The most under-utilized space in the house

Our master bathroom is huge. It’s practically as big as our bedroom, and that’s only a slight exaggeration (our bedroom is also a little on the small side though). The reason the bathroom is so big is because of the Whirlpool soaker tub, which we thought was a pretty sweet feature when we first saw the house:

However, since we’ve lived here, this is how we’ve utilized our tub:

1) A place to haphazardly drape pajamas and other clothing items that we’re too lazy to put away
2) A place to put my drying rack for hand-washed clothes

3) A ledge for dust-collecting tealight candles (as part of a pathetic attempt to make it look “romantic”)

 In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times that we’ve actually used the tub for its intended purpose. Most of those were probably during the sprinkler system and sod projects, when we wanted to wind down and soak our aching muscles. It’s really sad that the tub is so under-utilized. I’m not sure why we don’t take advantage of it more often, other than the fact that it takes a long time to fill, and it takes a LOT of water.

It would also probably help if this corner of the bathroom was more inviting. Don't get me wrong, the 10-foot ceilings are great, but they also make for vase expanse of empty wall that’s screaming for some TLC (a common theme throughout the rest of the house). Perhaps some candle sconces like these would make for a cozy atmosphere?

West Elm Mendina Mirrored Sconce - $39.95 each

Z Gallerie Bling Sconce - $69.95 each

This one is probably too small (and much more than I want to pay), but I really like the style!

I've had these two mirrored sconces sitting on our bedroom floor for the past 3 months because I haven't been able to commit to a place for them yet. (I got them on sale at Z Gallerie for $15/ea!) Maybe the bathroom should be their new home?

 

I’m also intrigued by the vinyl words and phrases that you can apply to your wall, like those from Uppercase Living. I’m particularly fond of this one for the bathroom:

"Soak Your Troubles Away"

Now wouldn’t that look lovely with a sconce on either side? However, I’m not sure that these vinyl words will adhere very well to textured walls like ours. And I don’t want to spend $21.95 only to find it doesn’t work. Anyone have any experience with them?

Here’s the other idea that would be pretty friggin’ cool. There’s a cable jack above the doorway and enough room for a small, flat-panel TV. Nice, huh? Except that I don’t want to spend the money on a TV that’s just a pure luxury. So, scratch that idea…for now.

Truth be told, I’d probably rather trade the soaker tub if it meant having a larger bedroom, or a larger shower (with two showerheads!). But we’ve got it, and I think we’d be more likely to use it (or at least less likely to use it as a clothes rack) if it were all beautified. Do you have an under-utilized tub, or any other [cheap] ideas on how to dress ours up?

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