Bathroom Tub Upgrade
We gave our primary bathroom an upgrade by removing the bulky jetted bathtub for a more modern free standing tub. See the before and after in this post.
Our home was built in 2000, but the bathroom definitely leaned more late 90’s in style. The oversized jetted tub was the biggest visual weight in the room. It felt bulky and dated, especially with the surrounding walls and heavy detailing. While we knew we wanted a cleaner, more modern look, we also had to be practical.
This post is sponsored by Wayfair. This free standing tub was delivered packaged well and dropped right to my door step.
Shop bathroom finds from this design in my LTK Shop.
It wasn’t very practical for us to spend many thousands of dollars on a cast iron tub when we could get a big impact for the space with a bathtub that didn’t break the bank.
Since we weren’t changing the layout of the space, removing the tub entirely did not make sense for the flow of the room or long term value. So instead of eliminating it, we reimagined it.
We swapped our 90’s jetted and bulky bathtub for a modern free standing tub. It’s light weight enough that I could help Ray bring it into the house and lift it into place.
I love a simple, modern tub with clean lines and a silhouette that feels architectural rather than bulky. Nothing overly ornate. No excessive decking. Just a shape that feels intentional and proportional to the space. Most importantly, large enough for actual adults to comfortably soak in. If you are going to keep a tub, it should feel like a luxury.
A partial renovation can make a huge difference in how a room looks too.
You do not always need a full renovation to make a bathroom, or any space feel elevated. While we did change out our bathtub we kept our vanities and do some DIY work on them to give them new life.
The fastest way to update a bathtub area and create that spa feel is through thoughtful accessories and layering.
My favorite add in pieces are relaxing but practical:
- A beautiful towel rack or ladder styled with soft, neutral towels
- A small stool or teak bench for warmth, texture, and dimension
- A bath tray for a book, candle, or glass of wine
- Cafe curtains that soften the space and add charm
- A bath mat that introduces color, texture, or subtle pattern and looks more like an area rug
Those layered details instantly make a tub feel intentional instead of like a leftover feature from 2001.
Sometimes it is not about removing what feels dated. It is about styling it in a way that reflects your current taste and makes the space feel like you.