As bathrooms are one of the most trafficked rooms in any house, remodeling your home’s bathroom is a great place to begin when upgrading your space. Bathtubs are typically the largest and most expensive item in a bathroom, so choosing one requires special care. The perfect bathtub for your home should meet your practical needs while also providing you with a relaxing and beautiful spot to soak. You will have to choose your tub’s material, shape, fixtures, and whether it has jets or not. Here we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of different options and work to inspire you with our tub design tips!
Of all tubs, rectangular, built-in, recessed varieties are the most popular. By filling an alcove with a tub, you can really maximize the space in your bathroom. It is also easy to increase functionality by incorporating a shower into this style.
With the correct plumbing, a shower head can descend from the ceiling.
If you want to shower outside of your tub and have the space, your designer can place the shower head (or in this case heads) next to your tub.
It is important to remember that built-in, recessed tubs are only finished on one side and require careful installation.
The majority of tubs are made from acrylic, which is durable, light weight, heat retaining, but prone to scratching, or fiberglass, which is inexpensive, but not as heat retaining or durable as acrylic.
Though acrylic or fiberglass siding is the least expensive option, if it’s in your budget, we recommend tiling or adding a different water resistant material, such as glass, around your tub–this simple accent can tremendously improve the aesthetic of your bathroom.
If you have the space, the dramatic lines of an oval tub can transform the feeling of a bathroom from ordinary to sanctuary.
Tubs also come in square, triangular, and circular shapes and can fit in smaller areas or corners.
If you desire a rustic aesthetic, a cast iron, which is the most durable and heat retaining of all materials, or enameled steel, which can chip, clawfoot tub is a charming choice. Before purchasing or designing a bathroom around a clawfoot tub, you need to consider structural factors: clawfoot tubs typically have different dimensions than acrylic or fiberglass tubs and may not fit where your previous tub was installed; although newer clawfoot tubs are lighter than old ones, some will require floor reinforcement.
Finished all around, freestanding tubs can stand anywhere in a room, becoming a striking stylistic focal point in a larger bathroom, though the tub itself is often smaller than built-in varieties.
When picking a tub filling fixture, you will get to choose between one that is mounted on the floor (for a vintage feel), deck (for a contemporary look), tub (for a vintage look on a freestanding tub), or wall (for a versatile look). No matter your preference, be sure to check its compatibility with your tub. A short filler may cause splashing and a long one may be dangerous.
It is also always important to keep your motif in mind. This angular yet curved tub compliments the striped tiled floor without creating an overwhelming geometric feel.
This is a lovely contemporary oval freestanding tub, which overlooks windows. Placing a tub by windows creates a relaxing feel. If you need more privacy, consider frosted glass.
A luxurious granite topped tub with a tub mounted fixture.
This is a lovely wooden soak tub. Though wooden tubs are beautiful and create a custom look, they do require special maintenance. The tub should be made of a water resistant hardwood, such as teak or ipe. Deep soak tubs are a great way to relax and come in a variety of materials and styles.
For those really looking for relaxation, it is important to consider jets. Tub jets vary in intensity, from full body massaging jets, like a Whirlpool, to an air bath, which creates tiny, effervescent bubbles.
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