Skip The Pricey New Bathtub: Give Your Old One An Affordable, Old-World Inspired Upgrade

There's just something about a freestanding copper tub. Maybe it's the hint of warmth it lends to any bathroom, the little bit of luxury added to your morning rituals, or maybe it's just that touch of old-world glam. Whatever it is, it's hard to resist the lure of the copper tub ... at least, until you get a look at the price tag. If Googling the cost of a copper bathtub made you gulp and sadly kiss that dream goodbye, think again. Thanks to one clever YouTuber, you can upgrade your bathtub into an old-world classic for a fraction of the price. 

 In her video, YouTuber @Chateau Love sanded down an acrylic freestanding bathtub, added a layer of primer, then painted the tub itself copper and the feet dark red. Once dry, she layered on gold size, then applied copper leaf to the tub body and gold leaf to the feet. After using a touch of Betún of Judea to age the gold leaf and coating it in a clear varnish, the tub is ready to go.

Is this a quick project? Nope. Thanks to the coats of paint, metal adhesive (aka the gold size), and varnish, upgrading your bathtub into this stunning old-school bathroom feature definitely takes some time. But at the cost of around $80 for materials and a weekend waiting for paint to dry? Definitely worth it.

The first step to turning your bathtub into a relaxing retreat? Deep clean. Whether it's brand new or well-loved, start by scrubbing your bathtub with your favorite abrasive bathroom cleaner, rinsing well, and drying completely. Then pull out a 400-grit sanding sponge and rough up the outside of the tub only. Rinse away any dust and dry well.

Now, let's talk paint. If you're going to layer metal leaf over it, do you really need to paint first? Yes. The thing with metal leaf is whatever is underneath shines through. Using a rich, warm hue underneath sets the tone for the final color. You don't have to use the same colors @Chateau Love did; in fact, trying out different tints could be a fun way to get the effect that best fits your bathroom. However, we recommend trying it out on the back side of the bathtub before committing to a shade.

There are other ways to customize your tub (and add a fresh look to this classic bathroom upgrade), like using gold or silver leaf instead of copper. To create a hammered metal effect, use your hands to crinkle the metal leaf before applying it to the body of the tub. Or, for a more modern look, apply metal leaf to the tub's top half and a matte black paint to the bottom. Antique wax can add depth and an antique vibe, while a glossy varnish can add a touch of shine.