Are Avocado Bathrooms Back In Style? Everything You Need to Know

Prepare to dive back into the 70s! The avocado bathroom, a bold statement of retro style, is making a surprising comeback. Once a symbol of that decade's exuberant design choices, the vibrant green hues are finding new life in contemporary homes.

Interior design expert Ryan McDonough at MyJobQuote.co.uk has created this article looking at the trend in detail. Here, Ryan explores the resurgence of the avocado bathroom, delving into its origins and offering tips on how to incorporate this retro trend into your modern space without looking dated.

He also discusses some other trending bathroom styles, from nature-inspired designs and smart technology to minimalist luxury and eco-conscious fixtures, to help you find the perfect look for your bathroom.

So, are you ready to embrace the green revolution and give your bathroom a groovy new vibe? Let’s find out…

What is an Avocado Bathroom?

The avocado bathroom is a decoration trend that saw a huge surge in popularity during the 1970s. The style revolves around bathroom décor such as tiles, fixtures, and accessories having a distinct avocado green colouring, often paired with other bold colours such as brown or mustard yellow.

Avocado green is a warm and natural tone that can easily be associated with nature and serenity, which adds to the charm and popularity of the style. These bathrooms were often decorated with shag carpets and floral wallpaper - two more very popular trends in the 70s that served to further boost the hype.

However, by the 1990s, minimalist style started to come into fashion, and the brightly coloured, busily decorated avocado bathroom started to fade and get lost in the new movement. Bright green lights and tiles were replaced with bright white ones, and the era of the avocado bathroom gradually came to an end.

How Can I Give the Style a Modern Twist?

Over 30 years after its initial decline in popularity, avocado green is once again becoming a hit amongst Gen Z and millennial consumers as a choice of colouring for the bathroom! Here are some ideas to incorporate the trend into your home décor and, rather than create a look that feels outdated, give a modern twist on a bold, retro style:

• Colours

If you are aiming to go for the full 1970s-inspired look, you may wish to choose avocado green as the base colour for your bathroom. Alternatively, for a more subtle approach, it can simply be incorporated as an accent within your colour scheme.

Tones that generally tend to complement avocado green include shades of white, pink, and brown, among others. The choice is yours when adding your own unique touch to the theme.

• Materials

Due to its earthy nature, avocado green features are perfectly complemented by the incorporation of natural materials such as wood, stone or brass. These can be used for furnishings or to add accents to the room, such as through the inclusion of a statement wall.

White tiles can really make the boldness of the avocado pop and help to create a clean and contemporary look for your bathroom. If you want to go even bolder, however, tiles made of veined marble can really accentuate the theme.

• Lighting

Dim lighting looks great with this shade of green and can combine to create a serene and atmospheric environment that is perfectly suited to a bathroom. However, many of us require a bright light in our bathroom for certain activities, so it may be worth investing in a smart light that you can brighten or dim as and when appropriate.

The term ‘avocado green’ can actually be used to cover a range of different shades of the colour, and it is worth experimenting with how different shades can match different types of lighting within your bathroom to see which is the most aesthetically pleasing to you.

• Accessories

If green walls or furnishings aren't your style, you can still bring back the look through your choice of accessories, such as towels, rugs and shower curtains. Choosing a relevant shade for all, some, or even just one of these items can add that avocado accent to your bathroom.

Another popular feature of the original style was the use of brass handles for things such as taps and doorknobs. This addition will really bring back the retro 1970s vibes whilst still giving a classy and elegant feel.

• Design Techniques

A signature feature of many classic avocado bathrooms was brightly coloured floral wallpaper. Although this may look a little outdated and out of place in a modern bathroom, you could instead use wallpapers with patterns such as stripes to keep that playful appearance.

If a more calm and subtle approach to your bathroom is your style, try combining textures and materials that evoke nature, such as soft, earthy green towels laid over a natural wood rack. This will help to create a relaxed and indulgent vibe.

What Other Bathroom Styles and Features Are Currently Trending?

• Nature-Inspired Designs

Natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo are currently very popular in bathroom furnishings and décor. They bring a natural feel, warmth and character to your bathroom that more artificial-looking furnishings can often fail to match.

One way to incorporate this look is to pair wood accents with neutral colours and warm lighting to create a cosy and inviting space, perfect for a long soak in the bathtub.

• Smart Technology

Technology has come a long way over the past decade, and many adventurous decorators are looking to utilise it to add style, sophistication and convenience to their bathrooms.

Each feature brings a modern, exciting and purposeful touch to the bathroom. For example, touchless taps can eliminate the risk of spreading germs, and smart mirrors with LED lights use less power and can help bring down those pesky energy bills. Some consumers are even opting for built-in entertainment systems to get the cinema experience in the bathtub or the perfect soundtrack to their shower!

• Minimalist Luxury

If the resurgence of the avocado bathroom isn’t for you and you prefer a more minimalist look, you will still be right on trend, as this timeless style is here to stay in 2025. As the saying goes, ‘less is more’ and many are choosing to do away with clutter and keep only the essentials in their bathroom.

Minimalism has been proven to relieve stress and create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for the bathroom environment. It can also promote cleanliness and hygiene, as having clear surfaces will allow less dust to gather. Using white and cream tones, natural wood surfaces, and bright, warm lighting, you can create a luxurious feel using only the basics.

• Chrome Bathroom Fittings

A chrome finish has remained in style for decades and is set to be a hit again this year. Shiny, sleek and reflective chrome surfaces can help to give your bathroom a clean and contemporary feel.

Chrome is also very easy to clean and resistant to corrosion, so a quick wipe with a cloth and some cleaning product will leave it looking as good as new. This makes it an incredibly popular choice in our busy modern world.

• Eco-Friendly Fixtures

As we grow more and more aware of how we can help protect and conserve our precious planet, many are opting for a more eco-conscious approach to their homes. Sustainability is a key factor that a lot of consumers are looking for when deciding on how to decorate and furnish their modern bathrooms.

Examples of eco-friendly fixtures that you can incorporate into your bathroom this year include energy-efficient LED lights, water-saving taps, natural stone and reclaimed wood furnishings and low-flow showerheads.

Final Thoughts

The iconic avocado bathroom is a bold, statement look which is sure to make multiple reappearances in decorating trends over the years. Whether this, or any of the other styles mentioned, are going to be your bathroom inspiration for the new year, with careful selection of colours, materials, furnishings, etc., you can achieve the vibe of your dreams in no time!

RYAN MCDONOUGH: 

Ryanis an interior design expert with 15 years worth of experience in the field. Ryan works closely with clients to make their visions come to life at a price that suits their budget. Ryan also provides expert interior design comments for MyJobQuote and has been featured in a range of top publications. 

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