This Vintage Bathroom Feature Will Be Everywhere in 2026, Pros Say

If you love scouring flea markets and thrift shops for vintage finds, it’s a safe assumption that you probably love vintage bathrooms, too — whether it’s as small as a half bath or as large as a primary or en suite one. You’re in good company, with myriad TikToks proclaiming adoration for these bygone baths — in fact, vintage enthusiasts can get downright angry when these vintage bathrooms are removed and replaced with modern white and black bathrooms. As a vintage bathroom enthusiast myself, I think they add character and charm to any home — and I’m not alone.

Vintage baths have generally been making a comeback in recent years, and I can’t help but smile when I spot some pink fixtures or atomic wallpaper. But I do sometimes wonder how these vintage bathrooms are viewed in the real estate world. So, I asked pros in the know to tell me once and for all: What is the single feature that’s making the biggest comeback, and do these throwback baths legitimately boost resale value? 

Adie Kriegstein, a licensed sales agent and principal of the NYC Experience Team at Compass, says that in general, buyers are after simple, clean lines in a bathroom, and that’s very much in step with a vintage feature that’s very in right now: subway tiles, and lot of ’em. 

Rick Bannon, global real estate adviser at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, agrees, and says that subway tiles have made a “strong comeback” in both modern-styled bathrooms as well as in bathrooms that have been remodeled in overall vintage designs. 

“The subway tile look has received an infusion of modern appeal using more modern colors, textures, and shapes that typically aren’t found in bathrooms of the past that serve as the inspiration for modern vintage bathroom remodels,” he says.  

While a modern bathroom can certainly showcase new subway tiles, finding a real-deal vintage bathroom that still sports original subway tiles is a dream come true for many. 

You might be wondering: Do vintage bathrooms actually translate to higher value in a home? Perhaps you have a vintage bathroom of your own that you’re considering remodeling, but you might be tempted to keep it as is in order to pocket more money later. (I wouldn’t touch it, but that’s just me!)

“Whether your home has a ‘vintage-designed’ bathroom or a ‘vintage-inspired’ bathroom, either design can provide added value to any property so long as the bathrooms are well-maintained, in good repair, and maintain features that complement the design of the bathroom and its visual appeal,” Bannon shares. 

Plenty of people are creating “vintage-inspired” bathrooms in their modern-day homes, spaces that aren’t actually from a bygone era, but nod to it through certain design choices. You can carry out a modern take on vintage designs (think: white subway tile, an antique-style pedestal sink), but should you really be trying to go authentic? For example, should you embrace pink walls and a Cinderella tub in the name of resale value? 

“Although pink subway tiles and a pink claw tub might appeal to a number of people, such a color scheme does not appeal to the masses,” Bannon says. “If there is any chance that the home you’re in isn’t the house you intend to be in for the rest of your life, choosing a color palette that isn’t widely appreciated, regardless of the level of craftsmanship of those features, will work against the added value that you might command in a future sale.” 

But then there are those who can appreciate a modern bathroom that’s true to vintage designs. For instance, someone may design a midcentury bath that feels as if it’s been transported in a time machine, and there are specific buyers who are after such a thing, especially if it matches the aesthetic of the rest of the home. If you live in a gorgeous Los Angeles home with a period-accurate spanish bathroom that matches the design of the rest of the home and is in fabulous working order, you might not want to be tearing that out. The market also matters. At the end of the day, it will depend upon the taste of the buyers your home will one day attract. 

As mentioned, vintage pink might be a turnoff to some buyers, and in addition, Kriegstein says that specifically “salmon pink” and “avocado” tend to convey an old and dated feel. But again, there are those who love these colors of the past, like me. Just know that the pool of buyers may become smaller if you try to sell your house with a bath that has these colors.

“If a home has been renovated to a very specific design [that doesn’t match the bathroom], then a vintage bathroom should be taken out,” Kriegstein advises. “Another instance where one might decide to remove a vintage bathroom is if a home is incredibly modern with built-in technology throughout the space. Lastly, a vintage bath should be taken out and remodeled if its plumbing is outdated. In New York, we have a lot of prewar homes, and people love the old bathrooms — however, the plumbing has to be redone, so they’ll renovate and then just put in a refreshed-looking bath almost identical to the one that used to be there.” 

Bannon also says that if a vintage bathroom has begun to show its age, it could be time for a remodel or a replacement of those worn-out features. 

As someone who personally loves vintage, a home with an authentic, and beautifully maintained, vintage bathroom appeals to me. But I’m not everyone. If you’re selling your home and want to appeal to the masses, or if your bathroom needs serious structural work, it might be time to consider remodeling your bath. You can always mix old and new — like adding deep green subway tiles alongside modern amenities like a wet room. 

If you’re interested in refreshing a true vintage bath, or if you want to give a vintage makeover to a current bath, and you want to increase your home’s resale value, it’s a good idea to do your homework or even meet with a designer. Achieving a spot-on vintage look is truly an art form. And remember: It’s your home. You can do what you want with it.