What can I do with this ugly garden tub?

Question

We moved in to our first home, and this ugly garden tub is in our master bathroom. I hate it as it is way to big for the bathroom. It sits at an odd angle.

B. Enne · Answer

Hi are you trying to camouflage it, or make it look better, or are you wanting to replace it?  I'm not sure what you mean by 'garden tub'.

Linda kelley · Answer

Do you have a shower in the room or is this a combination tub and shower. If you don't like it...take it out. Replace with shower.

Geri · Answer

We had one also, only ever used for pillow storage!  We removed it (sold on CraigsList), made the shower a little bigger and added a faux bamboo tree and a chair to the empty space.  So much prettier!

Joanne B. · Answer

New back splash and recolor the front cover to match. To be honest for resale?  I'd ditch it and put in a steam shower or just a glass fronted shower with multiple shower heads. Young people only think about their needs now and down the road doesn't seem to score much.

Linda Warner · Answer

I'm not u,  but if u were me, I would take it out & replace it with a big shower with a seat at one end.  The older you get, the more dangerous and ugly bathtubs become.  U called it a garden tub: if u have some other bathing place, I'd plant plants in it and make it a garden. :)

Jean Myles · Answer

Could you give us a little more info on what you want ? Gone , repainted ?

Ronda duffin · Answer

I would try to turn it into some kind of outdoor water feature. Kind of big to bury but what about into the ground partially and placing stone,rocks, soil and plants, etc. to disguise its nature, possibly paint it dark inside then create a nice water feature with aquatic plants (horsetail,water lilies, pond lettuce. maybe something large leafed, a few large gold fish, koi or such , small bubbler pump for the sound, movement and aeration, maybe a floating light or two, sand, gravel or river rock, etc. on the bottom, couple bricks or overturned pots to aid plant placement and add interest with height variance. I could go on, I love water features and have seen hot tubs used this way. Good luck what ever you decide.

Sharon Twichell · Answer

Yes, I too would make a walk in shower Tiled walls, stones, plants. The options are endless. 
 It would be beautiful.

Pamela Rhodes Thorley · Answer

This looks like a spa bath, by the vents in the lower bath. These are usually made for 2 people, and the 'funny' shape, would be to allow a longer length in the bath, than could be achieved by inserting it across the width of the room. If you like having a spa, clean up and keep (but install hand rails on the wall to help getting up later) otherwise just make any changes that you would have done anyway. I like the idea of a shower to fill the whole area with multiple shower heads AND a sitting area.

Elaine · Answer

Your question is difficult to answer as I'm unsure as to what you want done with the bathroom.  Can you give more info?    I've never heard the term 'garden tub' ... are you meaning it's a jacuzzi  tub?  If you absolutely hate it and have the funds, have it removed and donate it to a reuse place.  Again, it depends on money!  Do you have another bath tub in the home?  If not, I'd strongly suggest you install a bath tub again because if you ever decide to sell at some future date, not everyone likes standing in a shower.  If you have a second tub AND have the money, install a glassed in shower with built in bench at one end.   Are you wanting to change the decor sometime?  If so, go on Houzz and search bathroom ideas.  Putting the tub aside for a minute, if the room was  mine, I'd remove the chair rail and paint everything a warm  white to give it a clean, more airy look - whether you replace tub or install a shower.  Again, keep resale in mind when you make changes.  Good luck!

Lauchlan · Answer

Get  rid of it you could donate it to habitat for humanity

Linda Johnson · Answer

We took ours out of our bedroom. (The toilet shower and sink were in a more private area.  The tub was on the right side of our bed.  I had my husband make us a pantry in the area where the tub was.  (We put the tub - which had hardly been used - out in front of our house with a 'Free' sign.  It was gone in less then an hour!)

Eroque022810 · Answer

I assume that if first house money is tight or you would have already redone bathroom. I would paint walls and whatever is in front of tub in pale grey to focus on tile because the yellow takes me back to the 70's then I would restain the would trim as well in a deep grey also the door that appears in second photo. Get new towels some art work you will like to look at as you bathe. I am not into candle but if you are than add some with the color of towel holder you have since different than tub grey would look fresh and up to date. Then when you can afford remodel think it through very well try to keep plumbing where it is because expensive to start changing. You bought the house you most have seen this so try to put the focus on the part you do like the tile looks like slate and that has a lot of different colors to pick out from blues to deep grey. I just think light grey is fresher and brighter. Enjoy your new purchase and take it slowly most of us who have not had a custom built home have come across something that we don't love bought have to focus on what we do love and be grateful you are blessed with a home. Congrats on purchase!! Hope it helps.

Ro · Answer

Had the same problem but - do you use - or think you will have need of it - as a tub?   We all HATE baths here.....  so the water supply lines were shut - faucets  & handles removed.  We then cut a piece of 3/4' plywood to fit the space - & made an upholstered 4' thick cushion for it - also cut to fit the space. We now have  convenient dressing area seating & a place to lay  out clothing for the day/night.   We've had visiting children whom have fought over whom was going to get to sleep there.   ( The short kid won! )
P.S.:  Put the removed fixtures in a box - & just leave them in the tub in case you change your mind! )

Beckytbird · Answer

If you do not need that tub,Put an padded, staple gunned fabric over top of tub to make sorta sofa with lots of pillows& cushions lining the walls.Perhaps scones for light a make it a little reading nook!

Carol Snyder · Answer

We removed our's and with a set of inexpensive doors and a couple of sheets of wall board, turned the area into another closet.  We love having the extra space and I love that I no longer have to clean the tub that no one ever used.

Judy · Answer

There are too many things going on in what appears to be a smaller space.  Consider a monotone approach with a few elegant or fun accent pieces that make you smile when you go in there.  You could choose some paneling if you like the wood look.  Put that up to the wall rails all around the bathroom and over the tub cover, get a matching wood blind.  Paint the other walls and sink cabinets in a color that matches very closely.  Then maybe a contrast color for the accent peices. If you want to just cover it, then 1 curtain or shower rod with 2 shower curtains or panel curtains, and matching curtain for the window.  You can close it off when not in use and put pretty hardware to hold them back when you bathe.  You could go even more inexpensively by getting some sewing glue and some great wrapping paper (think white irredescent, or sparkly, or perhaps silver reflective) and put that up over the bath skirt and walls.  Or perhaps a metallic paint.  I assume as you just moved, you would want to save up for a really nice remodel at some point in the future.  But some fun ideas meanwhile.

Ray2053787 · Answer

Since it's kind of cramped in that spot, I'd lighten it up. Take off the chair rail, maybe some nice, light shiplap panels or something, if you like the cottage look. But I'd also put it on the front that tub with construction adhesive. Like this: http://www.talkofthehouse.com/the-inn-at-little-pond-farm-part-two/ Or, if you're more fond of rustic looks, like the feel of a cabin, you can add faux stones. Like the ones for floors in a sheet, or the bigger ones that will adhere to that tub with construction adhesive. I like a rustic look, myself. And they make these great faux stones, like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzmQ4EfYk-4 If it were me, I'd run with the 'garden' idea, with plants in watering cans and a big rustic mirror behind that tub. Is the faucet black or dark copper? You could frame the mirror in the same color to tie it in. And a good sized mirror placed on the wall behind the tub will enlarge that space. I've picked up some pretty nice ones at junk stores. Even with a plastic frame on them, a little paint and you can't even tell! I'd probably also add a couple rustic wooden shelves around that tub. For storage and to put garden themed knick knacks, plants, etc.--or something that goes along with whatever theme you choose, if it's something else. I'd just keep it light, because the space is small. Here's one of those tubs: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/483855553696471212/

Ray2053787 · Answer

Here's a lighter white-washed stone that's pretty. It would be easy to lighten up faux stones by dry-brushing some thinned paint on them once they're installed. If you don't want to go to that much expense and work, try faux painting it. It's not that big a space, and it's not that difficult, either. I did it myself at our old house. They make a painting tape that's about a quarter inch to 3/4's of an inch wide for the 'grout.' http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/how-to-apply-a-faux-stone-treatment-to-a-wall Here's a step by step tutorial. http://www.decorative-faux-painting.com/faux-stone-wall.html At least paint is cheap.

Johnchip · Answer

Total professional bathroom remodel.  Do you really want to look at a DIY half done, hodgepodge space?  Enjoy your new home, and the most personal often used room in your house.  You can get a small loan at a mortgage rate if need be.  And the investment will pay off in resale value.

Jackie Byrd · Answer

I don't like them either. An incredible waste of space and money. Unfortunately, many builders are installing them. You don't say if there is a separate shower in the bathroom, if not, I'd put in a walk-in shower. There are molded ones available. Just make sure you get the flooring done properly with a slant towards the drain.

Annie · Answer

I would hate this too.  Trouble is getting rid of that tub looks like it also means moving plumbing. The tub spout is on the outside corner. Until you can manage a total redo I would paint the apron and all trim white, pick a paint color that works with the tile (a light sage green?) Add a shower curtain on a tension rod and new window curtain.  I'd also replace the louvered door or paint it.  They are awful to paint and it's easy and cheap enough to replace it.  Good luck in your new home!

Sue c. · Answer

This is one of those times it would make sense to remove the offending tub as quick as possible. But be careful- maybe even have a pro do the removal. Then sell it on a list site. Someone will want it and let them load it and take it away. By having a pro do the 'un-install' you will have less damage to your bathroom and the tub. Good luck and I hope you get the new floor plan you want.

Jean Allen · Answer

I'm moving into a new home with a garden(soaking)tub. It's good built 1997. I intend to dress it up as there is a separate shower and an additional bathroom.

Later I may change the color but for now it'll be very feminine and pretty.

Elise · Answer

I had one years ago. Thought how cool to have a huge tub. Get rid of it. Mine collected spider webs. I put it outside for a raised bed for a while. Might be better used for a kid or dog pool.

What can I do with this ugly garden tub?

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What can I do with this ugly garden tub?

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