It’s hard to beat the luxurious feeling of coming home from a long day of work to a relaxing soak in a tub. When you’re remodeling, the tough question is whether to go with a freestanding bathtub to enhance that feeling.
Beautiful, eye-catching and conveying a sense of luxury, freestanding bathtubs have a lot to offer. That’s not to say, however, that they’re always the best choice. Are you updating a bathroom and trying to shop for bathtubs, wondering which one to pick? Is selecting the right bathtub upgrade proving to be tricky? If so, here’s some information that’s geared toward helping you reach your decision. When you’re thinking about adding a new bathtub, consider these pros and cons of freestanding models.
The Benefits of a Freestanding Bathtub
Designed to stand alone rather than being tucked into a corner of the bathroom, freestanding bathtubs come in a variety of styles. From the classic claw-footed model that hints at yesteryear to the smooth, sculpted varieties popular in modern style, each freestanding tub is special. Here are some of the specific benefits that come from using them in bathrooms:
- Luxury appeal. Step into a bathroom with a freestanding tub, and you just can’t miss its beauty. Because freestanding tubs have to be placed in bathrooms with enough room to accommodate them, they are signature elements of large, luxurious baths. They are beautiful, make a strong statement and enhance the bathing experience.
- Available in various styles. Freestanding tubs come in various styles, from modern egg shapes to vintage claw-footed designs. Because they’re not limited by the constraints of walls along the sides, they can create a stronger and more powerful design statement than built-in models.
- Easy to install. Another benefit of a freestanding tub is the ease with which it can be installed.
The Downsides of a Freestanding Bathtub
Despite their many advantages, freestanding tubs aren’t always the best choice for a bathroom renovation. They come with a few downsides worth considering, too:
- Price. Freestanding tubs tend to be more expensive than built-ins, partly because they have more design intricacies, and also because they are more complicated to manufacture.
- Larger space requirements. In contrast to a built-in tub, a freestanding tub usually requires open space on all four sides. (Otherwise, what’s the point?) Thus it takes up more space in a room that typically has precious little square footage.
- Less efficiency. Freestanding tubs also make it more challenging to store toiletries or bath items that have to be kept on hand.
- Weight. Freestanding tubs are usually heavier than built-ins, which means they can require the expense and effort of reinforcing floors.
How to Decide
Ultimately, the decision between a freestanding or built-in tub is a personal one. What works perfectly in one space may not be ideal in another. To reach the best decision, ask yourself a few questions:
- How much space do you have? Because a freestanding tub requires significant space, it only makes sense in a room that has it. Could your bathroom accommodate a tub that stands on its own? Or would it make the room feel cramped? Unless you have the space or can remodel the room to create it, a freestanding tub won’t work.
- How much can you spend? As stated above, freestanding tubs tend to cost more than built-in models, even though they’re easier to install. Can your budget accommodate the expense? If not, stick to what will fit.
- What do you like? Assuming you have the space and finances to cover a freestanding tub, your choice is all about preference. Do you like freestanding tubs more than built-in models? Are you craving the luxury they provide? If so, start shopping options to see what you like best.
The Downsides of a Freestanding Bathtub
Despite their many advantages, freestanding tubs aren’t always the best choice for a bathroom renovation.