Interior Stylist, Susie Clegg, believes the bathroom is the perfect place to experiment with colour and pattern. Create a stylish, invigorating retro bathroom design using the latest tile collections from Mandarin Stone. Our decorative and patterned ceramic and porcelain tile ranges feature funky patterns and bright colours that capture a fun, retro feel. We have plenty of retro bathroom ideas to help you bring yours to life, no matter how big or small.

The concept of the sterile, white bathroom is a pretty new thing if you think about it. Prior to the 1990s bathrooms offered plenty of colour and character. Think avocado bathroom suites and pink fluffy carpets! As with many interior trends, they come full circle and we are now seeing more eclectic styles and individuality in bathroom design once again. Retro bathroom design really encompasses anything from the 1950s right through until the end of the 1980s, so vintage design elements can be incorporated too.

To create a fun bathroom that is full of character, select free standing pieces including basins and baths rather than built in units. Paint a roll top bath a bright colour and choose a stylish, colourful concrete basin from Kast.

Patterned and decorative tiles will of course take centre stage in a retro style bathroom. Not only do they look great, but tiles are the most practical and durable surface for bathroom floors and walls. With the latest porcelain and ceramic tile designs nodding to current trends such as the retro style, there are plenty of bathroom tiles available to add that desired, fun character to a bathroom.

Terrazzo effect tiles work perfectly for retro bathroom designs. These terrazzo effect porcelain tiles work as an ideal substitute to traditional terrazzo; replicating the bespoke blend of stone chips in resin in various colour ways and sizes. Recently introduced, are some exciting new colour additions to our popular ‘Terrazzo Nouveau’ collection, where the coloured terrazzo chips cleverly run through the body of the porcelain tile.

Don’t be afraid to play with tile formats and shapes when considering retro bathroom design ideas. Try larger formats contrasting against smaller brick or mosaic tiles.

Hexagon and Subway tiles are great for adding more interest and add that playful design element. Patterned retro bathroom tiles are a definite yes. Use geometric tiles to create bold shapes such as our ‘Pod’ hexagons or ‘Geo’ collection of traditional retro bathroom tiles.

Textured tiles also should be considered, our ‘Carnaby’ is an ideal fit, with a combed like texture available in retro ’60s shades. In fact, retro schemes are all about colour. Embrace colour clashing and go bold by using zingy colours such as yellow, turquoise, orange and pink. Both glazed and matt finish tiles will work equally well for this type of bathroom design. Add an extra dimension and consider using coloured grout, so every element really pings. We do love the combination of our ‘Oska Jungle Green’ hexagon tiles with ‘Violet’ Mapei grout.

1. Pod Pink Hexagon 2. Tap, HVI tap by VOLA 3. Basins, by KAST 4. Norse Subway Terra Gloss & Terrazzo Nouveau Ivory Matt 5. Paintbox Canary Gloss & Terrazzo Nouveau Graphite Matt 6. Hexa Powder Pink Matt Mosaic 7. Paintbox Aqua Gloss 8. Norse Flamingo Gloss 9. Hexa Mustard Matt Mosaic 10. Carnaby Mint 11. Parasol paint by Paint & Paper Library 12. Carmine, paint by Little Greene Paint Company 13. Terrazzo Nouveau Lemon Matt