Tile A Bathtub From An Ordinary Shoebox

       This doll bathtub looks like a built-in, however, I have applied a 'tile' design to all four of it's sides so that it may be turned in any direction, positioned into an alcove, and even placed into the middle of a room, if that is your preference. The shoebox bathtub is slightly larger so that it may accommodate both a 12" doll or a 14" doll.

       I tiled this tub using glue, without the grout, in order to keep it lighter in color. I have no intention of ever filling it with real water both because it is made from cardboard and also because it will be used inside of an actual doll house, so it is not terribly necessary for it to be grouted. The tiles are also very tiny and do not need grout for support.

Notice, I have chosen to use multicolored tile work so
that several colors will coordinate with the tub, should
a smaller person wish to decorate her doll house
bathroom differently. Go here to see a shoebox bed.

Supply List:

• tiny tiles, one or two types (I found these at Hobby Lobby)
• Mod Podge
• white acrylic or enamel paint
• masking tape
• a thick cardboard shoe box
• extra cardboard
• paper mache pulp (optional)
• plastic pump parts from a recycled bottle of hand soap
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• silver buttons for the drain and handles
• silver spray paint (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut and shape the cardboard shoe box into a tub shape. You may need to reinforce it's sides to accommodate the extra weight of the tiny tiles. To do this you will need to cut extra cardboard to sizes matching the walls of the shoebox. Glue these to the interior of the shoebox.
2. Make sure to add or retain a generous backsplash and/or deckmount around the top edge of the shoebox. You need this little ledge for the faucet and knobs! I also cut hole large enough so that dolls measuring 11 1/2 " to 14" can fit inside the tub space. 
3. Cover the entire surface of the shoebox bathtub with masking tape.
4. Using Mod Podge, tile each side of the outside walls of your shoebox. Give the process generous time to dry between the applications. This will take several days. It is best to let your shoebox dry in the warm sunshine as you proceed with the project. Take your time, the slower you proceed, the less likely the mosaic will warp the sides of the heavy cardboard box.
5. Leave a bit of space for the faucet and knobs on the deckmount of your doll bathtub. (see picture) You will need to hotglue these on after spray painting the 'faucet' silver.
6. I applied a small amount of paper mache pulp to a few areas of my bathtub's rim and outside walls to give my tub extra rigid walls. Let it dry and then painted it white. This is an optional step.
7. I hot glued a large silver button to the inside of my bathtub to mimic a drain.
8. I used silver buttons to represent the hot and cold water nozzles.
9. I then painted the interior of my doll's bathtub with with enamel paint, but you may use acrylic paint if that is all you have on hand.

Left a close-up view of the facet and dials, these are made from the parts of a hand soap pump and buttons.
Center, all of the shoebox sides are covered with tile work so that the tub may be seen from any angle as finished.
Right, A retro G. I. Joe, (11 1/2 " doll) models the tub with his pipe cleaner pup. This tub is not intended to
 hold actual water, however, it includes soap bubbles here for the photograph only.

Left, the shoebox is covered on all of it's sides with masking tape, Right, Midway through the tiling process.

See the custom built backsplash that was made to coordinate with the tub shown here...

Craft more bathtubs:

• Make a doll sized bathtub for an American Girl Doll 
• Make a miniature Art Deco bathtub