Yup, but it's not like your grandma's blue toilet.

The return of the 70s style is no secret. Homeowners are increasingly getting design inspiration from the flamboyant and diverse designs of the 1970s, ranging from disco balls and maximalist designs to wicker furniture.

The comeback of bright plumbing fixtures like sinks, toilets, and bathtubs is one of the newest '70s-inspired design trends to hit the interior design space.

In fact, Spring Green and Peachblow, two of Kohler's greatest-selling archived colors, are making a comeback and will be officially launched this summer of 2023.

If images of your grandma's salmon-pink bathroom with its color-washed fixtures give you the scare, don't worry. This vibrant trend is returning in a more stylish and modern fashion than ever before.

 

So, what's the reason for the reappearance of colorful plumbing?

In the interior design world, we're seeing a pivot towards the old and nostalgic. And so, it makes sense that colorful plumbing fittings would reemerge after decades of interior spaces painted in white. Recently, homeowners are beginning to embrace color in their spaces in a variety of ways.

Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs says that with home designs becoming bolder and more expressive, colorful porcelain plumbing fittings are returning. People are seeking ways to add more flair and personality to their interiors as they spend more time there, and using colorful plumbing fittings provides a way to achieve just that.

In addition, more and more homeowners are using interior decors to spruce up their once-functional spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and even laundry rooms.

Talk to JarvisInteriors experts today to help you design your interior spaces to the updated 70s!

The senior marketing manager at Kohler, Alyssa Wilterdink, says that we'll continue to see the bathroom changing and becoming an avenue for self-expression where homeowners are more open to take some risks. Updating spaces with color creates an elegant contrast that's cozy and aesthetically pleasing, yet engaging and surprising.

 

An update on a nostalgic design

Even though colorful plumbing fittings are back in style in 2023, they don't look anything like they did many decades. What distinguishes the comeback style this time around? In a nutshell, vendors are creating more color and pattern options than ever before, in sleek and modern looks.

Cleaner lines, sleeker shapes, and modern finishes are used in many brand designs to produce an up-to-date rendition of the '70s style. For homeowners wishing to add a particular feature to their interior spaces, customization is also easier to achieve.

Read related: 4 Home Trends from ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ that Perfectly Capture the ’70s

 

Tips for using colorful plumbing fittings in your bathroom

Before deciding to upgrade your home with a colorful toilet, sink, or bathtub, it's a good idea to carefully think about how you will style the space with this type of fixture. Here is some advice from experts on how to make colorful plumbing functional in your home.

1- Pick the right room.

If this is your first time playing with colorful fittings and you're uncertain about making the change in your main bathroom, consider trying out colored fixtures in a smaller, lesser-used room of your house first.

Experts from Maren Baker Design recommend to use it  in pool bathrooms, a powder bath near your entertaining space, kids rooms, or even guest bathrooms where you may not be spending a lot of time but would give you an opportunity to try something fun and colorful.

2- Opt for muted tones.

Trending, colorful plumbing fittings come in a variety of colors, from delicate pastels to striking jewel tones and everything in between. To prevent your area from becoming easily outdated, Lamonaca advises using colorful fittings in more subdued or subtle colors like pastel greens, blues, and pinks [rather] than bright, bold shades. This will make the design retain its modern and fresh look rather than appearing tacky and overdone.

3- Implement the color throughout the room.

When opting for a bold-colored fixture, it is necessary to complement it with various elements in the space like tile, wallpaper, or paint, explains the experts from Eggshell Home.

This will help in making the fixture look well-planned and intentional rather than just trendy and "out of place" in the room. Along with longer-lasting items like tiles and wall colors, consider adding accessories like hardware, artwork, linens (such as shower curtains, bath towels, floor mats, etc.), and other decor to splash some color to the space.

4- Introduce balance by using neutral tones.

Incorporating some neutral hues to complement a colorful plumbing fixture helps create balance in the space. For instance, you can choose flooring, countertops, or walls of neutral colors. This helps you achieve a balanced, harmonious look while still making a statement.

5- Bring in timeless items.

It's always a good idea to put colorful plumbing together with timeless (and basic) materials like wood, marble, and tile to keep it from feeling antiquated. The idea is to mix a potentially trendy item with timeless elements that will enable the design to maintain its fashionable and current look no matter what year it is.

To get more tips on vintage décor items, read: Decorating with vintage – 10 ways to add character to your home

 

Is bright plumbing fixture just a fleeting taste?

Designers seem to believe that it's probably only a matter of time before colorful fixtures go out of style once again –much like the colorful plumbing trends of the mid- to late-20th century. But it doesn't mean that if you wish to give your room a lively pop of color, you shouldn't give this trend a try. And, if we've learned anything about tastes and trends, colorful plumbing fixtures will eventually come in style again anyway.

Design experts from Billy Ceglia Designs explain that before adopting any trend in your home, it's necessary to take into account your own personal style and preferences. If you like the way colorful plumbing fittings look and can see yourself using them for a long time, then give it a shot. But if you're unsure, think about starting small with less expensive fixtures and accessories before committing to the colorful trend completely.

Read related: Baby Blue Tubs and Lemony Loos. Are Colored Bathroom Fixtures Chic Again?

For more inspiration, take a look at the photo gallery here: Water Colors: 10 Favorite Bathrooms with Retro Colored Fixtures. 

 

Words like "vibrant" and "punchy" don't typically come to mind when talking bathroom fixtures, but the rising popularity of colorful toilets, sinks, tubs, and other fixtures are trying to change that. While the color scheme is inspired by the 1950s, '60s, and '70s (think avocado green and Pepto Bismol pink), the playful textures and minimalist shapes are unmistakably modern.

Get ready to brighten up your bathroom with a nostalgic comeback. Let the experts of JarvisInteriors help you achieve the up-to-date 70's design you like.

To get more interior decorating ideas from JarvisInteriors, check out this article: When Vintage Style Meets Modern Homes.

And, to learn more expert hacks for bathroom updates, watch: TOP 10 Ideas for SMALL BATHROOMS | Interior Design Ideas and Home Decor | Tips and Trends.

 

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CONTENT Credits

The Colorful Plumbing Trend Is Bringing ’70s Style Back to Bathrooms

Trend Report: Bathroom Fixtures Go Bold in a Rainbow of Retro Hues

Photo Credits:

The Finishing Touch That Will Set Your Bathroom Apart (Austin Maynard Architects)