You know that feeling when you walk into an old bathroom and you’re torn between loving the vintage charm and desperately wanting modern functionality? Yeah, I’ve totally been there. If you own a historic home in Old Colorado City, you’re probably dealing with this exact dilemma right now.
I’ve spent years working on historic renovations in this area, and let me tell you – it’s both incredibly rewarding and occasionally hair-pulling. But here’s the cool part: you don’t have to choose between character and comfort. You can absolutely have both!
Old Colorado City boasts some of the most beautiful historic homes in Colorado Springs, dating all the way back to the 1870s. These homes tell stories, and honestly, the bathrooms often tell the most interesting ones. From clawfoot tubs that have seen generations of families to original tile work that skilled craftspeople installed by hand over a century ago – there’s real magic in these spaces.
But let’s be real. That magic doesn’t keep you warm when the heating doesn’t work, or help when the plumbing decides to have a complete meltdown at 2 AM. That’s where thoughtful renovation comes in.
Understanding Your Historic Home’s Bathroom Story
Before you start swinging sledgehammers (please, for the love of history, don’t!), you really need to understand what you’re working with. Historic homes in Old Colorado City typically fall into a few categories, and each one has its own personality when it comes to bathrooms.
Victorian Era Homes (1870s-1900)
These beauties often have tiny bathrooms that were added later, sometimes carved out of closets or small bedrooms. The original owners might have even had outhouses – indoor plumbing was still pretty fancy back then! If you’re lucky enough to have original fixtures, they’re probably worth their weight in gold.
Early 1900s Bungalows
These homes usually have more thoughtfully designed bathrooms, often with gorgeous built-in features like medicine cabinets with beveled mirrors or original tile work. The layouts tend to be more functional than their Victorian cousins.
1920s-1930s Homes
This era brought us some seriously stunning bathroom design. Think colorful tile, elegant pedestal sinks, and those amazing built-in tubs with tile surrounds. If you’ve got original features from this period, you’re sitting on a goldmine!
Here’s what I always tell homeowners: spend some time in your bathroom just observing. What’s original? What’s been added over the years? Sometimes you’ll find three or four different renovation layers, and it’s like being an archaeological detective right in your own home.
I worked on an 1890s Victorian last year where we discovered the most beautiful original beadboard behind 1970s paneling. The homeowner almost cried when we revealed it – in a good way! But we also found some… shall we say, “creative” plumbing solutions from various decades that definitely needed addressing.
Planning Your Renovation: The Smart Approach
Okay, so you’ve fallen in love with your bathroom’s potential. Now what? This is where a lot of people get overwhelmed, but it really doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start with the Big Picture
What do you actually need this bathroom to do for you? Are you dealing with a powder room that guests use, or is this the main family bathroom where kids need to get ready for school every morning? Your daily reality should drive your decisions, not just pretty Pinterest dreams.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get caught up in recreating a “perfect” period bathroom that looks amazing but just doesn’t work for their actual life. You’ve got to find that sweet spot between historic charm and real-world functionality.
Know Your Home’s History
This part’s actually pretty fun! Old Colorado City has amazing historical resources, and you can often find information about your specific home or at least homes from the same era and neighborhood. The Old Colorado City Historical Society is a treasure trove of information.
Understanding your home’s original style helps you make renovation choices that feel authentic rather than forced. A 1920s Spanish Revival home is going to call for different design choices than a Victorian cottage, you know?
Budget Reality Check
Let’s talk money for a minute. Historic bathroom renovations can range anywhere from $15,000 for a basic refresh to $50,000+ for a full restoration with high-end finishes. The wild card is always what you find behind the walls.
I always recommend budgeting an extra 20-30% for surprises. And trust me, there will be surprises! Sometimes they’re good ones (like finding original hardwood floors under old vinyl), but sometimes they’re expensive ones (like discovering the plumbing hasn’t been updated since, well, the Eisenhower administration).
Working with Historic Preservation Guidelines
Now, before you get too excited about your renovation plans, we need to talk about the rules. Old Colorado City is a National Historic District, which means there are guidelines you need to follow – especially if your home is a contributing structure to the historic district.
What You Need to Know
The good news is that interior renovations typically have more flexibility than exterior changes. But if you’re planning to change window sizes, add skylights, or make other modifications that affect the home’s exterior appearance, you’ll definitely need to work with the local historic preservation office.
I’ve worked with the Historic Preservation Division in Colorado Springs many times, and they’re actually pretty reasonable. They understand that homes need to function for modern families. The key is good communication and showing that you respect the home’s historic character.
Getting Professional Help
This is where working with experienced contractors becomes really important. You want someone who understands both historic preservation and modern building codes – and let me tell you, making those two things play nice together is an art form.
At Stewart Remodel Design Build, we’ve been working on historic homes in the Colorado Springs area since 1999. There’s definitely a learning curve to this kind of work, and experience makes a huge difference when you’re trying to solve problems that didn’t even exist when these homes were built.
Preserving Original Features That Matter
Here’s where we separate the wheat from the chaff. Not every old thing in your bathroom is worth saving, but some features are absolutely irreplaceable. Learning to tell the difference will save you money and heartache.
Original Fixtures Worth Their Weight in Gold
Clawfoot tubs from the early 1900s are having a major moment right now, and for good reason. These things were built to last, and refinishing one is almost always cheaper than buying a quality reproduction. Plus, there’s something special about knowing your tub has been around for over a century!
Original pedestal sinks, especially those with integrated backsplashes or unique shapes, are also worth preserving. I’ve seen homeowners spend thousands trying to find reproductions that match the character of what they already had.
Cast iron radiators are another treasure. Yes, they take up space, but they provide the most comfortable heat and they’re gorgeous when properly restored. Work your design around them rather than ripping them out.
Tile Work and Built-ins
Original tile work is tricky. If it’s in good condition and you love the style, absolutely keep it. But if it’s cracked, missing pieces, or just not your taste, don’t feel guilty about replacing it. The key is replacing it with something that respects the home’s era and style.
Built-in medicine cabinets, towel bars, and soap dishes can often be restored rather than replaced. I’ve seen some amazing transformations with just some careful cleaning and maybe new hardware.
What You Can Let Go
Here’s some tough love: not everything old is worth saving. That avocado green toilet from 1975? It can go. The vinyl flooring that’s curling at the edges? Definitely not historic. The shower insert that was obviously added in the 1980s? You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings by upgrading.
The trick is learning to distinguish between original features that add character and later additions that don’t serve you well. When in doubt, take photos and do some research before making final decisions.
Modern Updates That Don’t Kill the Character
This is the fun part – figuring out how to add modern convenience without losing what makes your bathroom special. It’s totally doable, but it requires some creative thinking.
Plumbing and Electrical Upgrades
Let’s start with the not-so-glamorous stuff. Your historic home probably needs updated plumbing and electrical work, and that’s okay. The goal is to do these updates in a way that doesn’t damage original features.
Modern PEX plumbing can often be run in ways that don’t require tearing into original plaster walls. Same with electrical – there are usually creative solutions that don’t involve major demolition.
GFCI outlets are required by code in bathrooms now, but they don’t have to look jarring. There are some great reproduction-style covers that blend well with historic homes.
Heating Solutions
Colorado winters are no joke, and old bathrooms can be freezing! If you’re lucky enough to have original radiators, get them serviced and keep them. If not, there are some great options that won’t look out of place.
Heated floors are amazing in bathrooms and completely invisible once installed. Baseboard heating can work well too, especially the newer low-profile options. Just avoid anything too modern or industrial-looking.
Lighting That Works
Original light fixtures are worth restoring if possible, but they might not provide enough light for modern needs. The solution? Layer your lighting!
Keep that gorgeous original fixture as your main focal point, but add task lighting around the mirror and maybe some subtle accent lighting. Reproduction fixtures have come a long way – you can find options that look authentically vintage but provide modern performance.
Storage Solutions
Historic bathrooms are notoriously short on storage, but there are ways to add function without ruining the aesthetic. Built-in niches can be added during renovation and look like they’ve always been there. Vintage-style furniture pieces can provide storage while adding to the character.
Choosing Materials That Fit
Material selection can make or break a historic bathroom renovation. You want things that feel authentic to the home’s era while providing modern durability and performance.
Flooring Options
Original hardwood floors are amazing if you have them and they’re in good condition. If not, there are some great alternatives that capture the same feeling.
Subway tile, hexagon tile, and basket weave patterns were all popular in historic periods and still look great today. Natural stone like marble or slate can work beautifully too, especially in earlier homes.
Avoid anything too obviously modern – large format tiles, contemporary patterns, or materials that didn’t exist when your home was built.
Wall Treatments
Original plaster walls are worth preserving when possible. They have a texture and character that drywall just can’t match. If repairs are needed, find contractors who know how to work with historic plaster.
Beadboard wainscoting is perfect for many historic styles and provides practical protection in wet areas. Subway tile wainscoting is another classic choice that works in most eras.
Paint colors should reflect your home’s period. That doesn’t mean everything has to be white – historic homes used plenty of color! Just research what was popular during your home’s era.
Fixtures and Hardware
This is where you can really have some fun! Reproduction fixtures have gotten so good that it’s often hard to tell them from originals. But quality matters – cheap reproductions look cheap.
For faucets and hardware, look for solid brass or other quality materials. Finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, or polished chrome all have historic precedent depending on your home’s era.
Don’t mix too many different finishes in one small space. Pick one or two and stick with them for a cohesive look.
Working with the Right Professionals
Here’s something I learned the hard way early in my career: not all contractors are created equal, especially when it comes to historic homes. You need people who understand both the technical challenges and the preservation philosophy.
What to Look for in a Contractor
Experience with historic homes is non-negotiable. Ask to see examples of their previous work on similar projects. They should be able to talk knowledgeably about period-appropriate materials and techniques.
They should also understand local building codes and how they apply to historic renovations. Sometimes there are exemptions or alternative compliance methods for historic homes, and experienced contractors know how to work with these.
Communication is huge too. Historic renovations involve a lot of decision-making as work progresses, and you want contractors who keep you informed and involved.
The Design-Build Advantage
I’m a big fan of the design-build approach for historic renovations. Having designers and contractors working together from the beginning means fewer surprises and better integration of old and new elements.
What is design-build remodeling? It’s a process where the same company handles both design and construction, which can be especially valuable for complex historic projects where solutions need to be developed on the fly.
Permits and Inspections
Don’t skip the permit process, even if you think your project is small enough to fly under the radar. Permitted work protects you if you ever sell, and inspections catch problems before they become expensive disasters.
Historic homes sometimes qualify for alternative compliance methods that allow for more flexibility in meeting modern codes while preserving historic features.
Real-World Examples and Success Stories
Let me share a few projects that really show what’s possible when you approach historic bathroom renovation thoughtfully.
The 1890s Victorian Cottage
This little gem in Old Colorado City had a bathroom that was basically a closet with a toilet and a sink. The homeowners were thinking about adding on, but we found a better solution.
We discovered that a small adjacent bedroom had been added in the 1940s and wasn’t original to the house. By removing that addition and reconfiguring the space, we created a beautiful bathroom that felt like it had always been there.
We kept the original beadboard wainscoting, restored the original window, and added a clawfoot tub that the homeowners found at a local architectural salvage shop. The result was a bathroom that felt authentically Victorian but worked perfectly for a modern family.
The 1920s Bungalow
This project was all about working with amazing original features. The bathroom had gorgeous original hexagon floor tile and a built-in medicine cabinet with a beveled mirror that was absolutely stunning.
The challenge was that the room was tiny and the layout didn’t work well. We reconfigured the space by moving the door opening (carefully patching the original plaster) and relocating the toilet to create more floor space.
We kept all the original tile work, restored the built-in cabinet, and added a new vanity that looked like a vintage dresser. The shower got updated with reproduction fixtures and subway tile that complemented the original hexagon floor.
The 1930s Spanish Revival
This one was fun because Spanish Revival style allows for more color and decorative elements. The original bathroom had been “updated” in the 1970s with some pretty unfortunate choices, but we found remnants of the original design hidden behind later additions.
We restored the original arched doorway, brought back decorative tile work in blues and yellows, and added hand-painted Mexican tiles as accents. A copper soaking tub became the centerpiece, and we used warm paint colors that reflected the home’s Southwestern heritage.
Common Challenges and How to Handle Them
Every historic bathroom renovation comes with its own set of challenges. Here are the ones I see most often and how to deal with them.
Plumbing Nightmares
Old plumbing is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get! I’ve found everything from original cast iron pipes that are still going strong to DIY “repairs” that would make you laugh if they weren’t so scary.
The key is having a good plumber who understands old homes inspect everything before you finalize your plans. Sometimes what looks like a simple fixture swap turns into a whole-house re-pipe.
Structural Surprises
Historic homes were built differently, and sometimes walls aren’t where you expect them to be, or they’re carrying loads you didn’t anticipate. Always have a structural engineer take a look before removing walls or making major changes.
I once had a project where what looked like a simple partition wall turned out to be supporting the floor above. A few steel beams solved the problem, but it was good that we discovered it before we started swinging hammers.
Size Constraints
Historic bathrooms are often tiny by modern standards. You can’t always make them bigger, but you can definitely make them feel bigger and work better.
Good lighting, light colors, and smart storage solutions work wonders. Sometimes removing a bulky vanity and installing a pedestal sink opens up surprising amounts of space.
Matching Materials
Finding materials that match or complement original features can be challenging. Build a good relationship with architectural salvage dealers, and don’t be afraid to mix old and new if you do it thoughtfully.
Sometimes the “perfect” match isn’t as important as the overall feeling. A bathroom that works well and feels cohesive is better than one that’s historically perfect but doesn’t function.
The Future of Your Historic Bathroom
Here’s something to think about as you plan your renovation: you’re not just updating a bathroom, you’re continuing your home’s story. The choices you make today will be part of that story for future owners.
Maintenance Matters
Historic features require ongoing care, but it’s not as scary as some people think. Original tile needs regrouting periodically. Wood features need occasional refinishing. Vintage fixtures might need parts replaced over time.
Build relationships with craftspeople who understand historic homes. Having a good plumber, electrician, and handyperson who “get” your house is invaluable.
Document Your Work
Take tons of photos during your renovation, and keep records of what you did and why. Future owners will thank you, and it helps with insurance and resale too.
Enjoy the Process
I know renovations can be stressful, but try to enjoy the journey. There’s something pretty amazing about uncovering your home’s history and adding your own chapter to the story.
Making It Happen: Your Next Steps
So you’re convinced that your historic bathroom can be both beautiful and functional. Now what?
Start with Research
Learn about your home’s history and style. The Old Colorado City Historical Society is a great resource, and there are lots of online databases that can help you understand your home’s era and original features.
Set Your Priorities
Make a list of what you absolutely need versus what would be nice to have. This helps when you’re making budget decisions or dealing with unexpected challenges.
Find the Right Team
Interview contractors who have experience with historic homes. Ask lots of questions about their approach to preservation and how they handle the challenges that come with old houses.
If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, we’d love to talk with you about your project. You can contact us to discuss your ideas, or check out our Google Reviews to see what other homeowners have said about working with us on their historic renovations.
Plan for the Unexpected
Budget extra time and money for surprises. They’re not necessarily bad surprises, but historic homes definitely keep you on your toes!
Think Long-Term
Make choices that you’ll love living with for years to come. Trends come and go, but classic design that respects your home’s character never goes out of style.
Your historic bathroom renovation doesn’t have to be a choose-between-character-and-comfort situation. With thoughtful planning, the right team, and respect for your home’s history, you can create a space that honors the past while serving your family’s needs for years to come.
And honestly? There’s nothing quite like soaking in a clawfoot tub in a beautifully restored bathroom, knowing you’ve preserved a piece of history while creating something that works perfectly for your life. That’s the kind of renovation success story that makes all the planning and decision-making worthwhile.
Ready to start your own historic bathroom transformation? The story of your home is waiting for its next chapter, and I can’t wait to see what you create.