Mid-century modern is an enduring bathroom style for a reason. Combining the design simplicity and organic warmth of the 50s and 60s with the smart features and functionality of modern bathrooms, it gives you the best of both eras.

Capturing the classic mid-century aesthetic in a modern bathroom is about balancing contemporary cleanliness with the more organic elements of decades past. Happily it’s not a particularly difficult job, even for bathroom design novices.

The anchor: a timber vanity

The vanity is the centrepiece of most bathrooms: the element that naturally draws your eye as you enter the room, and the spot where you’ll spend the most time. It’s important to get it right.

Mid-century modern bathrooms typically feature vanities with timber-look cabinetry in rich wood tones – think walnut, teak and oak. These natural textures serve as the aesthetic anchor, and can be brought into the modern day through the design. Wall-mounted vanities are distinctly modern, and removing the handles in favour of push doors can create a clean look.

Pro tip: Pair the warm timber finish with a white or light stone-look benchtop to make the room feel airy and open.

The focal point: a rounded basin

Rounded basins were a definitive feature of mid-century bathrooms, though in the modern iteration of the style the freestanding basin of the past has been usurped by a benchtop-mounted option.

‘Rounded’ can mean a wealth of different things: oval, pill-shaped, circular, rounded rectangle – there’s no ‘right’ answer in terms of shape, it’s more a matter of personal preference. In terms of colour, white is typical of the mid-century, but you can make it modern with a soft matte finish or a gentle earthy tone like terracotta or warm grey.

Pro tip: Choose an above-counter or semi-recessed basin to put the bowl on display.

The accent: warm tapware

Brass taps were the order of the day in the mid-20th century, and you can add a modern version of that vintage warmth to your own bathroom renovation.

While today’s tapware is still predominantly made of brass, it now comes in a wide array of different colours. The warm look is delivered through finishes like brushed brass, gold, nickel and champagne. You also have the option of aged brass, which changes colour and character over time. Goose neck spouts are a nod to the tapware of the time, or, if you want to put the ‘modern’ in mid-century modern, you could opt for matte black tapware as a unique focal point.

Pro tip: For maximum durability, look for taps with a PVD (physical vapour deposition) coating.

The decor: pill mirrors 

The job of a bathroom mirror isn’t just to let you look at yourself. It also helps to visually expand your space, and in the case of a mid-century modern bathroom, it reinforces the iconic geometric forms of the 50s and 60s.

Mid-century design will often feature a rounded edge to compliment some of the minimalist forms of the style, so your mirror should be in the shape of a capsule, pill, arch or rounded rectangle. You can lean even harder into the vibe with a slim brass frame, or you can add a dash of modernity with a frameless option featuring backlit LEDs.

Pro tip: Maximise the functionality of your mirror with front-facing LEDs that help you to avoid the inconvenient shadows thrown out by overhead lighting.

A modern bathroom starring the mid-century look

When they’re planned carefully and executed well, mid-century modern bathrooms are gorgeous, welcoming, durable and functional spaces.

If you’re currently planning your renovation, check out our complete collections of vanities, baths, tapware and accessories, all of which can be filtered by style and finish. And if you’re in search of a bit of inspiration, check out our expert guides to trending bathroom styles and how to start your renovation.

Have any other questions on creating your dream space? Our team is here to deliver all the advice you need with zero pressure – just experts who know bathrooms inside out, and who are keen to share that knowledge.