They Removed the Built-In Tub Platform and the Entire Bathroom Started Feeling Like a Boutique Spa
Want a bathroom that stops feeling boxed in by bulky platforms, dark granite, and enclosed shower walls? This primary bathroom remodel shared by Reddit user throwaway5038480 transformed a segmented early-2000s layout into a warmer space with checkerboard flooring, arched details, frameless glass, and cleaner sightlines.
Before the renovation, the bathroom relied on raised tub framing, oversized mirrors, dark counters, heavy beige tile, and multiple walls dividing the room into separate sections. Even with a large footprint, the layout looked closed off because every area interrupted the next.
After the remodel, the bathroom looks calmer, brighter, and far more connected. White oak cabinetry, soft zellige tile, warm brass finishes, and frameless glass changed how the room reads from the doorway to the shower wall.
Raised Tub Framing Made the Layout Feel Heavier
Before the renovation, the soaking tub sat inside a large tiled platform surrounded by steps and thick wall sections connecting into the shower enclosure.
Instead of one continuous floor plane, the room kept shifting levels and stopping sightlines. The enclosed shower beside the tub made the back corner appear tighter than the actual square footage suggested.
Large beige tile blended into one heavy surface that made the room look flat and dated.
The vanity area added even more weight. Dark granite counters stretched across the entire wall while oversized builder-grade mirrors reflected every surface across the room. Oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and darker cabinet hardware pushed the vanity deeper into that heavy early-2000s style.
Because the mirrors covered almost the full wall width, the vanity looked more commercial than custom built. The darker countertop also created a strong horizontal block across the center of the bathroom that cut the room in half.
After the renovation, the entire vanity wall reads much lighter and softer. White countertops, arched mirrors, white oak cabinetry, and vertical zellige tile replaced the darker contrast that previously dominated the space.
Instead of one massive mirror reflecting every surface, the separate arched mirrors now create spacing between each sink area while pulling attention upward. The lighter finishes also connect better with the checkerboard floor and frameless glass, helping the bathroom read as one continuous design.
Freestanding Tub Opened the Entire Back Wall
Replacing the built-in tub with a freestanding matte white tub changed how open the room looks near the window wall.
Instead of bulky framing surrounding the tub, visible floor space now runs underneath and around it. That single change removes a large amount of visual weight from the center of the bathroom.
The remodel repositioned the tub filler onto the wall instead of inside the tub platform. According to the Reddit post, the older setup forced the owner to climb into the tub area just to turn the water on.
Checkerboard Flooring Changed the Entire Mood
One of the biggest upgrades came from the floor tile.
The older diagonal beige flooring kept the bathroom reading as one uninterrupted tan surface. After the remodel, the soft checkerboard pattern introduced contrast and movement without making the room look busy.
Because the tones stay warm instead of sharp black and white, the floor keeps the bathroom grounded instead of cold or overly graphic.
Arched Shapes Softened the Straight Tile Lines
Arches repeat across the bathroom to break up hard edges and straight tile lines.
Tall arched mirrors above the vanity pull attention upward while helping the sink wall appear taller. Matching arched niches near the tub and inside the shower continue the same shape language throughout the room.
That repetition makes the bathroom read as one complete design instead of several disconnected upgrades.
White Oak Cabinetry Removed the Heavy Contrast
Dark granite counters and darker cabinetry made the original vanity look dense and bulky.
Instead of replacing the entire vanity structure, the remodel kept the existing frame but added custom white oak doors and drawer fronts while raising the counter height by four inches.
That lighter wood tone changes the center section of the bathroom without dominating the room.
Undermount sinks also simplified the countertop surface by removing the thick sink edges from the original design.
Frameless Glass Opened the Shower Area
The older shower enclosure relied on thick framed walls that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom.
Frameless glass now keeps sightlines moving across the room instead of cutting the layout into smaller compartments. The shower reads as part of the overall design instead of isolated beside the tub.
Warm brass hardware also connects directly with the faucets, mirrors, sconces, and towel rings throughout the space.
According to the Reddit post, the shower remained compact at roughly 40×40 inches, proving that layout perception matters more than actual square footage in many bathroom remodels.
Zellige Tile Added Texture Without Adding Clutter
Instead of using busy marble patterns or oversized feature walls, the remodel relies on soft zellige tile for texture.
The uneven glazed finish reflects light across the walls while vertical stacking helps stretch the room upward.
The owner later shared that the wall tile used was Floor & Decor Oat Zellige.
Removing Interior Doors Changed How the Bathroom Flows
One of the most important upgrades happened before the finishes were even installed.
According to the owner, the original bathroom had three separate sections: a shower and tub area with its own door, a toilet room with another door, and the vanity area sitting between them.
Part of the remodel removed the doorway leading into the bath and shower section and widened the opening instead. Double doors were then added at the main entrance to the bathroom.
That layout decision opened the room without expanding the footprint.
Smaller Details Made the Bathroom Look Custom Built
Several smaller upgrades pushed the remodel away from standard builder-grade design.
A hidden outlet drawer inside the vanity stores hair tools without leaving cords across the counter. Recessed niches near the tub add storage without adding shelves. A small built-in shower footrest became one of the most discussed details in the Reddit comments after readers realized it was designed for shaving legs.
The textured sconces from Pottery Barn also soften the vanity wall with warmer lighting and texture.
Warm Neutrals Replaced the Flat Beige Palette
One reason the remodel works so well is because the neutral palette now uses layers instead of repeating one flat beige tone across every surface.
White oak, warm brass, matte white finishes, checkerboard flooring, soft taupe zellige tile, and textured lighting all create variation while staying inside the same warm color family.
The result looks warmer and more custom without relying on darker contrast or dramatic colors.
The Bathroom Kept Almost the Same Footprint but Looks Completely Different
The remodel did not rely on expanding the room or rebuilding every plumbing line.
Instead, the transformation came from removing bulky platforms, opening sightlines, simplifying transitions, repeating softer shapes, and reducing visual clutter across every surface.
The finished bathroom reads far less like a standard suburban primary bath and much closer to a calm boutique hotel suite built around warmth, texture, and openness.
All credits go to Reddit user u/throwaway5038480 for the original remodel and images.