Vintage Bathroom Ideas for Inviting Timeless Charm

Done in the right way, vintage bathroom ideas can add authentic, characterful charm. From claw-footed baths to retro hanging hooks, accessories and yes, your towels too, can create a retro look that transports straight back to a specific time and place. And whether it’s through eye-catching designs, larger bathroom suite investment, or a set of hand towels in a specific colour, the options are vast and the budgets can be kept small. 

When it comes to matching your aesthetic, Christy's towel collections are here, with many inspired by traditional techniques carried through 175 years of our craft. In this guide, we'll explore five clever ideas to give you a standout aesthetic with minimal fuss. Let's get started.

But First, What Is 'Vintage' Style?

'Vintage' is a bit of a catch-all for different style eras, but essentially, it's a way to capture a moment in time. Vintage-inspired towels are instantly recognisable for their choice of colours, patterns, weaves and detailing. But you don't need to be a textiles expert to appreciate or choose the right towels.

When you curate your bathroom, it might help to think of it like telling a story. Imagine the era, research the looks, and start collecting items that slot into this picture. Of course, the goal isn't to look 'old' or dated, but to add atmosphere. Extra investments, like pedestal sinks and old-style fixtures, will certainly help this along. 

But if budgets are limited, remember that what really brings a look together is the accessories. This is a sensory journey, and seemingly little things make the space feel pulled together and classic.

Key Eras and Design Elements

We say 'vintage', but in reality, each time period has its own feel, and like a film set, the furniture and the design touches immediately set the scene. So, which interior style is right for you?

The Art Deco style from the 1920s and '30s had a heavy emphasis on geometrics, with true glamour colour palettes that included gold and silver. Head to the 1950s, and you step into brighter pastel colours and playful motifs (think surrealist and Pop Art). Then we get grounded in the 1970s with earth colours and naturally inspired, oversized patterns, a progression from 60s flower power. Each of these key design periods and the spaces between them has something to offer.

To emulate this through home linens like towels, throws, cushions, and bedding, choose recognisable motifs, classic fabrics, and hallmark colour palettes. Here is a quick guide to show some popular vintage styles.

• Art Deco (1920s-1940s): Big on geometric shapes, stylised florals and strong lines. Colours include black, white, gold, and deep jewel tones, with textures that are plush, luxe and inviting.

• Mid-Century (1950s-1960s): Distinct in its atomic motifs typical of the Cold War period, simple florals, and abstract shapes. Choose from softer hues with a natural influence, like blush pink, mint green, turquoise, and avocado.

• Bohemian (1970s): Bold graphics, earthy patterns and textured weaves bring it home, styled in deeper but natural tones like mustard yellow, burnt orange, olive green, and brown.

Once you've identified the decade that fits your style, dig deep into what brings this to life. If you're not sure where to start, here are 5 quick ways to start nailing down your look.

1. Discovering Vintage Design Touches In Textiles

For textiles like towels (or bedding and soft furnishings), check subtle details and see how they stand out compared to modern versions. Texture is one way to start, but detailing, such as borders and trims, is perhaps most notable. Take our Renaissance towels, for instance, which have a very classic herringbone border, a specific reference to our first Royal Turkish Towels in 1850. 

Other touches in special jacquard or damask design detailing are perfect for period-style bathrooms. Damask is an ancient weaving technique with a history of over 2000 years, and jacquard was patented as a technique in the 19th century, but both have experienced key periods of revival across the decades. 

Although you won't often find towels constructed 100% as a damask or jacquard weave, you will see ornate borders in our luxury collections, drawn from these influences. And the same for our bedding, we often reference these design techniques in patterns and print.

Here are a few more tips to help you select design details:

• Floral Prints: These kinds of flower prints are often associated with mid-century bathrooms. They range from small and delicate to big and bright. If you don't want flower towels, you can use these motifs on the walls and pair them with colour-matched textiles.

• Damask and Jacquard Weaves: The instant feel of luxury and sophistication, these much-loved weaving techniques have the power to make a big impact, even when reserved for the smaller details.

• Geometric Patterns: Art Deco in the 50s and its counterpart in the 70s lean on bold shapes and stripes to make a statement without the 'fluff'.

2. Smart and Stylish Towel Storage Ideas

Once you've selected your towels, you need to show them off. There are plenty of ways to use them as a design feature with creative storage ranging from open shelving and rustic baskets to leaning ladder racks. 

When using storage like this, consider how you display everything within it. You can roll towels and put them in a wicker basket to add a spa feel, fold them and set them along open shelves, or create hanging spaces either on the rungs of a wooden ladder rack or on curated vintage door hooks.

Here’s how to make the most of these options:

• Open Shelving: Fold then stack towels, sorting them by colour or pattern.

• Wicker Baskets: Roll the towels to save space and instantly add a spa feel and textural balance.

• Ladder Racks: Drape one towel on each rung to show off several patterns at the same time.

• Wall Hooks: Add vintage hooks on the wall and hang towels alone to add a visual pop while drying them off between uses.

For further ideas, be sure to explore our 9 luxury towel storage ideas for your bathroom. 

3. Match Colour Palettes To The Era

Colour is such an evocative choice and is a crucial part of bringing a vintage bathroom look together. Circling right back to style eras, colour can also be a good way for you to choose which time period feels more 'you'. 

Some people love soft pastel shades, while others feel at home with strong earth colours. Every decade used its own colour mix, and knowing how to blend them with other design elements is instantly impactful. Here are some design notes:

• 1900s: Soft creams and muted blues set a serene backdrop, especially when paired with delicate floral patterns to capture the essence of elegance.

• 1930s: Embrace bold jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue, along with luxurious fabrics with Art Deco motifs to elevate your towels and blend with your décor.

• 1950s: Pastel pinks, mint greens, and buttery yellows create a cheerful ambience so recognisable from the post-War period. Pair with polka dots or stripes and integrate textural weaves for playful charm.

• 1970s: Rich, earthy tones like burnt orange, avocado green, and mustard yellow dominate this decade, and coordinating this with geometric patterns or plush textures will instantly evoke that laid-back bohemian vibe.

4. How to Coordinate Towels with Bathroom Décor

Integrating your towels with your bathroom design is such a simple and inexpensive trick to give the space personality. To master this coordination, start by looking at the main colours in the room, like the walls, tiles, or even your shower curtain. Towels in similar shades will blend in for an effortless effect, while a bold contrast in hues delivers that visual pop.

If your bathroom leans on the neutral side (all whites, creams, or greys), your towels are the perfect place to play. A bright colour or patterned set can bring the room to life, or if your bathroom is already colourful, softer or matching tones will bring calm and balance. Sometimes, even running with one shade from a piece of artwork or your shower curtain can bring the room together.

And don’t forget the little details. Matching your towels with things like a bath mat, soap dish, or even a decorative vase adds a finishing touch.

5. Transforming Furniture and Accessories

A simple coat of paint, or re-imagining how you use an item, can turn something timeworn into a unique feature. A painted chair can double as a place to rest clothes and towels, a weathered stool beside the tub becomes the perfect spot for a candle, soap, or a book, and a shelving unit, neatly filled with rolled towels, makes for storage that’s as stylish as it is functional.

These little touches bring personality to your bathroom while keeping things organised. Even unexpected details, like patterned plates displayed on the wall or a vase repurposed as a brush holder, can add bursts of colour and individuality. 

Pair these things with classic vintage fittings like brass taps, clawfoot tubs, ornate mirrors, or retro light fixtures, and you have a space brimming with personality.

Perfecting Retro Vintage Bathroom Ideas

Vintage style is all about blending charm with comfort. Whether it’s soft cotton towels, thoughtful storage ideas, or characterful accessories, each element creates a bathroom that feels warm, nostalgic, and uniquely yours. If you’d like more advice on how to select the perfect towel for your room, our customer service team is here to answer your questions. Simply get in touch today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find luxury or vintage-inspired towels?

Christy’s towels are made with time-honoured techniques and often reference our own archives, which span 175 years. Check the product details, subtle design flourishes, and select the right colours to set the tone and echo your chosen era.

What are some easy DIY projects for vintage bathroom décor?

Repurpose glass jars or bottles as elegant storage for cotton pads and swabs, or add charm with a stool, basket, or tray styled beside the bath. Small details often make the biggest difference.

How do I bring my vintage bathroom ideas to life?

Mix and match with intention. Pair a statement piece like an ornate mirror or clawfoot tub with smaller accessories such as upcycled furniture, patterned ceramics, or decorative lighting. Keep your colour palette cohesive to balance the eclectic touches, and you’ll create a bathroom that feels both stylish and serene.