We all have a space in our home that we quietly avoid. For some, it’s a cluttered guest room. For others, it’s the laundry room turned storage closet.
For my friend Elena, it was the master bathroom—and specifically, the tub.
It wasn’t broken. It wasn’t hideous. But it didn’t feel like her. And over time, that disconnection started to matter.
“I didn’t realize how much it affected me,” she said.
“I just stopped taking baths. And then I stopped going in there at all.”
That’s when I suggested something simple. Not a full renovation. Not a complete overhaul. Just a bathtub replacement.
And that small shift? It changed everything.
Where Inspiration Begins
The right bathtub isn’t just a fixture—it’s a feeling. It’s a return to calm. A pause in the day. A moment of solitude in a busy house.
For Elena, we chose a sleek freestanding tub in a soft matte white. The edges were sculptural but not trendy. The hardware? Brushed gold—warm, understated, personal.
We wrapped the tub in a soft gray tile surround and brought in soft linen curtains, a wood stool, and a simple tray for her candles and books. Suddenly, it didn’t feel like a corner of a bathroom—it felt like a retreat.
The Ripple Effect of a Good Decision
Once the new tub was in, something interesting happened. She didn’t just enjoy her baths again—she started caring more about the whole space.
She upgraded her lighting. Switched to open shelving for her towels. Swapped the dated mirror for something with a little soul. One change became a series of modern bathroom upgrades—each one building on the last.
It’s amazing how one good design decision can inspire a dozen more.
Why This Upgrade Matters
A bathtub replacement might sound like a small move, but if you choose right, it can:
- Redefine the flow and layout of your space
- Inspire greater functionality (and beauty) across the whole room
- Add lasting value to your home—and to your everyday life
It’s not about making things perfect. It’s about making them personal.
Final Word from Nate Berkus
Design isn’t just about color palettes and surface finishes. It’s about how your home makes you feel.
If there’s a space that isn’t serving you anymore—change it. You don’t need permission. You don’t need to do it all at once.
Start small. Start with something simple. Start with a bathtub replacement.
You never know what it might lead to.
