Popular mid-century bathroom color schemes of the 1950s

Mid-century bathroom color schemes: Planning personality (1957)

Text from “Planning Modern Bathrooms in Color,” by American-Standard (1957)

The era of stark, lifeless bathrooms is quickly disappearing. In its wake is an exciting trend toward colorful, interesting bathroom design.

Today, style-conscious homeowners insist on planning their own bathrooms as they do the other rooms in the home . . . they are proud to “leave the bathroom door open.”

What goes into a “comfortable” bathroom? Fixtures, of course. They must be “right” in color, size, convenience and style — those features which will contribute so much to the comfort of your bathroom.

By attractively planning other elements around the fixtures, your own bathroom design will materialize right before your eyes.

Selecting the right fixtures presents no problems because American-Standard fixtures are available in many different colors and styles.

Three exciting new shades — Regency Blue, Manchu Yellow and Tourmaline Green — have been added to the five already popular colors of Persian Brown, Platinum Gray, Tang Red, Ming Green and Corallin.

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There is a color here to suit any taste. The variations of color combinations that can be developed around any one of these “lifetime” colors are limitless … no matter how small your budget.

There are other elements to be considered, such as accessories, design, convenience, light — just to mention a few. Even if you have an architect or decorator, this booklet will help put your ideas together . . . help you plan a bathroom with personality — atmosphere — sparkle. You will discover it to be an exciting and gratifying experience.

More color in the bathroom (1957)

From the Sheboygan Press – April 29, 1957

Pink and yellow bathroom fixture sales increased sharply last year, reports the Plumbing Fixture Manufacturers’ Association. White bathroom fixtures continued to lose ground to color.

Sales of other colors, including blue, gray, green, ivory, deep red, and tan, remained fairly stable.

Fourteen percent more pink lavatories were sold than a year ago, says the PFMA. Pink toilet sales showed an 18 percent increase, but pink bathtub sales dropped about 10 percent. Yellow lavatories registered a 10 percent sales gain. Yellow toilets and bathtubs were up 4 and 6 percent respectively, the PFMA says.

Sales of white fixtures were down 10 percent for lavatories, 13 percent for toilets, and 16 percent for bathtubs, PFMA points out.

Midcentury bathrooms: Colors become brighter

From the Racine Journal Times Bulletin – December 28, 1958

The top basic colors in bathroom fixtures are now yellow, pink, and baby blue. Standard white has taken a back seat.

Color-scheming the bathroom with these new fixtures can be fun. Try stained plastic-finished wood walls, and red brick-or-tile patterned linoleum or brown-and-yellow tile with harmonizing accessories and yellow fixtures.

A delicate or bold effect can be fashioned from pink bathroom fixtures, contrasted with black or brown. The delicate or bold effect can come from charcoal accessories, the bold from using brown walls and floor.

Baby blue is a good color for the family bath. Try plastic finished wallboard of the same color as the blue fixtures, and use gay red accents.

For a powder room, use delicate blues and greens, and hang Venetian blinds of the same color as fixtures.

Midcentury bathrooms: How to add charm and convenience

There are many simple economical ideas that can be used to give that new look and add convenience when remodeling your bathroom. Perhaps one or more of these suggestions can be worked into your bathroom plans easily. Also notice how the attractive patterns and colors of floors and walls can add style and interest to a bathroom.

Put soap and towels within reach … a recessed soap dish at both bath and shower levels eliminates bending and fumbling– combination grab and towel bars add safety and convenience.

Extra room for toilet articles … a dashboard-type cabinet with sliding doors over the lavatory puts toilet articles within handy reach.

Whether you are building a new house, adding a bathroom or remodeling your present one this service has something for you. Even in something as simple as buying new towels or shower curtains, these color schemes offer many helpful ideas.

With this assistance in color planning your bathroom, you will achieve “professional” results that you will want to “show off” to your friends and guests . . . and you’ll have fun doing it, too.

Full length — full light . . . make this mirror a welcome addition to any bathroom. Built-in seat facilitates dressing and doubles as a storage area for cleaning materials, shower slippers, etc.

Built-in laundry hamper . . . a feature housewives bless many times over. The large medicine cabinet is easily accessible from both sides of the counter, too.

Decorative tiles . . . mean distinctive, colorful bathrooms. They can add exciting design to solid color walls . . . make bathroom cleaning easy.

Shelves with style . . . are ideal for double lavatory bathrooms. These back-to-back shelves and mirrors offer more personal bathroom convenience for two people.

Decorative towel holders . . . and other accessories accent the decor of your bathroom. This is an excellent way to put the finishing touch to a luxurious bathroom.

Midcentury bathrooms: Modern fixtures suggest “a touch of tomorrow”

Plan your new or remodeled bathroom so that it will stay new for years. By selecting these modern fixtures— completely new in design— you can change the accessories as often as you like and have a “new” room each time.

Notice how accessories— the bright rug, striped shower curtain and matching seat — accent the Ming Green fixtures to give this bathroom that “always fresh” look of tomorrow.

The tub and lavatory were styled by Walter Dorwin Teague, nationally known industrial designer.

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16 popular bathroom color schemes from the ’50s – including samples

The following pages show sixteen original color schemes specially prepared for you by Miss Lee Childress, a nationally-known color consultant. Each scheme has been developed around an American-Standard Lifetime Color.

Appropriate colors for walls, tile, floor coverings, towels, shower curtains, and accents have been selected with discrimination to make each scheme tastefully correct and attractive.

Each scheme is arranged to make it easier for you to visualize what your new or redecorated bathroom will look like. You will even find the name of the manufacturer, color and pattern of all materials shown.

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Midcentury bathrooms: Vintage toilet & tank colors from the ’50s

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Old lavatory (sink) colors from American Standard – 1950s

Midcentury bathroom with matte blue brickwork, plus brown and black accents

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