Hex Tile Floors and Pedestal Sinks That Nail the Craftsman Bathroom
Craftsman bathrooms weren’t afterthoughts. While smaller than today’s spa-inspired spaces, original Craftsman bathrooms featured thoughtful details that balanced function with the movement’s design philosophy. Recreating this look authentically means understanding what period bathrooms actually contained—and what modern interpretations often get wrong.
The Case for Hex Tile
Hexagonal floor tile dominated American bathrooms from roughly 1900 through 1930, making it the authentic choice for Craftsman floors.
Historical accuracy: Original Craftsman bathrooms overwhelmingly used small hexagonal tiles, typically 1-inch or 2-inch across, in white or off-white. This wasn’t an aesthetic choice alone—hex tiles provide excellent drainage and minimal grout line slippage.
Size matters: Period-appropriate hex tiles are small. Modern hex tiles often measure 4, 6, or even 12 inches—sizes that didn’t exist in Craftsman era bathrooms. Authentic restoration requires the smallest sizes, despite installation complexity.
Color options: White hex tile with white or gray grout was most common. Black-and-white patterns (using both colored tiles) appeared in more elaborate installations. Colored hex tiles in greens, blues, or yellows existed but were less common than white.
Installation reality: Small hex tiles are labor-intensive to install. Many now come on mesh backing, simplifying installation while maintaining period appearance. Ensure mesh-backed tiles maintain consistent spacing.
Pedestal Sink Authenticity
Pedestal sinks were standard in Craftsman bathrooms—vanities with storage underneath were not yet common.
Period proportions: Original pedestal sinks were substantial. Heavy vitreous china pedestals supported wide, deep basins. The delicate pedestals common in contemporary powder rooms are too slight for Craftsman authenticity.
Basin shapes: Rectangular basins with rounded corners were typical. Oval basins appeared but were less common. The decorative shell-shaped or sculptural basins seen in Victorian bathrooms contradict Craftsman simplicity.
Mounting height: Standard modern mounting places sink rims at 32-34 inches. Original installations often sat lower (30-32 inches). Consider ergonomics alongside historical accuracy.
Practical compromise: Console sinks (legs with a wall-mounted basin) offer more counter space while maintaining period aesthetics. These appeared in some original Craftsman bathrooms and provide a middle ground between pedestal and vanity.
Wall Treatment Options
Craftsman bathroom walls weren’t drywall painted one color throughout.
Tile wainscoting: Subway tile or 4×4 square tile typically covered the lower portion of walls—usually chair rail height (about 36 inches) or higher in wet areas. This provided practical water protection and easy cleaning.
Subway tile specifics: Original subway tiles measured 3×6 inches, not the 4×8 or larger sizes common today. The brick pattern (offset rows) was standard; stacked patterns are a modern variation.
Above the tile: Painted plaster or wallpaper appeared above the tile wainscot. Paint colors tended toward warm whites, soft greens, or muted blues. Wallpapers, when used, featured Arts and Crafts patterns—stylized botanicals or geometric designs.
Cap molding: A bullnose or chair rail cap typically finished the tile wainscoting. This detail is often omitted in modern installations but contributes significantly to period authenticity.
Fixtures and Fittings
Original Craftsman fixtures featured specific characteristics that modern reproductions often miss.
Faucet styles: Cross-handle faucets with separate hot and cold controls were standard. Single-handle mixers didn’t exist. Porcelain index buttons marked “hot” and “cold” indicated function.
Faucet finishes: Polished nickel and chrome both appeared in Craftsman bathrooms, though chrome became more common toward the end of the period. Brass was less common in bathrooms than in kitchens.
Exposed plumbing: Supply lines and p-traps beneath pedestal sinks were typically visible and sometimes featured decorative covers. Exposed plumbing wasn’t hidden in shame—it was finished and displayed.
Shower fixtures: Exposed valve shower controls with rainfall showerheads appeared in better-appointed homes. The concealed valves common today weren’t available.
The Clawfoot Tub Question
Clawfoot tubs existed during the Craftsman era but weren’t universal.
Historical reality: Clawfoot tubs were more Victorian than Craftsman. By the 1920s, built-in alcove tubs were becoming standard in new construction. Both types appeared in Craftsman homes depending on construction date and budget.
Authenticity judgment: A clawfoot tub isn’t wrong in a Craftsman bathroom, but it’s not required for authenticity. Built-in tubs with simple tile surrounds are equally appropriate and often more practical.
Feet options: If using a clawfoot tub, ball-and-claw feet are more ornate than the simple ball feet that suit Craftsman aesthetics. The simpler the feet, the better the style match.
Medicine Cabinets
Original Craftsman bathrooms typically included built-in medicine cabinets.
Recessed installation: Cabinets were recessed between wall studs, sitting flush with the wall surface. Surface-mounted cabinets are convenient but less authentic.
Mirror doors: Beveled-edge mirrors on cabinet doors were standard. The beveling was subtle—typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch—not the wide bevels sometimes seen today.
Cabinet frames: Wood frames around medicine cabinets matched other bathroom trim. White-painted wood or natural-finished oak were common depending on the overall bathroom finish.
Single versus triple: Simple single-door cabinets were most common. Triple-door cabinets with side mirrors appeared in larger or more elaborate bathrooms.
Lighting Considerations
Craftsman bathroom lighting featured specific fixture types.
Sconces: Wall sconces flanking the medicine cabinet provided primary illumination. Single sconces centered over mirrors appeared in smaller spaces.
Fixture styles: Simple geometric forms—squares, rectangles, clean cylinders—match Craftsman aesthetics. Ornate Victorian fixtures or industrial-style Edison bulbs are anachronistic.
Glass types: Opalescent or milk glass diffused light effectively. Art glass in amber, green, or iridescent tones appeared in better-quality installations.
Ceiling fixtures: If present, ceiling fixtures were simple flush-mounts with opal glass shades. Elaborate chandeliers don’t belong in Craftsman bathrooms.
Accessories and Hardware
Period-appropriate accessories complete the Craftsman bathroom.
Towel bars: Heavy ceramic or vitreous china towel bars were common, often matching the sink material. Metal bars with china posts also appeared.
Toilet paper holders: Recessed ceramic holders built into walls were standard in better installations. Surface-mounted holders were simpler metal designs.
Soap dishes: Built-in ceramic soap dishes recessed into tile walls served better-quality bathrooms. Simple surface-mounted dishes worked elsewhere.
Hooks: Simple metal hooks for robes and towels—not elaborate coat hooks or ornate designs—suit the aesthetic.
Modern Function in Period Appearance
Contemporary needs can be addressed without sacrificing authenticity.
Heated floors: Electric radiant heat beneath hex tile flooring provides modern comfort invisibly. The technology requires adequate subfloor depth but works well with tile.
Exhaust fans: Period bathrooms relied on operable windows for ventilation. Modern fans can be hidden in adjacent spaces or selected with minimal visible presence.
GFCI outlets: Required by code, these can be positioned less prominently than typical modern placements. Consider locations behind doors or within cabinets where possible.
Pressure-balance valves: Modern anti-scald protection works behind period-style shower fixtures. The safety is invisible; the appearance is authentic.
Color Palette
Craftsman bathroom colors differed from the stark white common today.
Whites: Original “white” fixtures were often slightly warm—ivory or cream tones rather than blue-white. Matching modern fixtures to period colors may require off-white selections.
Wall colors: Soft sage greens, muted blues, warm creams, and soft grays appeared in painted areas. Bright colors and stark whites are modern preferences.
Accent colors: If using colored tile accents, period-appropriate options include bottle green, navy blue, and ochre yellow. Avoid pure saturated colors that read as contemporary.
Grout: White or light gray grout was standard. Contrasting dark grout is a modern styling choice that doesn’t match period practice.
What to Avoid
Some popular features contradict Craftsman aesthetics.
Vessel sinks: Sinks sitting atop counters are thoroughly contemporary. They have no place in authentic Craftsman bathrooms.
Frameless shower enclosures: Large glass panels are modern technology. Period showers used shower curtains or framed glass doors.
Large format tile: Tiles larger than 6 inches (except subway tile in original dimensions) read as modern. Large slabs that eliminate grout lines are especially anachronistic.
Double vanities: His-and-hers sinks didn’t appear in residential bathrooms until decades after the Craftsman era. Even large Craftsman bathrooms featured single sinks.
Freestanding tubs: Modern freestanding tubs with contemporary profiles differ significantly from period clawfoot designs. If choosing freestanding, select authentic reproductions.
Budget Priorities
Where to invest when funds are limited:
Floor tile: The floor is the largest visible surface. Getting hex tile right establishes period authenticity that lesser floors would undermine.
Sink and faucet: These get daily attention. A quality pedestal sink with period-appropriate faucets reads as authentic investment.
Where to economize: Lighting fixtures, accessories, and toilet designs can be upgraded later without construction. Start with the permanent installations.
The Craftsman bathroom’s simple elegance arose from quality materials honestly expressed. Hex tile floors and pedestal sinks capture the era’s essential character—functional fixtures elevated through thoughtful design rather than applied decoration.
