She Built an Arch Around the Tub Alcove and the Bathroom Took on a Custom Look
Many bathroom remodels replace finishes while leaving the room feeling familiar. Reddit user u/GeezyMart took a different approach by changing the architecture instead. The standard rectangular tub opening disappeared behind a large arched surround, giving one ordinary alcove a completely different presence. A floating fluted vanity, checkerboard porcelain floor, faux limewash walls, and brass fixtures completed the remodel, but the curved opening became the feature that defines the entire space.
The house was built in 2002, and the homeowners renovated the bathroom while keeping the plumbing layout in place. Tile work went to professionals, while the remaining work happened as a DIY project. The remodel took about two weeks to complete and cost roughly $14,000, including materials and labor.
Builder-Grade Bathroom Relied on Standard Finishes
The original bathroom followed a familiar builder-grade layout with a long vanity, cultured tub surround, beige walls, granite countertop, and a large frameless mirror. White beadboard added texture below the chair rail, but every major surface remained flat and rectangular.
The tub occupied the end of the room behind a ceiling-mounted curtain rod. Nothing separated it from countless bathrooms built during the early 2000s, and the alcove blended into the surrounding walls instead of becoming part of the design.
Straight Tub Alcove Filled the End Wall
From the opposite direction, the tub sat inside a plain rectangular recess capped by a straight ceiling line. The curtain rod stretched from wall to wall, exposing its hardware and emphasizing the box-shaped opening.
The space worked, but the alcove disappeared into the room rather than drawing attention. That became the part of the remodel the homeowners decided to change.
Demolition Left the Layout in Place
Once demolition finished, the room revealed the same footprint with exposed framing around the tub wall and plumbing remaining in its original location. Keeping the layout avoided moving drains and water lines while allowing every visible finish to change.
The empty shell also shows how much vertical space the bathroom offered, creating room for a feature that could reshape the end of the room without making it feel smaller.
Arched Opening Replaced the Rectangle
Instead of rebuilding another square opening, the new framing introduced a broad arch that immediately changed the proportions of the tub alcove. Vertical gray tile reached toward the curved ceiling while the checkerboard porcelain floor established a completely different base for the room.
The arch also hides the shower curtain rod from most viewpoints, making the curtain appear to disappear behind the opening instead of hanging across the room.
Curves, Texture, and Brass Changed the Vanity Wall
Across from the tub, the original vanity gave way to a floating fluted cabinet topped with a white countertop and a marble-look vessel sink. A freeform mirror replaced the rectangle above it, while brass hardware and lighting repeated the same finish across the wall.
The faux limewash paint adds movement without introducing another pattern. According to the homeowner, the finish came from brushing together two similar paint colors rather than using traditional limewash.
Arch Became the First Thing You Notice
Looking toward the tub, the curved opening frames the shower area much like a doorway instead of a standard alcove. Large-format vertical tiles continue behind the curtain, giving the recessed space more depth than the original fiberglass surround.
The brass shower fixtures connect with the vanity hardware and light fixture, allowing the room to carry one finish throughout instead of mixing multiple metals.
Before and After Shows What One Architectural Change Can Do
The comparison makes it clear that the remodel involved far more than new finishes, yet the largest visual difference comes from a single architectural addition. The tub never moved, but replacing one straight opening with a curved one changed how the entire bathroom reads.
Rather than treating the tub as something to hide behind a curtain, the renovation turned the alcove into the room’s defining feature.
Image credits go to reddit user: u/GeezyMart.