Selecting a new bath can be one of those decisions that seem easy enough until you're standing in front of one in a showroom or browsing online selections. There are far more styles, shapes and materials than most anticipate, and often the difference between a bath that fits perfectly and one that results in aggravation every day comes down to a few simple considerations made in the initial planning stages. Getting it right entails looking at more than just the aesthetic, although that is important too, but how the bath will sit in the space, how it will be used and what the rest of the room will do.
Style is More Than Just Aesthetic
The style of a bath will define the entire bathroom feel, and therefore it's worth spending a significant amount of time thinking about this. Freestanding baths have become wildly popular in recent years and it's easy to see why, they're a statement piece, they make the bathroom feel more intentional and considered, and in a large enough space, they can work wonders.
Yet freestanding baths are not right for every situation. For one, they should only be freestanding when they have space to breathe. Propping them into the corner or shoving them into a small bathroom creates the opposite desired effect, shrinking the space rather than making it feel grander.
Built-in or inset baths are probably the more practical option for many bathrooms, and there's nothing wrong with that. They nestle well against walls for tiled surrounds and make use of the square footage easily.
For families or anyone who uses the bath for functional purposes more often than relaxation, a built-in option makes more sense on a day-to-day basis. It's helpful to peruse the Baths available options beforehand to get a sense of range before committing to a particular style, sometimes seeing them together helps to judge proportion and what would work best in any given space.
Sizing: Where Most People Go Wrong
Here's the thing about sizing: people underestimate how much it matters. The average UK bath measures approximately 1700mm x 700mm, and for many bathrooms, that's the end of a reasonable measurement. Yet standard does not always mean right. For example, a shorter bath can make all the difference for additional space in a smaller bathroom, but a wider or deeper option can significantly alter the bathing experience in a larger bathroom.
How people get caught out is measuring the amount of space they have available without measuring everything else they need accommodated within the bathroom. The toilet, basin, radiator, storage all vie for additional spacing. It's worth sketching out a rough layout (hand drawn even if need be) before committing to numbers for the bath so that they don't ultimately consume too much space and render the rest of the bathroom usability moot.
Depth should also be considered independently from width and length. A deeper bath holds more water and provides for an immersive soak, however, it's harder to get in and out of when full since it's so heavy compared to its combined width and length. For households with older or younger inhabitants, this is not just a matter of preference but practicality.
Material Considerations And What They Mean
Where materials are concerned, everything matters, weight, heat retention, durability, maintenance. Acrylic is still by far the most popular option and for good reason—it's light, relatively cheap, versatile (in shape at least), holds heat decently well and retains its shape over time. Most anyone would be satisfied with a reputable acrylic bath.
Cast iron is at the other end of the spectrum. It's heavy, expensive and requires floor support for benefit, yet heat retention is unparalleled and stability is something nothing else can boast. Steel baths are in-between; durable like acrylic while better with heat retention but less heavy and less expensive than cast iron.
Solid surfaces (stone resin) have made strides as well in popularity (especially amongst freestanding baths) as they seem substantive, hold heat well and have repairability in case scratches occur. The downsides are weight and pricing.
What Other Direction Will The Bath Take?
It's easy to fall in love with a certain style only to realize that it doesn't jive well with everything else already selected. A sleek angular freestanding design looks beautiful on its own but can feel out of place with traditional fixtures and period features already set. Likewise, a roll-top tub can look outdated when not surrounded by features that support such nostalgia, but they are not practical in very minimal/modern spaces.
It's best to think of the bath as part of an overall decision-making process rather than an isolated decision. The taps, wall finish, flooring and even lighting all correspond with how a bathtub will look in finished form; it's best to keep that broader image in mind during selection so it doesn't come together as pieced decisions from multiple impulses.
Time Is The Key
A bath is one of those purchases that people will live with for many years in their homes. Unlike paint colors or accessories, neither becomes changed on a whim. Therefore, it's best to take time to consider what's needed. Measurements are key along with understanding how each person will use a bath on a day-to-day basis, and select something that works for the space as opposed to against it. A successful decision now will render continued success down the line when it still fits years later.
