The 17 salvage yard finds for a retro bathroom in this guide are the pieces that turn a nice remodel into a room with genuine history. A salvage yard is a treasure hunt: one visit might turn up a 1920s clawfoot tub, the next a box of black-and-white hex tile, and the next nothing but rusted radiators. Knowing what to look for — and what each piece is worth — means you come home with the right finds instead of a car full of regrets. Here are the seventeen worth hunting for.
1. A Clawfoot Tub
The king of salvage finds. A cast-iron clawfoot tub from the 1920s or 1930s, usually 5 feet long with rolled edges and ball-and-claw feet, is the centrepiece of any retro bathroom. Check for cracks in the enamel, rust on the feet, and whether the drain and overflow are intact. A tub in good condition typically sells for $300 to $800 at a salvage yard, and refinishing — if the enamel is worn — costs another $300 to $500. Bring a tape measure and a friend: these tubs weigh 250 to 400 pounds.
2. A Pedestal Sink
A white porcelain pedestal sink from American Standard, Crane, or Kohler is one of the most useful salvage finds, because it fits almost any small retro bathroom. Look for a sink with no chips on the rim, a clean overflow, and its original pedestal — the two parts are often separated in a yard, Expect to pay $75 to $250 depending on size and condition.
3. Black-and-White Hex Floor Tile
Original hexagonal mosaic floor tile, usually in white with black accents, is a classic 1920s look and one of the hardest things to find in quantity. Salvage yards sometimes sell it by the box or by the square foot, typically $10 to $30 per square foot. Count carefully before you buy: a small bathroom floor needs about 35 square feet, and you will want 10 percent extra for cuts and breakage.
4. A Medicine Cabinet With a Mirrored Door
A 1940s or 1950s medicine cabinet — a simple steel or wood box with a mirrored door, sometimes with a bevelled edge — adds instant period charm above a sink. Prices usually run $30 to $100.
5. Cross-Handle Brass Faucets
A pair of cross-handle brass faucets, especially in chrome or nickel plate, is a small find with a big impact. Test the handles for smooth movement and look for worn plating. A good salvaged set costs $40 to $150,
6. A High-Tank Toilet
The high-tank toilet, with its wall-mounted cistern and pull chain, is a dramatic 1920s statement piece. These are rarer than pedestal sinks, and they need careful checking: the tank should hold water without leaking, the chain and lever should work, and the bowl should be free of cracks. Expect $200 to $500 for a complete set, and budget for new internal parts, which run $50 to $100.
7. Subway Wall Tile
Glossy 3-by-6-inch subway tile in white, cream, or pale green is the workhorse of the vintage bathroom, and salvage yards often have boxes of it from demolished houses. Salvaged subway tile usually sells for $5 to $15 per square foot.
8. A Bevelled Wall Mirror
A large bevelled mirror in a simple wood or metal frame is a perfect finishing touch above a vanity. The bevel — the angled cut around the edge — catches the light and adds a quiet elegance that a flat modern mirror lacks. Check for desilvering and for chips in the bevel. Prices run $50 to $200 depending on size.
9. Chrome Towel Bars and Rings
Small chrome accessories — towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks, and toilet-paper holders — are easy to overlook and hard to find in matching sets. A salvage yard is the best place to assemble a set, since the pieces are usually sold individually for $5 to $25 each.
10. A Wooden Vanity Cabinet
A small wooden vanity — 18 to 30 inches wide, with dovetailed drawers and its original hardware — is a wonderful find, and it is the piece most likely to be hiding in the back of a yard under a pile of doors. Check the joinery, look for MDF (which rules out a vintage origin), and measure carefully: a vanity that is too tall or too deep for your bathroom is no bargain at any price. Expect $100 to $400 depending on condition.
11. Stained Glass or Frosted Window Panels
A small stained-glass or frosted-glass window panel adds privacy and colour to a bathroom window, and salvage yards often have them from demolished houses. Prices range from $75 to $300.
12. A Cast-Iron Radiator
A small cast-iron radiator, the kind that once heated a 1920s bathroom, doubles as a towel warmer and a design feature. Check for leaks by asking the yard to pressure-test it, or budget $100 to $200 for a plumber to do so. A working radiator typically costs $100 to $300, and it pairs beautifully with a clawfoot tub.
13. Vintage Light Fixtures
A pair of wall sconces or a small ceiling fixture in chrome, brass, or milk glass can transform a bathroom’s lighting. Salvaged fixtures usually cost $30 to $150.
14. A Wooden Medicine Chest or Wall Cabinet
A small wall-hung wooden cabinet with a mirrored or panelled door is a useful and charming find, especially in a bathroom with limited storage. Look for solid wood construction, working hinges, and a door that closes flat. Prices run $40 to $120.
15. Decorative Tile Accents
Beyond the standard subway and hex tile, salvage yards sometimes hold the decorative pieces that make a bathroom special: a hand-painted accent tile, a coloured border tile, or a small mosaic medallion. These are usually sold individually for $5 to $25 each, and even two or three can transform a plain tiled wall.
16. A Vintage Showerhead
A large rain-style showerhead or a handheld shower on a chrome riser bar is a delightful find, and a genuine 1950s model has a weight and solidity that modern showerheads rarely match. Expect $25 to $100.
17. A Porcelain Soap Dish or Toothbrush Holder
The smallest finds are often the most satisfying. A wall-mounted porcelain soap dish, a toothbrush holder, or a tumbler holder in white or pastel, with its original chrome bracket, adds a layer of authentic detail that no modern accessory can match. These usually cost $10 to $30 each,
Our Top Picks
If you can only bring home three finds, make them these:
- A clawfoot tub in good condition. It is the single piece that defines a retro bathroom, and it is the hardest to find later once the remodel is underway.
- A matching set of cross-handle faucets. Small, affordable, and transformative — the right faucets make the whole room feel period-correct.
- A box of original hex floor tile. Floor tile sets the tone for the entire room, and genuine vintage tile has a warmth that no reproduction quite matches.
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