What are the different bath styles?
When it comes to bath styles, there may well be more options than you think.
The design you choose will depend upon various criteria, mainly what you’d like to spend, how much space you have and your own personal taste.
You might, for example, want a bath that’s also a shower or one that makes a designer statement.
However, first of all you need to decide whether you want a freestanding bath or a more traditional one that’s built-in.
There are pros and cons to both, as you’ll discover below.
Freestanding
A freestanding bath will give any bathroom that boutique hotel, high-end feel.
It’s the kind of tub that exudes personality and can suit any style of bathroom (as long as it’s big enough).
Choose from a smooth, tactile shape to match the clean lines of your ultra-sleek, contemporary design, or an elegant claw-foot style for a classic or period interior.
The pros
Freestanding tubs are great for any shape of bathroom as long as you have the space.
You’re not fitting them onto a wall, or slotting them into a designated area.
Installing a freestanding tub is easier because you simply have to plumb it in, whereas you’d probably have to re-tile the surrounds of a built-in bath.
You can also get creative with the bath’s location.
It can take ‘centre stage’ in the middle of a bathroom and, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you might even have a freestanding bath in the bedroom!
As most freestanding baths are double-ended, and have taps in the middle, they make for a more relaxing experience – especially if you like bathing with someone else!
The cons
The freestanding tub can be more expensive than the standard style.
Where do you put your scented candles? The freestanding bath isn’t so good if you like to be surrounded by accessories, shampoos and soaps, because they tend not to have a ledge or a nearby wall on which to place shelving.
You may need to reinforce the floor as freestanding tubs can be very heavy.
Some styles can be hard to get in and out of, while their depth may make it difficult if you’re bathing a child – or even your pet pooch!
Built-in
There are actually some gorgeous designed built-in tubs, so don’t dismiss them as dull.
There are several reasons why they are still the style most people choose for their bathrooms.
The pros
The built-in tub can be more affordable than a freestanding alternative.
It is a great option for any size of bathroom; the freestanding styles need more space around them, while a built-in tub is more flexible.
Because this type of bath fits against a wall, it gives you all kinds of options to make bath time goodies more accessible.
You can install shelving at one end of the tub for, example, or just use the edge of the tub on which to perch your bath products.
It is also easier to clean; you only usually have to tackle the inside of the tub, whereas you need to clean both the interior and exterior of the freestanding version.
Plumbing in your home is often installed to suit the traditional built-in tub and any pipes can easily be concealed in its surrounds.
The cons
It’s possibly the more traditional, less ‘sexy’, option.
Your built-in tub not only needs plumbing in but it has to be sealed and mounted.
It also usually requires a surround.
Single-ended or double ended?
Single-ended baths
Single-ended baths have the waste and overflow position at one end, rather than in the middle, resulting in sloping at one side.
Meanwhile, the other side (the one with waste holes and overflow) will be steeper and usually where the shower (if you have one) is positioned.
Double-ended baths
The sharing option, or one for the bath-lover who just adores a long soak, this kind of bath has the central waste and overflow position in the centre of the bath (which is usually freestanding).
Other bath styles to choose from…
P-shaped
P-shaped baths solve the shower or bath problem; you can have both!
They are designed to be wider at one end giving you the ‘P’ shape.
They allow you more room to stretch out, whether you’re enjoying a refreshing shower or a relaxing soak.
You can opt for left or right-handed, and they also come in various sizes.
L-shaped
These are similar in design to the P-shaped bath, allowing a larger space at one end to enjoy a shower while still giving you the benefit of a full bath for a relaxing soak.
Again, like the P shape, they are available left or right-handed and come in various sizes.
J-shaped
These baths are curved at the front. They are available right-handed and left-handed, and come in various sizes.
A j-shaped bath is perfect for those who only have space for a single-ended solution but want something that makes a style statement.
You can also place a shower above the taps.
Straight baths
Straight baths come in various designs and sizes and can be used as a shower bath. You can choose from single-ended or double-ended.
Space-saving baths
Space-saving baths, as their name suggests, are a great solution for awkward spaces or smaller bathrooms such as en suites.
They give you the luxury of having a bath in spite of the limitations of your bathroom.
This kind of bath is versatile in so many ways; for example, it can be used as a shower bath because one end is wider than the other.
If you want inspiration for your bathroom, contact Kitchen & Bathroom Creations today.
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