Introduction to Farmhouse Bathroom Style
The farmhouse style bathroom evokes a feeling of cozy simplicity, with design elements inspired by vintage rural homes. This rustic yet charming aesthetic features many signature details that create a relaxing oasis with old-fashioned character.
At its core, the farmhouse bathroom emphasizes rugged simplicity. This style emerged in the early 1900s when indoor plumbing first became common in modest rural farm homes. The bathrooms featured practical clawfoot tubs, unfinished wood accents, and classic white fixtures.
Over time, the look has evolved into a popular trend that still focuses on utility but with added vintage flair. Key elements include galvanized metal, reclaimed wood, painted cabinets, lace curtains, and distressed finishes. This creates a soothing, down-home style rooted in simplicity but made beautiful with timeworn character and antique-inspired accents.
The overall look can range from shabby chic with painted weathered finishes to a more refined rustic style with natural wood and ceramic tile. But in general, the farmhouse bathroom evokes nostalgic rural charm with vintage styling and practical everyday components. This timeless aesthetic brings cozy comfort to contemporary bathrooms.
Essential Farmhouse Bathroom Features
The essential features of a farmhouse bathroom include:
- **Clawfoot Tubs**: A freestanding clawfoot tub is a quintessential farmhouse bathroom element. The exposed tub legs give a vintage feel. Consider a slipper, double slipper, or double-ended tub for a classic farmhouse look.
- **Wood Accents**: Wood tones lend to the farmhouse aesthetic. Incorporate wood accents like shiplap walls, wood flooring, vanities, shelving, or mirrors. Distressed, weathered woods like reclaimed barn wood complement the vintage style.
- **Subway Tile**: Subway tile is a popular farmhouse bathroom wall covering. The rectangular tiles in white or light colors lend to the clean, neutral look. Subway tile backsplashes and shower walls create classic farmhouse style.
- **Vintage Fixtures**: Look for vintage-style fixtures like pendant lights, sconces, or vanity lighting. Wrought iron, brass, or nickel finishes work well. Add vintage touches like cross-handle faucets or a wall-mount farmhouse sink.
- **Neutral Color Palette**: Farmhouse bathrooms utilize a neutral color scheme. Stick to whites, off-whites, light grays, and beiges on the walls, wainscoting, floors, and tiles. Accent with black and wood tones to complete the look.
The essential farmhouse features create a timeless, vintage-inspired bathroom. Focus on these core elements for an authentic farmhouse bathroom design.
Choosing a Clawfoot Tub
Clawfoot tubs are a signature element in a farmhouse bathroom. When selecting a clawfoot tub, you’ll first need to decide between cast iron or acrylic construction. Cast iron tubs are the most traditional and durable option, but they tend to be much heavier and pricier than acrylic. Acrylic provides a lighter, more affordable clawfoot tub choice, though the material isn’t as heat retentive.
You’ll also need to determine if you want a freestanding tub or a built-in tub with a finished skirt. Freestanding tubs make a bolder stylistic statement and offer easier access for cleaning around the exterior. Built-in tubs with skirting often provide a more seamless look.
When sizing your clawfoot tub, make sure to account for the rough-in plumbing and the available floor space in your bathroom. The tub’s interior dimensions, exterior footprint size, and height are all important factors. Measure thoroughly to find a clawfoot tub that fits the bathing needs, stylistic desires, and physical layout of your unique farmhouse bathroom space. Oversized 66-inch and 70-inch tubs offer the most comfortable two-person bathing, while smaller 54-60 inch tubs may better suit tight spaces.
Selecting Farmhouse Fixtures
When selecting fixtures and finishes for a farmhouse bathroom, aim for pieces that evoke the vintage, rustic style.
Vintage-Inspired Faucets
Vintage-style faucets with cross handles help establish the old-fashioned farmhouse look. Go for faucets with a brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze finish. This dark, worn metal look perfectly fits the farmhouse aesthetic. Lever handle faucets also work well. Stay away from modern, sleek faucets in shiny chrome.
Rustic Lighting Fixtures
For lighting, look for rustic fixtures that feel both vintage and industrial. Pendant lights over the vanity or clawfoot tub made from materials like galvanized metal, copper, or mason jars have a wonderful farmhouse vibe. Sconce lighting also blends well. Stay away from very sleek or modern light fixtures. The lighting should feel like it came out of an old barn or farmhouse.
Barn Door Style Hardware
Use barn door style sliding door hardware instead of traditional hinged doors. The large iron hardware and use of a sliding door evoke an old barn feel. This works great for a sliding bathroom door or sliding shutters on the tub/shower area.
Incorporating Wood Accents
Wood elements add warmth and rustic charm to a farmhouse bathroom. Consider incorporating wood in the following ways:
Wood Vanities
A classic wood vanity anchored by a porcelain sink makes a statement in a farmhouse bath. Look for vanities made of reclaimed barn wood, oak, pine, or maple. Distressed, painted finishes complement the farmhouse aesthetic. Opt for a vanity with shelves or drawers to hide away bathroom clutter.
Shelving
Open wood shelving provides handy storage space in a farmhouse bath while contributing visual interest. Stagger floating shelves at varying heights on the wall or install a floor-to-ceiling ladder shelf. Display rolled towels, candles, and dried flowers on the shelves. Rough-hewn wood shelves make an especially fitting choice.
Shiplap Walls
Shiplap wood paneling instantly brings farmhouse appeal to bathroom walls. Opt for white or light gray painted shiplap to keep the space feeling bright and airy. Consider shiplap on one feature wall or on the wall behind the tub. Distressed, vintage shiplap boards add rustic texture.
Wood Floors
Wood floors ground a farmhouse bathroom with natural warmth and charm. Distressed wide-plank wood floors complement vintage farmhouse style. For moisture resistance, choose wood species like teak or bamboo. Seal and coat the floors properly to protect the wood. Place natural fiber rugs around the tub and vanity area.
Incorporating reclaimed wood accents provides an authentic farmhouse feel in the bathroom. Opt for vintage touches like a clawfoot tub on a shiplap backdrop surrounded by wood floors and shelving. The combination of wood, porcelain, and metal creates a timeless farmhouse space.
Picking Farmhouse Tile
A farmhouse bathroom simply must have the right tiles to achieve the classic vintage aesthetic. There are several great options to consider that will give you the farmhouse look.
Subway tile is one of the most popular choices for farmhouse bathrooms. The rectangular tiles come in glossy white, putty, light gray, and black. Subway tile gives the walls a clean and timeless look. Use larger format subway tiles on the walls and smaller sizes on the shower floor.
For a more antique vibe, penny tile is a great choice. The small round tiles normally come in white, black, or a warm terracotta. Penny tile has a charming weathered appearance when used as a bathroom flooring. Be aware that grout lines may need extra cleaning with this style.
Hexagon tile offers a fun six-sided shape and vintage charm. Use white or a soft neutral color for hex tiles on a bathroom floor. The geometric tiles can also be laid in interesting patterns. Keep in mind that hexagon tile requires more grout lines than traditional square tile.
Finally, antique brick style tile is a bold choice that perfectly fits farmhouse decor. The elongated rectangles resemble old bricks and have a handmade appearance. Brick tile works well for adding an accent wall in a farmhouse bathroom. Stick to soft whites or grays for this style of tile.
With any farmhouse tile, opt for a classic white grout rather than darker colors. This helps contribute to the light and airy vintage look. Take your time choosing the right tile with character and old-fashioned appeal to create the perfect farmhouse bathroom.
Choosing Farmhouse Colors
The color palette is key to achieving the signature farmhouse style in your bathroom. Classic farmhouse bathrooms tend to use light, airy colors to create a relaxed, casual vibe. Here are some of the most popular color choices for a farmhouse bathroom:
**Whites** Crisp whites are a hallmark of farmhouse style. Consider using white on the walls, trim, cabinets, and ceilings to open up the space and make it feel bright and airy. White also pairs beautifully with natural wood accents. Go for options like Swiss Coffee, Extra White, or Decorators White.
**Neutrals** In addition to white, consider neutral hues like light tans, grays, and beiges which can provide a cozy, welcoming look. Try painting the walls a soft neutral like grayish-beige. Taupe is another great choice that works well with wood tones.
**Soft greens** Subtle green hues complement the natural, pastoral feel of the farmhouse aesthetic. Try pale sage green or muted seafoam on the walls. Soft greens also pair nicely with white trim and fixtures.
**Light blues** Powder blue is another quintessential farmhouse color. It recalls vintage French or cottage-style motifs. Use a robin’s egg blue on shiplap walls or the ceiling for a calm, relaxing ambiance. Avoid bright primary blues, which can feel too bold.
The most important tip is to stick to light, muted shades that feel airy and casual. Avoid darker or bolder colors that will make the bathroom feel smaller or overly rustic. Focus on light neutrals, greens, and blues in soft matte finishes to achieve the quintessential farmhouse bathroom vibe.
Additional Farmhouse Touches
Bringing in antique-inspired accents is a great way to inject personality and charm into a farmhouse bathroom. Here are some key additions to consider:
Framed Vintage Mirrors
A beautiful antique mirror in a vintage-inspired frame can serve as a stylish focal point. Look for unique shapes like ovals, arched tops, or ornate gold frames. For extra character, consider mirrors with chips, distressed finishes, or other imperfections. A nice large mirror can make a small farmhouse bathroom feel more spacious. Hang it near a window to reflect beautiful natural light.
Floating Vanities
Rather than a traditional built-in vanity, opt for a floating style instead. This creates a lighter, more open look and can showcase charming legs or exposed plumbing underneath. Search for antique consoles or sideboards that can be converted into vanities. Paint or stain them in serene whites or grays to match the farmhouse aesthetic.
Wicker Baskets for Storage
Incorporate baskets made of natural materials like rattan, jute or sea grass to hold rolled towels, toiletries, or bath accessories. The textures provide an organic feel and keep things tidy. Look for different shapes and sizes that can be stacked or nested together. Wire hanging baskets are great for wall storage too.
Floral Accents
Simple floral accents like windowsill plants, artwork of botanical prints, or subtle wallpaper can provide pops of soft color and connect to nature. Dried grasses or flowers in glass bottles make lovely arrangements. For a bit of whimsy, hang a vintage watering can from the ceiling filled with fresh or faux blooms. Just avoid going overboard to maintain the clean farmhouse look. A little greenery goes a long way.
With small special touches like these, you can create a farmhouse bathroom that feels curated, charming, and full of personality. The vintage accents and natural materials align perfectly with the relaxed style.
Budgeting for a Farmhouse Bathroom
Remodeling a bathroom into a farmhouse style can range greatly in price depending on factors like the size of the space, materials used, and whether you do a full gut renovation versus a cosmetic facelift. Here’s a rough breakdown of estimated costs for key elements in a farmhouse bathroom:
**Clawfoot Tub** $500-$3000 depending on whether you buy a new acrylic tub, vintage cast iron, or restored antique.
**Vanity** $300-$2000 for a wood farmhouse-style vanity.
**Fixtures** $75-$300 per fixture like faucets, shower head, towel rods. Opt for vintage-look brass for a true farmhouse aesthetic.
**Tile** Ceramic subway tiles can cost $5-$15 per sq ft. More unique vintage-look tiles may run $15-$30 per sq ft.
**Total remodel** For a full gut renovation of a 5×7 bathroom, expect to spend $15,000-$30,000. For a simple cosmetic update, budget $3,000-$8,000.
Here are some tips to save money on your farmhouse bathroom remodel:
- Check secondhand stores for vintage finds like a clawfoot tub or antique vanity. These will be less expensive than buying new.
- Use subway tile as an affordable wall covering rather than pricier vintage-look tile. Use it selectively on walls or as an accent.
- Install fixtures yourself rather than paying a plumber. This can greatly reduce labor costs.
- Choose a pedestal sink or repurposed console table for the vanity rather than a custom built-in cabinet.
- Paint existing tile floors white rather than replacing with new tile. Use classic black and white octagon and hexagon tile as an accent.
- Shop sales and clearance for fixtures and accessories. Mix high end and low end elements.
- Consider refinishing an existing tub rather than replacing if it’s structurally sound. Refinishing can cost under $500.
With strategic choices, you can achieve a farmhouse look on a modest budget. Focus splurges on one or two statement antique pieces or a luxurious clawfoot tub for maximum impact.
Conclusion
Farmhouse style bathrooms have maintained their popularity due to their timeless, classic appeal. By incorporating key elements like a clawfoot tub, vintage-inspired fixtures, natural materials, and muted color palettes, you can achieve this look in your own bathroom remodel or refresh.
As we’ve covered, some of the essential steps for creating a farmhouse bathroom include:
- Selecting a clawfoot tub as a focal point. Look for a freestanding model in white, nickel, or black.
- Choosing fixtures with a vintage style, such as cross handles on the faucets and exposed pipes. Oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, and brushed nickel finishes complement the look.
- Adding wood accents for warmth and texture. Consider wood flooring, shiplap or beadboard on the walls, floating wood shelves, and wood frames around mirrors.
- Opting for tiles with subtle patterns and a handmade appearance, or leave walls painted in soft white, light grays, or pale blues.
- Incorporating baskets, floral prints, lace curtains, and vintage signs to finish the farmhouse aesthetic.
With careful attention to these details, you can create a timeless farmhouse bathroom that looks freshly updated yet also wonderfully nostalgic. The versatile farmhouse style fits bathrooms both large and small, traditional and modern. Your new farmhouse bathroom will provide a relaxing oasis with enduring, classic charm.