DIY Tub Skirt Idea - genesistecnocasa.com

Make this easy DIY tub skirt to cover an existing or new drop-in or alcove bathtub front

This bathtub front is a project I have been looking forward to ever since we started this bathroom renovation.

Free standing bathtubs are having a moment right now and I think they are very pretty. For our bathroom though, a drop-in tub just meets our needs better.

I like having a ledge to set my soap and bath salts on. Also I don’t love the idea of cleaning underneath and around a free standing tub… But that’s just me.

I found a bunch of tub front paneling options online but they can be pretty pricey and nothing was quite what I pictured. So I decided to DIY my own tub skirt instead!

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DIY Tub Skirt Supplies:

Frame for a DIY Tub Skirt

Depending on what type of tub you have you may or may not need to build a frame for the tub skirt to sit on.

When our bathtub was set a frame was built around it for the ledge of the tub to sit on, so I didn’t have to add anything.

If you are not planning on having a ledge installed or already have one in place your best options are to glue the panels directly to the tub or build out a small frame to nail the ledge to and cover the top with a piece of molding.

Attaching Plywood for Tub Skirt

For our tub skirt I am using 1/4″ sanded smooth Blondewood plywood.

I cut the plywood down size using a table saw, but a circular saw would work fine also.

The first piece of plywood I did not cut any of the length off but I did have to add a 2×4 for where the plywood seams would meet.

To attach the plywood to the frame I used 1-1/2″ finishing nails. I marked the floor with tape where the frame 2×4 pieces were located to make nailing into them easier.

The second piece of plywood I cut some of the length off to make it fit.

To help conceal the seam between the two pieces of plywood I used a stainable Bondo wood filler.

If you plan on painting your tub skirt opposed to staining you could use regular caulk to fill the seam.

Adding Trim to the Tub Skirt

To fancy this tub skirt up I decided to go with a thicker chair rail molding around the edges of the skirt.

These cuts were easy to make with a miter saw. The corner angles are simple 45 degree miter cuts.

I attached these pieces with finishing nails, making sure they were level as I went.

The bathtub skirt was already starting to look nice but I wanted to make it up one more notch with picture frame type molding.

DIY Picture Frame Box Molding

This is not my first picture frame box molding rodeo… I added this type of trim during our office makeover and also in our hallway makeover!

I think picture frame molding is elegant and classic, plus it’s easy to do.

For this trim feature I used very small chair rail, it’s simple but has just enough detail to make it special.

I started by using this handy dandy calculator that I use for all my wall molding projects. It’s super helpful, especially because math ain’t your girls forte.

After the calculator told me the distance in-between my picture frame boxes I used scrap wood to make two spacers that size. It’s easier to use the spacers rather than trying to balance a measuring tape, level and trim piece.

I found the middle of my bathtub skirt and started the middle of my first picture frame box there. Just to be sure everything would look okay I laid the pieces out with tape first.

Once I was happy with the layout I went back and attached the pieces to the skirt with wood glue and taped them down until the glue dried completely.

For these 45 degree miter cuts I used my favorite handheld miter shears. I highly recommend getting a pair of these for small trim cuts like these.

I am in love with how this tub skirt is looking so far!

Once the picture frame pieces were dry I added a little stainable wood filler to the corners where it was necessary.

Staining and Sealing a Tub Skirt

Now it’s time for the finishing touches!

I really wanted to use warm, dark stains to add character to our bathroom. The window trim and door trim is all stained with the same Provincial stain color, so naturally the tub skirt would match.

I applied two coats of stain total, letting each coat sit a few minutes before wiping off the excess with a clean rag.

Once the stain was completely dry I applied two coats of polyurethane to help protect it from any water damage.

Around the top, bottom, and sides of the tub skirt I also applied a bead of clear waterproof silicone sealant caulk. This is just an extra layer of protection to keep water out of the crevices.

DIY Tub Skirt Reveal

That’s a wrap on one of our final projects for this bathroom makeover!

I am in deep love with how this tub skirt looks, the stain adds so much richness to the space and the detail of the chair rail is perfection.

This was shockingly one of the easiest projects of this bathroom renovation too. It only took 2 days to complete and was a very budget friendly project to tackle.