The Dawning Age of the Freestanding Tub

Want to add elegance to your home design? Try a freestanding tub. Although showers reign supreme in terms of popularity, a luxurious soaking tub can take a master bathroom to the next level. Thanks to its modern, sleek design, the freestanding tub is an increasingly popular option among those looking for a way to unwind after a long day. Unlike built-in tubs, the freestanding tub is compact, which is a huge draw for those looking to take back space in their bathroom. So when designing a master bath, an eye-catching soaking tub could be the centerpiece that convinces potential homebuyers to take the leap. 

Bathtubs have come a long way from the earliest known ones over 6000 years ago. They have morphed from public baths to the commonly used built-in ones in the early 1900s. Although the free standing tubs have been around for many years, recently the more elegant claw foot and other freestanding bathtubs have become much more in demand. Over the last several years available designs, materials, colors, sizes and features have grown substantially. There are options such as head and back rests, lights, multiple colors and finishes (matte or glossy), circulating water, and more. Deeper models are available to prevent overflow and also totally submerge the body.  The tubs come free standing and wall-adjacent for tighter spaces.

Once there was only cast iron tubs and then the lighter acrylic ones became popular. Today there are newer, more efficient materials, such as composites, as well as wood, enamel, fiberglass, natural stone and copper.

“Home owners and designers are definitely trying to phase out large built-in bathtubs which take up too much space,” according to Goran Stankovic of Aquatica Bath. Contemporary freestanding bathtubs are becoming more popular since they are regarded as the centerpiece within modern bathroom design. Goran says “The most popular freestanding tubs in 2019 were compact models which could fit different types of bathroom applications. Customers have been trying to save space by tearing out old bulky bathtubs and clearing up more space for small deep bathtubs.” His company offers options such as air-jetting and/or water jetting, chromotherapy. body sprays and heating systems which help to maintain the warm water in the tub.

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