Traditional bathroom ideas

A beautiful basin is the perfect starting point for a traditional bathroom. Pedestal basins are a classic choice, with modern pipework concealed behind a ceramic pedestal that supports the bowl. Look for those with a raised ceramic upstand behind the taps, like our Waverley basin, that recreate the features found on ornate washstands in the Victorian period. Alternatively, try a basin with mitred corners (an angular design that makes an attractive alternative to curved basins), like our Serina basins. These are modelled on the stylish art deco designs of the elegant 1920s and are a timeless choice.

It’s best to keep toilets simple in a traditional bathroom by opting for designs that match your chosen basin. For a nod to nostalgia, consider a low-level toilet, where the cistern is suspended on the wall a little higher than on a more contemporary toilet. These offer the charming style of a chain-pull toilet but with all the mod-cons you’d expect from a modern, water-efficient model.

Stick to a white or neutral toilet seat to complement your choices, or consider a wooden toilet seat in natural oak or pine that adds warmth and authenticity to your room.

Nothing sums up the traditional style bathroom better than an opulent freestanding bath that invites you to relax. Roll-top baths emulate the elegant style of traditional cast iron baths with none of the fuss – our acrylic freestanding baths are beautiful and easy to care for. Pick a bath that suits the period of your home, or simply choose one that looks enticing.

Whilst showers might be a more recent addition to our homes, there’s no reason why they can’t work well in a more traditional bathroom. Frameless shower enclosures will disappear into the background in a room. The soft curves of a quadrant-shaped shower enclosure suit a period bathroom well, and they fit easily into most spaces.

Mixer shower controls are ideal for a heritage-inspired bathroom, with a simple design that’s both discrete and authentic. A large, wall-mounted shower head will not only deliver a great showering experience but also look like the hand-held shower attachments on traditional bath mixer taps. 

Storage is crucial in any bathroom. The good news is that you don’t need to compromise on vintage styling when creating a room that’s both practical and packed with period charm.

Storage cabinets are a good way to conceal the modern products we all need in our bathrooms. Our Chadleigh and Nicolina ranges offer both freestanding and wall-mounted cabinets in a range of shapes and sizes, each with traditional styling to suit your home. The Chadleigh range (pictured) features elegant cornice and pelmet details that look charming mounted above a basin. For country cottage style, try the clean lines and wood-panelled effect doors of the Nicolina range.

Having chosen the perfect suite for your bathroom, it’s time to think about the walls. It’s traditional to go for a combination of painted and tiled walls, but there are other options that can make your bathroom sing – like wood panelling and bathroom wallpaper.

There are two well-loved options for painted walls in a bathroom with vintage charms. Either opt for white, or off-white walls to complement fixtures and create a monochromatic colour scheme. Alternatively consider darker, richer colours inspired by nature. These were popular in the Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian periods - think sage greens, deep burgundies, chic navy and slate greys. These colours will all create great contrast with white fittings and metallic details. Don’t forget to choose a bathroom paint that’ll resist moisture, so that your bathroom looks good for years to come.

As bathrooms tend to have high moisture levels, hard materials are traditionally favoured as flooring – think solid wood, marble and ceramic tiles. But an authentic heritage look in the bathroom doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on innovation. Opt for contemporary flooring that looks like the real thing, but is better suited to a busy home.

If you crave the timeless feel of wooden floors, try Luxury Vinyl Click flooring. It's easy to install, highly durable and looks almost indistinguishable from real wood. It’s available in a wide range of finishes so you can choose one that best suits the rest of your home.

When it comes to lighting a traditional style bathroom, it’s best to go bold or discrete. Recessed LED downlighters will ensure your room is well-lit, whilst the slimline fittings will disappear seamlessly into the ceiling. Alternatively, opt for a statement semi-flush ceiling light fitting with glass shades that’ll reflect light around the room whilst remaining practical in a busy space.

If your bathroom is where you get ready in the morning, consider adding additional wall lights near any mirrors to make shaving or putting on make-up easier.

Depending on the space you have, there are two options ideal for keeping your traditional bathroom warm and cosy. For smaller bath and shower rooms, consider underfloor heating that’s discrete and feels luxurious underfoot. Easily installed under many types of flooring, it means you don’t need to occupy precious wall space with radiators or heaters.

Alternatively, make a statement with a heritage-style bathroom radiator and towel warmer. A beautiful column radiator with chromed towel rail will not only heat your room, but also provide a stylish place to warm towels ready for when you step out of the bath. There are wider sizes for larger families and narrower models to suit even the most petite shower room or cloakroom.

A bathroom mirror is more than just practical, it also helps to reflect light in the room making it feel brighter and more spacious. Choosing the perfect mirror for a traditional bathroom will depend on whether you’re aiming for a heritage-inspired room. Or looking to create a style that highlights natural materials that have been present in our homes for centuries.

For an elegant space with hints of retro styling, go for a frameless mirror with facetted (or bevelled) edges or a striking scalloped edge. Glamorous scalloped-edge mirrors are a great way to add an eye-catching feature in your room. They look particularly striking against deep-coloured walls.

Adding accessories is a final flourish that will help your heritage-inspired bathroom come to life. Begin by adding in a few functional items that nod to period style. Wall-mounted towel rails and hanging hooks are a helpful essential. They look best in brass or matt black finishes (black pairs particularly well with natural wood). Look for curved and white ceramic details that mirror the bathroom fixtures and tie the look together.

On larger walls add artwork with a nostalgic feel, such as our botanic prints (pictured) that’ll look timeless in any home. Framed prints and photographs will withstand moisture far better than a canvas print, making these both a stylish and practical choice.