You all amazed me again. After sharing more than 500 creative, useful, and often hilarious ideas for Jamie’s bathtub dilemma last week, I was blown away by the energy and ingenuity of this community. Group brainstorming is unbeatable, and Jamie now has a long list of directions to try. She’s promised to share after photos when she’s finished, and I can’t wait to see them.
Now let’s turn to Meghan’s master bathroom challenge. Here’s her situation in her own words:
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 have been up to our eyeballs in projects but are making steady headway in making this house our home! But this is the one place where I still scratch my head and walk out of the room more confused than when I walked in – and this is our master bathroom, so that happens a lot!
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? Put shelves or bookcases on the side? And what do you put inside said bookcases? I need something to mask it and make the space more functional. Thank you! – Meghan
I started by studying the photo and imagining layout and finishes before testing ideas in Photoshop. My first concept emphasizes balance and storage: add built-in white bookshelves on either side of the tub to frame the stained glass window and create vertical interest. A slightly beefed-up trim around the window helps the composition feel deliberate and balanced.
To connect the palette, consider painting the backs of the bookcases a soft blue-gray to echo tones from the stained glass, while selecting a light sand or warm neutral for the surrounding walls to coordinate with the tub and floor. These subtle shifts make the existing features read as intentional instead of dated.
Practical and decorative items for the shelves:
- Plenty of fluffy extra towels
- Textured woven baskets to hide supplies
- Glass jars filled with sea sponges, loofahs, or decorative shells
- Pretty bottles of bath salts, oils, or bubble bath
- A small stack of reading material (if you can keep it dry)
- Candles or flameless battery-operated candles for ambiance
- Vacation keepsakes, like labeled jars of sand or small mementos
For the tub’s front and the steps, replacing the tan surface with crisp white elements can visually reduce the tub’s dominance. Some good options:
- Classic white subway tile for a clean, timeless look
- Water-resistant white beadboard for a cottage feel
- White horizontal shiplap or engineered bathroom planks for texture
Beadboard or thin planks can be adhered under each step lip using a bathroom-grade adhesive that tolerates steam and humidity. If you prefer a glossier finish, tile is an excellent choice; choose white grout or a low-contrast grout to avoid visual busyness against the tub’s surface.
For a slightly moodier option, paint the bookcase backs a deep green and use a soft blue on the walls while refinishing the tub surround in a warm putty tone. Drawing color cues from the stained glass window keeps the scheme cohesive and intentional. In any scenario, beefing up the window trim in white helps it read as a deliberate focal point.
If reglazing the tub is an option, get an estimate from a local reglazing professional. Reglazing can change the tub color affordably and dramatically if the material is compatible. If reglazing isn’t possible, swapping out the tub hardware for brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze taps and fixtures will modernize the look at lower cost.
Another idea is to fill the entire tub nook with built-ins—shelves across the back and deeper shelving on the sides. This approach increases storage and creates a purposeful architectural feature. To keep the display from looking cluttered, limit the palette of objects to neutral tones and repeat textures (linen, wicker, glass) so the eye can rest.
Additional options to consider:
- Install glass doors on the bookcases for a polished look and to protect items from steam
- Paint the window frame a charcoal tone pulled from the stained glass to make it pop
- Tile the back wall around the window with a subtle glass mosaic for a hint of shimmer and interest
- Keep styling simple and curated so the space feels calm and spa-like
Those are a few practical, stylistic, and budget-minded approaches to making Meghan’s oversized tub feel intentional, less visually heavy, and far more useful. I’m excited to hear what other ideas the community has and to learn which direction Meghan chooses.
Psst – If you have a tricky spot in your home you’d like help with, please submit at least three photos of the space, a quick sketch of the floor plan, and a short description explaining the challenge to the site’s advice email.