Yellow bathrooms have an interesting history in interior design and home decor. While bright, cheery yellow may seem like an unusual choice for a bathroom, it was actually quite a popular look for bathrooms during certain eras.
The 1920s and 1930s
Yellow bathrooms first rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s. During this era, bright, vibrant colors started coming into vogue for bathrooms. Pastel pinks, greens, blues and yellows became stylish choices for bathroom walls, tiles, and fixtures. This represented a dramatic shift away from all-white bathrooms, which had been the most common style prior to the 1920s.
The color yellow in particular was a popular choice for bathrooms during this time period. Cheerful sunshine yellow evoked a sense of optimism and uplifting energy, which many people were drawn to. After World War I, people were eager to move away from the drab colors and designs of earlier eras. Yellow bathrooms with their bright, joyful hues fit well with the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architectural styles that were also popular in the 1920s/30s.
Fixtures like sinks, tubs and toilets often came in bright, glossy yellow hues during this era. Wall tiles in shiny yellow, often arranged in bold geometric patterns, adorned many bathrooms. Even bathroom accessories like soap dishes, toothbrush holders, towels and rugs came in sunny yellow shades. This trend spread beyond just the wealthiest homes – yellow bathroom decor became common in many middle class houses as well.
Mid-Century Modern Style
Yellow bathrooms saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s as Mid-Century Modern design grew trendy. Mid-Century Modern style emphasized sleek, streamlined shapes and bright pops of color. Sunny yellow was an ideal fit.
Combinations like white fixtures and walls with bright yellow tile accents came into vogue. The cheery color lent an optimistic, upbeat feeling that appealed to many homeowners during this postwar era. Famous Mid-Century designers like Alexander Girard created yellow tile patterns that were used in many bathrooms.
The development of cheaper, easier-to-clean materials like glossy fiberglass further contributed to the popularity of yellow bathrooms. Entire yellow fiberglass tub and shower units became available. The bright, playful color suited the suburban tract housing boom of the 1950s.
The 1970s
Yellow bathrooms saw yet another comeback in the 1970s as color palettes shifted once again. Warm, earthy tones like harvest gold, burnt orange and avocado green became trendy throughout homes as the psychedelic style of the late 1960s faded away. Sunny yellow fit right in with this aesthetic.
Combine yellow with popular 1970s patterns like bold plaid or floral prints, and you had a quintessential 1970s bathroom. Glossy yellow fixtures also remained common. Tile maintained popularity, often in a mix of colors like yellow, tan and white. Yellow bathrooms felt cheerful yet cozy to many homeowners during the 1970s.
When did yellow bathrooms go out of style?
The popularity of all-yellow bathrooms gradually faded by the early 1980s. Decor began shifting toward more subdued, neutral palettes. Bolds pops of color became less common in bathrooms. By the 1990s, nearly all-white bathrooms came back into fashion in a significant way. They remain the dominant style today in most contemporary homes.
However, that doesn’t mean yellow has disappeared from bathrooms altogether. While bathrooms decked out entirely in bright yellow are rare today, many people include yellow accents in small doses. Yellow towels or bath mats remain popular choices. Painting one wall yellow while keeping other walls neutral is another modern strategy.
Yellow Bathrooms Today
While not as ubiquitous as they were in the middle of the 20th century, yellow bathrooms are still an option for the adventurous homeowner. If done right, a yellow bathroom can feel retro and stylish versus dated. The key is sticking with a crisp, clean yellow versus a dingy, faded one.
Mid-Century Modern homes have seen a major comeback in recent years, along with a renewed appreciation of period-perfect design. For owners of a Mid-Century home, a yellow bathroom that pays homage to this era can be an excellent and unique choice. The color practically screams “1950s” or “1960s.” Just pair it with other era-appropriate elements like sleek surfaces, atomic-style patterns or vintage lighting fixtures.
For a more contemporary yellow bathroom, keep fixtures and other elements pared down and simple. Modern vessel sinks, frameless shower enclosures and minimalist toilet and tub designs help create a crisp, current look. Avoid competing patterns. Include just one or two classic patterns like stripes, diagonals or chevrons in doses.
Another modern option is to paint the walls a pale yellow or soft buttery yellow. This provides just a hint of warmth versus an in-your-face blast of bright yellow. Pair with white subway tile and modern fixtures for an updated take.
While yellow bathrooms as a whole have waxed and waned in popularity over the decades, this sunny color remains a viable option for the right home and style. Paired with clean, contemporary elements, it can feel fresh and innovative versus dated. For Mid-Century homes, it’s the perfect blast-from-the-past in the happiest of hues.
Conclusion
Yellow bathrooms have gone through several cycles of popularity over the past century:
– They first rose to prominence in the 1920s/30s as bold, vibrant colors came into vogue. Cheerful yellow fit right in with the sleek Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles of the era.
– They surged again in the 1950s/60s Mid-Century Modern period. Sunny yellow paired well with common elements like fiberglass fixtures, white accents, and sleek surfaces.
– The earthy, warm color palettes of the 1970s brought back yellow bathrooms yet again, often mixed with plaids, florals and organic patterns.
– By the early 1980s, neutral palettes dominated bathroom design. All-yellow bathrooms faded from popularity.
– Today, yellow bathrooms are rare. But contemporary takes with yellow accents or pale walls are an option. Mid-Century homes can use yellow to embellish an era-appropriate vibe.
| Decade | Yellow Bathroom Popularity |
|---|---|
| 1920s/1930s | Very popular |
| 1950s/1960s | Very popular |
| 1970s | Popular |
| 1980s | Declining |
| 1990s | Rare |
| Today | Uncommon, some contemporary takes |
