The phrase “Modern Vintage” is a paradox. It sounds like a theme that should be entirely at odds with itself, but modern vintage is rapidly a growing interior trend.

Many people are beginning to combine classic pieces with contemporary elements to create eclectic spaces unique to their own style. If you find yourself wanting a traditional feel, but enjoying the clean lines and simplicity that comes with modern design, perhaps you should consider adding both to your bathroom.

As we always say, there aren’t any hard and fast rules to decorating your bathroom. The choice is entirely up to you, so if you want to mix contemporary with tradition, we say go for it!

We’ve composed this guide to help you work out the best way to inject both the old and the new into your space – including some of our favourite combinations, as well as some things to avoid.

Planning your modern vintage bathroom makeover

If you think that modern vintage might be the perfect theme for your bathroom, you will need to plan it. Because the fixtures and décor of a modern vintage setting aren’t designed to complement one another, you will need to do some serious thinking before you can even begin shopping for the different elements.

For an eclectic bathroom theme such as this one, creating a moodboard is one of our favourite ways to plan. This can allow you to map out what kind of textures, colours and fixtures you want to mix in. And, because it is a visual plan, it will display to you whether or not your idea will work out aesthetically.

Bathroom fixtures

If you’re planning a complete renovation, the best place to start is with the fixtures. These are among some of the more important bathroom elements, as they need to be functional and pleasing to the eye.

Mixing and matching with your bathroom fixtures will also allow you to get a better idea of the balance of modern to traditional that you want to go for. This will seep into the other design choices you make for your space.

Showers

Despite showers being a relatively modern fixture in UK bathrooms, they have a long history. Because of this, most fittings tend to remain quite traditional.

Even the most contemporary fixtures tend to take inspiration from the rounded shapes and elegant loops of traditional showers. This means that you can add almost any kind of shower to a modern vintage bathroom, and it will work impeccably.

Where you do find a shower that isn’t remotely traditional, such as a waterfall shower, having it installed over a roll top or freestanding tub is a great way to combine the two. Additionally, choosing something in brass or gold metalwork can particularly enhance a modern vintage vibe.

Something to watch out for when selecting your shower is the enclosure that you choose. Whilst showers themselves tend to work in any setting, a modern enclosure in a traditional space can tend to look a bit jarring. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a modern enclosure at all – you just need to be careful with how you include it. Our shower wall panels are perfect for creating a shower enclosure - or, if you're working with limited space, consider our wet room wall panels.

For example, a designer walk-in shower can still look incredibly chic if you use an on-trend black framed shower screen. Combining this modern element with a mosaic floor tile can allow both the modern and traditional elements to shine and complement each other.

Baths

A bath can make or break your bathroom – because they take up so much space, they are usually the focal point of the room. When you choose something deliberately eye-catching, they are the ultimate statement piece.

As we’ve already mentioned, a roll top bath is a classic choice – not just for a modern vintage theme but for any bathroom. Roll top baths exude a sense of traditional elegance and luxury and paired with a free-standing modern tap, they can be the ideal modern vintage fixture.

To enhance the modernity further, consider sourcing a colourful roll top; any colour will do, as long as it matches the rest of the bathroom!

If a roll top bath isn’t for you, any bath will work; a freestanding contemporary soaking tub alongside brass vintage taps can look wonderful. Even if your bathroom is a little smaller than you’d like, you don’t have to limit your vision. A shower-bath combination can look just as lovely, with a simple shower screen and some traditional accessories, as well as some tile effect wall panels.

Basins and vanities

When it comes to modern vintage, you have the luxury of choosing a classic style that incorporates modern convenience.

Instead of choosing a pedestal sink, consider installing a counter-top basin over a vintage vanity for storage options underneath. Upcycling works particularly well for a modern vintage bathroom, so you could even take an old dresser and install a sink on top of it.

In these circumstances, the simpler the sink, the more it will pay off for your theme. Again, add some brass or gold traditional taps, and you have the perfect modern vintage hybrid. A plain ceramic sink can hark back to the washbasins you might find in a Victorian home, allowing you to bring modern vintage décor even to the smallest of bathrooms.

Another way to bring modernity into a basin is to select black metalwork instead of a metallic shade. This is ultra-modern and one of our favourite trends this year.

Toilets

As with the sink, the more simplistic the toilet is, the better it will look. A traditional back-to-wall toilet will blend well with both the contemporary and traditional elements in the room.

If you want a contemporary fixture, a wall-hung toilet with a concealed cistern can work alongside a roll top bath in contrast.

And, if you want something more traditional, you could opt for a long chain flush as seen in old-fashioned toilets.

Modern vintage colour schemes

When it comes to modern vintage, anything goes! Therefore, any colour will work well in this scheme providing nothing clashes. A great way of creating a modern vintage bathroom is by using a contemporary, neutral shade alongside really traditional fixtures.

Moody, deep tones also work perfectly for modern vintage, especially deep blues and greens. Offsetting these colours with a subway tile wall panel can create a clean look with different textures, and is pleasing to the eye. For a more modern wall, select concrete or red brick bathroom wall panels, and combine these with vintage features.

Additionally, a classic monochrome never goes out of style – and you can easily find both modern and traditional fixtures to complement the theme. We have all the white wall panels and black wall panels you need to achieve this theme.

Heating and mirrors

A great way to incorporate traditional elements into a bathroom is to install vintage heating solutions. A heated towel rail in the form of a brass or chrome heater is the perfect way to inject the old into the new. Tall, narrow radiators also save the same purpose.

A traditional bathroom can be well offset by a clean, modern mirror. Avoid gilt frames, and opt instead for large, round mirrors. Even pill-shaped mirrors will do the trick; they will help to enhance the natural lighting and tie the room together.

Accessories

Placing a vintage sconce on either side of a mirror – or between two mirrors – is a great way to add some old-fashioned luxury into your bathroom. Even beside the most contemporary features, a metallic sconce with a small lamp will look timeless.

Bring in some tropical, leafy plants to add an element of freshness into the space. Not only will this look nice, but it will help with improve the air quality.

Aside from this, incorporate art and pictures by creating a gallery wall. This is a recent trend, but with a collection of old frames, it’s a great modern vintage feature. You can add a mixture of accessories beyond this, from metallic trays topped with modern candles, vintage vases and fresh flowers to old-fashioned soap dishes and dispensers.