There is something so relaxing and enjoyable about taking a bath – soothing to the nerves, calming to the senses, a luxurious time out from the world. Having a freestanding bath in your bathroom means you can experience those feelings at home—without having to book a posh hotel room.

What is a freestanding bath? 

There are two broad categories of baths—built in, and freestanding. Freestanding bathtubs are finished on all sides, do not require external support and stand by themselves, either placed directly on the bathroom floor or mounted on feet or a plinth. They also don’t require any additional surround or materials, unlike built-in tubs, and are not intended to be fastened to the floor. 

This means that you can position the freestanding bath anywhere you wish in your bathroom space, whether it becomes the bathroom centrepiece, or you want it up against a window for the view. The extra flexibility provided by this allows you to be more creative in your bathroom design. 

Freestanding baths are more than just a bathroom fixture. They are a piece of furniture that you invest in. It’s not just about utility, but to bring a specific aesthetic to your space and reflect your style. A freestanding bath can be the focal point in your bathroom, and depending on the style and material you choose, can make quite a statement. 

Types of freestanding baths

Freestanding baths come in an array of shapes, sizes and materials. Gone are the days when they were available in heavy cast iron and stone alone. Today, freestanding baths come in a range of lightweight and inexpensive models as well. These can be installed in almost any kind of bathroom and on any substrate without having to worry about weight and reinforcing of the floor to accommodate them. 

Stone resin freestanding baths are durable, have a sleek modern appearance, are easy to clean and retain the heat from your bathwater, making them the ideal choice for those who enjoy long baths. However, they can be chipped or cracked, and if this happens they can’t be repaired.

Acrylic bathtubs, being made from non-porous material, tend to last a long time as they do not absorb water. They are reasonably durable, super lightweight, and quite affordable.

Cast iron bathtubs are highly durable, they retain heat well, and the enamel surface is easy to clean. They are extraordinarily heavy, making them difficult to manoeuvre and extra reinforcing may be required in your flooring to support them.

And of course, there is fibreglass, which is the cheapest option, light, repairable and easy to install too.

Aside from what material a freestanding bath is constructed from, there are also different styles of bath. You can choose from shapes like a round Japanese soaking tub, an oval with or without a slipper end, a modern rectangular tub, or the traditional footed baths with claw feet or legs. Many people prefer the sleek look of a modern tub with smooth lines, while there are also those who are attracted to the classic Victorian era style of a claw foot tub, a design that has endured from the 1800’s. The choice in style is up to you, to match your home, bathroom, and personal sense of style.

Finding the right fixtures

The final look of your freestanding bath also depends on the fixtures you use. The taps will dictate the freestanding tub distance from wall, and some baths will have pre-drilled holes, so choose your tap fittings wisely. 

You can choose from floor mounted and wall mounted taps, both of which come in single and double handle options. Floor mounted styles are easy to install and usually rest on the lip of the freestanding bath. Wall mounted, as the name suggests, are installed on the wall and usually require some reworking of your current plumbing in the bathroom. 

Can you have a shower over a freestanding bath?

Another factor you need to consider is whether you plan to have a shower fitted over your freestanding bath. It is possible to have a shower and tub combo using a freestanding bath, though not a common choice as it requires some specialized plumbing and also reduces the flexibility of the placement of the bathtub. But with the use of curtains and by installing a showerhead, you can have a shower stall with your freestanding bath if you wish.

Talk to the experts about your freestanding bath and find out if it’s feasible for your bathroom. They do take up more space than built-in baths, but the look of elegance they give a space is unsurpassed. They require some extra thought and planning to install, but that Friday evening soak with a magazine and a glass of wine makes it all worth it.