Midcentury Family Bathroom Ideas and Designs
Cathie Hong InteriorsThis Willow Glen Eichler had undergone an 80s renovation that sadly didn't take the midcentury modern architecture into consideration. We converted both bathrooms back to a midcentury modern style with an infusion of Japandi elements. We borrowed space from the master bedroom to make the master ensuite a luxurious curbless wet room with soaking tub and Japanese tiles.
Urbana Design StudioGreen ceramic tile paired with a unique tile pattern creates a stunning contrast with the white tile, countertops and white oak cabinetry. The horizontal grain cabinetry creates a relaxing vibe.
Made by PatchiThis year might just be the year of the bathrooms. Since January, I have been working on six different bathroom projects. They range from full to partial renovation projects. I recently finished the design plans for the three bathrooms at the #themanchesterflip. I have also worked on a very cool master bathroom design project that has been approved and the work is scheduled to start by March. And then, there were the two fulls baths from #clientkoko that are now completed. Today I am happy to share the first one of them.
Pure Builders Inc.This modern grey and white guest bathroom has a timeless yet chic style. The dark grey double vanity and white linen closet cabinets blend wonderful with the white subway tiles and walls.
BSW DesignThis bathroom was a full gut-job. Transforming it from an old, tired beige-and-pink space to a cool, mid-deco retreat. We weren’t able to gain any more square footage, so we maximized storage using vertical space, drawers and smart shower shelving cut from marble slabs.
The finishes were inspired by the industrial 20s, including subway tile, matte black fixtures and a fun, vibrant pop of (my favourite) colour.
Moss Yaw Design studioa palette of heath wall tile (in kpfa green), large format terrazzo flooring, and painted flat-panel cabinetry, make for a playful and spacious secondary bathroom
The Artisans Group, Inc.Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces.
We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem.
Extensive alterations include:
- a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout
- vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness
- redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage
- the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other
- added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space
- drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan
- placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel
- incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed
- moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic
- mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences
- custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting
- development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker
- energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain
WrightWorks, LLCThe hall bath slate floor matches the entry slate material, in a stacked pattern, 12x24 format. A small closet at the end of the tub provides lots of storage. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR
Eden LA Furniture and InteriorsThis client has been a client with EdenLA since 2010, and this is one of the projects we have done with them through the years. We are in planning phases now of a historical Spanish stunner in Hancock Park, but more on that later. This home reflected our awesome clients' affinity for the modern. A slight sprucing turned into a full renovation complete with additions of this mid century modern house that was more fitting for their growing family. Working with this client is always truly collaborative and we enjoy the end results immensely. The custom gallery wall in this house was super fun to create and we love the faith our clients place in us.
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Design by Eden LA Interiors
Photo by Kim Pritchard Photography
Lucy Johnson Interior DesignGuest Bathroom with wood vanity warms up this cool color palette. Simple but stylish!
Cathie Hong InteriorsThis Willow Glen Eichler had undergone an 80s renovation that sadly didn't take the midcentury modern architecture into consideration. We converted both bathrooms back to a midcentury modern style with an infusion of Japandi elements. We borrowed space from the master bedroom to make the master ensuite a luxurious curbless wet room with soaking tub and Japanese tiles.
Moss Yaw Design studiogeometric tile featuring a grid pattern contrasts with the organic nature of the large-aggregate black and white terrazzo flooring at this custom shower
Midcentury Family Bathroom Ideas and Designs
Whether you’re doing a bathroom renovation or just a refresh; making your midcentury bathroom design brighter, cleaner and more attractive will make you feel happier to use it every day. If your bathroom is a small space in your home where you don’t spend much time, it’s time to think about alternatives. Browse the pictures to find inspiring bathroom ideas on Houzz, including stylish vanities, fancy toilets, taps, shower tiling, as well as storage ideas for small bathrooms. 
Shelves and shelving units, like ladder shelves, will give you extra space without taking up too much floor space. Also look for wire, wicker or fabric baskets, large and small, to store items under or next to the sink, or even on the wall. 
The sink, the mirror, shower and/or bath are the places where you might want the clearest and strongest light. You can use these if you want it to be bright and clear. Otherwise, you might want to look at some soft, ambient lighting in the form of chandeliers, short pendants or wall lamps. You could use accent lighting around your midcentury bath in the form to create a tranquil, spa feel, as well. 
How do I find retro bathroom ideas for my renovation?
If you’re starting your bathroom renovation from scratch, or ripping out and starting again, then once you’ve sorted the plan and the plumbing you’ll need to think about what kind of ideas you’d like. The easiest option is to get inspiration from bathroom professionals. However, if you’ve dreamt of a roll-top bath or a walk-in shower with heating at, then you might want to take longer looking for each item individually. Choosing all white elements will obviously tie everything together, but also think about the style you’re going for – ultra modern taps will clash with traditional Victorian-style wash basins. And it’s probably good to consider your flooring or surfaces, and walls to make sure everything will complement. Take a look through the different styles of bathroom designs on Houzz to get some inspiration. How do I select the right midcentury bathroom decor & furniture?
Selecting retro bathroom decor such as cabinets, mirrors, shelves or other furniture for bathrooms can be tricky. You want to consider the storage they offer while also making sure they make an attractive feature as you enter your bathroom. Don’t forget you need them to be durable and withstand the damp conditions, e.g. if you’re going for a painted cabinet make sure the paint is suitable for baths. For medicine cabinets you will find most have mirrored fronts, but you can find extra features such as clocks and shaving sockets built-in.What midcentury bathroom storage ideas should I look at?
While bathroom storage ideas is not the first thing you think of when it comes to bathrooms, you’ll be surprised at how much difference it makes when your bathroom is organised – specially if you’re dealing with a small bathroom, this is essential. We all know how accessories like bottles, toiletries, lotions and potions can pile up next to the bath. And where to put the cotton buds, painkillers, plasters, other medicine, creams and sanitary products? That’s not even considering using your bathroom as a place to store your towels and bathrobes. The first thing to consider when reviewing bathroom ideas is if you can invest in built-in bathroom storage. Large vanity units will have drawers and compartments to store a great number of toiletries and bathroom necessities, and if your bathroom or cloakroom has room for a built-in cupboard you can start storing small accessories and larger items there. If you can’t do anything on this scale, you could investigate built-in storage around the bath or look at less permanent options. Shelves and shelving units, like ladder shelves, will give you extra space without taking up too much floor space. Also look for wire, wicker or fabric baskets, large and small, to store items under or next to the sink, or even on the wall. What's the best ideas for lighting?
Water and electricity don’t mix, so make sure your bathroom lights are safe, first and foremost. There are actually regulations around what type of light fittings you can use and where – IP67 rating lights for submerged areas e.g. inside baths and sinks (Zone 0); IP65 for any area above a shower or bath (Zone 1); and IP44 rating for anything 0.6m from a bath or basin (Zone 2). After you’ve made sure your light fittings are safe and to-code, you can consider the type and style you’d like as your working through your retro bathroom ideas. The sink, the mirror, shower and/or bath are the places where you might want the clearest and strongest light. You can use these if you want it to be bright and clear. Otherwise, you might want to look at some soft, ambient lighting in the form of chandeliers, short pendants or wall lamps. You could use accent lighting around your midcentury bath in the form to create a tranquil, spa feel, as well. Bathroom tiles – what should I go for?
It’s rare to find bathrooms without tiles. Although it can be done with panelling, materials like tadelakt, waterproof paint, wallpaper or well-treated wood; bathroom tiles are so copious and easy to apply that it’s hard to avoid going with tiles in the bathroom. The great thing is that both floor tiles and wall tiles come in a huge variety of sizes, styles, colours and patterns, so you can remodel your room completely with whatever tile choices fit with your midcentury bathroom ideas. When it comes to flooring, tiles will be durable, easy to clean and deal well with water, but if you want something different you could go with modern concrete, traditional or country-style treated wooden floorboards, or a bit more quirky bamboo, cork or vinyl. What to do with small retro bathrooms?
The best small bathroom ideas will maximise the space you have. From installing a bidet to simple decorative tips there are plenty of things you can do to make it look bigger. Recessed shelves can make a huge difference both visually and practically to midcentury small bathrooms, so if you are able to have these installed when your walls are being renovated you could add some to your shower or sink area. You could choose pale colours and iridescent tiles that reflect the light, keep walls and ceilings the same colour and texture, and use complementary shades throughout the bathroom– fewer contrasts and transitions will help maintain the sense of space. Floating bathroom units also draw the eye to visible floor space underneath them, and clear glass shower screens will keep the room feeling open and airy. Finishing touches like artfully placed large mirrors will also make small bathrooms appear more expansive.6