Remember when bathrooms were just… bathrooms? Yeah, me neither. These days, they’re basically mini spas, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest at 2 AM wondering how to make yours look less “builder’s special” and more “vintage magazine spread.” Well, friend, vintage blue might just be your answer.
I’m talking about those dreamy powder blues, navy accents, and aqua tiles that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1950s Hollywood starlet’s private retreat. Let’s explore some seriously stunning ideas that’ll transform your bathroom from blah to breathtaking.
Why Vintage Blue Works So Well in Bathrooms
Here’s the thing about blue in bathrooms—it just makes sense. Water is blue (sort of), the sky is blue, and somehow our brains are hardwired to find it calming. But vintage blue? That’s a whole different vibe.
The old blue colors are not old-fashioned, yet the atmosphere is vintage. They do this warm, small-town feel that the grays of today simply cannot get in touch with. IMO, it is something about that slightly weathered and muted look that makes a place look lived in and loved as opposed to sterile.
Plus, blue plays nicely with practically everything. Brass fixtures? Check. White subway tiles? Absolutely. Even that weird pink tile your house came with? Surprisingly, yes.
Classic Blue Subway Tile Walls
You can’t talk vintage bathrooms without mentioning subway tiles. But forget the standard white—go for glossy blue subway tiles that catch the light like water.
I’ve seen installations where people use a soft robin’s egg blue halfway up the wall with white above, and honestly? It’s chef’s kiss. The contrast creates visual interest without overwhelming the space. You get that vintage diner aesthetic but way more sophisticated.
Key considerations:
- Glossy finish reflects light better in small spaces
- Consider running tiles horizontally for a unique twist
- White or cream grout keeps it authentic
- Pair with chrome or nickel fixtures for true vintage appeal
Powder Blue Painted Vanities
Want an instant transformation? Paint your vanity a gorgeous powder blue. I’m not talking about that aggressive turquoise your aunt used in the ’80s—think softer, more weathered.
The best thing about painted vanity is that you can make this one over the weekend. Take a piece of your old one, sand it and paint it a bit with chalk paint in an antique blue colour, and slightly wear off the edges. Boom—instant character.
My personal favorite? Pairing a powder blue vanity with a marble countertop and gold hardware. It’s that perfect balance of casual and fancy that vintage design does so well.
Navy Blue Wainscoting with White Upper Walls
Ever wondered why old houses feel so charming? Wainscoting, my friend. Navy blue wainscoting with crisp white walls above creates incredible depth and makes your ceiling appear taller.
This combo works especially well in bathrooms with good natural light. The navy grounds the space while the white keeps things from feeling cave-like. Add some vintage botanical prints on the white section, and you’ve basically created Pinterest gold.
Pro tip: Use semi-gloss paint for the wainscoting—it’s easier to clean when toothpaste inevitably splatters everywhere 🙂
Vintage Blue Hexagon Floor Tiles
Hexagon tiles scream vintage, and in shades of blue? Absolutely stunning. I’m particularly obsessed with mixed blue hexagons—some navy, some pale blue, some white—creating a random pattern that looks deliberately imperfect.
These tiles work beautifully in both small powder rooms and larger bathrooms. They add visual interest underfoot without competing with your walls or fixtures. Plus, they’re surprisingly forgiving when it comes to showing dirt (unlike white, which shows everything).
| Tile Pattern | Best For | Vintage Vibe | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Blue Hexagons | Small spaces | High | Easy |
| Mixed Blue Pattern | Any size | Very High | Moderate |
| Blue & White Checkerboard | Larger bathrooms | Classic | Easy |
| Blue Penny Rounds | Shower floors | Moderate | Moderate |
Clawfoot Tub with Blue Exterior
Nothing says vintage bathroom quite like a clawfoot tub. But here’s where you can get creative—paint the exterior in a gorgeous vintage blue while keeping the interior white.
I’ve seen people use anything from deep navy to dusty cornflower on the exterior, and it turns an ordinary tub into a statement piece. You’ll have a bathtub fit for an Instagram photo shoot if you pair it with brass or oil-rubbed bronze feet and fixtures.
FYI, if you’re buying vintage, check for chips in the enamel carefully—refinishing can get pricey.
Blue and White Damask Wallpaper
Wallpaper in bathrooms gets a bad rap, but vintage blue and white damask patterns are making a serious comeback. And honestly? When done right, they’re spectacular.
The key is choosing a vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpaper that can handle humidity. Look for smaller-scale damask patterns—large prints can overwhelm a bathroom. I love using this on a single accent wall behind the vanity or toilet. It adds drama without the commitment of tiling an entire room.
Just make sure your bathroom has decent ventilation, or any wallpaper will eventually give you grief.
Vintage Blue Glass Accessories
Sometimes you just need better accessories rather than a complete makeover. Look for vintage blue glass items at flea markets or antique shops. We’re talking about toothbrush holders, soap dishes, apothecary jars, and those vintage medicine cabinets with blue glass shelves.
These accessories pull a vintage blue theme together beautifully. Plus, they’re usually pretty affordable, and you can swap them out whenever you get bored (which, let’s be real, we all do eventually).
Blue Vintage Lighting Fixtures
Lighting can make or break a bathroom’s vibe. Vintage-style blue glass pendant lights or sconces with blue shades add that perfect pop of color while serving a practical purpose.
I’m particularly fond of those schoolhouse-style pendants in robin’s egg blue. They work over a vanity or even in the center of the room if you’ve got the ceiling height. The colored glass creates this beautiful diffused light that’s way more flattering than harsh overhead lighting.
Brass or black fixtures for the hardware? Chef’s kiss either way.
Aqua Blue Beadboard Walls
Beadboard is criminally underrated. It adds texture, hides wall imperfections, and when painted in a lovely aqua blue, it creates this cottage-by-the-sea feeling that’s impossible not to love.
If you’re feeling daring, you can go all the way to the walls or use beadboard as wainscoting. I’ve witnessed both perform flawlessly. The informal texture counterbalances more elaborate features like marble or elaborate mirrors, and the vertical lines give the impression that your room is taller.
Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive and pretty straightforward to install if you’re even remotely handy.
Vintage Blue Pedestal Sink
Modern floating vanities are cool and all, but vintage blue pedestal sinks? They’re architectural pieces. Whether you find an actual vintage piece or a reproduction, these sinks command attention.
The exposed plumbing becomes part of the aesthetic when you choose chrome or brass finishes. And that pop of blue porcelain against white walls or blue-toned tiles? Perfection. Just know that you’ll need to get creative with storage since pedestal sinks offer exactly zero cabinet space.
Wall-mounted cabinets and pretty baskets become your best friends here.
Navy Blue Shiplap Accent Wall
Shiplap might be everywhere, but navy blue shiplap in a bathroom still hits different. It creates this modern farmhouse meets nautical vibe that feels fresh yet timeless.
I love using it on the wall behind the vanity or tub. The horizontal lines add width to the space visually, and the navy adds depth without making things feel dark. Pair it with white fixtures and natural wood accents, and you’ve got a look that’ll age beautifully.
Word to the wise: seal that shiplap properly if it’s near the shower. Water damage is not a cute vintage look :/
Vintage Blue Medicine Cabinet
Those old metal medicine cabinets in powder blue or aqua are having a serious moment. They’re usually shallow, perfect for tight spaces, and add instant character.
The reproduction versions are not that hard to find, but the older ones are always a good place to look first, the hardware is higher quality and the aged natural appearance cannot be replicated. Fix it over your pedestal sink and you will see your bathroom arranged with a deliberate look and not just amassed.
Blue Moroccan Tiles
Want to add pattern and color simultaneously? Blue Moroccan cement tiles are your answer. These beauties work as a backsplash behind your sink, as a shower accent, or even on the entire floor if you’re feeling adventurous.
The intricate patterns hide water spots and soap scum way better than solid colors (practical and pretty—my favorite combo). Mix different blue tones in your tile pattern for extra visual interest. They’re pricier than standard tiles, but the impact is worth every penny.
Vintage Blue Towel Hooks and Hardware
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. Swapping out builder-grade hardware for vintage-inspired blue ceramic knobs and hooks transforms your space immediately.
Search in terms of bronze or brass pieces on the base of which there are blue porcelain. They also do vanity drawers, cabinet doors and as towel hooks. It is a simple weekend project that can transform your bathroom into a custom and not a cookie-cutter bathroom.
Powder Blue Ceiling
Why do we always paint ceilings white? Break the rules—paint yours a soft powder blue. This unexpected choice makes your bathroom feel taller and adds dimension in the best way.
I know it sounds bold, but trust me. Especially in bathrooms with white walls and fixtures, that soft blue ceiling creates this airy, open feeling. It’s like bringing a piece of sky indoors. Just keep the shade light enough that it doesn’t make the room feel closed in.
Blue Vintage Mirror Frames
A gorgeous vintage mirror can be your bathroom’s focal point. Look for ornate frames in various blue shades—whether that’s a chippy painted finish or original blue lacquer.
Oversized mirrors make small bathrooms feel larger (basic design trick but it works every time). I love hunting for these at architectural salvage yards. Each one has history, and that worn finish tells a story that new stuff just can’t replicate.
Hang it over your vanity or lean a large one against the wall for that casual, collected-over-time vibe.
Blue Striped Shower Curtain
Don’t underestimate the power of a great shower curtain. A blue and white striped shower curtain gives you that nautical, vintage bathhouse vibe instantly.
Choose fabric over plastic—it looks way better and doesn’t get that gross mildew issue as quickly. The stripes add pattern without overwhelming small spaces, and you can change colors with your accessories depending on your mood. Navy and white? Classic. Powder blue and cream? Soft and romantic.
Vintage Blue Ladder Shelf
Need storage but don’t want to drill into your vintage tiles? A blue painted ladder shelf leans against the wall and provides space for rolled towels, plants, and those pretty jars we talked about earlier.
Get a old wooden ladder and repaint it in your desired blue color or purchase the imitation items. In any case, they introduce the possibility of vertical storage that is not installed. The ideal product to buy as a renter or a commitment-averse person like myself.
Blue Glass Block Window
Blue glass blocks might sound very ’80s, but hear me out. Frosted blue glass blocks provide privacy while letting in beautiful diffused light. They create this dreamy, underwater effect that’s surprisingly sophisticated.
Use them for a small bathroom window or even as a shower wall accent. The light filters through the blue glass creating the most gorgeous glow. It’s architectural interest and function combined—basically the dream.
Vintage Blue Bathroom Accessories Set
Pull everything together with a coordinated set of vintage blue accessories. I’m talking soap dispensers, tissue box covers, wastebaskets, and storage containers all in complementary blue shades.
You don’t want everything matching perfectly—that looks too contrived. Instead, collect pieces over time in various blues that all work together. Some aqua, some navy, maybe a piece of cobalt. The variety creates interest while the color family ties everything together beautifully.
Bringing It All Together
Look, you don’t need to implement all twenty ideas (unless you’re building multiple bathrooms, in which case, can we be friends?). The beauty of vintage blue is how flexible it is. Start with one element that speaks to you—maybe painted vanity or new tile—and build from there.
Combine various shades of blue to add depth. It is better to mix old and new items to make it not look like a museum. And above all things, make it yours. Vintage-inspired spaces are best personal and lived-in, and do not seem to be directly off a catalog.
Your bathroom should make you happy every single time you walk in. And honestly? A little vintage blue magic can do exactly that. Now stop scrolling Pinterest and start planning—your dream bathroom is waiting!