If there’s one thing Rivals does brilliantly, it’s excess. From sprawling countryside homes and power dressing to dramatic interiors dripping in wealth and personality, the hit Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel has reignited a love for bold 1980s-inspired decor - and bathrooms are no exception.
While modern interiors have spent years leaning into pared-back neutrals and spa-inspired minimalism, Rivals taps into something far more expressive. Think glossy surfaces, statement stone, rich wood tones, oversized mirrors and metallic finishes that feel glamorous rather than understated.
It’s part of a wider interiors movement designers are calling “nostalgic maximalism” which celebrates personality, warmth and a little bit of theatricality. And while few of us are recreating a full 'Rutshire' manor house, there are plenty of ways to bring the aesthetic into a modern bathroom without it feeling dated.
1. Brave bold metallics
One of the easiest ways to channel the Rivals aesthetic is through metallic finishes. The homes featured throughout the series are filled with warmth and opulence, and brass or brushed gold fittings instantly recreate that elevated feel.
Swap standard chrome basin and bath taps for statement brass or brushed gold designs to instantly add warmth and a more luxurious, 80s-inspired feel to your bathroom. Pair with marble textures, wood finishes or darker tones for a richer, more elevated look.
Rather than feeling overtly retro, today’s brassware works best when balanced with cleaner contemporary lines. Think fluted vanity units, minimalist ceramics and modern lighting paired with statement metallic accents.
2. Lean into glossy finishes and dramatic surfaces
Bathrooms in the 1980s were rarely subtle, and Rivals captures that confidence perfectly. Glossy finishes, reflective surfaces and dramatic stone all play a huge role in creating that “old money meets television glamour” aesthetic.
Black marble remains one of the most recognisable looks associated with affluent 80s interiors, but there are far easier ways to recreate the feel today without the cost or maintenance of real stone. Marble-effect wall panels, large-format porcelain tiles and high-gloss furniture can all help achieve the same dramatic effect in a more practical way.
If you want to soften the look slightly, combine darker surfaces with warm lighting and softer neutral tones to keep the space feeling inviting rather than overly theatrical.
3. Don’t shy away from colour
While neutral bathrooms continue to dominate social media, colour is quietly making a comeback, particularly softer pastel tones inspired by the late 70s and 80s.
From blush pink and muted peach to sage green and powder blue, these nostalgic shades bring warmth and character back into the bathroom. The key is using colour in a more considered way than the decades before.
Instead of committing to a full coloured suite, many homeowners are introducing playful tones through vanity units, basins, tiles or painted walls. Concrete basins and contemporary sanitaryware are also making it easier to experiment with colour while still keeping the overall look modern.
Done well, these softer retro shades can make a bathroom feel far more personal and inviting than an all-white scheme.
The modern take on 80s luxury
What makes the Rivals aesthetic feel relevant again is that today’s version is far more refined.
Rather than recreating the era exactly, homeowners are taking inspiration from its confidence — layering richer textures, bolder finishes and statement pieces into spaces that still feel liveable and contemporary.
The result is a bathroom that feels expressive, luxurious and full of personality — which perhaps explains why nostalgic maximalism is proving so hard to resist.
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