You guys — you’re varsity. Once again I was blown away by the 500+ clever ideas and impressive Photoshop mock-ups you shared for Jamie’s design roadblock last week. Group brainstorming is the best, and Jamie is excited to explore all the options (she promised to share after photos when she’s done). Now let’s jump into Meghan’s dilemma — I’m eager to hear your suggestions.
Say hello to my little friend! Yes, I have a giant Scar Face bathtub. My husband and I bought our 1987 home a little over a year ago. We’ve been up to our eyeballs in projects but are making steady progress in turning this house into our home. This is the one room that still makes me scratch my head and leave more confused than when I walked in — our master bathroom, so that happens a lot! Note: if you want to play around in Photoshop, click the image to enlarge it — then feel free to share your creation in the comments by linking to it on a photo-sharing site.
This bathtub is huge. My husband hates it, but we can’t afford to tear it out right now. Should I tile or beadboard the front? Add shelves or bookcases on the side? What belongs on those shelves? I need a way to visually minimize it and make the space more functional. Thank you! – Meghan
I started by studying that before photo and imagining what could be added where. Then I dragged the image into Photoshop to test a few ideas. My first thought was adding built-in bookcases on either side of the tub:
I love the idea of white built-ins to flank the tub — they add height and help focus attention on the stained glass window in the center. I also beefed up the trim around the window for better balance. The backs of the bookcases could be painted a soft blue-gray (think Aqua Smoke by Behr) to echo the stained glass, while the walls could be a light sand tone (like Hazelnut Cream by Behr) to tie into the tub and floor. Shelving contents could be both pretty and practical, such as:
- fluffy extra towels
- textured baskets to hide toiletries
- glass jars filled with sea sponges, loofahs, or decorative items
- pretty bottles of bubble bath, bath salts, or bath oils
- a small stack of magazines stored in a waterproof-friendly spot
- candles (or battery-operated candles for safety) for ambiance
- beachy keepsakes like small jars of sand, shells, or labeled vacation mementos
Meghan mentioned repainting the front of the tub steps white to break up the overwhelming tan. Three good options for that area are:
- white subway tile for a clean, classic look
- white beadboard designed for bathrooms to resist moisture
- white horizontal planks made from bathroom-safe materials to avoid rot
She could attach beadboard or thin planks under the lip of each step using a bathroom-rated adhesive that tolerates steam. Alternatively, tile would give a shinier finish; keeping the grout white will maintain a calm, unified look without adding busy contrast against the tub’s surface.
For a more dramatic but still serene treatment, I tried a darker palette: deep green backs in the bookcases (Mermaid Net by Behr), soft blue walls (Country Mist by Behr), and a soft putty color for the tub surround and steps. Again, I used the stained glass as color inspiration and increased the window trim for proportion.
It’s worth checking whether the tub can be professionally reglazed. A reglazing estimate from a local expert will reveal if the material can be recolored — an affordable way to update a tub you can’t replace. Replacing the tub’s fixtures with brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze hardware will also modernize the look, even if reglazing isn’t possible.
Another option is to surround the whole nook with built-ins for maximum storage and integrated style:
This feels busier in my mockup, but careful styling — narrower shelving at the back for candles and bath products, deeper side shelves for towels — would keep it from seeming cluttered. Sticking to a soft neutral palette for displayed items will help everything read as calm and cohesive.
Other small ideas Meghan could consider:
- add glass doors to the bookcases for a more polished look and to protect items from steam
- paint the window frame a deep charcoal found in the stained glass to make it pop as a focal point
- use subtle glass mosaic tile in a soft celery or similar tone on the back wall around the window for added texture and interest
- find a tiny bathrobe for the cat — because why not let the whole household feel pampered?
Those are a few concepts for taming Meghan’s oversized tub and making the master bath more functional and styled. I’m excited to read your ideas and to hear what Meghan ultimately decides.
Psst — Got a tricky spot or design dilemma in your house? Send at least three photos of the space, a quick sketch of the floor plan, and a short description of the problem to [email protected].