Modern Farmhouse Bathroom Makeover

A pink 1960s bathroom gets a modern farmhouse makeover. Featuring subway tile, honed granite and a reclaimed wood vanity with vessel sink, this updated bathroom is full of ideas for your own rustic and charming makeover

A small topiary sits near a farmhouse-style white sink

Pink was the quintessential color of any top-of-the-line 1960’s bathroom. Also featured were wall-to-wall tiles (of the same dusty pink color), and matching bathtub.

Here is a classic example:

Dated bathroom with pink vanity, tiles and bath tub; a window sits over the sink.

It was also the bathroom that I stared at everyday. At least, until I finally got around to renovating it!

And here’s what it looks like now:

Updated farmhouse bathroom with white subway tiles near bathtub and a rustic sink set in custom wood vanity

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Hot to Achieve the Modern Farmhouse Style in Your Bathroom

I was originally going for a more contemporary look with white subway tile, white grout….everything white except for the rustic vanity. But that all changed with the tile was accidentally grouted the wrong color.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and so our modern farmhouse bathroom design was born. And I love it more than the original design!

If you are looking to get a similar look in your bathroom, there’s a few key elements to consider including in your design.

Vanity with farmhouse sink and wood door that looks like three drawers but swings open

1. Start with a Neutral Color Scheme

I chose a fresh, light-gray color scheme for the walls and floor to offset the rustic details of my farmhouse decor. Starting with a neutral backdrop allows the other elements in the room (vanity, statement mirror, tile, etc.) really shine.

Close-up of simple gray tile in a farmhouse style bathroom

By toning down the wall color, you can even bring in a vibrant floor tile pattern like the cement tile we used in our powder room remodel.

2. Subway Tile is Always a Good Choice

White subway tiles are ideal for the shower area and withstand frequent splashes of soapy water from a happy toddler. Plus, they are one of the most inexpensive tiles you can buy so you can afford to tile a large space on a budget.

When using subway tiles, you can create an interesting contrast with light or darker gray grout. If you do choose a white grout, make sure you apply sealer to protect the grout or it will stain very easily.

Shiplap walls also add a modern farmhouse feel and are easy to install. However, because shiplap walls can warp in humid spaces, they will be more suited to a powder room. PVC shiplap panels can be purchased, which are more appropriate for damp environments where there’s a shower or bath.

3. Bring in Natural Wood

Bringing in a rustic touch with natural wood really adds farmhouse charm to any space. For this bathroom, I had the vanity custom-built to fit our little alcove. The wood is actually reclaimed floor boards from a brownstone in Boston. Isn’t that neat? The granite top was picked because it almost looks like soapstone. I love that is adds a more masculine or even industrial touch to the vanity.

Granite, "Jet Mist" in a modern farmhouse bathroom remodel

Closer look at wood details of reclaimed wood vanity that add charm to a farmhouse bathroom

Another reason I went custom was because our plumbing comes in from the side. Every single vanity that I found had drawers on the left side that would prevent any plumbing. We can across this issue with our last vanity too and basically had to hack the inside to pieces to make it work.

Like I mentioned, the vanity was built to accommodate our plumbing….and you won’t believe it – it doesn’t have any drawers! I asked the carpenter to build the front so it looked like drawers but opened like a cabinet door. I’m so proud of my ingenuity!

White vessel sink and chrome faucet, installed on granite & reclaimed wood vanity

4. Choosing Fixtures

We chose chrome fixtures but brushed brass or matte black works well too. Also, don’t be afraid to mix metals. In our powder room, we mixed oil rubbed bronze with antique brass and I love how it turned out. Just remember that they should appear 3 times in order for it to look intentional.

5. Elevate The Style with Statement Pieces

The vessel sink and faucet were bargains that I scored on Amazon. They are both solid and look amazing!

Don’t underestimate the appeal of a stand-out mirror! I chose one with a round wood frame that accentuates my new sink and breaks up the straight lines of the tiles, vanity and light, but something with an arch and a contrasting metal would have worked equally well.

Large round wood-framed mirror complements straight lines of light fixture, vessel sink and wood vanity

6. Explore New Lighting Options

This alcove previously had a window which meant we could not hang a mirror. We removed it, moved it to the bath alcove and added a new light here instead.

The light fixture illuminates the vanity area perfectly, allowing for shaving or makeup application. If your vanity area has more space, adding scones on either side of the mirror is preferential. Again, don’t be afraid to mix metals!

Simple light now replaces window over sink and vanity

Our ceiling fixture is simple and understated, which is perfect for this small bathroom with low ceilings. If you really want to add the wow factor, or add an unexpected element to the design, consider a large statement fixture that will add softness to the industrial edge that the farmhouse look can sometimes have.

Square, overhead lighting with chrome details near a simple framed landscape photo

The view while showering in here is spectacular. Because our backyard has so many huge trees, you can see their canopies through this window. It makes for quite the beautiful picture out the bathroom window!

Medium gray grout white subway tile. Hexagon marble tile in shampoo niche.
Oblong horizontal window in top frame.

Delorean gray grout on the subway tiles around a freshly-lined bathtub

7. Save Your Tub – Use a Liner

Removing the cast iron tub was going to prove too costly and too much of a pain so our options were either to reglaze or put a liner on it. I was warned that if we went with reglazing, the smell of the epoxy would prevent us from being in the house for a few days. With a baby and a toddler, the idea of noxious fumes was completely off-putting, so we went with an acrylic liner instead. Doesn’t the tub look brand new? It was custom made to fit our tub, manufactured within three weeks and installed in a couple of hours.

Chrome shower head, knob and faucet in bathtub area, surrounded by white subway tiles and gray grout

8. Keep Accessories at a Minimum

In an attempt to “start as you mean to go on”, I’ve kept decorating in here to the absolute minimum. I don’t want extra things that I need to clean or dust.

The vanity has plenty of storage underneath, so keeping all our bathroom items organized is a breeze. the soap and toothbrushes hang out on the counter and there’s just one piece of art hanging above the toilet. It’s a small bathroom and too much stuff will eliminate the bright and clean feel pretty quickly.

Subway tile soap and toothbrush holder for the modern farmhouse bathroom makeover

This little stool allows me to sit next to the kiddos while they take a bath, and adds in more of that warm, rustic charm – similar to the vanity.

Bath accessories resting on wooden bath stool with painted legs

We kept the walls pretty bare in here, too. Maybe I’m a minimalist at heart? Who knows! Either way, it’s a small space so I didn’t want to busy it up. I added some beautiful artwork and popped it into a slim back frame over the toilet.

Reflection of framed landscape print through the round wood mirror are well-suited to a modern farmhouse bathroom

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Apart from the mirror, towel rack, robe hook and toilet paper holder, nothing else got hung on the walls!

Serena & lily towels hung on main door of bathroom

One final shot!

A farmhouse-style bathroom with subway tiles, lined bathtub, round mirror, vessel sink and wood vanity

What do you think of the completed Modern Farmhouse Bathroom Makeover? I’d love for you to leave a comment and let you know what your favorite part is!