They Replaced the Fiberglass Tub and the Shower Became the Entire Bathroom
Builder-grade bathrooms often separate every feature into its own section. The tub sits behind a curtain, the vanity stands alone, and storage occupies another corner. Reddit user u/Majestic_Banana789 rebuilt that approach during a nine-month DIY renovation, replacing the original fiberglass tub with a walk-in shower that now anchors almost every view inside the room.
Before the remodel, the bathroom relied on acrylic panels, beige tile, and a partial divider wall that interrupted the layout. After the renovation, handmade green tile, frameless glass, wood shelving, and brass fixtures connect the entire space into one continuous design.
The Fiberglass Tub Divided the Entire Bathroom
The original bathroom centered around a molded fiberglass tub and shower enclosed by a curtain. A short partition wall blocked sightlines while separating the shower from the vanity and storage.
Beige ceramic flooring, a stock vanity, and chrome fixtures reinforced the builder-grade appearance. Every element occupied its own section without connecting to the rest of the room.
The Layout Broke the Room Into Smaller Spaces
Viewed from the opposite direction, the bathroom revealed another problem. An open linen closet sat beside the vanity while the partial wall isolated the tub from the rest of the space.
Natural light reached the window, but the shower enclosure prevented it from traveling across the room.
Demolition Removed Every Builder-Grade Surface
Once demolition started, drywall, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and insulation disappeared until only the framing remained. The room became an empty shell before construction could begin.
The homeowner hired rough plumbing, electrical work, and drywall installation, while completing almost every remaining step without previous remodeling experience.
The New Shower Started Shaping the Layout
Fresh framing established a larger shower enclosure before drywall enclosed the walls. Plumbing moved into new locations while recessed niches became part of the framing instead of separate accessories.
The future shower no longer occupied one corner. It began defining how the entire bathroom would function.
Penny Tile Replaced the Original Floor
Large beige ceramic tile gave way to white penny tile bordered by a custom black pattern. The floor stretches across the room without changing direction, helping each section feel connected.
The homeowner later described the custom pattern as one of the most demanding parts of the renovation because every section required careful placement.
Green Tile Turned the Shower Into Architecture
Instead of stopping at the shower walls, handmade green zellige tile wraps the half wall and continues toward the bathroom entrance. The shower reads as one solid architectural element instead of a separate enclosure.
Brass plumbing fixtures and stone niche shelves introduce contrast without interrupting the continuous tile surface.
Frameless Glass Kept the Tile in View
Heavy framed doors never returned. Clear glass surrounds the shower without covering the tile, allowing the green walls to remain visible from almost every angle inside the bathroom.
The brass hinges, shower controls, and rainfall head repeat one finish across the enclosure rather than introducing additional materials.
The Linen Closet Became Part of the Design
The original storage area remained in place, but its appearance changed completely. Thick wood shelves replaced builder shelving, creating open storage for towels and baskets.
Because the shelving sits beside the shower, it feels like part of the same structure rather than a separate closet.
Wood Framed the Shower Instead of Metal
Dark stained wood now surrounds the shower opening from floor to ceiling. The trim continues around the glass, giving the enclosure the appearance of built-in furniture instead of a standard shower kit.
That wood also connects the shower with the shelving beside it, strengthening the visual relationship between both features.
The Freestanding Tub Became a Secondary Feature
The new soaking tub occupies the window wall without competing with the shower. A brass floor-mounted filler echoes the hardware used throughout the room while keeping the floor free of extra plumbing along the walls.
Decorative privacy film transforms sunlight into colorful reflections across the tub, adding another layer of detail without introducing additional finishes.
An Old Vanity Received a Custom Finish
Rather than purchasing a new vanity, the homeowner restored a cabinet found through Facebook Marketplace. A dolomite countertop, rebuilt drawers, and new hardware transformed the piece into custom bathroom furniture.
The warm wood balances the green tile and stone while reinforcing the handcrafted character of the room.
A Restored Vanity Added Furniture Style
Instead of installing another stock bathroom cabinet, the homeowner restored a vintage wood vanity found through Facebook Marketplace. A dolomite stone countertop replaced the original top, while the drawers were rebuilt around the plumbing and fitted with soft-close slides. According to the homeowner, the cabinet became one of the room’s favorite pieces because it brought character that new vanities often lack.
Side-by-Side Photos Show the Complete Transformation
The original fiberglass tub, beige flooring, stock vanity, and builder-grade finishes have disappeared. Their place now belongs to a custom walk-in shower, handcrafted tile, furniture-style cabinetry, open shelving, and natural materials that work together across the entire room.
The homeowner spent more than $20,000 and completed nearly all of the labor over nine months. The finished bathroom became one of Reddit’s most praised DIY remodels, with many commenters highlighting the green shower, custom floor, and thoughtful material selection.
Image credits go to Reddit user u/Majestic_Banana789