Need Advice unused master bath tub space

Hi,

Does anyone else not use his or her large master bath tub and wish he or she could inexpensively convert the area into a storage shelf? If so, I would be interested in hearing what ideas you have explored. I don't want to make my own bathtub cover out of plywood, and a custom-made hot tub cover seems unnecessarily expensive for this use. (One day when real estate values rebound I would love to renovate the bathroom with a Japanese soaking tub, but I need an interim solution.)

Here is a picture of a tub cover:
http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/3-24-bathtub-cover.jpg

Here's an article about this idea: http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/28/ask-unclutterer-can-a-bathtub-be-clutter/

 

We had a jacuzzi tub that I wanted - even put in a 100 gal water heater. then when I realized how quick the water cooled and the bill for filling it...well I often thought of pulling it out and making that area into a makeup table or something...also making the individual sink'cabinet areas much larger. our bath ran the back lenght of our side of the house. never did it though.

 

I don't have a question, just a comment about our recent master bath remodel fantasy:


We briefly entertained the idea of replacing our unwieldy master bath tub with something more usable, like a one-person walk-in soaking tub. (Yes, the kind that is marketed to the senior citizen population, of which I am not!


I thought that maybe I would just get a plain tub without the water jets, but then there would be the issue of how to keep the 80 gallons of water hot while bathing. And the issue of having to sit in the tub to wait while it filled and emptied. And then the issue of cost ... while the new tub would have been only about $3,000.00, the plumbing/finishing/tile work (just for the tub area) would have been at least another $10,000.00.


So, needless to say, now I'm back to wanting to convert the area to a storage shelf. Here is the walk-in tub we were considering if anyone is wondering what one looks like:

http://www.bathingsolutions.com/walkin32d.html

 

Have you looked at the japanese soaking tubs with heaters? You would have to step in to it though if that is an issue.

http://www.signaturehardware.com/product10165?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=google&utm_content=Bathroom-Bathtubs&adtype=pla&gclid=CIXLn42Vr7YCFc9cMgodvl4AAQ

 

Thanks, KTdid!

There are also some nice tubs here: http://www.japanesebath.com/

I especially like ones with walk-up stairs that you step down into, like this one:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/72143/Carpenter-Gothic-Bathtub-modern-bathroom-boston But I would add a hand railing and super-non-slip flooring.

Maybe I will get a soaking tub if I ever build my dream house.

 

Believe me, we have a large soaking tub without jets and the water stays plenty hot.

 

I did put plywood over our tub and our cats really enjoy it :-D
great view for them, interesting activity outside and loads of sun.

 

I thought about filling ours with soil and turning it into an herb garden.

 

Great ideas! Why, oh why, do builders put these tub albatrosses in?

 

Never have ever used it and its an albatross indeed....would rather have a much larger shower instead. Sigh.