Vintage Advertisements

Advertisements of the past tended to be full of words, instructions, and photos. Over the decades, marketers have performed many tests and much research to appeal to their targeted consumers. As a result, ads are less busy and more visually appealing.

Below are vintage advertisements for various bathroom products. The first ad was released in 1930 for the Si-Wel-Clo quiet toilet. Promoting an innovative, comfortable design, the Si-Wel-Clo was the most quiet toilet of the time.

The 1943 Scot Toilet Tissue advertisement below goes into great detail about an alternate use of the Scot toilet paper. The ad assures consumers that tests have proven Scot toilet tissue to effectively prevents the transference of disease when used as a disposable mask.


This vintage Jonny Mop advertisement from 1954 confidently promises to actually pay consumers to try their product. It also introduces a "modern" way to clean toilets.

Corner Sinks for Small Bathrooms

There are a variety of sink choices for a small bathroom. One particularly good option is a corner sink. Corner sinks are perfect for small or unusually shaped bathrooms because they require very little space. Here are several that our customers recommended.

This Elizabethan’s Classics Corner Sink with a chrome Kohler Faucet, for example, is very small and discreet, yet highly recommended by our customers. "Andrew1000" from Boston, MA describes it as “a perfect size and completely out of the way”. Take a look at the photo he submitted below.

If you're looking for a sink with a more interesting shape, this corner basin sink may be a good choice.  Due to the size and shape, it can be installed “in tight [spaces and allows] doors to open without hitting the sink”, says "DLB1" from Washington, DC.

A good example of a large corner sink is this wall mounted Cheviot. This larger alternative offers more space for hand washing but can still be installed in small spaces. "Czyzyk", a customer from Medford, New Jersey found this corner sink to be “perfect for small spaces and handicapped accessible”

Pot Fillers and Bar Sinks

You may think, why buy a bar sink or pot filler when I already have a sink and faucet in my kitchen? 

Pot fillers are small faucets that extend from the wall or counter. They usually dispense only cold water, but some have the option of hot water or filtered water. Pot fillers are mainly for filling kettles and pots, but also have other uses. Installing a pot or kettle filler can save steps while preparing dinner. Rinsing off vegetables and filling up glasses with drinking water can both be made easier with a pot filler.

Bar sinks are generally smaller than your kitchen sink. They come in different shapes, sizes, and depths. Having a bar sink is ideal for entertaining guests because you can prepare drinks without making a mess. Fill the sink with ice to keep soda, beer, and white wine cold at your next party.

Another name for a bar sink is prep sink. These sinks make food preparation quicker and can also be useful when two people are using the kitchen simultaneously.

Planning Out Your Bathroom

Before beginning a remodeling project, it's important to plan properly to ensure the renovation process goes smoothly. Since you don't want any trouble maneuvering in your bathroom, it's a good idea to follow certain spatial guidelines. If your bathroom is going to be used by people of different ages and sizes, stick with a universal design.

According to Universal Design, you should leave 30 x 48 inches of floor space around each fixture. If for instance, you have a toilet and sink next to each other, the recommended open space can be shared. Meaning you can leave a 30 x 48-inch common space between the two.

When you install your sink, keep in mind, you should leave 30 inches of space in the front of the sink. A wall mounted or console sink will have room underneath and allow 12 inches of the recommended 48 inches of space to begin under the sink.

There should be 30 inches in front of the toilet and at least 16 inches of clear space from the center of the toilet to a wall or any other fixture next to the toilet. If you plan on installing your toilet in a compartment within the bathroom, make sure it is at least 33 inches wide and 66 inches deep. If the compartment will have a door, it should be at least 32 inches wide.

If your shower is less than 60 inches, allow 36 inches of depth. To arrive at the amount of recommended width, add 12 inches to the width of your shower. If your shower is greater than 60 inches, still allow 36 inches deep of clear space, but the width need only be the size of the shower.