Traditional bathrooms have long remained a firm favourite, and their popularity shows no sign of waning. While contemporary bathroom design has received considerable attention in recent years, the traditional bathroom continues to hold enduring appeal. Its elegance, combined with the way it blends classic design with modern functionality, makes it a particularly fitting choice for period properties. Traditional bathrooms draw inspiration from the past without being confined by it. Introducing the character of classical fittings and design into your home creates a high-quality bathroom built to stand the test of time. Designing your ideal traditional bathroom need not be a daunting process.
What You Need to Create a Traditional Bathroom
When beginning to plan a new bathroom, it can be difficult to know where to start. With so many traditional bathroom ideas available, it is easy to become focused on the overall look you wish to achieve without a clear sense of how to reach it. Breaking the project down into the following distinct categories can help.
Baths
The freestanding bathtub is often the first image that comes to mind when picturing traditional bathroom design. By its nature, a freestanding bath requires space around it, making it best suited to larger bathrooms. While bateau and roll-top tubs can represent a significant investment, Old Fashioned Bathrooms offers a range of high-quality tubs at competitive prices.
Toilets
To complete the traditional theme, an old-fashioned toilet is well worth considering. These are available in several popular styles, each suited to different types of bathroom furniture and spatial layouts. The high-level toilet with pull chain, for example, can serve as a striking focal point in its own right, particularly when paired with a throne-style toilet seat. Close-coupled and low-level toilets are also popular alternatives.
Bathroom Furniture
When selecting traditional bathroom furniture, character and how well a piece complements the bathroom’s overall theme are key considerations. A combined sink and storage solution can be achieved by pairing a traditional bathroom cabinet with a built-in basin alongside a wall-hung vanity unit, offering additional storage without encroaching on floor space.
Showers
Where modern showers are typically designed to conceal their fittings, traditional bathroom design often makes a feature of quality pipework, allowing it to become a focal point in its own right. Exposed pipework can therefore be a highly effective element of a traditional bathroom scheme. For those who prefer a more discreet finish, Old Fashioned Bathrooms also offers a range of concealed shower options, including shower trays and doors.
Basins
In smaller traditional bathrooms, the basin can serve as the focal point around which the rest of the room is designed — an approach particularly well suited to cloakrooms complementing a main household bathroom. Basin options include pedestal and bracket-hung designs, as well as the cabinet sink solutions discussed above, which combine functionality with additional storage.
Bathroom Taps
Taps provide the finishing touch to any traditional bathroom and are an important detail to consider when finalising your design. A range of traditional tap styles is available, including wall-mounted, deck-mounted and spout options. For an additional touch of luxury, floor-mounted taps can effectively complement a freestanding bathtub arrangement.
Radiators
Given the more complex heating systems found in modern homes, traditional radiators and towel warmers can represent a higher-cost addition to a bathroom, and may therefore be considered more of a luxury feature. That said, Old Fashioned Bathrooms offers a variety of radiators and towel rails, making it worth exploring the available options before ruling out this feature.
Accessories
The finishing details of a traditional bathroom – wall lights, sconces, mirrors, shelving, hooks, rails and toilet roll holders – play an important role in completing the overall look. These smaller elements should not be overlooked, particularly where complementary pieces are available to match existing fixtures such as a towel rail or bathroom furniture.
Complete Bathroom Suites
Old Fashioned Bathrooms offers an extensive selection of traditional suites spanning many of the most iconic design eras. Choosing a coordinated suite offers two key advantages: it saves time by presenting pieces that are designed to work well together, and it ensures a cohesive look, avoiding the risk of selecting a basin that does not complement your chosen bath.
Designing on a Budget
Creating a traditional bathroom need not come at significant expense. While it is certainly possible to spend considerably on this style, there are several ways to manage costs effectively — our team would be happy to advise on options that suit your budget.
Traditional Bathroom Experts
Traditional bathroom design remains as popular as ever, whether you are looking to update an existing bathroom or recreate a period-authentic design within a heritage property. We offer an extensive range of products across popular period styles, including Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian bathroom suites. Manufactured to the highest standards, our products are built to last – so much so that many come with a 25-year guarantee. Visit our showroom or contact us for further information; we would be delighted to help you create a traditional bathroom design you can be proud of.