-century architecture,” explains Phoebe Lipscombe, the lead designer on this project for Studio Doherty. “The circular pivot window was a bold move, one that required some serious coordination between us, the builder, and the steel fabricator, but it felt like the perfect opportunity to create a porthole-style view into the lush bamboo garden and create a sense of retreat and relaxation.”
“It makes the space feel like a capsule of calm that feels grounded and immersive,” adds Phoebe. “The use of a single material, the apple green mosaic tile, was a deliberate move to create a serene atmosphere and allow the bold, sculptural forms within the space to breathe.”
8. Rough It Up
This Sydney bathroom blends mid-century modern with influences from Brazil’s brutalist architecture.
(Image credit: Anson Smart. Design: Greg Natale)
There’s no reason you can’t make mid-century modern bathroom ideas skew more contemporary or industrial, and, in fact, the contrast can become a defining feature.
“This bathroom embraces this in a layered, intentional way,” explains its designer Greg Natale. “The off-form concrete, the softness of the greenery, the glamour of the chandelier are all an interplay that creates a visual tension; they amplify each other rather than compete.”
The space was created for the designer’s friends. “They have a deep appreciation for modernist design and really encouraged me to lean into mid-century influences,” Greg reveals. “This comes through in all of the detailing: the legs on the custom vanity, the wood frame around the mirror, the built-in shelf: they’re all a reflection of the era’s warmth, functionality, and clean lines in a space balanced with other influences.”
House Doctor
Cement Toothbrush Holder in Concrete
You don’t have to go big to bring a bit of industrial ‘roughness’ into your mid-century modern bathroom ideas — even simple decor touches can work.
9. Give a Hint
This contemporary en suite feels fresh, with the mid-century look interpreted in an uplifting way.
(Image credit: YesColours)
In small bathrooms, such as en-suites and off-hallway powder rooms, introducing mid-century modern bathroom ideas with a single statement piece can be a smart way to bring depth to the space.
“Just the one mid-century piece, like a wooden vanity or cabinet, can inject soul and a sense of history into an otherwise contemporary space,” says interior design authority Martin Waller of Andrew Martin. “It’s a subtle nod, but an effective one that creates a layered atmosphere.”
This floating teak vanity, upcycled from a sideboard, works with the vertical arrangement of the wall tiles and the soft curves of the mirror to imbue the bathroom with a gentle hint of mid-century modern that works well for the tight square footage.
10. Swoon for Stone
Terrazzo is an iconic material in mid-century modern design. This bathroom’s black and white version lends a sophistication to the stone.
(Image credit: Mood Authors. Design: Jagoda Sergiel)
“For this bathroom, my clients wanted somewhere that incorporated their love of vintage and mid-century, but in a really modern way,” explains interior designer Jagoda Sergiel.
To nod to the era, Jagoda’s studio immediately decided to use terrazzo on the floors, bringing the stone, in some parts of the space, up to the walls. “The stone comes from the Italian manufacturer Fondovalle,” says Jagoda.
“We chose a neutral version of the stone to allow the vibrant colors of the ceiling and basin to come through in a way that makes the whole space feel vivid, sunny, and full of life.”
FAQs
Can I Mix Mid-century Modern With Other Styles in a Bathroom?
Yes! As the mid-century modern bathroom ideas above prove, some of the most beautiful designs borrow influences from other eras and styles. From the way wood and stone are layered into a scheme to creative ways to use pattern and colors, the key is balance.
You can choose to make the most of a single element (a mid-century piece of furniture, say, or a retro-inspired wallpaper) and keep the rest of the space in a Japanese-inspired minimalist vibe or a grittier, more industrial one.
In fact, mixing in other styles will give your mid-century modern bathroom ideas a considered look that feels indisputably ‘now’.
If you’re considering giving your space a new look, we suggest adding these mid-century modern bathroom ideas straight to your decorating moodboard.
But why stop there? Take a peek at our guide to mid-century modern bedroom ideas and bring the look to even more of your home.
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