Bathrooms can be modernized even without the means of total renovations, and this rule even applies to bathrooms that sport a 90s-era aesthetic. In this article, we’ll explore approaches and methods on how a homeowner can update and modernize a 90s-era bathroom without resorting to renovations that could kill its distinct vibe and atmosphere.
How to Identify a 90s-era Bathroom?
Before we get to the heart of the topic and maybe start finding the means and calling in tub reglazing services to modernize your 90’s Bathroom without massive renovations, let’s explore a checklist. This checklist is going to be your reference in order to identify whether your bathroom counts as a 90’s-era bathroom or not. Take note that bathrooms during that period are distinct compared to the ones we see today.
With that said, here are the defining characteristics that you should check in your bathroom, whether they qualify as a ’90s-era bathroom, aesthetics-wise.
- Lots and lots of Brass or Gold hardware – 90’s era bathrooms are easily ID’d by their distinct yet frequent usage of brass or gold hardware – such as faucets, cabinet handles, and lighting. If the bathroom is using neither one of the two materials, it’s likely to be using chrome hardware instead.
- Tile Size – 90’s era bathrooms have a tendency to use 12×12 tiles. However, there are some cases where 90s bathrooms utilize 8×8 tiles instead.
- Uses a lot of Wood Cabinets – The cabinets used in 90s bathrooms tend to use cathedral-style doors and have a raised panel. Most of these cabinets would be made out of either Oak or Maple wood.
- Sinks with a Shell-like shape – Aside from the sink’s shell-like shape, the sinks for 90s bathrooms tend to use neutral tones such as beige. Also, the sinks and countertops seem to feel like they are a 2-in-1 deal or a one piece altogether.
- Low toilets – One of the interesting design quirks that 90s toilets have is that their toilet seats tend to be lower. You won’t realize it until you sit down on the toilet seat and realize how lower it is compared to a modern toilet seat.
- Non-white ceramics – Most of the 90’s era bathrooms never used white on their tubs, sinks, and toilet seats. The usual colors you’ll see on them are likely to be beige, almond, any shade of green, and burgundy.
Modernize without Renovating!
Since we’ve covered the defining traits of a ’90s era bathroom, let’s move to the methods that you can use. How can you modernize a bathroom bearing a 90s aesthetic without resorting to major renovations which may or will remove the distinct vibe of the bathroom? Here are some ideas for you to consider and use:
1. Give the tub a brand new set of colors
The first modernizing idea that you can apply to your 90s bathroom without renovating is to give your bathtub a fresh new layer of paint. You’ll need to prime your bathtub with a primer first before applying at least two layers of exterior-grade paint, preferably satin or semi-gloss variants.
The objective here is to give your bathtub a color that complements well with the current ensemble of tiles, hardware, and walls inside your 90s bathroom.
2. Hang some art around your bathroom
You’d be surprised how pieces of art can elevate the appearance of your 90s aesthetic bathroom, despite being the room the last place you’d least associate with artworks. Hang pieces of art around your 90s bathroom’s vacant walls, preferably away from areas where water could splash them – such as above the sink if you’re not using a mirror or vacant walls such as near vanities or near the entrance.
Artworks, after all, do add a distinct vibe depending on the theme of the art, but also add a touch of luxury, even if your art pieces aren’t expensive.
3. Add a new Paint Job to your existing ensemble
If the old colors in your 90s bathroom aren’t cutting it anymore in these current days, perhaps it is time to update the colors to something more modern. Swap out the previous colors and use hues or shades that are bolder and more defining of your aesthetic preferences. This applies to the walls and your fixtures ,such as the tub, sink, and cabinets.
4. Change or Use Textiles
Whether you wish to swap out or introduce textiles to your 90s bathroom, the addition of textiles will elevate the vibe that your bathroom is exuding, keeping the 90s charm but adding a modern tinge in the mix. Your options will depend on what you’re working with – do you have a shower curtain that’s already outdated appearance-wise? Then go swap it out with something more contemporary in design.
Want to make your bathroom feel more welcoming? Add a nice little carpet by the doorstep or near the sink area as it’s an easy way to add more color, scale, and warmth to what is otherwise a hygienic space without remodeling.
5. Change the Lighting
Another way for you to improve and modernize a 90s bathroom without massive renovations or remodeling is by simply changing the lighting. Update and swap out old light bulbs and preferably use LED light sources so you can modernize your bathroom and save energy at the same time.
6. Accentuate with Wallpaper
If the walls have upper sections that do not have tiles, you can complement the tiles with a wallpaper that can mesh well with the 90s bathroom tiles. The idea here is to provide a simple means to give more personality and vibes to your bathroom without total renovation or remodeling. Also, there are some patterns that can provide an optical illusion should they mesh well with your tiles, making your 90s-era bathroom look taller than it suggests.
Modernizing a 90s bathroom doesn’t mean renovating
Just because you want to update the appearance of your 90s bathroom doesn’t instantly translate to renovating right away. I mean, sure – Renovating will update the appearance of your bathroom, the trade-off is that your bathroom will lose its distinct vibe and atmosphere.
Instead of resorting to renovating right away, perhaps it’s better that you apply some changes and tweaks ranging from decorations, a new paint job, to complementary wallpapers to update your vintage bathroom without killing its unique atmosphere. Hopefully, the ideas we’ve covered should help you improve your old-fashioned bathroom.
