1960s pink bathroom remodel
by Terri
+52
Here is the MASTER bathroom of the house we are in process of purchasing, any suggestions on how we can update with the current tiles?
paint the pink tile white to match the toilet and sink and then anything goes! Like the retro feel, keep the pink and go with a fun combo like browns and turquoise. Have fun!
I had the same pink in my 1947 California house. I went with black accents. Paint the floor tiles black and the vanity a darker contrasting pink. Nix the wallpaper. Very 1960's. That is, if you like black
Be wary of painting the tile. I live in a house that the previous owner painted over tile (ugly beige paint over a 50's turquoise), The paint is peeling like crazy, and we'll have to do something. The process of sanding and painting ruined the tile, so it's now a gut job. I would rather they left the old tile alone, and if I just changed out the vanity and mirror, it would be a retro-looking bathroom.
Just go for a stunning wallpaper that complements the tile, and change out the vanity faucet, paint the cabinet front, new pulls, etc. Maybe hang a nice picture on the wall above the toilet, or an attractive cabinet or shelving?
I have a Cape Code built in 1955 with the same pink tiles trimmed in white in the only very small full bath in the house. I hated the pink at first but have come to like it. Found a wallpaper that I like (tulips) that picks up colors pink, blue, yellow and green on a white background; kept size of bathroom in mind when purchasing wallpaper. In your case, why would someone install beige floor tile in a primarily pink bathroom?
Suggestions:
My first place had that same pink tile in the only bathroom. We were renting so we couldn't do anything permanent to the tile, but we were allowed to change the gross, stained wallpaper. I scoured wallpaper books for a long time, but everything that that had some pink in it was way too floral and cutesy for my taste. Eventually, I found the perfect wallpaper which was a japanese style print of fans superimposed on each other with some gold, black, silver, cream, green burgundy and pink. It was expensive, but I only needed a few rolls because the bathroom was small. I went with an asian feel to the bathroom with the accessories and lack of clutter. I kept the clutter in a small chinoiserie type cabinet which I placed opposite the john with a bonsai on it. You might not consider pink when you think of an asian vibe to a room, but finding that wallpaper made all the difference in the world. Let me tell you, that it was GORGEOUS, and everyone who visited always remarked how beautiful the bathroom was. So, my best advice is to scour wallpaper books for a long time until you find exactly the right wallpaper. I also advise against painting the tiles unless you are planning on a gut job in the next couple of years. No matter how fantastic they look at the beginning, they will scratch and peel and look awful, unless you don't use the room. It's just a matter of time.
Paint the tiles. But......make sure you prime them first. I used Pinzer 1 2 3. Three coats. Let dry for 24 hours in between coats and then paint your choice of color. If you don't prime first then eventually the tiles will chip and peel. I did this to the tiles surrounding my tub which was an ugly emerald green and I have never had a problem. I did this 3 years ago and it sure saved me a lot of money. I also did this to the sink vanity top but I also put two coats of Polycrylic sealer on top because the sink gets more water splashes on it than the tile around the tub. Again no problems with it. Lots of time consuming steps but we'll worth it in the end.
Choose a color scheme that coordinates with pink and embrace it. Otherwise find a specialty paint to cover the wall tile, replace the countertop as an interim solution. There are also epoxy coatings used on bathtubs to regulate them that could be used here too.
I'm one of those folks that like the pink tile too. LOL I think pink and grey are a nice contrast. Honestly, if my house had pink tile, that's what I would do. I also like the idea of pink and green...like a mint or aqua green...even a sage green maybe. Though...I guess you run the risk of making your bathroom look like an Andes mint. lol
I live in a 1937 home with a bathroom with peach tile and black trim. Luckily every tile is perfect. Everyone in my neighborhood has similar color combinations in their Bungalows. Some homeowners have tried to paint these old ceramic tiles with no luck whatsoever, especially in the shower area. If you plan to remove the tiles, you will have to go to the studs. The tiles are usually adhered to a steel mesh on concrete.
Check out Retro Renovation website for inspiration.
This is my 1937 original floor in great condition. I had to learn to love this bathroom. The workmanship and tiles were too perfect to tear out.
well i see 3 types of tile right off the bat...flloor , counter, wall...hmmm there is a tile paint product...maybe white or cream ...get rid of wall paper..paint neutral beige ...or a nice green..which your floor tile would not contrast with...the patterns...lines of tile also pull the eyes at it...beadboard an potion...1/2 way up wall...assuming you want to keep floor wall and counter top in same materials..could tile paint floor also..but i have never done that several peeps have done tiles...succesfully...good luck
savethepinkbathrooms.com or retrorenovation.com Embrace the pink-lots of wonderful ideas here. No matter what you do to paint the tiles, you may regret it in the long run. Please resist the urge to change things right away. Live in the house, get used to the house-then decide. Good luck.
I love that vintage look but I get you dont. I would remove wall paper and floor tile I would also remove vanity sink that has tile. But I would keep the pink tiles on walls and since you lucked out and have white toilet I would get vintage area tiles in white with black to keep the look more modern I would trim out the tile in white or black and paint walls in white or dove grey. Grey and pink look beautiful together. But floor need to go and so does wall paper. I hop tub is white otherwise your going to gut it and that's expensive. If floor is vynal then remove and replace with a different vynal one it won't grow mold. That floor is so out of place make sure that if they had a leak that it was fixed by a professional person and that they have the receipt.
If you really just don't like it don't buy this house because you will regret it every morning and evening going into it and you will kick yourself. So unless you have the money to gut it don't purchase this house this is a red flag.
I wish I could've saved mine although they were only from 1960 but they were in bad shape. We had to have the whole bathroom redone. If they are in good shape and you can embrace retro that would be ideal but if not maybe paint as some have suggested.
If you just totally hate it, cover it up! Place adhesive stone tile over the old tile and use peel n stick tile for floor...cheap fix
Lots of ideas here. if you are willing to keep the pink tiles then you could paint the to
half like it is in one of the retro pics, a taupe? If there is grey in the floor tiles and they are in good shape and you want to keep, then go with grey on the walls. If not, do some nice stones tiles,mor they have some porcelain tiles that look like stone and are beautiful. Definitely need to remove the vanity I believe, think the cupbaords are not the greatest. So it depends on what shape things are in and what you are willing to keep. I am not a great fan of pink, but you have to admit those retro bathrooms,look pretty nice! If you do not want the pink tile, I think placing bead board over it is your most practical so.ution. I would.not paint them or try to place anything else "on" them. just cover them and start from scratch.
We used a primer specifically for tiles or shiny surfaces (oven, fridge, etc). . I strongly suggest one coat a day for 3 days. It worked. then we followed up with paint. used a scalloped like wallpaper border in this room and I cut out parts of the flowers and sporadically glued them on tiles throughout. We don't live there anymore, but I sure wish I had a picture. The key was really allowing the primer to dry thoroughly. It said 3 coats in one day. No. Make it several days. New vanity, eventually new floor, I loved this room. Makeover gift from my daughtnlaw!!
I'm with a couple of the ladies who suggested to live in the house first and not rush into anything, and the other suggestion to cover it up if you can't live with the pink. Great ideas from both. Save your money for now and check out your local Habitat and resale stores for bargains. Paint is the least expensive way to change the room for now. Best of luck.
I have to say I could not live with the pink personally I say cover up the wall tile they have stick on tile works great in moist applications and it'll go right over top of the tile comes in many different colors the flooring not so sure that may have to be tiled over or ripped out and definitely get rid of the wallpaper and paint... I would rip out the cabinet and counter and put in a Furniture piece with legs that you can see under you can find them on Wayfair and all kinds of places they're very nice attractive pieces they come in many different colors you can put in white you can put in Wood tone I absolutely refuse to put floor cabinets in anything anymore due to water leaks...and floor cabinets tend to close off the room make it look smaller... we opted for inexpensive pedestal sinks based on the room being small instead of doing two separate cabinets ....this is a piece we put in our bathroom it's an antique.. please excuse the Valentine decorations for my husband's morning LOL
Keep it! Retro is trendy! Maybe do a tropical theme. Add in some soft yellow and shades of coral. Even some shades of pale green. Oh what I could do with that room!!
Heres my spin on your project and I'll upload pictures for the visual. Remove all wall paper, window put plantation shutters in. The sink paint bottom and add new top marble etc with hardware. Add mirror tall and not much wider than the sink basen and add sconces. Paint the top portion except for behind sink area and keep the pink tiles. Add palm plant in corner near toilet and I'm not sure if that wall is flat across from window if so add a rattan stand. Add long rug or sub floor and place wood like flooring down. Heres are the pics😉
paint them a clean, crisp white
I am about to close on a house with 1960's white tiles with that same exact wallpaper. The house has 4 bathrooms which all have 1960's tile...pink, tan, blue and white. The tubs, sinks, toilets, floors and countertops are all the same colors as the tile in the room. I can't decide if I want to keep that wallpaper like yours or take it down. I kind of like the idea of keeping the bathrooms all retro. All of the wallpaper in the bathrooms are in perfect shape. I hate the wallpaper in two of the bathrooms. I will be taking those two rooms down. The blue bathroom has the same starburst pattern as the formica on the countertop. It is definitely 1960's retro. I can't wait to start fixing it all up!
Tile covers or Transfers would make a difference.
Remove the wall paper and paint the walls.
New hardware.
Do you have flooring? If so what color and or type?
Do you need more light or less in your bathroom?