I remember years ago being in a similar predicament and someone gave me some mirror tiles - I glued them on the the wall and thought I was very clever. They actually did look much better in my eyes. Try not to spend too much - I think everyone's idea of a shower curtain will all the bathroom colours in it would probably be the best option. You'll laugh about it in years to come and you will love the improvements you make over time. Enjoy the moment, unless you're selling soon your ideas will change after living there, so change when you can afford it - who cares it's YOURS. Good luck, it's so rewarding and so much fun. P.S. now we have a small bathroom, wall to wall tiles, dark grey on the floor and white on all the walls with a large grey tile up each opposing wall, tall mirror over the handbasin which reflects the opposite wall then a full length bath with shower over it. It works perfectly and looks great.

@ susan_66 ..precisely my thoughts on revisiting this forum! Just purchased a soft rubbery head rest designed to fit over the edge of these 'modern' baths...so have a headrest that is softer. On revisiting the PICS...YES that metal bath does look creepy and institutional-like but suppose somebody would think it the epitome of class.. PIc No 4...still reminds me of our half-a-wine barrel-tub we had as a make do as kids but the nostalgia would still not make me buy one. Am somewhat perplexed with some of the design features or lack of that are presenting to house-makers as the ultimate in style and trend. I think that some younger people with the idea of being "with it" and having perhaps little experience and more money than sense would go for any of these bath tub ideas. Whatever constitutes comfort to me...I'm all for it ! I really like the look of some of those free standing tubs with the high backs, many with rolled edges...that to me resemble ornaments. I wonder if they would also be comfortable...some seem very short and I like to be able to stretch out in the bath and relax. @ Luke Buckle...with susan_66...I do not like any of these tubs and would not trade my long, heavy enamelled cast iron tub set up against the wall looking out to the plants arranged on the northern veranda for any of these.

These tradies are cowboys . I have never seen a mess like that in a bath or else where in over 30 years . The bath normally sits on a bed of concrete slurry or if it is a cast iron bath it should be supported by either feet or the hob. The bath should have enough room under the edges to allow the tiles to go under the lip so a proper silicon seal can be applied all the way around the lip of the bath. As for the insulation it is not necessary to have it wrapped in any water proof protection. If the water is getting onto the insulation then you have bigger problems and from the look of the photos this looks like a definite future possibility.I like to put insulation batts all the way around the bath to try to retain the water temperature for as long as possible,not many people do this though ,but the more you insulate things the better. Looking at your photos the pipework connecting the waste is broken off so the hob will need to have atleast one side pulled off or an access hole cut into it to connect the plumbing. I would be getting these plumbers and builders checked out,if the photos are any indication to go by then there would be other areas of faulty workmanship for sure, -sorry to tell you.

Hi kristymacd, after changing my mind many times we went for a built in 1700 bath! Mostly as builder and tiler thought it would be easier to slope the floor properly and I liked the idea of the slightly larger built in compared to the 1590 back to wall. I’m sure a back to wall would’ve been possible and been fine, it all just got a bit hard and I knew both would look good. And I don’t think a back to wall would be any harder to clean than a built in - with a built in you have the hob and tiled face of the bath and back to wall there is the floor either side of the bath - same same! Here’s a pic of ours, not totally finished yet but really happy with it.