A great irony follows freestanding baths today. With origins around 1700 BC, freestanding baths were made of stone or clay and had an oval or round shape. We like to pat ourselves on the back for creative innovations, but our ancestors had us beat by over a thousand years on this one.
I cannot help but like a trend that looks to the far distant past for inspiration. Some of the greatest architects, decorators and designers rely on the wonder and creativity of the past to inspire their works today.
The Ancient Romans are known for the significance of bathing in their culture. They helped move things forward by constructing freestanding tubs from copper and bronze. You can “bathe like a Roman” because companies such as Barclay and Thompson Traders make copper tubs today! In fact, Thompson Traders made a custom copper tub for one of my builders—all designed by him. It is the centerpiece of his master bath today.
The freestanding bath today reflects our past. It brings a little bit of the primordial into the bath refuge. Time has changed this era of freestanding baths, too. When they first hit the market, freestanding tubs were looked at as something a little more mystical. However, as they have sailed into the mainstream they have become a commodity.
People are selecting freestanding baths for their homes becuase they are seen as modern and upscale. They have become a commodity that people do not even have to use. One thing about these baths is you will never forget your decision—they are large, imposing and many times they can be inconvenient, such as when cleaning.
One of the biggest mistakes that can be made is to put a freestanding tub in a space that is too small. I have had some clients who have 68” of space and want to do a 66” tub, which ends up being only one inch of space between the tub and the wall. That is where those cleaning problems hit as you’ll be doing gymnastics to clean the back side of the tub.
Tub spaces often seem like an afterthought. A freestanding tub installation should be majestic. If it is shoved into a tight little space, it loses the entire purpose of the bath. Think about a Roman Praetor. He would have insisted his bath be the centerpiece of his bathroom. The modern tub has the same purpose. Some intentional design will help a tub be the ultimate luxury statement.
I would suggest the following things when it comes to selecting a bath:
- Seek out a showroom professional that has knowledge and experience with freestanding tubs. Someone that knows the good, the bad and the ugly of these impressive products.
- Think about getting in and out of the bath. Most of them are around 23” tall, where old, standard tubs were around 14” tall. The extra depth helps create decadent bathing. Consider that the application may demand grab bars to be safe. I find that most people are good entering the baths, but have difficulty exiting them.
- Consider accessories. I would find a tub shelf mandatory, where I could keep a drink or a book.
- Be cautious of creating cleaning issues. The space for the tub can limit access to certain areas. The best solution is to design the space generously before construction even starts. If that is not possible, find some cleaning tools that will help you reach and effectively clean difficult areas.
- Finally, get in that tub. Fill it up. Get lost in it. Take your favorite drink – wine, whiskey or water.
At the Falk Plumbing Supply showrooms, we are equipped to help you in your projects. We leverage our knowledge and experience to and help streamline the process and guarantee you get exactly the products you want. We ultimately want to help you live with bathrooms that are filled with luxury, comfort and creativity.
Written by: Alan Donahue, Showroom Manager