A woman in a red sweater and blue jeans stands inside a bathroom remodel next to an arched bathtub alcove she constructed. The exposed studs and OSB board create a dramatic, custom architectural feature over the bathtub.

How To Build an Arched Bathtub Alcove

Bathroom, DIY

Dreaming of a unique bathroom makeover? Creating an arched bathtub alcove might be the perfect solution if you’re looking for a way to add classic elegance and charm to your space. Follow along as I take my basic, builder-grade guest bathroom and turn it into something truly special, starting with my DIY arched bathtub alcove.

A woman in a red sweater and blue jeans stands inside a bathroom remodel next to an arched bathtub alcove she constructed. The exposed studs and OSB board create a dramatic, custom architectural feature over the bathtub.

Table of Contents

What You Need

Tools

Materials

Demo Day: Starting With a Clean Slate

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the “before” photos—a basic shower, toilet, and vanity combo. Functional, sure, but nothing memorable. Adding an arched bathtub alcove was just the first step in transforming this space.

A standard white bathtub with white tiled walls and two small corner shelves holding toiletries. A black shower curtain rod frames the space, with a handheld showerhead attached. The surrounding area shows some wear, with visible seams where the tiles meet the wall.
A beige bathroom wall with visible patches from previous repairs. Below, a standard white toilet sits near a small wooden cabinet with drawers. An open black metal shelf above holds toilet paper rolls and personal care items. The flooring appears to be laminate or vinyl with a light wood pattern.

To get started, I stripped the shower surround down to its bones. The bathtub itself stayed, but the tired tile walls had to go. Armed with a hammer and a pry bar, I chipped away at the tiles, carefully sliding the curved end of the pry bar underneath and tapping with precision. Once the tiles were gone, I cut out the old cement board (and some drywall) with my multi-tool to prep the space for the next stage.

A person wearing safety goggles, a brown sweatshirt, and black leggings is shown using a demolition tool to remove white tiles from a bathroom wall. Broken tiles and debris scatter on a countertop below as the remodel begins.
A person wearing ear protection, safety goggles, and holding a drill works on a bathroom wall, which has been stripped down to its insulation and wooden studs. Pipes for the bathtub and shower are visible in the exposed section, along with patches of foam insulation.

Framing for an Arched Bathroom Alcove

With a clean slate ready, it was time to start framing. Using 2x4s and my trusty framing nailer, I built the basic structure for the arched bathtub alcove. A level is a must during this process because when it comes to framing, precision is everything!

A person wearing ear protection and a red sweater is using a bright orange level to align a wooden vertical stud. The exposed wall shows insulation and piping, with a nail gun and other tools nearby.
A woman in a red sweater, ear protection, and safety goggles uses a red nail gun to secure framing in place. The bare studs and ceiling are visible as part of the bathroom remodeling process.
An in-progress bathroom remodel showing a fully framed wall around a white bathtub. The framing reveals studs, insulation, and partially exposed drywall, with a ladder and tools nearby.

Cutting the Perfect Arch

The star of this project—the arch—was up next. To get it just right, I made a paper pattern and traced it onto a sheet of OSB. With my jigsaw, I carefully cut out the curved shape. Before moving forward, I dry-fit the arch to ensure it was a perfect fit. Spoiler alert: it was!

Using the first arch as a template, I traced and cut out a second identical piece.

A woman wearing a red sweater and blue jeans leans over a sheet of OSB plywood, carefully tracing an arch shape with a pencil. The garage floor is scattered with tools, wood scraps, and sawdust.
A woman kneels on the garage floor, using a red jigsaw to cut along a curved line on a sheet of OSB plywood. Surrounding the workspace are additional materials and tools.

Assembling the Arch

To give the arch the thickness of a 2×4 (3.5 inches), I created a layered structure. Each sheet of wood was half an inch thick, so I added 2.5-inch spacer blocks in between. I cut the blocks with my miter saw, spaced them evenly along the arch, and sandwiched everything together.

A partially completed wooden arch made from OSB sheeting rests on the garage floor. The arch is supported by small wood blocks, surrounded by sawdust and tools.
A woman kneels and uses a red brad nailer to build a plywood arch. The garage floor shows visible sawdust and additional construction materials.

A brad nailer held it temporarily, but for long-term durability, I drilled pilot holes and secured everything with wood screws. This method ensures the arched bathtub alcove will stand the test of time.

A woman in a red sweater uses a power drill to secure pieces of an arched bathtub alcove. The structure, made from plywood and wood blocks, rests on a wooden floor in what appears to be an interior workspace.

Installing the Arch in the Frame

To attach the arch inside the frame, I added 2.5-inch spacer blocks along the top beam of the framing. Scrap pieces of OSB came in handy to quickly center the blocks.

A woman in a red sweater reaches up with a drill to fasten a wooden support beam to the ceiling. The partially finished wall features insulation and exposed framing. This is the basic framing for an arched bathtub alcove.

Once everything was aligned, I slid the arch into place and secured it to the spacer blocks.

A woman in a red sweater carefully adjusts a pre-cut OSB arch panel into place on a custom wooden frame. The surrounding walls are partially finished with exposed insulation and studs.
A woman stands on a white bathtub while using a drill to install the opening of an arched bathtub alcove. The curved arch structure is visible, framing the remodeling project.

For the underside, I added wood blocks every few inches to create a solid surface for tiling or drywall. These were initially held in place with the brad nailer, then locked down with screws for extra stability.

A close-up of a woman in a red sweater holding a red nail gun to fasten a curved OSB arch panel onto a wooden frame for an arched bathtub alcove. The detailed gridlines on the panel show the design planning for the remodel.

My Finished Arched Bathtub Alcove

I couldn’t be happier with how this arched bathtub alcove turned out. Arches have become a signature in my home—showing up in places like my stone range hood, living room built-ins, and pantry doorway. But this arched bathtub alcove feels extra special. It’s for my girls, and it’s one of my last big DIYs before our upcoming move.

A woman in a red sweater and blue jeans stands inside a bathroom remodel next to an arched bathtub alcove she constructed. The exposed studs and OSB board create a dramatic, custom architectural feature over the bathtub.

After tiling, drywalling, painting, and adding custom curved trim, the bathroom was completely transformed. What was once a basic, builder-grade space is now functional, elegant, and brimming with personality.

If you’ve been dreaming of upgrading your bathroom, an arched bathtub alcove could be the perfect way to add timeless charm and make your space truly one of a kind.

What is an arched bathtub alcove?

An arched bathtub alcove is a curved architectural feature that frames a bathtub, adding elegance and character to a bathroom. It can be styled with tiles, drywall, or decorative trim to create a focal point in your space.

How do I build an arched bathtub alcove?

To build an arched bathtub alcove, you’ll need basic tools like a jigsaw, framing nailer, and wood screws. Start by framing the structure, cutting the arch from wood, and securing it into place. Adding wood blocks for stability is essential for a solid and durable finish.

Do I need special tools to create an arched bathtub alcove?

Yes, you’ll need tools like a multi-tool for demo work, a jigsaw for cutting the arch, and a framing nailer for assembling the structure. These tools ensure precision and durability throughout the project.

Are arched bathtub alcoves practical for small bathrooms?

Absolutely! An arched bathtub alcove can make a small bathroom feel more luxurious by adding architectural interest without taking up extra space.

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