Bathtubs are the biggest, most prominent feature of almost any full-sized bathroom, but despite how much space they take up, most of them aren’t much to look at. In smaller spaces, it’s common to have generic alcove or shower/tub combinations. Even in roomier bathrooms, you might find an occasional freestanding bathtub, but likely it will be one of a few similar styles. It’s only in big, expensive luxury remodels that the bathtubs shine: where the tubs themselves costs tens of thousands of dollars, or are propped up with extensive, expensive mounts and platforms. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a bathtub the focal point of your space – you just need to think a little outside the box.
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Clawfoot bathtubs are the most iconic and recognizable bathtubs that break the rectangular mold, but it’s by way of tradition rather than innovation. These tubs have a classic feel because they actually pre-date the kind of bathtubs you find in most contemporary bathrooms. So while they’re great for acting as a centerpiece of a bathroom, be aware these tubs bring a lot of tradition to your table, and will shape the style of your space accordingly.
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The good news is, while clawfoot tubs and replicas are a dime a dozen, it’s also increasingly possible to find designer bathtubs with a more modern feel. In fact, many modern designs riff on classic clawfoot and slipper tub designs, with similar scooped backs and curved sides, but with a lot less detail work – including no decorative clawed feet. Steamlining these iconic bathtubs is a great way to get a look that’s classy without feeling antique or old fashioned. The simplified lines and curves evoke tradition, but aren’t too overwrought for a contemporary space.
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If you really want to make a statement, though, you need to look beyond the “safe” choices that fall in or near the clawfoot family, and look for bathtubs that have bolder, more sculptural designs. The most visually interesting modern tubs leverage the flexibility of acrylic, molding the outside surfaces into striking geometric shapes, while keeping the inside perfectly comfortable for actually bathing in. The difference between the inside and outside of the tub can be more or less obvious between different models, but the two-layered design typical of acrylic tubs provides a whole lot of room for creativity.
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Another spot where you’re likely to find more interesting design choices is around the top edges of the tub. While most standard tubs are even all the way around in a flat rectangle, and clawfoot and slipper tubs have their iconic roll-top edges, modern bathtubs are freer to experiment, with edges that are wavy, curved, and asymmetrical, changing the silhouette of the tub in a really unique way. Often these tubs have a similar top-down shape to conventional clawfoot tubs, but the change in the side view can really make them stand out.
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Adding detail work to the surface of a freestanding tub is another great way to get a look that’s unique and eye-catching. On most decorative tubs, the embellishments show up near the rim or base of the tub – like the classic rolled top or iconic pedestal tubs. But modern freestanding tubs tend to put the ornamentation in the middle, with unique, layered designs that help visually alter the shape of the tub to create a more dramatic look.
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Even just adding a few smooth, curved lines to the surface of the tub – giving it a textured, tiered appearance – can help mark a tub as something out of the ordinary. That’s the upside of the vast majority of bathtubs being a little bit boring: even small changes or quirks in the design become unique and arresting. So while you could splurge on a bathtub that’s big and showy, you’ll get a lot more mileage out of a small, simpler tub with a few elegant embellishments.
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