The Rise of Avocado Bathrooms: Embracing Retro Style in Modern UK Homes

Once seen as outdated, avocado bathrooms are returning to UK homes. What was once a quirky 70s style is now a bold retro choice for homeowners, designers, and renovators. Avocado green has shifted from a joke to a statement of personal style.

The Comeback of a Bold Classic

Today, the avocado bathroom trend is not about copying the past but reimagining it for the future. This trend mixes nostalgic charm with modern touches, adding warmth and personality to one of the most personal spaces in a home. Avocado bathrooms are gaining attention again in UK design. They offer a unique mix of nostalgia and elegance for today’s bathrooms, blending retro roots with contemporary style.

What is the Avocado Bathroom Trend?

A Brief History

The term “avocado bathroom” describes bathroom sets in shades of avocado green that were very popular in the UK from the 1960s to the 1980s. These suites were considered trendy and luxurious because of their deep, natural colour. A typical avocado bathroom usually has the following:

• Avocado-coloured bathtubs
• Matching pedestal sinks and close-coupled toilets
• Pastel tiles or floral-patterned wallpaper
• Brass, bronze, or gold-plated fixtures

Homeowners once wanted their bathrooms to look luxurious and match well. But in the 1990s, minimalism, white porcelain, and chrome became popular, making those fancy bathroom designs seem old-fashioned. Now, styles come back around, and avocado green is starting to look fresh and modern again.

Why is it Trending Again?

Several cultural and practical factors drive this revival:

• Nostalgia & Retro Resurgence: like mid-century furniture, Avocado bathrooms bring back a love for vintage style. Interior design is now about telling a story.
• Sustainability: Homeowners are fixing up avocado bathrooms instead of tearing down old spaces. They prefer to restore rather than throw them away.
• Colour Psychology: Green colours promote calmness and health, making them ideal for bathrooms that focus on self-care.
• Digital Inspiration: Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok have popularised retro interiors. The avocado style is now seen as cool and unique.
• Design Individualism: Homeowners are moving away from standard designs and choosing bold colours that show their personality.

How to Achieve the Avocado Bathroom Look in 2025

You don’t have to turn your bathroom into a 1970s style to join the avocado trend. Here’s how to enjoy the avocado bathroom trend in the UK while keeping it modern and comfortable.

1. Choose the Right Shade of Green

Avocado green in 2025 won’t look loud or old-fashioned. Think about softer, natural versions of this colour, like:

• Soft sage
• Mossy olive
• Eucalyptus green
• Muted fern
• Dusty pistachio

These colours are more versatile and match modern materials like marble, quartz, and brushed brass.

Ambiance Tip: Check out our Basin Collection for ceramic pieces in matte, soft finishes that have a retro feel without being too much.

2. Mix Old with New

A great way to update an avocado bathroom is to mix classic green fixtures with modern features.

• Re-enamel or repaint vintage bathtubs
• Pair avocado basins with matte black or brass taps
• Introduce minimalist vanities or floating cabinets
• Use white subway tiles or micro cement walls for balance

Explore: Our Vanity Units provide plenty of storage and a stylish appearance that matches vintage fixtures.

3. Play with Texture and Patterns

Layering different textures stops green colours from taking over a room and keeps the retro style lively.

• Pick wallpaper with plants, use fluted panels, or add tongue-and-groove wainscoting.
• Use tiles with geometric patterns or encaustic designs.
• Add textured items like jute baskets, ceramic pots, and linen curtains.

Recommended: Pair avocado colours with wood-look or stone-style bathroom accessories for a natural look.

4. Update Fixtures and Fittings

Don’t let your fittings date the space. Keep the palette vintage, but the tech up-to-date:

• Brushed brass, chrome, or matte black faucets
• Smart mirrors with LED illumination, demisters, and motion sensors
• Water-saving dual flush toilets
• Sensor-activated taps
• Rimless wall-hung toilets for a minimalist profile

Discover matching finishes in our Faucets & Taps collection, which is suitable for traditional and modern bathrooms.

5. Don’t Forget the Flooring

The floor is your foundation for tying together retro tones with modern materials:

• Terrazzo with subtle flecks of green
• Wood-look porcelain tiles for natural warmth
• Retro mosaic in hexagonal or checkerboard patterns
• Polished concrete for an industrial, updated feel

Consider underfloor heating to bring an extra level of comfort.

Avocado Bathrooms for Different UK Homes

Whether you live in a classic terrace house or a modern apartment, you can customise the avocado bathroom trend to fit your space.

Small Flats & Apartments

Make the most of a small bathroom with subtle avocado touches:

• Avocado-coloured feature tiles
• Decorative accents like towels, bathmats, and plant pots
• Glass shower enclosures to maintain visual space
• Compact wall-hung vanities and concealed cisterns

Add depth with mirrored cabinets from our Shower Enclosure Collection.

Victorian or Edwardian Homes

If you live in a heritage property, avocado green looks great with the original features:

• Retain original claw-foot tubs or high-level cisterns
• Pair deep greens with ornate skirting and cornicing
• Use classic tiling patterns like herringbone or checkerboard

Our Traditional Basins are an excellent fit for a classic space with a modern feel.

New Builds & Contemporary Homes

Use the avocado trend to break up clinical modern interiors:

• Introduce a green accent wall
• Pair with minimalist sanitary ware and smart lighting
• Use large-format tiles in a muted avocado hue

Shop our Modern Vanities and LED Mirrors to strike the right balance.

Sustainability and the Avocado Revival

Sustainability is essential in home renovation; avocado bathrooms fit well with eco-friendly choices.

• Reuse: Restoring old suites saves perfectly functional items from landfill
• Recycle: Vintage ceramics and metals can be given new life
• Reduce: Choose durable, long-lasting materials and finishes
• Rethink: Consider circular design principles when planning your remodel

Eco Picks: Ambiance Bathroom provides eco-friendly upgrades for all areas, including water-saving faucets and toilets.

Interior Design Tips from Experts

We talked to top UK bathroom stylists about using avocado green in 2025:

Use Contrast Wisely  

“Combine avocado green with white, matte black, or blush pink to create visual balance. This keeps the look modern.” – Catherine Lloyd, Interior Stylist.

Focus on One Feature  

“Instead of covering everything in green, choose one standout piece, like a green basin or tiled wall. This attracts attention without being too much.” – Joel Watson, Bathroom Architect.

Balance with Natural Elements  

“Adding wood, stone, and plants makes avocado feel more grounded and spa-like. Natural materials soften the boldness of green.” – Melissa Crane, Home Renovation Consultant.

Don’t Overdo It  

“Be careful not to go overboard. Use avocado as an accent instead of the main theme for a more luxurious feel.” – Peter Graham, Property Developer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are avocado bathrooms still outdated?  

No, they are stylish now. With the right decor, avocado bathrooms look trendy and eco-friendly, showing a retro-modern vibe.

Q2. How can I update an avocado suite?  

Keep the main fixtures and update the rest: add minimalist taps, refresh the flooring, use layered lighting, and include subtle accessories with natural textures.

Q3. What colours match well with avocado green in the bathroom?  

Neutrals like white, beige, and taupe; warm metals like brass and copper; and bold colours like navy blue, deep burgundy, and soft blush all work well.

Q4. Is this trend good for rental properties?  

Yes, especially if you choose temporary changes. Look for adhesive tiles, colourful shower curtains, wall art, and freestanding storage.

Q5. Where can I find avocado-style bathroom fixtures?  

Check out Ambiance Bathroom’s Accessories Collection and pair it with green wall colours, tile trims, and vanity fronts.

Should You Embrace the Avocado Bathroom Trend?

The avocado bathroom trend is perfect if you love style, uniqueness, sustainability, and nostalgia. This trend in the UK focuses on more than just colour; it tells a story, brings back vintage luxury, and combines character with modern function.

With Ambiance Bathroom’s stylish and high-quality fixtures and accessories, making your avocado-inspired bathroom is easy. Whether in a small city apartment or a large country house, you can add this retro feel to any bathroom.

Check out our full product range at Ambiance Bathroom to find timeless elegance with a modern touch.