Bathtub is an important element of any bathroom that invites you to soak in soapy water. Right from stone and porcelain, to fiberglass or carbon fiber, bathtubs come in a range of materials that add beautiful curves to your personal bath space. But what to do with a bathtub when it turns old and useless? Trashing it straight away is not a wise decision because you have to invest a considerable amount of money in buying a new one.

Instead of trashing a bathtub, you can consider repurposing it into a functional household item like a sofa, chair, or garden pond. All it requires is a little creative imagination and DIY skills to turn trash into gold. Repurposing old bathtubs into functional objects isn’t very hard. Thus, here are some creative ideas to upcycle any bathtub into a timeless object of beauty, which will give your imagination wings for a creative weekend DIY project.

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Chairs

Turning an old bathtub into a chair is a neat idea. You will need to mark out the design, cut through, and attach legs to it creatively and you’re done. How you decorate it will create a difference in your design and that of your neighbor. Check out a few inspirations for DIY bathtub chair in the pictures below.

Image: Recyclart
Image: Pinterest
Image: Reddish Studio
Image: Pintyplus
Image: LittleThings
Image: David Olschewski
Image: Hometalk
Image: Pinterest

Couches

An old bathtub can become a great resource for decor at home. You can turn it into a useful furniture item such as a sofa or couch. The transformation results in a vintage-inspired furniture unit, which makes a perfect addition to any backyard or patio. Check out the images for a bathtub couch below.

Image: One Krieger Chick
Image: Instructables
Image: Your Haute Couture
Image: Green Diary
Image: Pinterest
Image: Greenmoxie
Image: Pinterest
Image: Reestore
Image: Etsy/TTSPShop
Image: Etsy/Reduxx
Image: Instagram @kilig.upcycle
Image: Instagram @lambertandsons
Image: Instagram @martaszavadil
Image: Instagram @lavenderandlovage
Image: Instagram @drugbrko
Image: Instagram @lee.jones74

Also Read: 15 Ways to Reuse/Recycle Old Refrigerator 

Planter

While landscaping your garden, an old bathtub can be repurposed as planter. A bathtub can be your inexpensive container to plant flowers and even grow vegetables. Check below for some pleasing ideas.

Image: Flea Market Gardening
Image: Gardening Channel
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Image: Garden Betty
Image: Hometalk
Image: Pinterest
Image: CARMOM
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Image: Instagram @amateurbot.ann.ist
Image: Instagram @joanealy
Image: Instagram @larazzablack
Image: Instagram @savannahhoffmandesigns
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Image: Instagram @wokeandwired
Image: Instagram @camilla.morrison
Image: Instagram @kirstylenai
Image: Pinterest
Image: Instagram @peavinegardens
Image: Instagram @viphomeandgarden
Image: Pinterest
Image: Pinterest
Image: Recyclart

Outdoor Water Features

A small pond made from a repurposed bathtub would be a cool attraction in any garden. One can bury the tub in the garden and fill it with water or leave it on the ground. Adding a few toy fishes and water lilies would enhance the appeal.

Image: Reddit/moonsugar6
Image: Empress of Dirt
Image: Auntie Dogma’s Gardenspot
Image: Goods Home Design
Image: Imgur
Image: Instagram @tricias_adventure
Image: Pinterest
Image: Oh My Creative
Image: Pinterest
Image: Flea Market Gardening
Image: Pinterest

Also Read: 30 Stone Bathtubs That’ll Rock Your Bathroom

Backyard Oven

If you are creative enough and skilled in metalwork, you can try turning an old bathtub into an oven for your backyard. Cut a bathtub into two halves, one of which will serve as the wood burner and the other the slot to cook food.

Image: Pinterest
Image: Pinterest

Beverage Coolers

Making a food and beverage cooler is a great after-use of an old bathtub. Build a wooden box to house the tub, fit it in and you’re good. It can also be double as a seat when the wooden box is shut.

Image: FB/Moonman In The Morning

Fire Pit

You can turn the old and useless bathtub into a fire pit. Bury the tub in the ground and you’re all set to start a fire to ignite your outdoor party.

Image: Crafty Staci
Image: Instagram @djrootboi

Outdoor Hot Tub

If you cannot afford a hot tub due to its hefty price, use an old bathtub bought from Craigslist, a garage sale or the local flea market. Instead of using the bathtub as it is, draw inspiration from the project below to build one that’s unique and creative.

Image: Eartheasy
Image: Rocket Stove Stuff

Bathtub Mary

In addition to all the above ideas to repurpose an old bathtub for home decor, one can even use it as an abode for a statue to stand outside the front gate. This Virgin Mary statue inside a repurposed tub is just a fine example.

Image: SFGate
Image: Deborah Pacini

Pet Bathtub

An old tub can be painted and decorated to attract pets and placed strategically in the yard as a pet washtub. It can also be used to collect rainwater for watering the garden, cleaning tools or for outdoor dog washing of course.

Image: Pinterest
What to do with an old bathtub?

The unused bathtub can be transformed into furniture, planters, storage solutions, and different kinds of outdoor décor pieces.

What materials are needed to repurpose an old bathtub?

The materials needed will depend on the specific project, but common items include power tools, screws, paint, and gardening tools.

What factors should I consider when choosing a new purpose for my old bathtub?

When repurposing an old bathtub, you must decide its new intended use according to its condition. Any bathtub even if it has cracks can be reused as a planter but make sure to weatherproof it properly to prevent rust and corrosion. You will need a bathtub without any cracks to make a water feature for your garden.  

How safe is putting a repurposed bathtub around your home?

It can be safe to repurpose an old bathtub but if you’re dealing with a bathtub with sharp edges or rough surfaces, make sure to sand and smooth them to avoid the risk of cuts or scratches. If planning to repurpose it as a pond or outdoor water feature, it’s essential to make sure the tub is clean and free of any chemicals or contaminants that can be harmful to plants or wildlife.

How to clean an old bathtub before reusing it?

Cleaning an old bathtub before repurposing it is crucial to ensure that it’s safe for new use. You must start by cleaning up the entire surface and scrubbing it with soap and brush. Thereafter, rinse it thoroughly and sanitize it in the last. Let the tub dry before the next step.   

Can I use an old bathtub in the garden?

You can make planters and water features out of old bathtub to display your love for sustainability in the garden.

What are the environmental benefits of repurposing an old bathtub?

When you are repurposing an old bathtub, it reduces waste and saves energy as you don’t need new materials and manufacturing processes.

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Mehul is a Master's in Mass Communication and Journalism. Her name means cloud, and she is as bubbly as one. When not writing on home decor, Mehul could be seen hiking a cliff or driving her car. Mehul has a dream to participate in World Racing Championship someday.

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