It’s been a long, hard day. That one unreasonable client just won’t leave you alone, your kid spilled juice on the carpet, and your mother-in-law needs you to explain to her how to use Zoom for the fourth time. There’s nothing you’d rather do than draw up a relaxing bubble bath, light some candles, and grab your favorite magazine. If you’re in the market for a luxurious new bathtub, you’re probably wondering which type of tub you should invest your money (and your evenings) in. Here’s a guide:
- Freestanding tubs
If you want to feel like a Victorian heiress, you’ll love a freestanding tub, likely with a classic clawfoot bottom. While this charming style fits in with traditional homes, it requires you to have a fairly large bathroom. Moreover, one drawback is the exposed plumbing—you can get specialty plumbing parts to accompany your old-school bathtub, but it’ll cost you.
- Drop-in bathtubs
This type of bathtub involves a shell that fits into a pre-made deck; a carpenter will build a deck, and then the tub is installed into that structure. This gives your bathroom a finished, “together” look, and the extra tiles on the sides of your bathroom provide a nifty place to store shampoo, candles, and body wash. However, most drop-in tubs are installed in an open area, making them more expensive and more in need of floor space than alcove bathtubs (though less so than freestanding tubs).
- Alcove bathtub
Have you ever seen a tub/shower combination? Then you’ve seen an alcove tub. This type of tub fits within a three-sided enclosure, likely with tiled or paneled walls. This will be your most cost-effective tub, as well as space-effective—if you have a smaller bathroom to work with, this is your best bet.
- Corner bathtub
A corner tub is exactly what it sounds like— a large, triangular tub that fits into a corner of your bathroom. This is the tub to focus on if you really want luxury; you’ll get more size and capacity, and it’s easier to install bubble and whirlpool features. However, the drawbacks are numerous: These tubs are costly, take a long time to fill up, use a ton of water, and eat up your bathroom floor space.
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