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
Paul - CT says
As I mentioned earlier, reusing a vintage sink with hudee ring with new granite/quartz like laminate can have great results. Though not a true mid-century design, I think it looks great.
This is my 55 year old Gerber beige sink with hudee ring with new Wilsonart HD laminate countertop. I went with a 6 inch backsplash and the finished beveled edge front. As I said, it really makes the sink pop:
http://imageshack.com/a/img921/8475/KdWF0N.jpg
Ree says
My long awaited kitchen renovation began Monday, and I will be using Wilsonart laminate on my counters. The cabinets are going to be very simple with flat panel doors, and stained a very light maple color to mimic the birch cabinets that were so popular in the 60’s. Both the kitchen designer and the contractor on the project were a little surprised at my choices, but are now on board with the idea since the house was built in 1957 using a California mid-century style. This is not a granite counters, French country cabinet style house. I was telling the designer that I wished I could have found metal cabinets and then referred her to the recent story in this blog about the many manufacturers of metal cabinets. She called me yesterday to say she had met with a couple who own a house built in the ’50’s and they have metal cabinets in great condition. They cannot afford to do the renovation they really want at this time, and she told them about this site and encouraged them to investigate preserving what they have and doing small changes. She thanked me for steering her to Retro Renovation and said she has been busily reading the older posts on a daily basis and trying to educate herself.
pam kueber says
Wow, what a nice note, Ree! Be sure to take lots of photos of your project and send them to me when you’re done. And thanks for spreading the word about RR and turning more people onto our community!
Paul - CT says
Ree,
One bit of advice for laminate in the kitchen: If you do the 4 inch backsplash in laminate behind the sink or where it gets wet with steam, etc., have them use PVC board and not the wood composite. Within weeks of installation, my backsplash started warping as water leached in through the seams. Using PVC will stop this from happening and in 18 month I have had no further issues.
Ree says
Paul, I’m giving a nod to mid-century style, not doing a pure replica, so the laminate will not have the 4″ run up the wall. I chose a ceramic tile back splash that will come down to the counter level, and the back splash will be installed on the same type of material that is used in showers and around tubs. Thank you for the advice though, and it’s always good to share that with others who may be planning to do what you did.
pam kueber says
Backsplashes were done they way you describe, as well — that is, laminate on the horizontal countertop, 4″ ceramic tile on the vertical backsplash.
Tammy1749 says
I am using Retro Renovation by Wilsonart boomerang laminate right now in my farm house renovation. We hope to be finished and moved in soon. Although you only mentioned bathroom remodels, I am using Nostalgic Grey in my kitchen on my island top. I have vintage cracked ice counters with chrome backsplash and it pairs up very well with it. In the basement bathroom, I’m using Aqua Ripple on the vanity top. It pairs well with the University Blue floor tile and the blue ensemble of fixtures. They are being done from scratch, too! couldn’t be done without the help of Retro Renovation!
pam kueber says
Yay! I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!
Paul - CT says
I really like the Wilsonart Crystallized laminate! I wish that was around two years ago when I redid my bathrooms. I think I would have used that for the yellow bathroom.
Although these two didn’t make the top 40 cut, Wilsonart HD’s Luna Frost and Carrara Santorini, are wonderful neutral white based laminates (see links below).
https://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/midcentury-yellow-bathroom.jpg
https://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/midcentury-blue-bathroom.jpg
Another thought is don’t hesitate to use a granite/stone/quartz looking laminate with a vintage hudee ring sink. I did that and I loved the results as the sink pops out of its laminate. (Sadly no link to a picture.)
pam kueber says
Yes, those are nice choices also, Paul!
Jukesgrrl says
Love your bathrooms!
Paul - CT says
Thanks so much Jukesgrrl,
Pam featured my bathroom make-over with custom sink painting last year. Here is a link to the full story with before and afters!
https://retrorenovation.com/2015/06/02/paint-bathroom-sinks-any-color/
Tisha says
“Wilsonart Primrose Boucle Laminate harkens back to the texture of grandma’s sofa” – ?!?!?
How about Jackie O’s Chanel suit?
Roberta Jones says
I used Wilsonart Arcade (black) in my kitchen and laundry room. I got it in high gloss and it looks fabulous!
Jay says
Well RR laminate had better be number one on the list! My head always spins when I start scrolling down through colors and patterns but this is a great selection. I’m sure you featured Wilsonart’s Spectrum before but I don’t recall it. Nice overview.
Robin, NV says
Formica White Onyx reminds me of the solid surface bathroom vanity tops of the 80s – and I don’t mean that in a bad way! ????
sherree says
I love all the choices you have shown. We are soon replacing the tiled top of the angled corner vanity in our original 1953 tiled hall bath. We picked Wilsonart Apricot Glow Daisy which is right out of their 70’s archives. It matches the sink and soft peachy beige and brown tiles perfectly.
pam kueber says
Sounds fabulous!
jen says
Formica Dogbone has been discontinued 🙁
pam kueber says
What!
pam kueber says
Are you sure?? I found it here, still looking “live”: http://www.formica.com/en/us/products/formica-laminate/05281
pam kueber says
I emailed Formica to get the answer on this one.
pam kueber says
Formica responded quickly, confirming: Dogbone White is a current Formica® laminate product offering. Dogbone Storm has been discontinued.
Jen says
So sorry I missed this question ane reply (I went on vacation after posting). Thanks, Pam, for doing the recon on this! Sorry for causing alarm.