You all knocked it out of the park. Once again I was amazed by the 500+ clever, funny, and practical ideas you shared for Jamie’s problem last week — and the Photoshop wizardry some of you displayed. Group brainstorming is unbeatable, and Jamie has so many directions to explore now (she promised to post after photos when she’s finished). Now let’s turn to Meghan’s master-bath dilemma. I’m excited to hear your thoughts.
Say hello to my little friend! Yes, I have a giant Scar Face bathtub. My husband and I bought our 1987 house a little over a year ago. We’ve been knee-deep in projects but are slowly making it our home. The one room that still confuses me every time I enter it is our master bathroom — and that’s a problem because we spend a lot of time in there!
This tub is huge, and my husband dislikes it, but we can’t afford to replace it right now. Should I tile or beadboard the front? Add shelves or bookcases at the sides — and what should go on those shelves? I need ways to soften it and make the space more functional. Thanks! – Meghan
Soften a Huge Tub with Symmetry and Storage
The first thing I did was stare at the photo and imagine how different elements could change the feel. In Photoshop I tested a few ideas. One of my favorite solutions is to add built-in white bookshelves on either side of the tub to frame that lovely stained-glass window and bring vertical interest to the nook. I also enlarged the window trim a bit for better balance.
The backs of the bookcases could be painted a soft blue-gray to pick up the stained glass tones, while the walls could be a warm, light sand to harmonize with the tub and floor. On those shelves consider practical and decorative bathroom-friendly items such as:
- fluffy extra towels rolled or folded
- textured baskets for small items
- clear jars filled with sponges, loofahs, or decorative sea glass
- nice bottles of bubble bath, salts, or bath oils
- a small stack of magazines or waterproof reading material
- candles (or battery-operated candles for safety)
- beachy keepsakes like labeled jars of sand or shells
Options for Finishing the Tub Front
Meghan mentioned redoing the front of the steps to break up the dominant tan color of the tub. Three durable, bathroom-friendly finishes I’d recommend are:
- white subway tile for a clean, classic look
- white beadboard made for bathrooms to resist moisture
- white horizontal planks designed to be bathroom-safe
Thin sheets of beadboard or planks can be adhered under the lip of each step using a moisture-rated adhesive, or the front can be tiled for a brighter, reflective surface. If you choose tile, a white grout keeps the look soft and avoids competing with the tub’s molded pattern.
Play with Color and Reglaze Options
For a more dramatic but soothing palette, try a dark green on the backs of the bookcases, a light blue on the walls, and a soft putty tone on the tub surround. Let the stained-glass window guide the color story and strengthen the window trim to make everything feel intentional.
It’s worth getting an estimate from a local reglazing professional to see whether the tub surface can be recolored affordably. If reglazing isn’t possible, replacing the tub hardware with modern finishes such as brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze will still refresh the overall look.
Built-ins and Other Styling Ideas
Another approach is to build shelving that fills the entire nook, with narrower shelves along the back for small items and deeper side shelves for towels. If you’re concerned about clutter, stick to a soft neutral palette for the shelf contents to keep the area feeling calm and curated.
- Add glass doors to the bookcases for a slightly more formal, steam-protected option (trade-off is slightly less immediate access).
- Paint the window frame a deep charcoal from the stained glass to make that feature pop.
- Consider a subtle glass mosaic tile behind the window for texture and gentle shimmer.
- And for a little humor: find a tiny robe for the cat so everyone feels pampered.
Those are a few practical, budget-conscious directions Meghan could take to minimize the tub’s visual dominance while adding storage and style. I kept the suggestions flexible so they can be adapted to exactly how the tub and nook measure up in real life. Can’t wait to read your ideas and to see what Meghan chooses!
Got a tricky space in your house? Send at least three photos and a simple floor-plan sketch along with a short description of the problem to [email protected] for consideration.