There's nothing more luxurious than a freestanding bath sitting proud in your bathroom. A statement piece that can instantly create wow factor in both a traditionally-inspired or contemporary bathroom. What's more, a stand alone bath tub is a superb investment for your property offering great appeal to potential buyers.
Thankfully today, owning a freestanding bath is much easier thanks to a variety of styles, designs and materials offering a much broader choice at affordable prices. And if you are considering purchasing one for your home, we have put together this comprehensive buying guide to help answer any questions you may have before you make your choice.
What is a Freestanding Bath?
Benefits of a Freestanding Bath
Types of Freestanding Bath
Freestanding Bath Accessories
How to Install a Freestanding Bath
Finding the Right Bath Taps
What is a Freestanding Bath?
Freestanding baths stand alone in your bathroom and are not fitted to the wall. Some designs sit directly on the floor, while others are mounted on period-inspired claw feet.
They are often paired with freestanding bath taps for optimum impact, however, you can also style with standard bath mixers mounted on the rim of the bath or for a more modern touch, wall-mounted bath taps.
Don't be perturbed from owning a freestanding bath because you have a small bathroom, in fact, there are lots of options for every type of bathroom. There are larger, more decadent styles with ornate features that perfectly complement a bigger bathroom, but there are also smaller, more compact options with just as much design that look elegant and well-placed in small bathrooms.
Benefits of a Freestanding Bath
When you choose a freestanding bath, it's easy to create a centrepiece that gives an immediate feeling of style and quality. However, while it can make a big impact in both modern and traditional bathrooms, you can choose to make it a feature or be more cohesive with other parts of your bathroom.
A huge advantage to a freestanding bath is the ability to coordinate with the décor of the room and the rest of your home. Freestanding baths can be built into a wall or in a corner, included in an ensuite or even with a shower built over. They have also become popular as stand alone features in bedrooms.
Many freestanding baths are extremely easy to add your own personal finishing touch to, such as being painted to match your walls, tiles or bathroom accessories. Farrow & Ball and Laura Ashley, for example, offer a complete range of paint colours that are suitable for use on freestanding baths. If you are intending to paint your bath, we would recommend that you check it is suitable to do so first.
Types of Freestanding Bath
For centuries, a freestanding bath was synonymous with traditional bathroom aesthetics. And still today, there are plenty of options that feature authentic period features. Claw feet, ornate details and deep-edged designs are reminiscent of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Alongside this are a plethora of modern designs with smooth curves, square edges and unusual shapes that offer that spa-like escape we all crave for in our homes.
There are two main types of freestanding baths - Roll Top and Slipper. Let's take a look at these in more detail.
Roll Top Baths
The roll top bath is a freestanding bath with edges that curve at the ends forming a beautifully curved lip to provide a more comfortable bathing experience. Many traditional roll top baths are double skinned, made from thick acrylic sheets sandwiched together. This makes them reassuringly solid, while providing excellent thermal properties to keep your bath water warmer for longer. Furthermore, roll top baths are available in an variety of styles and dimensions to match most design needs.
Typically, roll top baths are very deep, making them luxurious and comfortable for everyone. Traditional styles are elevated on claw feet, which helps to keep the floor dry, reducing the risk of mildew and rot building up underneath while allowing access for easy cleaning. However, more modern designs feature luxurious copper finishes and emphasised smooth curves.
There is something ever so indulgent, yet thoroughly deserving about sinking into a roll top bath and letting your cares dissolve with the bubbles. At Drench, we have a fantastic collection of traditional roll top baths in modern and traditional designs from manufacturers such as Burlington, BC Designs, Charlotte Edwards and Arcade.
BC Designs Classic Roll Top Copper Boat Bath - 1700 x 725mm
£4,640.99
Burlington Bateau Roll Top Bath with Luxury Feet - 1640 x 700mm
From £1,394.99
Charlotte Edwards Purley White Freestanding Bath - 1700 x 740mm
£1,399.99
Slipper Baths
Originating in the Victorian era, the slipper bath is an iconic style when it comes to stand alone bath tubs. Similar to the roll top bath, the slipper bath features a signature rolled top and can also be raised from the floor on four feet or flush. A variation of the slipper bath is the double ended slipper bath, also known as a boat bath.
The slipper bath features one end which is slightly deeper than the other with a slight dip in the middle, the shape of the bath allows for extra support allowing you to bathe and relax in comfort. The slipper bath in the Victorian era was made from cast iron with an enamel coating. Nowadays, slipper baths are available in a variety of materials including acrylic and steel.
Taps are typically located at the shallow end to encourage the bather to use the deeper end as their lounging support. At Drench we offer a stunning range of modern and traditional slipper baths from leading manufacturers such as Charlotte Edwards, Clearwater and BC Designs.
Andreia Acrylic White Freestanding Bath - 1500 x 720mm
£979.99
Charlotte Edwards Portobello Freestanding Bath - 1720 x 730mm
£1,249.99
BC Designs Slipp Freestanding Bath - 1590 x 675mm
£1,627.99
Double Ended Freestanding Baths
Double-ended baths are great for sharing a bubble bath with a loved one, designed to accommodate bathers facing in either direction. Some are actually specifically designed for this purpose and are made extra long to ensure the most comfort. Tall bathers sometimes seek out such tubs so that they can stretch out fully in the bath.
Typically, both ends of the bath are identically sloped to provide back support, making it comfortable for the bather to sit and lounge in the bath. Double-ended baths offer double the luxury ensuring optimal levels of relaxation and due to their design require less water to fill them.
Double ended baths are available in an array of materials including porcelain, acrylic, metal and even wood. Usually, the double-ended bath is oblong in shape, although some may feature sweeping curves and divots designed to make bathing more comfortable, and to create a desired stylish look.
At Drench, we offer a large range of double ended freestanding baths featuring striking designs in beautiful finishes to suit both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. We also have both back-to-wall and freestanding options, as well as baths with an integrated ledge ideal for fitting taps.
Billy Fluted Back to Wall Bath - 1700 x 780mm
£899.99
Alice Freestanding Bath with Integrated Tap Ledge - 1700 x 750mm
£799.99
Drench Reinforced Essence Freestanding Bath - 1500 x 640mm & 1700 x 690mm
From £1,099.99
Freestanding Bath Accessories
Some modern freestanding baths come with an art deco inspired cradle, plinth or coordinating pedestal, elevating your bath off the floor minimising damp and allowing access for easy cleaning.
Feet
Traditionally, claw feet would be used, but, nowadays, there are many styles of feet to choose from, including ball and claw feet that can be safely bolted to your bathroom floor. Feet options come in an array of finishes, including cast iron, chrome, anthracite, brass and antique gold. Bath feet tend to be designed to fit individual baths and are not interchangeable, so it’s important to make sure you get the right feet to fit your bath.
Cradles & Plinths
Wooden plinths, originating from Japan, offer a more contemporary style. Whilst many bath plinths come tailored to fit the individual design of a bath, there are some universal bath plinths available.
Bath Wastes and Plugs
When purchasing your freestanding bath, it is worth noting that some of our freestanding baths come with a waste or overflow filler and some do not. At Drench, we offer an extensive range of bath wastes suitable for freestanding baths, including pop up wastes, plug and chain wastes, pop up wastes, plug and chain wastes, pop up cable wastes, click clack wastes and more. Click clack wastes are most popular for freestanding baths as they offer a more minimalist look.
How to Install a Freestanding Bath
There are a few things you should consider before installing a freestanding tub and we would recommend asking a certified plumber to help to ensure everything is fitted probably and minimise leaks. We have a handy guide that gives you a good idea what's involved in the process of installing and plumbing a freestanding bath below.
Before buying your chosen bath, it's worth having a think about your bathroom's style and current layout to ensure you find the right style and size. Here's a few tips:
1. Plan Out Your Bathroom Space
Freestanding baths can be situated with the length going along a wall but aesthetically they need space at each end to show off their contours. Be sure there is enough room around for comfort and functionality.
For example, if you are considering putting your bath in the centre of the room, it's important that you plan out your bathroom carefully to make sure the bath and any other features - such as a vanity unit - fit with enough space to walk freely between them and open unit doors.
Also, don’t forget to think about aesthetic issues such as exposed pipes, space for taps and how to incorporate a shower, either over the bath or as a separate enclosure, if that it is in your plan.
2. Think About Weight
Having a freestanding bath can cause implications where weight distribution is concerned. It is most certainly worth having your floorboards and joists inspected by your builder or plumber to check that they are suitable to bear the weight of your proposed bath. It’s not just a question of how much the bath weighs when it’s empty but when it’s full with water and a person.
It would also be beneficial to speak to your plumber about locations of plumbing and pipes in relation to the joists and to check the clearance area under your proposed bath, in some cases you may need to make room below floor level for a waste pipe.
Finding the Right Bath Taps
Freestanding Bath Taps
Nothing will complement your freestanding bath like a set of freestanding bath taps; freestanding bath taps give an added dimension to the bathroom aesthetic. This type of fitting allows your plumbing and water supply to have a little more leeway in terms of installation, while you get much more space in the tub to move at both ends.
We offer an extensive range of freestanding bath taps at Drench - take a look at some of our bestsellers below.
Harbour Essence Freestanding Bath Shower Mixer Tap - Gunmetal
£349.99
Vellamo Twist Freestanding Bath Shower Mixer Tap
£229.99
Deck Mounted Taps
Deck mounted taps can be fitted onto the wider edge of a freestanding bath and they're great if floor space is at a premium and you're unable to use a built in valve. Deck mounted taps are available in a wide range of modern and traditional styles that slot into pre drilled holes of a freestanding bath. Deck mounted bath taps can be in the form of a mixer or a bath shower mixer with up to four holes.
Butler & Rose Beatrice Brushed Brass Bath Filler
£144.99
Core Deck Mounted Bath Filler - Matt Black
£149.99
Harbour Clarity Knurled Deck Mounted Bath Mixer Tap
From £139.99
Wall Mounted Fillers & Spouts
For a sleek and stylish way to fill your freestanding bath a wall-mounted filler can look absolutely stunning, especially when using waterfall type spouts. However, you will need a wall-mounted valve that is built into the wall, as well as positioning your bath close enough so that the taps can reach. Wall mounted bath fillers and spouts offer the added benefit that they hide unsightly pipe work providing a minimalist look.
Harbour Status Matt Black Wall Mounted Bath Mixer Tap
£159.99
Vellamo Reve Waterfall Wall Mounted Bath Shower Mixer Tap
£189.99
Butler & Rose Caledonia Pinch Wall Mounted Bath Filler Tap - Nickel
£319.99
Overflow Bath Fillers
Overflow bath fillers serve a dual purpose. They fill the bath and have the ability to stop the bath from over filling as water emerges from a hole on the underside of the overflow. The water flow is controlled by a set of valves mounted either onto the bath or by a manual or thermostatic valve mounted on the wall. Overflow bath fillers are inherently stylish and are available in various designs including round and square, ideal for adding a little wow-factor to your bathroom.
Finally, the finer details make a big difference. Why not complement your new freestanding bath with new bathroom furniture or bathroom accessories to match!
