Are you installing a bathtub in a new home or replacing an existing bathtub? In either case, one of your goals when sorting through your options may be to choose a tub that boasts an impressive design which matches the style of a modern bathroom.
Naturally, you want to invest in a bathtub that has visual appeal while also optimizing your bathroom’s floor space. Additionally, you may want to sell your home one day. If so, when choosing a new bathtub, it may be important for you to know you’re purchasing one whose design will make the right impression on potential buyers one day.
Perhaps you’re personally drawn to the look of a freestanding tub. It’s easy to understand why. While a built in tub places certain restrictions on where you can install it, a free standing tub can be installed according to your wishes.
A freestanding tub also tends to be a deep tub. This may be a significant factor for you if you’re the type of person who enjoys relaxing in an enveloping warm bath. That said, before committing to a freestanding bath, you might have questions regarding whether freestanding bathtubs align with modern bathroom design principles. This guide will address your questions. It explains why freestanding baths aren’t going out of style yet (and likely won’t be in the foreseeable future).
Why Freestanding Bathtubs Remain Popular: What You Need to Know
Different bathroom designs serve different purposes. Some contemporary bathroom design guidelines are based on helping those in small apartments make the most of their limited floor space. Others serve to help homeowners design a modern bathroom that will impress guests while also remaining functional on a practical level.
It’s natural for bathroom design trends to change over time. However, free standing tubs have long been regarded as ideal fixtures for home bathrooms. That hasn’t changed. The following points explain why:
Soaking baths are timeless
Soaking baths can be found in various cultures throughout human history. There are a few reasons this is the case.
First, a soaking bath is relaxing. While bathing in a small built in tub may actually be less calming as one might wish, given that trying to find a comfortable position in such a tub may be more trouble than it’s worth, freestanding bathtubs offer enough space for someone to truly soak.
Soaking baths also offer health benefits. They fully expose the body to water, cleansing a body more thoroughly than a smaller tub might be able to.
Freestanding tubs are ideal for a master bathroom
One of a homeowner’s main priorities when designing a master bath may be to ensure the space evokes a sense of luxury. For ages, homeowners with an eye for attractive bathroom design ideas have opted to equip the master bathroom with a freestanding tub.
A built in tub may appear to be practical and economical in a very small space. However, this type of tub can actually call attention to the fact that a bathroom’s floor space is fairly limited. Free standing tubs have the opposite effect. They may at first appear to take up a somewhat significant amount of real estate on a bathroom floor, but that’s arguably one of their top aesthetic benefits. In the context of a master bathroom, the presence of a freestanding tub serves as a reminder that the master bath is a relatively spacious room that can accommodate a larger tub.
More importantly, free standing tubs often take up less space than they seem to. This is due to the fact that the base of a freestanding tub is typically smaller than the mouth or opening of the tub. While freestanding bathtubs may initially give off the impression that they’re highlighting just how spacious a master bath is, in reality, installing a freestanding bath is an ideal way to save space when designing a bathroom.
Freestanding tubs are easy to install
How a certain type of bathtub will look in a modern bathroom isn’t the only factor that can influence whether a type of tub is or isn’t in style. Ease of installation is another factor which often plays a major role in how popular a tub design may be.
This is another reason the freestanding tub has remained a common choice among both amateur and expert bathroom designers for decades. Freestanding tubs are usually easier to install than numerous others. This is one of the many ways in which they offer convenience without sacrificing luxury.
(Tip: This isn’t meant to suggest you should attempt to install a free standing tub on your own. Such tubs are relatively heavy. At the very least, you run the risk of accidentally damaging your bathroom floor if you attempt to install a tub without the necessary experience. If you lack the proper training and expertise, there’s even a chance you’ll injure yourself. Instead, hire professionals to handle the installation. They’ll do so efficiently and safely.)
Freestanding tubs actually come in a variety of styles
It’s worth noting that “free standing tub” is a fairly general term. It simply describes a deep bathtub that stands on its own instead of being built into the bathroom wall.
However, freestanding tubs technically come in a wide range of design styles. For example, some homeowners choose to install clawfoot tubs, as these have a classic appeal which subtly harkens back to the past. Others opt for minimalist freestanding tubs which fit in well among the other fixtures and features of a contemporary bathroom.
This stylistic versatility allows freestanding tubs to remain popular despite design trends changing over time. Because the design of a particular freestanding tub can be significantly different from that of another, you can easily find one that reflects current bathroom trends. Of course, this also means you can easily find a freestanding bath that aligns with your preferences.
Freestanding tubs allow homeowners to place tubs in various spaces throughout a bathroom
Homeowners have few options from which to choose when determining where to install a built in tub or a traditional alcove tub. This isn’t the case when installing a free standing tub.
A free standing tub will need to be installed somewhere that allows it to be adjacent to plumbing. However, that’s the only main restriction homeowners need to consider when deciding where the tub should go.
This highlights another way in which a free standing tub is a versatile bathroom feature. Because a homeowner can exercise a reasonable degree of control over where it is installed, they can account for current bathroom trends when determining the proper location for their tub. They don’t have that same freedom when installing other tubs of tubs.
Freestanding tubs are ideal for both large and small spaces
A free standing tub can make a statement when installed in a large bathroom, just as a range hood is for a kitchen. The presence of a beautiful bath in a strategic location may enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the entire space. That said, it’s important to remember that freestanding tubs allow homeowners to save space, even if they may initially appear to be large. Thus, freestanding tubs are also ideal for a smaller bathroom.
Evoking a sense of luxury is among the top qualities a freestanding tub may boast. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you can only install a freestanding tub if you have a large and luxurious bathroom. Even if you have a small bathroom, you can still impress guests by installing a freestanding tub.
Freestanding Bathtubs Never Seem to Go Out of Style
Some bathroom design choices become outdated as trends shift. Others are timeless. A free standing tub is an example of the latter. Many interior design experts remark that freestanding tubs are not only as popular as they’ve ever been, but are in fact growing in popularity among homeowners.
These are all reasons to strongly consider installing a freestanding tub in your own home. Remember, doing so can be a wise financial decision. Right now, a freestanding tub can be a bathroom feature you personally enjoy. If you ever choose to sell your home, it may also be the type of feature that attracts potential buyers.
Just be sure to take your time when deciding which type of free standing tub is right for you. Again, you may wish for a classic claw foot tub, or you might decide something more minimal is a better match for your design tastes. An expert can help you sort through your options if you’re not sure which is best.
Perhaps you’re personally drawn to the look of a freestanding tub. It’s easy to understand why. While a built-in tub places certain restrictions on where you can install it, a free standing tub can be installed according to your wishes.
Not only are they a great aesthetic design for your home, but they are also filled with timeless appeal. While they might seem retro in design, they also look great in a contemporary space and can really make a bathroom feel luxurious. Trends in bathrooms have changed and evolved over recent years, yet freestanding bathtubs have remained popular for both traditional and contemporary bathrooms due to their versatility.
They add a luxurious feel to your room
We all want to add a luxurious feel to our bathrooms and freestanding tubs are a fantastic way to do this. With a grandeur design stance, they can be placed as a statement piece and exude a timeless elegance that more modern baths don’t manage to depict. The freestanding design means they can be placed in any part of your bathroom, without being constrained to being against a wall.
This means they create a focal point that draws attention and exude a spa-like ambience. You can add luxurious features such as decor to the outside or claw feet to the base which also make it feel very luxurious. They also tend to be made from high-quality materials such as copper, cast iron or stone that really lend a high-end feel.
They can add value to your home
When it comes to adding value to your home, you might (or might not) be surprised that freestanding baths are a great way to do this. As they aren’t something too often seen in homes, they are seen as a desirable feature that people want in a home they purchase.
Installing a freestanding bath should be seen as an investment rather than just a one-off purchase as it will not only improve your bathroom for you to use, but also when it comes to either selling up or renting out your house. This means you could benefit from a faster sale and also add a little more onto the asking price too. It’s a win-win situation!
They are easier to install and maintain than other types of bath
Built-in tubs tend to require specific types of flooring (they tend to be unable to be placed right on tile for example) and can be tricky to install. They require more complex plumbing and it can be hard to find the right sized gap for them to fit into. You also might suffer from leaks that can be hard to access and other plumbing problems going forward.
If you have a freestanding tub, the installation tends to be more straightforward and it can also be installed on various types of flooring without the need for any complex modifications to be made. This saves time, money and hassle making it easier for those all round. It’s also easier to maintain once it is installed as it’s much easier to get to. Instead of the pipes being hidden away or concealed behind a bath panel, the plumber can straight away see all the logistics of the bath and fix anything that needs to be done.
The same factors apply when it comes to cleaning the tub. With space all around, you can easily access all areas and don’t need to worry about any spots being missed.
Top tips for purchasing a freestanding bathtub
- Consider the space you have and the size of the bathtub you’ll need. You don’t want something too large and overpowering, but you don’t want it to be too small and look strange either.
- Think about what you want to spend, bathtubs vary greatly in price.
- Find a bath that fits the overall aesthetic of your bathroom, whether that is modern, retro or classic.
- Don’t rush your decision. A freestanding tub can totally transform your bathroom and isn’t something you’ll replace anytime soon. Take your time to find the perfect one for you.
If you’re looking to elevate the look and feel of your bathroom, a freestanding tub is an effortless way to do this. There are a whole host of designs on the market that can fit your space, whether you’re after something cool and contemporary or more classic and vintage looking. Are you after a freestanding bathtub? If so, get in touch with us at CopperSmith. We have a wide range of tubs that are ideal for your space and can provide you with a quote as well as answer any questions you might have. Plus, you can use our 3D configurator to find the perfect bath for your space. Get in touch today, we’d love to hear from you.