The bathroom might be the smallest room in your home, but this doesn’t mean it should be neglected. This small room is necessary in every home, so making sure it remains functional should be your main goal. While considering all of this is important, you shouldn’t give up on having a stylish and eye-catching bathroom as well.
When it comes to upgrading yours, you really shouldn’t forget about considering the type of bathtub you want to install. Generally speaking, you can choose from drop in baths and freestanding baths. Both of them have their pros and cons, so understanding them will help you find the right piece.
What Is a Drop-In Bath?
Drop in baths are known for their rim and purpose, needing to be installed in a custom-made platform, which is why their sides aren’t finished. The only visible thing about these baths is their rim and inside. The sides/surrounding bathtub structure can be constructed from anything, ranging from tiles to natural stone and wood.
Available in a range of sizes, shapes and materials, drop in baths are sleek, durable and a practical solution. They can come with or without finished sides, and the choice of materials makes it even easier to find the right one. Usually, they are made from sanitary acrylic, fibreglass, and stone resin with the first one being considered the most popular choice. That’s because it’s durable, non-porous, long-lasting, and extremely easy to clean.
Benefits
Space-Efficient
Built-in tubs are ideal for those with smaller bathrooms and also for those who are looking for minimalism. Being built-in somehow makes the bathroom seem roomier, so those of you who are into alcoves and nooks can certainly create one. Being built-in and not exposed also makes the bathroom more spacious for other fixtures and fittings.
Perfect for Setting the Mood
These bathtubs are the perfect tool that will help you relax after a long and busy day. Being built-in means that there will be space around it where you can add candles and a bluetooth speaker to help you relax. Just fill in the tub, light the candles, put on music of your choice, and enjoy soaking in it alone or with your partner.
Aesthetically Appealing
Even though drop in baths are designed to be built inside a structure, they allow for being adorned on the outer side. You can adorn the platform as you wish in order to add a touch of style to your bathroom.
Downsides
The greatest downside of drop-in bathtubs is that they need a platform or surround construction to keep them stable, and this will cost you more money. However, this really isn’t a downside because it’s a matter of choice and everything that’s made with intention isn’t difficult at all.
What Are Freestanding Baths?
As the name suggests, freestanding bathtubs are designed to stand on their own and on the floor instead of being built into some platform. Being exposed means that you can choose from a selection of them ranging in style, material, shape and size. Even though the bathtub itself can be made from the same materials as the built-in models, still its legs are what make it look unique. Usually, the ones with cast iron claws are among the most eye-catching and breathtaking pieces of freestanding bathtubs.
Benefits
Improved Aesthetic
Given the fact that these bathtubs are designed to stand alone, they are usually used as the bathroom’s focal point. Being available in a large selection of styles and designs allows you to pick the right design and style. If the aesthetics matter a lot to you, make sure to carefully go over all models available on the market in order to find one that will best meet your needs.
Easy Installation
Unlike the previous models of bathtubs, these ones don’t need any platform or surrounding construction in order to be installed. Even though you’ll still need professional help to install your freestanding bathtub, you won’t need anything else which is why it is considered being easy to install.
Downsides
One of the greatest downsides of these bathtubs is their size and bulkiness. This will not only take up a lot of floor space but it also means much less space for adding something else. This goes especially for those of you with smaller bathrooms. They are also considered an expensive bathroom solution especially because of their appearance and used materials.
While built-in bathtubs have a simple outer look, these ones can be fancier, more so when talking about their legs which can be made from a range of materials that can be a bit expensive. These bathtubs are usually higher and have higher sides which isn’t the case with built-in bathtubs. Precisely this makes them a bit harder to deal with, particularly for kids, people with mobility issues and the elderly.
Which Is Better?
As you can see, both of these products have their pros and cons, and the type of bathtub you choose should mainly depend on your personal taste. However, if you are looking for a bathtub that is easier to get in and get out of, and one that doesn’t take up a lot of space, then you should certainly stick to the built-in models.
