The Simple Swap Joanna Gaines Makes To Give A Bathroom A More Timeless Appeal

If you're renovating a historic home, it can be tricky to make it feel timeless and also suitable for modern living. Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" is no stranger to updating older homes with a transitional twist. In this YouTube clip, she explains how she upgraded a small, vintage bathroom with a few key changes. Although she kept most of the built-ins and original details, there were a couple of necessary upgrades to make it feel like a curated design. She explains, "I didn't want the space to feel too old and dated, so I really updated it with some simple, timeless, classic fixtures."

Swapping out fixtures is one of the clever bathroom renovation tips Joanna Gaines swears by — one that will upgrade your space without overshadowing any vintage character. The goal is to select fixtures that don't reflect a particular era, whether that be 1924 or 2024. Joanna Gaines is a longtime fan (if not the originator) of farmhouse design, and the fixtures she selected have a definitive hint of rusticity. For the sink, she chose a gold faucet with cross-handle valves. Gaines also installed a similar fixture for the tub but in a matte black for a contemporary twist. In addition to the tried-and-true faucets, Gaines exposed the shiplap on the ceiling to add timeless character. For a subtle, modern touch, she hung a flush mount, farmhouse-style industrial light fixture. The entire composition looks ageless and effortless. Although many of Joanna Gaines' favorite design elements have a farmhouse look, you can apply this bathroom renovation strategy of updating fixtures to any design style. 

If you're searching for a similar faucet, consider the Airuida solid brass bathroom faucet. The Airuida faucet is also available in a chic, matte black finish, ideal if you want to follow Gaines' lead to create a timeless vibe by mixing and matching your faucet colors. For the overhead light, you can capture the same look with the Maxxima Indoor/Outdoor Flush Mount Ceiling Light. Gaines also swapped the hardware on the drawers and cabinets for sleek, matte black pulls. This gave the built-ins a contemporary touch without taking away from their historic appearance. To finish your Gaines-style space, Amazon offers this 10-pack of matte black cabinet pulls.

Gaines is an advocate for adding essential vintage pieces to your home to blend both modern and traditional elements. While vintage fixtures might be a tempting addition to your space, both chrome and brass-plated faucets that were crafted before 1997 may contain up to 8% lead. So it's generally best to purchase a vintage-inspired faucet rather than installing the real thing. A popular alternative for getting that vintage vibe is to opt for a modern but unlacquered brass faucet. This will allow the metal to develop a natural patina over time. Patina is a great way to create a timeless look in your space, especially if you are trying to complement vintage surroundings in a subtle way.