Bathroom Tour

Welcome to the ONLY bathroom in our 1950s home (for now, hopefully!). Plumbing in the 1950s was a luxury when outhouses were not that much a thing of the past.

Our home has some space constraints and the bathroom is no different. Continue reading to see how we have learned to function without an additional bathroom, while still having adequate space.

1950s Bathroom Before & After

Bathroom Tile & Flooring

Bathroom Vanity & Built-In Vintage Mirrored Medicine Cabinet

 The coolest feature of our bathroom vanity setup is the lighted, mirrored medicine cabinet. Many older bathrooms like ours have razor blade disposals built into the wall. Since the medicine cabinet is installed directly into the wall, the manufacturer added a slot on the back to toss the used blades into the walls where they stay until someone decides to tear the wall down. Maybe one day, we’ll make that happen and find Mr. Robertson’s used razor blades in a hefty pile between the wall joints.

The vanity itself is compact but functional, offering just enough counter space for daily essentials. To keep the area tidy and organized, I’ve added storage solutions for our dental favorites, like a toothbrush holder and a small tray for floss, toothpaste, and other necessities. The cabinet under the sink is big enough to hold all our towels and wash rags.

What’s up with the bath tile and flooring tile?

Bathroom Storage solutions

Storage in a small bathroom can be tricky, but we’ve made it work with creative solutions:

  • Over-the-Toilet Cabinet: A simple addition that provides extra space for towels, toiletries, and other essentials.
  • Built-In Mirror and Light: The vintage charm of the built-in mirror and light above the vanity adds both function and style.
  • Shower Must-Haves:

Shower Organization & Optimization

To keep the shower clutter-free, we installed a corner shelving pole for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We hung a shower caddy with shelves with holes for my jumbo shampoo and conditioner. We hang our loofahs and it even has a spot for a bar of soap which Talyor really likes.

We also installed a mirror for him to shave more easily in the shower. With the sink being so small and low in the bathroom this is convenient for him.

The shower curtain I have had for years ago from Target. I got the shower curtain rod from Walmart and really like how it looks like a traditional curtain rod you would find else where in the home.

Privacy Window Peel

The bathroom window inside the shower presented another design challenge for us, but we solved it with an affordable and stylish window privacy peel. Before this, we had a secondary shower curtain and regular old blinds hung around the window. Since this was inside the shower, grime built up over time and we upgraded with an adhesive film roll we got from Lowes allowing natural light to pour in while keeping the space private. It totally eliminated the need for a curtain in the bath!

It’s an easy, renter-friendly solution that looks as polished as a new window and is practical.

Our 1950s bathroom is a testament to how you can embrace the quirks of an older home while finding creative ways to update and personalize the space. It may be small, but it’s functional, stylish, and packed with character. Whether it’s the retro tiles, the built-in medicine cabinet, or the clever storage solutions, this little bathroom has become a reflection of our home’s unique charm.

While our single bathroom works for now, we dream of eventually adding a second bathroom to our home. Until then, we’re making the most of the space we have by combining modern updates with vintage charm. Maybe one day, we’ll even tackle those walls and unearth a piece of Mr. Robertson’s history.

Shop our Bathroom