Like all things related to ’80s style, bath design was not immune to bold choices.

By Nicholas Tamarin

The 1980s was a decade of design that skewed toward maximalism, abundance and fun, and that combined a variety of shapes, curves, textures and colors. It also featured a range of bath innovations that brought style, convenience and functionality to homeowners. From bidet attachments to steam showers, here are seminal gadgets and technology from that era that continue to shape the way we perceive and design K&B spaces today.

1. Heated Floors

The ’80s saw advancements in underfloor heating technology, which allowed for the installation of heated floors in bathrooms. The majority of these underfloor systems used either electric or hydronic systems (fluid flowing in pipes) to transfer heat, just like they do today. This provided comfort and warmth during the colder months and allowed for cleaner floor lines sans bath rugs.

2. Fiberglass-Reinforced Acrylic Tubs

During the ’80s, tubs made from fiberglass-reinforced acrylic gained popularity due to their durability, low cost and ease of maintenance — as well as versatility in design, since the material made a wide range of shapes and sizes possible. Additionally, the high-quality acrylic surfaces created a deep, glossy beauty that one could admire while soaking for some time in a tub made from a material that also provided good heat retention.

3. Mirrored Walls and Vanity Lights

Mirrored walls with integrated vanity lights were one of the most popular design elements in ’80s baths. Often brassy and combined with hanging plants such as ferns, these multi-bulb displays not only served functional illuminative purposes by emphasizing light reflected by the mirrors, but also created a sense of space by adding depth to rooms with the illusion of expanded walls through a touch of Hollywood dressing room glamor.

4. Electronic Bidet Attachments

Bidet attachments and bidet toilet seats started gaining popularity in the ’80s, especially in the U.S. and other regions where bidets were not a common fixture. That’s because, in 1980, cutting-edge Japanese toilet manufacturer Toto introduced the Washlet, which debuted three functions: rear cleansing, a dryer and a heated seat. Due to its paper-saving popularity, Toto has since sold 60-million of the attachable seats.

5. Steam Shower

In the ’80s, steam showers began appearing in high-end baths. These showers featured steam generators that could create a spa-like experience, offering relaxation and positive benefits for the skin and overall well-being. In the late ’80s, Mr. Steam introduced a steam shower with a specially designed air switch that made taking showers safer. Subsequent Mr. Steam versions included innovative features such as temperature controls, digital options and the expansion of products that combine scent, sound and light therapies for a convenient, holistic experience.