The New Trend – Freestanding Bathtubs
Before tackling that bathroom reno you have been longing to do, there is one critical question you need to answer: freestanding or built-in bathtub?
For a recent client, this was the driving question that brought her to us. Her dream was a standalone bathtub and my gosh, how could everyone not want one? They are the epitome of spa-like bathrooms. Let’s face it, they are completely lust-worthy regardless of your design style preference.
After working with her on designing her dream bathroom, we thought it was time we shared why we love the popular new trend of freestanding tubs. In addition to their classical influence in a room and their immediate ability to create a more serene environment, the freestanding tub bears many other advantages.
Flexibility in Placement:
Verses the ever so common built in bathtub that must be adjoined to two or more walls, a beauty of a freestanding tub is the ability to place it anywhere in the bathroom. It can be tucked neatly into a corner positioned at a diagonal or can be square in the middle of the room for a grand appearance. And while some would think that a standalone tub may be too big for their room, the fact may be the opposite. They tend to create an illusion of extra space as the open area beneath and surrounding it can make the room look bigger.
Enhanced Look:
Most built-in bathtubs blend into the overall room design and often are missed with a quick glance. Not to mention, they are extremely common in most homes and new builds. Standalone tubs are the extreme opposite. They demand attention and make a statement creating a unique focal point.
Installation Ease:
One of the biggest benefits of the stand-alone tub is the installation process. Compared to a built-in tub where a contractor and designer are often needed, a freestanding tub can be visualized most often by a non-design savvy person and installed by a well-trained plumber. If a person is confident enough in their design skills, the installation process is cheaper than that of a built-in tub as less hands are needed to finish the project. In addition, the freestanding option doesn’t require the sealing, mounting or the creation of a surrounding storage area like the built-in counterparts do.
Design Style:
Whether you are a modern muse or fall more in the traditional design style realm, freestanding tubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes with an array of embellishments to fit any design style. Choose from the lust-worthy and classic clawfoot or the skirted art deco design. Or, pick from the unique Japanese soaking style or the more prevalent single and double ended selections. With standalone tubs, the options are truly endless and can mold to any design style you prefer.
Material Options:
Because standalone tubs are “drop in” they come in a variety of materials as opposed to the more popular built-in options. Choose from cast iron, copper or stone for a more distinct style or choose one of the more traditional options and buy an acrylic or resin-based soaker. What’s even more intriguing about these beauties is they oftentimes are designed in blues, blacks, golds and pinks for a more dramatic effect.
Disadvantages:
While we love the freestanding tub for their elegance and bathroom benefits, the design style has some disadvantages. For one, if the bathroom remodel is for practicality, built in tubs are a better option. Oftentimes it may be difficult to give younger children or pets baths in the freestanding option due to their extended height (for lounging purposes) as well as the limited storage the actual tub has. There are no shelves for bottles or other toiletries.
While they create an illusion of more space in a bathroom, the design style isn’t actually space saving. Free standing tubs take up more room in a bathroom blueprint than built in tubs as they often require extra square footage around them for their set up.
Finally, the biggest drawback is that a freestanding tub will often be more expensive than a built-in one despite their increased popularity. Typically, standalone tubs run 2 to 3 times more expensive than built-in options. Price can depend on all the other factors going into a bathroom design including the surrounding wall structures and previously installed plumbing. We have managed projects where built-in tubs were the more expensive option due to material of tub, size, bathroom placement, surrounding structure, etc. Thus, it is important to look at all the costs associated in your room before you decide for or against a freestanding tub.
Still have questions? Give us a call. We’d love to help you with your bathroom remodel and decipher what is the best option for your end goals.