Tips for how to update old tile without removing it in a vintage bathroom with old sink and tub

I’ll be honest, I’ve considered purchasing houses by the single fact that they had a turquoise clawfoot tub or Art deco wall tile in the bathroom. While most people are ripping these features out, I would be absolutely honored to inherit them. Yes, even the 80s mauve tile can look amazing. Yes, even if the grout is looking gross (more on that below). And yes, even a tiled countertop. To clarify, It’s not that I feel like I caaaaan’t remove them for preservations-sake. I don’t think you should keep anything in your house that you don’t like, regardless of its value to someone else. It’s just that I really am quite fond of these dated bathrooms and love the challenge of making them feel like they are relevant to todays world. So much so, that I recently designed this bathroom around all-blue tile!

My hope is that this post makes you reconsider removing whatever tile or colored-tub you happen to have. Unless, of course, you already know you can’t live with it. I know for some people, this is one room they like things to be new, and I get that. There’s also feelings sometimes associated with these items that you just can’t get over. I also understand that, too. But for the rest of you - that maybe just aren’t sure how to work around these features in a way that feels like it reflects your style, this is a post to get you inspired…

How to make vintage bathroom features look amazing

how to update old tile without removing it

Add some hits of black. This could be window muntins or a vanity like we see below, or it could just be a mirror frame or hand towel. I find it can take any pastel tile out of the Easter-zone and give it a more modern look. To create an even more appealing backdrop, paint the walls white for added contrast. Doing so will make the tile or tub sing!
It looks like this home-owner also painted their linoleum floor which makes the room feel clean and bright. See this post steps on how to paint your floor.

how to update old bathroom tile without removing it image via @carpendaughter

2. Add some edgy art. This is maybe the easiest glow-up. You would be surprised at what a screen-print from your favorite band, a black and white photo of an old hollywood actor or a quirky mid-century portrait can do to confuse time-periods in a room. It says, I am a bit of a rebel and I left this tile here with intention, not because I had to.

vintage blue tile in bathroom image source

blue tile bathroom update by meet me in Philadelphia

3. Add black and white tiled floors. If it’s in the budget to do this, it really makes such a huge difference and nods to a much older era. It also adds a punchy contrast that competes for attention. Meaning, your yellow tile won’t be the only thing people are looking at. If installing floor tile isn’t an option, there are some great peel and stick options that can do the trick!

vintage yellow bathroom tile image source

4. Play up the vintage. Okay, I think this one particularly works if the tile is from the 80s or 90s and you want it to feel more Mid-mod, Art deco or Victorian. I’ve found chrome hardware, plumbing and lighting can do the trick at creating more of a period specific-vibe, as well as reflecting light, which colored-tiles can sometimes absorb (especially if they have become dull due to age). Likely, your vintage bathroom already came with chrome fixtures, and I miiiiight say leave them! If they feel like they aren’t working properly, or just look cruddy, I would still replace them with chrome. Try a chrome goose-neck faucet with matching P-trap to give your bathroom a Victorian-era look. This will take the room from out-dated to antique in the best way. If chrome isn’t your thing, I like black for the faucets equally as well for reasons I mentioned in #1. If you go this route, I would go with more of a modern, minimalist faucet. It will look so striking! Just try to avoid polished brass or matte nickel as this can definitely read more 90s/00s in this context (unless that is what you are going for, and hey, I won’t judge you).

If you have a chrome console vanity like the image below, then you really did hit the jackpot! The new glass wall shelf with chrome finishes really fits in nicely with everything else that looks original to the bathroom. It just goes to show that chrome can naturally have that vintage look to it, which can play in your favor.

vintage jadeite tile in bathroom by meet me in Philadelphia

How cool is this chrome task lamp??? And I’m running, not walking to get those chrome file labels for the towel hooks. Is office-bathroom a thing because I’m into it 🤣

vintage pink tile bathroom update by oh happy day

5. Go monochromatic By painting the walls a similar color to your tile and/or appliances, you are taking away a focal point. This makes the room more about textures and less about color-contrast. The end result is less taxing on the eyes and feels very designer-worthy (especially if you also paint your trim and vanity to match!)

vintage blue tile bathroom update image source

vintage tile bathroom makeover image source

Loving the hit of black on the cabinet knobs in this one…YASS That definitely gives this room a little edge.

vintage tile bathroom update image source

It looks like this homeowner made a cabinet to go under their floating sink which I think is quirky and fun. Definitely gives it a craftsman feel and plays into the warm tones of the pink!

pink vintage tile bathroom update image source

vintage jadeite tile bathroom image source

6. Add wallpaper. Choose a wallpaper with a color- way that incorporates the color of your vintage features. The end result will very high-end!

retro blue tile bathroom makeover image source

blue tile bathroom with wallpaper photo by Laura W Glenn image source

7. Address the wear of your tile and/or grout. If some of your tile is chipped, I really think this is okay and adds to the character (I know that’s an overused catch-phrase in the design-world, but I really mean it. It is interesting, and tells a story …ugh…another word I can’t stand. Please stop me) If you consider that people are actually paying a premium to install chipped, Moroccan or encaustic tiles into their home, then hey, you are on trend! To remedy this though, you can fill the chips with grout and they will be hardly noticeable.

But what if your grout is looking old or the color isn’t what you would like it to be? In this next bathroom, I went over the old grout with new grout to match the tiles that I didn’t love. The end result was so transformative! See the before here. As long as you have at least 1/8” depth to your grout lines, you can add new grout overtop. If you don’t have the depth, you can use a grout pen which is essentially a marker that will stain your grout. No matter the color, fresh grout can make a huuuuuge difference in making old tile feel new and current.

If you really can’t stand your tile color, but don’t mind the shape, you can use a tile-painting kit to paint over the top. This is probably my least favorite choice though as I like to scrub my tiles and I question that they could really withstand that for very long.

But for the sake of entertaining this idea, see what this home-owner did below. The crisp white tile really makes the green tub and toilet pop (no owner of a white toilet has ever exclaimed that their toilet “pops”… LOL). This person did not care for the beige color of her tile, and I get that. But for purposes of arguing my point behind this post, I would say the beige tiles still could have looked amazing if the walls were painted a tonal ecru. I would then pair with modern lighting, matte black plumbing/ hardware and white linens. I would also bring the green in on some art just to repeat the color once more at eye level. Could look incredible. But they did a great job and I love how they made it their own. 👏

vintage green tub and toilet bathroom update image source

Okay, you aren’t going to believe this one, but fellow color-lover Jeweled Interiors actually painted her bathroom tile a vintage-blue. So you see, there are other people who would go great lengths to get their hands on the tile you may be tempted to rip out 😂