When it comes to choosing laminate countertop for vintage or new midcentury-style bathrooms, we tend to like multi-directional, or at least bi-directional, abstract patterns over linear or solid designs…. We usually prefer tone-on-tone color rather than high contrast, more ‘busy’ color combinations…. And a third consideration: Finding the just-right colors to merge well with vintage pastel bathroom tiles and for those remodeling, from today’s sellers including B&W Tile, Daltile and Nemo Tile. Here, we have compiled a list of our 40 favorite laminate options bathroom ranging from just-right retro patterns to more retro-modern options.
1. Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart Boomerang Laminate (select colors)
Pam and I worked with Wilsonart to create our Retro Renovation® boomerang laminate collection to fill a big gap in the market: multidirectional, tone-on-tone abstract laminates color-cued to midcentury pastels. Retro Renovation® First Lady Pink was painstakingly created to complement both vintage pink bathrooms and new bathrooms created using B&W Tile’s 70W Pink tile.
Retro Renovation® Creme Caramel is not quite right for citrus yellow bathrooms, but if you have a pale cream or buttery yellow tile bathroom with wood cabinetry, this countertop color can pull the room together quite well.
Retro Renovation® Delightful Jade is a fantastic match for Kate’s original 1962 mint green and white bathroom and could easily add a fun pop of retro pizzazz to an otherwise all white space.
Retro Renovation® Aqua Ripple was created with both vintage blue and aqua bathrooms in mind. This versatile hue blends well with both shades.
Retro Renovation® Friendly Beige is a multi-tasker for the bathroom. Whether is is coordinating with a beige bathroom, or is used as a more neutral option in a vintage pink bathroom, this warm, friendly neutral plays well with others.
Retro Renovation® Nostalgic Gray is a fantastic choice for a vintage grey bathroom, or to use as a neutral that coordinates with the chrome fixtures in a pink, blue, green, aqua, or black and white midcentury pastel bathroom.
Disclosure from Publisher Pam: I want readers to know: I do not make money if you buy this laminate; “the deal” that I have with Wilsonart includes other elements of consideration. For example, on Feb. 1 they will launch an advertisement on the blog, for which Retro Renovation is compensated. So, I do not have any incremental financial reason to promote the laminates in this collection over other options — see all our research on countertop options to find the product that’s right for you! – Pam.
2. Formica Charcoal Boomerang laminate
Formica Charcoal Boomerang laminate is a good choice for a dramatic look in a vintage bathroom — grey, black and white, pink and black, yellow and black — all of these vintage bathroom color combos can pump up the drama with this dark charcoal choice. And: This is a stock laminate, so the price should be just about as low as you can get for any boomie design.
3. Vitro Glacier Laminates
Vitro’s Glacier laminate collection has several color variations that could work well in a vintage pastel bathroom, especially the Yellow Glacier — a more citrusy yellow than the Retro Renovation® for Wilsonart Creme Caramel — and the Turquoise Glacier, which offers a deeper turquoise color than the Retro Renovation® for Wilsonart Aqua Ripple. Glacier is a hard working neutral and Red Glacier could be used successfully to add a zip of color to a black and white, grey or all white vintage bathroom.
4. Wilsonart Endora and Betty Laminates
Wilsonart Betty Laminate reads a tad more retro-modern due to its larger-scale geometric pattern, but we can see this working well in a aqua or grey vintage bathroom.
Wilsonart Endora Laminate — also a retro modern option — would work well in a vintage pink or beige bathroom.
5. Wilsonart Spectrum Laminate (select colors)
Spectrum is a great, colorful tone-on-tone, bi-directional linen like laminate line that we think is very retro-appropriate. We chose a selection of colors from the existing line of Spectrum laminate that might work for vintage bathrooms, BUT: You can also request a custom-match of Spectrum by submitting a solid color paint or fabric swatch (or possibly a piece of your bathroom tile) to create your own custom color. Contact your local Wilsonart Sales Rep or use this online form. Spectrum Buttercream could be a good choice for a vintage yellow bathroom.
Spectrum Wheat might work well in a vintage beige or almond bathroom, or even a yellow bathroom if you have a more buttery yellow tile and wood cabinetry.
Spectrum Raspberry Cream is an option for those sometimes bubblegum pink vintage tile bathrooms.
Spectrum Salmon could be just the right shade to pack a punch in a vintage peach bathroom.
Spectrum Dried Sage is a good option to try in a vintage aqua, blue or even grey bathroom, depending on the color temperature of your particular grey tile.
Spectrum Bellini Blue is bright and punchy, and could look fabulous in a vintage blue and white bathroom.
Spectrum Sugar Cookie would be a good option to try in a vintage beige bathroom or to use as a neutral in a vintage pink or cream bathroom too.
Spectrum Coffee Ice would add a dramatic feel to a vintage beige bathroom.
6. Lab Designs Abstract Laminate
Leaning toward a retro-modern look, Lab Designs laminates come in several different textures, ranging from smooth and shiny to textured. Be careful, some of Lab Designs’ laminates are only specified for vertical installations (like a backsplash), o be sure to double check the specs before getting your heart set on a specific pattern. Lab Designs Whisper Batiste is a lovely linen look laminate that would make a great neutral in a vintage pastel bathroom of nearly any color, or coordinate well with a vintage cream or beige bathroom.
Lab Designs Fog Batiste could work in a vintage beige or almond bathroom.
Lab Designs Ivory Organica is one of those larger scale, retro-modern options, but we still like the multi-directional pattern and pastel pink, blue and yellow for potential use in retro bathrooms.
Lab Designs Beige Organica could be a great retro-modern option for a beige, white or grey retro bathroom or as a neutral option in a colorful space.
Lab Designs Arctic Retro seems to be available for use on horizontal surfaces now, and could make a great neutral, go-with-anything option for retro bathrooms.
8. Carrara Laminates from Formica, Wilsonart and Abet Laminati
Carrara marble laminate is a classic choice for a vintage bathroom of any color. There are also a number of other marble-look laminates available on the market today that could provide a similar look. Formica Carrara Bianco Laminate is one of our favorites, with a classic look.
Wilsonart White Carrara Laminate is also a classic, versatile option for a vintage bathroom.
Abet Laminati Rocks Carrara laminate is another option for vintage-style bathrooms.
9. Formica White Onyx
Formica White Onyx laminate — which has been in Formica’s line since 1969 — offers a timeless, neutral look that coordinates well with nearly all vintage bathroom color combinations.
10. Formica Antique White
If you like solid colors, Formica Antique White — in production since 1962, possibly earlier — is a classic choice for any vintage bathroom.
11. Formica Dogbone
Formica Dogbone White is a fantastic retro modern bi-directional, tone-on-tone choice that would coordinate well with nearly any vintage bathroom color scheme.
13. Wilsonart Primrose Boucle Laminate
Wilsonart Primrose Boucle Laminate harkens back to the texture of grandma’s sofa and would look retro-fantastic in a vintage pink, white, grey or even beige bathroom. This is a new laminate — Pam has just ordered an 8×10″ sample.
14. Wilsonart Crystalized White Laminate
Wilsonart Crystalized White Laminate is a tone-on-tone, multi-directional laminate that reminds us of crackle ice laminate, but in a neutral color. This subtle pattern would be at home in any vintage-style bathroom. This is a new laminate — Pam has just ordered an 8×10″ sample.
So there you have it — our top 40 picks for laminate to use in midcentury bathrooms. Which one is your favorite?
More info:
- All of our countertop research is archived in our Kitchen Help / Countertops subcategory here.
- 13 companies that sell laminate in the U.S. — plus our research tips
Joe Felice says
Thinking back, I would have to say that the chrystalized and marbelized patterns of laminate were ubiquitous and the most popular. Personally, I didn’t care for them much as a child, and still don’t. But there are so-many beautiful patterns here that would look good in any mid-century bathroom (or kitchen)!
“Betty” is the most intriguing to me. When I look at it, it seems something is “out-of-focus.” Very interesting are the “Organicas.” I would like to see a larger sample, or an actual kitchen to sense the “effect.”
I sure wish I had a pink bathroom. There are so-many beautiful pink patterns. And the fabric-looking patterns are pretty cool, too.
For some reason, I am a big fan of colors and of laminates.
pam kueber says
The “Mother of Pearl” laminate designs were popular in the early days of laminate countertops; I think of this design as more for kitchens than bathrooms. I think that once the 1950s really got going, abstract designs became more popular. In the 1960s, marbles became popularized. There were different favorites at different points.
Mother of Pearl laminate still available special order in three color: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/08/01/where-to-find-crackle-ice-laminate/
I tend to believe that overall, the “most popular” in terms of volume overall were likely the Linens.
Daniel says
This article is a great help. Thank you!
I’m trying to source the correct mid century style laminate for a retro bar, the shiny wood grain look you come across in vintage restaurants. I am building a new “modern mid century” home and amalgamating many elements so it feels pretty vintage. The bar laminate is one of my targets … Any lead you can provide would be awesome.
Love the site, thank you so much.
pam kueber says
See this story including the search tips — and start digging in! Fortunately there are a lot of wood-grain laminates right now — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/09/19/8-places-to-find-retro-laminate-for-kitchen-or-bathroom-countertops-my-researchtips/