While I’m still waiting to share the finished kitchen, I wanted to talk about another unfinished space in the house: the mint-and-pink bathroom. A few readers asked to see it after I mentioned the pink tub, so here it is.
Would I choose mint green and pink for a bathroom design on purpose? Probably not. I appreciate vintage style and color, and many vintage bathrooms are charming, but this particular color combination isn’t working for me. At least the room was clean and well cared for when we bought the house, which I appreciated.
Here’s the pink tub. Together with the wall and tile colors, it makes me think of multicolored antacid tablets — not the most comforting image when I’m heading into the bathroom. If you love this palette, I won’t begrudge you; vintage mint-and-pink bathrooms can be delightful for some.
I actually love vintage bathrooms. I kept vintage bathrooms in previous homes and grew up with one that had yellow and black tile — a cute, bumble bee–like look. In our old English Tudor we preserved several vintage bathrooms rather than replacing or painting the tile. I even have photos from those projects that show how vintage elements can be maintained while making thoughtful updates.
One 1930s bathroom in that home had terrible wallpaper when we moved in, so we stripped it and painted the walls. After thorough cleaning and adding vintage-style faucets, lighting, and an old-looking medicine cabinet, the rest of the room stayed original and looked great.
Another 1930s bath had black velvet wallpaper when we moved in — dark and oddly dramatic — but after removing the paper and cleaning, we kept the mint tile and paired it with black soapstone counters and a bamboo shade. The green-and-black combination with natural wood felt classy to me.
This current green-and-pink bathroom, however, leaves me unsure. Pink bathrooms are trendy and can be adorable — I’ve shared pink tub inspiration before — but I haven’t fallen for this specific room. Since taking the “before” photos I’ve added a shower curtain, a leftover bamboo shade, and a black doorknob, but I still don’t love it.
Older bathroom tile is different from modern tile: it’s usually fixed in place and not easily removed, which is one reason preserving original tile can make sense. Still, there are several functional and aesthetic issues here:
- The vanity is very short (and I’m only 5’2″), with tiny, inefficient drawers.
- Some floor tiles are loose and grout is thick and difficult to keep clean; grout lines appear to have been repainted or renewed in places.
- Large mirrors around the vanity appear semi-broken and look unsafe to remove without help.
- The tub is cast iron, so it’s heavy and not going anywhere without a major effort; aside from its color, cast-iron tubs are great.
- The toilet is a newer Kohler, which is a plus.
Long term, I’d like to reconfigure this space into a modest master suite if possible. We have another bathroom downstairs for our son, so converting this mint bathroom into a private master bath makes sense. But our layout makes that tricky, and a previous quote to gut and rework the area came in at $45,000 — too steep for such a small space.
I could resurface the tub and tile, replace the vanity, or update fixtures while keeping much of the original structure. I could also keep the tile and tub and focus on accessories. But I’m undecided which route to take.
HELP! What would you do?
Below are some images for inspiration, followed by practical ideas for updating a vintage bathroom without losing its charm.
That kitchen photo above reminds me of the vintage green-tiled bathroom in my Tudor home — black and white, dark brown wood tones, silver, and a touch of greenery gave the space a vintage, rustic, and classy feel.
Simple ideas for updating or accessorizing a vintage bathroom
Play up the good
Embrace the vintage features and make the look feel intentional with accessories: blinds, rugs, art, and decorative pieces can personalize the space.
Tone down the bad
Find creative ways to soften elements you dislike. Add a rug over floor tiles, use tile paint to neutralize strong colors, or draw the eye with statement wallpaper or a striking shower curtain.
Keep it classy
Introduce black accents to anchor a pastel scheme. Black frames, hardware, a door, or a tray can add contrast and sophistication.
Freshen up with paint
Neutral white walls or white textiles (towels, rugs, shower curtain) can simplify the palette and make the room feel cleaner and brighter.
Add warmth with texture
Natural elements — bamboo blinds, baskets, rattan or wood accessories — soften tile-heavy rooms and add warmth.
Bring in a new sink or vanity
A new vanity or sink can dramatically improve both style and function, even if you retain the original tile and tub.
Update the fixtures
Lighting, faucets, hooks, mirrors, and medicine cabinets are relatively simple changes that can modernize and refresh the space.
Resurface the tub
Refinishing a tub or tile can restore shine and improve cleanability. Resurfacing can be a cost-effective alternative to replacement, though finishes may require careful maintenance.
So…what do you think I should do with my vintage pink and green bathroom?
PS. You can scroll through the images above for inspiration and ideas for accessories.