9 Ways to Totally Reinvent Your Built-in Bath
Refresh your bath with a new panel in wood, mirror or tiles and make your fitted tub the star of the scheme
Don’t dismiss your fitted bath as boring or dated just because vintage-style roll-tops are the star attraction in so many period bathrooms and boutique hotels. Built-in baths offer lots of great plus points for the 21st century home. Not only can they slot neatly into an unused alcove or tricky space, they can also quickly become a design feature with one simple update – a new bath panel.
So whether you’ve inherited a flimsy sheet of acrylic or you just fancy an upgrade, why not replace your bath panel with a vintage tongue-and-groove design, a rich swathe of dark wood or a modern flash of mirror? Before you know it, your run-of-the-mill rectangular bath will be bursting with personality and panache…
So whether you’ve inherited a flimsy sheet of acrylic or you just fancy an upgrade, why not replace your bath panel with a vintage tongue-and-groove design, a rich swathe of dark wood or a modern flash of mirror? Before you know it, your run-of-the-mill rectangular bath will be bursting with personality and panache…
Tile it over
Let your bath become part of the overall architecture by covering the sides with the same tiles that line the walls. Here, the top-to-toe metro tiles create an unfussy look that’s fresh, classic and modern, while dark wood furniture and charcoal floor tiles helping to anchor the simple utilitarian look.
Use a contrasting pale grey grout in-between the tiles for added definition – and cut down on discoloured grout lines at the same time!
Let your bath become part of the overall architecture by covering the sides with the same tiles that line the walls. Here, the top-to-toe metro tiles create an unfussy look that’s fresh, classic and modern, while dark wood furniture and charcoal floor tiles helping to anchor the simple utilitarian look.
Use a contrasting pale grey grout in-between the tiles for added definition – and cut down on discoloured grout lines at the same time!
Conquer with contrast
A slash of rich, dark, grainy wood really is the perfect interior design partner for a handsome marble splashback. The mix of luxurious materials is spot-on for a classic, high-end look that works amazingly well in both traditional and modern homes.
Wall-mounted taps are a great idea, too, as they free up space on the bath surround and help to enhance the sleek vibe.
Explore more ways to use marble around the home
A slash of rich, dark, grainy wood really is the perfect interior design partner for a handsome marble splashback. The mix of luxurious materials is spot-on for a classic, high-end look that works amazingly well in both traditional and modern homes.
Wall-mounted taps are a great idea, too, as they free up space on the bath surround and help to enhance the sleek vibe.
Explore more ways to use marble around the home
Highlight with grey
Often, it’s the subtle finishing touches that add so much to a room scheme. Encasing this bath in ultra-smooth, glossy grey acrylic softens the black-and-white scheme while maintaining the cool, sophisticated look. Ensure your bath panel is fitted expertly so any water ingress is completely ruled out.
Often, it’s the subtle finishing touches that add so much to a room scheme. Encasing this bath in ultra-smooth, glossy grey acrylic softens the black-and-white scheme while maintaining the cool, sophisticated look. Ensure your bath panel is fitted expertly so any water ingress is completely ruled out.
Modernise with mirror
Mixing and matching a handful of luxe materials in a palette of muted, barely there colours is key to creating a top-notch look. This bathroom with wraparound white surfaces is livened up with a shiny mirrored bath panel, while the subtle wash of underbath lighting enhances the low-key glamour.
Choose a mirrored bath panel and it will also bounce light around and visually widen the floor – a sleek trick for a small bathroom.
Finish off with a sprinkling of richly veined marble around the basin and bath surround for a 21st century bathroom look that will run and run.
Mixing and matching a handful of luxe materials in a palette of muted, barely there colours is key to creating a top-notch look. This bathroom with wraparound white surfaces is livened up with a shiny mirrored bath panel, while the subtle wash of underbath lighting enhances the low-key glamour.
Choose a mirrored bath panel and it will also bounce light around and visually widen the floor – a sleek trick for a small bathroom.
Finish off with a sprinkling of richly veined marble around the basin and bath surround for a 21st century bathroom look that will run and run.
Let it shine
You really can’t get any prettier than a panel of freshwater mother-of-pearl mosaics to pep up a bog-standard fitted bath. The subtle mix of blush, white and beige tiles offer a gorgeous iridescent sheen without being too glitzy. Seek out sheets of mosaics on a mesh backing, which are easier to fit than individual tiles.
You really can’t get any prettier than a panel of freshwater mother-of-pearl mosaics to pep up a bog-standard fitted bath. The subtle mix of blush, white and beige tiles offer a gorgeous iridescent sheen without being too glitzy. Seek out sheets of mosaics on a mesh backing, which are easier to fit than individual tiles.
Tinker with timber
OK, so this project isn’t as straightforward as simply fixing a few lengths of wood to the side of the bath, but there’s no denying how fabulous it looks. Sitting the tub snugly into a velvet-smooth stone surround really accentuates its oval interior, while the weathered timber panel creates a laid-back coastal look – with an enviable view to match.
Try out more ways with wood in the bathroom
OK, so this project isn’t as straightforward as simply fixing a few lengths of wood to the side of the bath, but there’s no denying how fabulous it looks. Sitting the tub snugly into a velvet-smooth stone surround really accentuates its oval interior, while the weathered timber panel creates a laid-back coastal look – with an enviable view to match.
Try out more ways with wood in the bathroom
Squeeze in some storage
Bath panels aren’t just designer eye candy – they can be used to incorporate practical add-ons as well as introducing contrasting materials and textures. This tricky, L-shaped design becomes brilliantly useful with an offset corner section containing shelves for towels and toiletries.
A panel like this one will need to be made and installed by a professional, but it can be tailor-made to your exact dimensions and style wishes.
Bath panels aren’t just designer eye candy – they can be used to incorporate practical add-ons as well as introducing contrasting materials and textures. This tricky, L-shaped design becomes brilliantly useful with an offset corner section containing shelves for towels and toiletries.
A panel like this one will need to be made and installed by a professional, but it can be tailor-made to your exact dimensions and style wishes.
Embrace the traditional
Exciting bathrooms don’t always have to be slick and modern, as this handsome traditional scheme demonstrates. Against a hand-painted, silvery glass wall panel, the wooden bath surround has been finished in a high-shine pale chocolate paint (in a practical, water-resistant gloss) to echo the vanity unit and wall panelling. Chrome highlights, great lighting and a big mirror complete the glamorous look.
TELL US…
Have you transformed your tub with a beautiful new bath panel? Please share your tips and images in the Comments below.
Exciting bathrooms don’t always have to be slick and modern, as this handsome traditional scheme demonstrates. Against a hand-painted, silvery glass wall panel, the wooden bath surround has been finished in a high-shine pale chocolate paint (in a practical, water-resistant gloss) to echo the vanity unit and wall panelling. Chrome highlights, great lighting and a big mirror complete the glamorous look.
TELL US…
Have you transformed your tub with a beautiful new bath panel? Please share your tips and images in the Comments below.
I still love the simplicity and Shaker-style charm of a tongue-and-groove bath panel. You could try making your own using pieces of moisture-resistant MDF or marine ply in a tongue-and-groove-effect panel, or by fixing together individual slats. Or else buy an off-the-shelf design and paint it in your favourite vintage shade, such as this soft duck-egg blue.
Remember to use water-resistant paint that’s suitable for bathrooms and, if possible, make sure the panel can be removed so you can access the pipes should there be any maintenance issues.