Our Guide to Freestanding Bathtubs

We love free standing baths, and this is why...

With winter drawing in and the weather proving more and more unpredictable, one thing we can be sure of is the benefit of a nice, warm bath. Your own retreat from life’s stresses and strains, baths are a great way to soothe sore muscles and defrost your freezing fingers and toes. In fact, there is nothing we love more at Victorian Plumbing, than a bath that provides all of the above, and adds to the beauty of our home.

Baths never really go out of style and can be a real focal point to your bathroom design, so it is important when planning a bathroom that you choose a bath that will suit the needs of you and your family for years to come.

One style we absolutely love at Victorian Plumbing is the free standing bath – a bold statement, and so luxurious. We have compiled a short guide that we hope will help you when choosing a bath, perhaps you will find free standing baths to be as appealing as we do, and take your first steps in creating your own dream bathroom for those much-deserved evening soaks.

So what is a free standing bath?

A free standing bath is defined as a bathtub that stands alone within your bathroom, either a straight-to-floor style, or mounted atop a set of traditional chrome legs, for that gorgeous country house look.

A real talking point, these tubs draw the eye and make a bold statement that can define your bathroom, while the space around the raised tubs can accentuate the height and space of your bathroom, creating an airy, fresh impression with lots of light.

What kinds are there?

Well, there is lots of choice available. Firstly, you must consider your available space. Some will be fortunate enough to be able to consider more luxury items, like a circular tub that needs lots of room either side, or a double-ended slipper with space enough for two. Most of us however, will have to ensure the bathtub that we want will actually fit, so we recommend keeping measurements to hand when planning your new bathroom.

There is room for movement however, as you can fit one of these bathtubs as a corner tub or against a wall, which will still give you the desirable effect of a free standing tub, while conserving space and allowing you to use your existing plumbing without any major rearrangements.

Secondly, we can consider the different shapes available. There are double-ended and roll-top bathtubs that are great for those with lots of space, while there are also single-ended tubs and shorter, deeper bathtubs that will still provide the same luxuriant soak and eye-catching appeal.

Tell me more…

Once again, there is so much choice available, there is sure to be something that suits your needs. Some people like to design their bathroom around the bath, choosing accessories, palette and extras to match in order to achieve a coordinated style. We believe however, that if we offer enough choice and options like finishes, colours and feet styles, that we can make choosing one of these bathtubs as stress-free as possible. Hopefully this allows you to add a free standing bathtub to your home, and in one move transform your bathroom into a peaceful retreat from modern life.

Part of this diverse choice is the material. One popular option is double-skinned acrylic, which is a cost-effective choice with a timeless, clean look. Easy to clean and abrasion resistant, acrylic bathtubs feature lightweight, modern construction and a classic appeal.

Another option is natural stone baths; a rustic, old world charm that is easy to maintain and simply untouchable in terms of the jaw-dropping style and tactile feel. These baths also offer practical benefits such as a thick, durable body and fantastic heat-retention, managing to retain heat up to ten times longer than an acrylic tub. This makes natural stone bathtubs the ideal choice for those long, sumptuous soaks.

Our cast iron bathtubs are a luxury option, available in a range of styles and sizes to ensure there is something to fit your bathroom. Cast iron bathtubs are the height of indulgent bathroom fixtures, and with the history of our company in traditionally-inspired Victorian and Edwardian bathtubs, cast iron will always have a special place in our hearts. Customisable with your choice of finish and colour, a cast-iron bathtub will be the defining article in your bathroom.

Finishing touches.

Many are available with a choice of claw and ball, or lions paw feet – these chrome finish legs provide a classy, vintage flavour, while the space below the tub allows you to be more expressive with your tiles, as the pattern flows throughout the whole room. Also, the light and space raised chrome legs bring to a room can be truly breath-taking.

If chrome legs are not your cup of tea, then straight-to-floor or bateau styles are also available, which provide the same classic appeal and luxurious soak of a free standing bath, but with a unique twist – think Parisian boudoir and cool, contemporary living.

We love free standing bathtubs. There is just something so beautiful about a bath which balances form and function so elegantly; a stylish centrepiece and soothing retreat at once.

Thank you for reading.

Hopefully we have helped guide you in planning your renovation, and if you find yourself bitten with the free standing bug, and all you can dream of is a deep, steaming bath with a cool vintage style, a glass of red wine in one hand and soft music in the background, then don’t blame us…thank us!

Your Opinion?

What did you think of our guide? We hope you found it helpful. We love receiving comments and pictures, so if you have a free standing bath, you are planning a renovation or you have some handy tips for cleaning and maintaining your bathroom, connect to our Facebook or Twitter pages or leave a comment below and get in touch!