Builder-Grade Kids’ Bathroom Had a Bathtub No One Used in 12 Years, and Now It Looks Twice as Big
Bathtub removal can be a difficult decision in a kids’ bathroom, especially when future resale comes into question. But what happens when the kids are teenagers, the tub sits unused, and another bathroom already has one? For this homeowner, the answer was a walk-in shower that changed how the entire room looks from the doorway.
Reddit user u/BuilderHuge8202 shared the renovation of a small bathroom, including demolition photos, construction progress, and a finished space that cost $14,200.
Before: A Bathtub, Shower Curtain, and Builder-Grade Vanity
Cream-colored square tiles covered the bathtub surround and extended up the sloped section above it. A shower curtain hung across the bathing area, while a long vanity with an integrated sink occupied much of the left wall.
The toilet sat between the cabinet and bathtub. Brown floor tiles, chrome fixtures, and a single wall light completed the original bathroom.
The homeowner confirmed that no one had taken a bath here in at least 12 years. Removing the tub also meant giving up nothing the teenagers used.
Demolition Exposed the Room Behind the Old Fixtures
The homeowner handled demolition, stripping out the bathtub, vanity, toilet, wall tiles, and flooring. Exposed studs, insulation, and subflooring revealed the space beneath the existing finishes.
Rather than hire a remodeling company for the entire project, the homeowner worked with a neighbor who installs tile.
The renovation took eight weeks, but the neighbor’s arrangement brought the cost down to about half the other quotes the homeowner received.
A Walk-In Shower Took the Bathtub’s Place
Construction photos show new wall panels around the shower area, sealed joints, a recessed storage niche beneath the window, and a shower base with a central drain.
The existing window remained, as did the sloped ceiling that gave the original bathtub enclosure its unusual shape.
For the shower walls, the homeowner selected Villa Oat Zellige ceramic tile from Floor & Decor. The small rectangular tiles have variations in tone and a glossy finish.
Glass Replaced the Curtain, and Wood Replaced the Cream Vanity
The finished bathroom has a walk-in shower enclosed by clear glass with brass-toned hinges and a matching handle. Tile continues across the sloped section, while a recessed niche holds toiletries beneath the window.
A dark wood West Elm vanity replaced the long cream cabinet. Its white countertop, undermount sink, and brass faucet connect the vanity to the shower hardware.
The homeowner said the vanity took six weeks to arrive, an unexpected delay during the eight-week project.
One Shower Door Detail Makes a Difference
The shower door opens inward, a decision made to prevent it from hitting the towel hooks on the adjacent wall. A rubber strip between the glass panels helps contain water.
Removing the tub also eliminated the shower curtain that once interrupted the view of the back wall. The new glass enclosure exposes the full tiled shower, including the area beneath the window.
The bathroom still follows its original narrow footprint, with the toilet and vanity along the left wall. What changed was the use of the space at the far end, where the bathtub once stood.
The homeowner has no plans to restore the tub. With another bathtub in the primary bathroom, this one can remain a shower built for the people who use it.
Image credits go to u/BuilderHuge8202.