One of the reasons why people renovate their bathroom is to add bathtubs. Do you want to enjoy their bath and at the same time make a strong design statement on that room? Bathing helps you relax, but soaking in warm or hot water in a tub can ease pain and reduce stress. That is where bathtubs come in; thankfully, they’re available in many shapes and sizes.
You can upgrade your bathroom by replacing a shower with a bathtub. A freestyle tub is the best option based on the size of your bathroom. This type of bathtub is more lust-worthy and gorgeous. It blends well with vintage and modern styles.
This post will discuss why you should customize your bathroom space with a freestyle tub. It will highlight various bathtub designs to help make the right decision.
Let’s get started.
Is a Bathtub a Necessity
Yes, it is. A bathtub is a container with water that supports immersive bathing. It allows you to soak in water after a long day.
Most family homes have at least one bathtub in the master bathroom. Others have it in every bathroom in the house, including guest rooms. But showers are ideal for smaller bathrooms because bathtub looks attractive in spacious bathrooms.
Here are the reasons why you should exchange your shower for a bathtub:
- Bathtubs improve your home resale value
- It adds luxury to your bathroom
- It offers unmatched comfort
There are different bathtub designs in the market. But your choice of a bathtub depends on the configuration of your bathroom. Here are the popular types of bathtubs:
Alcove tubs: People install an alcove tub or recessed tubs adjacent to three walls, but it’s only ide that is finished
Freestanding tubs: Stand-alone tubs are popular in large bathrooms. They include luxurious styles such as clawfoot tubs.
Corner Tubs: As the name suggests, they are installed in a corner to provide extra space and features such as jets and whirlpools.
Drop-in Bathtub: This bathtub installation is done inside a structure and requires more space.
Freestanding Tubs
As the name implies, a freestyle tub is a stand-alone bathtub that is not connected to the surface or wall except the floor.
This bathtub type is available in sleek, modern options and is perfect for a large bathroom. Although you can add a freestanding bathtub in a smaller bathroom, you need to ensure you go for the small yet modern bathtub designs. That way, it will be easier to clean under and around it.
A freestyle tub is a better choice than a built-in bathtub. To install such tubs in your bathroom almost effortlessly, you need to check the guide to bathtub installation. The guide helps to make the bathtub installation process easier for you. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy having the eye-catching centerpiece for your bathroom.
You can opt to install either a clawfoot or slipper tub and enhance it with an elegant shower beside it. Indeed the two types of bathtubs convey the impression of antiquity and are mostly found in high-end spas.
Here are extra advantages of a freestanding bath
- It fits well in any style and allows you to be creative.
- People choose a freestyle bathtub because it’s unique and associated with luxury.
- It is more painless to install a freestanding tub than a built-in tub because it’s unattached to anything apart from the floor.
- The bathtub allows you to use the extra space in your bathroom more creatively.
- It’s appealing because all its sides are finished.
- You can fix the bathtub anywhere, including the middle of your bathroom, or where you can view a pleasant feature like a nice view.
- Its plumbing comes through the floor and not the wall.
Different Types of Freestanding Tub Style
A bathtub gives you a long, luxurious soak. Thus the depth of your freestyle tub should be your priority. Freestyle tubs can be made of cultured marble, acrylic, fiberglass, stainless steel, copper, cast iron, cedar, or any other solid surface material.
Some of the popular freestanding tub’s shapes and features include:
1.Footed (Clawfoot) Tub
The clawfoot bathtubs are associated with luxury. You can spend a lot of time soaking in this tub with candles and a glass of champagne. The freestyle bath looks classic and timeless in any bathroom.
Initially, the footed tub had a Victorian-style ball-and-claw design. Today, tubs are referred to as clawfoot when they have feet. Usually, the majority of freestanding baths don’t have feet, including the modern, sleek versions. So a footed tub has four feet support.
2.Single or Double-Ended Tub
Usually, a single-ended bath is vertical and has a tap and waste situated at its end. Most single-ended tubs have a tap above the waste. Further, it has a gentle slope on the opposite side to support your neck and back. This ensures that you’re comfortable as you have a relaxing bath.
Most freestanding bathtubs are double-ended because they give homeowners the freedom of where to place the tap. Also, this bath fits well into traditional aesthetics. It’s an excellent option for a small family with kids. If you want to install a versatile bath that can accommodate two, this is the right one for you.
The choice between single or double-ended tubs is dictated by your personal preferences and the number of persons using it. A single-ended bath is for one person, thus best for a small bathroom. The double-ended bath is for two people, thus best for larger bathrooms.
3.Slipper Tub
The slipper-shaped bathtub is an eye-catching luxury tub. Its unique double-ended design and elegant soft contours give your bathing space a contemporary look. This freestyle tub began its use in the late 19th century and has stood the test of time.
Two people can comfortably use a slipper tub thanks to its beautiful curves, which give them back, neck, and head support. Indeed its slope design guarantees complete relaxation.
4.Pedestal-Style Tubs
This freestanding tub is almost outgrowing the clawfoot tub design. While the latter has feet, the pedestal tub uses a pedestal or plinth to raise the tub above the floor. Homeowners install this beautiful tub as a focal centerpiece in their bathrooms.
You can tuck a pedestal-style tub into an alcove or the middle of your bathroom. However, you need to use a bathroom designer or contractor because of the plumbing.
5.Freestanding Jetted Tub
A jetted tub offers you a full-body massage. Popular jetted tubs are air tubs that release jets of air or whirlpool shoots that release water. The warm air that the air-jet design pushes creates tiny, invigorating bubbles.
Usually, a jetted tub helps release the tension in your muscles. Therefore you can vary the airflow intensity to get a truly customized bathing experience. So install a freestanding jetted tub in your bathroom and treat yourself at the end of a long day. The air jets will make you feel refreshed and reinvigorated.
Factors to Consider When Installing a Freestanding Tub
A freestanding bath has become very popular because it’s elegant and beautiful. The bathtub catches the eye irrespective of the size of your bathroom. However, there are several factors that you should consider before installing a freestanding tub.
The Bathroom Floor
A freestyle tub is unattached to the walls. So you must ensure your floor can withstand the weight of the tub plus water. Additionally, a freestanding is ideal for a spacious room with a flat floor. This gives you enough space when installing and cleaning the outer part of the tub.
The Style
There is a wide variety of freestanding tub models and styles. When choosing a freestanding bathtub, you should consider its ergonomics, comfort, and bathroom design. After all, you’re installing it because of the excellent bath experience that a tub can give you. At the same time, a bathtub is the focal centerpiece of your bathroom, so it should be appealing.
The Size
Your bathroom space dictates the size and design of the tub you will install in the available space. Thus you can install a single-ended tub for a single person in smaller bathrooms or a double-ended tub for two people in spacious ones. Additionally, you should consider the depth of your tub because it’s harder to clean deeper tubs.
The Material
Acrylic, solid surface stone, cast iron, and copper are popular materials used to make high-quality bathtubs. Each of these materials has unique pros and cons. But the best material should be resistant to bacteria and durable. Acrylic is the best material for freestanding bathtubs because it’s easy to maintain and lightweight.
The Cost
Buying the tub and the faucet, as well as fixing them, can be costly. The price can hit the roof when installing a tub to be used by a person with mobility issues. Thus, consider your budget when remodeling your bathroom. Also, shop for a tub within your range and hire a professional to install it to eliminate rework.
Plumbing Location
The location of your plumbing is key. In most cases, people fix their freestanding tubs in the middle of their bathroom. That means the plumbing is on the floor, not the wall, since the tub is unattached to anything.
Key Takeaways
People replace their showers with the modern types of bathtubs because they are eye-catching and offer a better bathing experience. Freestanding bathtubs are fixed in an open area or, at times, close to the wall. But, all its sides are finished; thus, it gives your bathroom a touch of luxury.
This article has highlighted various freestyle bathtub designs in the market and the factors to consider when choosing one. You can now proceed to renovate your bathroom and add this elegant feature to your bathroom.
