Your Guide to a Traditional-Style Bathroom
Designers achieve this timeless look with furniture-like pieces, soft colors and classic hardware
Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, architect or contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love timeless, refined spaces filled with classic pieces, traditional style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
What You Won’t Find in Traditional Bathrooms
Traditional bathrooms favor decorative detail and timelessness over minimalism and of-the-minute trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
Traditional bathrooms favor decorative detail and timelessness over minimalism and of-the-minute trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Bright color palettes
- Cutting-edge trends
- Flat-panel cabinetry
- Super-sleek finishes
- Minimalist details
Calm Color Palette
The colors in traditional bathrooms tend to be soft and relaxing. Subtle neutrals and pale shades of blue and green work well, or consider deeper shades of blue, brown, gray and wood tones for a richer look.
Colors for traditional bathrooms:
The colors in traditional bathrooms tend to be soft and relaxing. Subtle neutrals and pale shades of blue and green work well, or consider deeper shades of blue, brown, gray and wood tones for a richer look.
Colors for traditional bathrooms:
- Soft neutrals. Cream, beige, taupe, chocolate, dove gray, silver, snow white
- Serene hues. Misty blue, blue-gray, soft sage green
- Rich colors. Navy, charcoal, slate, chocolate, espresso
Furniture-Style Vanity
Look for cabinetry with furniture-style legs, carved door faces and ornate knobs and pulls. Raised-panel cabinets can be painted, glazed or simply finished to let the natural beauty of the wood grain show through. In the remodeled 1920s bathroom shown here, a custom vanity with Bianco Carrara marble counters includes deep rollout drawers for ample storage.
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Look for cabinetry with furniture-style legs, carved door faces and ornate knobs and pulls. Raised-panel cabinets can be painted, glazed or simply finished to let the natural beauty of the wood grain show through. In the remodeled 1920s bathroom shown here, a custom vanity with Bianco Carrara marble counters includes deep rollout drawers for ample storage.
Shop for traditional-style vanities on Houzz
Design Detail: Dressing Table
A dressing table may sound old-fashioned, but having a place to sit, along with extra counter space (and often extra storage), is a traditional bathroom detail that simply makes good sense. Look for a double-sink vanity with a dressing area in the center, as shown here, or opt for a freestanding dressing table.
A dressing table may sound old-fashioned, but having a place to sit, along with extra counter space (and often extra storage), is a traditional bathroom detail that simply makes good sense. Look for a double-sink vanity with a dressing area in the center, as shown here, or opt for a freestanding dressing table.
Elegant Stone
Stone counters, floors or wall treatments can make a beautiful focal point in a traditional-style bathroom. Light-hued stones such as marble and quartz work well. Light-colored granite or engineered quartz are also good options, offering easier-care nonporous surfaces. For a rich floor treatment, consider stone mosaic basketweave tile, as seen here. A simple pattern using square and rectangular pieces creates the basketweave effect.
‘Weave’ Stone Tile for an Elegant Bath
Stone counters, floors or wall treatments can make a beautiful focal point in a traditional-style bathroom. Light-hued stones such as marble and quartz work well. Light-colored granite or engineered quartz are also good options, offering easier-care nonporous surfaces. For a rich floor treatment, consider stone mosaic basketweave tile, as seen here. A simple pattern using square and rectangular pieces creates the basketweave effect.
‘Weave’ Stone Tile for an Elegant Bath
Design Detail: Antique-Style Lighting
Lighting in traditional bathrooms often looks as if it would be right at home in another era. Look for chandeliers, candelabra-style sconces, classic lanterns and globe-style lighting.
Find traditional bathroom vanity lighting
Lighting in traditional bathrooms often looks as if it would be right at home in another era. Look for chandeliers, candelabra-style sconces, classic lanterns and globe-style lighting.
Find traditional bathroom vanity lighting
Classic Bathtub
Look for a bathtub with classic features and roomy proportions — claw-foot and pedestal-style tubs work well. For greater accessibility, consider opting for a partially freestanding tub or a drop-in bathtub with an ample surround to make entering and exiting easier.
Browse traditional-style bathtubs
Look for a bathtub with classic features and roomy proportions — claw-foot and pedestal-style tubs work well. For greater accessibility, consider opting for a partially freestanding tub or a drop-in bathtub with an ample surround to make entering and exiting easier.
Browse traditional-style bathtubs
Finishing Touches
The right details create a feeling of luxury and pampering in a traditional bathroom. Classic faucets and hardware in brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze strike the right note. Add an antique stool, embroidered hand towels, a vase of flowers and a pretty tray stocked with bath products to finish.
The right details create a feeling of luxury and pampering in a traditional bathroom. Classic faucets and hardware in brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze strike the right note. Add an antique stool, embroidered hand towels, a vase of flowers and a pretty tray stocked with bath products to finish.
Your turn: Are you a fan of traditional style? Describe or show us your favorite traditional-style bathroom in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Traditional Style
Browse photos of traditional-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for traditional bathroom products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Traditional Style
Browse photos of traditional-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for traditional bathroom products
Traditional style is comfortable, formal and time-tested with symmetrical arrangements, gleaming surfaces and high-end materials. Here are some common elements to look for in a traditional bath: