The tub conundrum has done some about-faces in the world of Chicago bathroom design trends. A decade or so ago, luxury soak tubs were all the rage.
Then, as oversized and walk-in style steam showers came on the scene, many homeowners found there wasn’t quite enough room to have their shower and soak tub, too – so they eliminated tubs in favor of more extravagant shower designs.
Soak Tubs Are Back In – But Do You Prefer Freestanding or Built-in?
Now things have decidedly swung in favor of bathtubs. If you’ve chosen to integrate a bathtub into your bathroom remodel, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer a freestanding or built-in tub.
Answers to the following questions will help you choose:
What works best with your ideal bathroom workflow?
Just like kitchen design, bathroom remodels should consider “workflow” first and foremost.
- How is the bathroom used throughout the day?
- How many people tend to congregate around the countertop or bath/shower in the mornings or evenings?
- Is the current layout the best option, or would rearranging help things flow better?
As you answer these questions with your bathroom design/build team, you’ll get a better idea as to where your shower and bath make the most sense. Ultimately, this might make the decision of "freestanding vs. built-in tub" for you.
How big is your bathroom?
All but the largest bathrooms will find built-in tubs to be the most space efficient. Freestanding tubs need to have enough room around their entire perimeter for cleaning and potential maintenance. In most cases, this would mean having at least 24-inches, if not 36-inches, around the freestanding tub's perimeter.
How often do you take a bath?
Freestanding tubs are best suited for those who take baths more frequently than showers, making all the extra space and investment worthwhile. Otherwise, they take up a notable portion of usable square footage - and the cleaning requirements may not be worth it.
What is your bathroom budget?
While freestanding tubs have come down in price a bit, they are typically more expensive than drop-in tubs, especially when you add designer plumbing features and extra accessories that keep your bath items accessible for use (shelves or trays, attractive additions for towel and toiletry items, etc.)
Those with a tighter Chicago bathroom remodeling budget may find the built-in a more comfortable fit for their wallet
Do you plan to age in place?
If you’re designing an accessible bathroom space, and/or you plan to age-in-place, we recommend installing a built-in tub, as that existing space converts more easily if/when you’re ready to switch that out for a walk-in tub option. Depending on your age and mobility, you may decide to install a walk-in tub now to prepare for the future.
What about an “and” rather than an “or?”
If the term “tub/shower combo” gives you the shivers, we invite you to peruse some of these custom versions on Houzz, that pair the two together – rather than making you choose.
For example, these Atlanta homeowners took care of the “where’s all that splash-over water going to go?” issue by installing their free-standing tub within the frameless shower enclosure.
Or, in this Seattle bathroom remodel, you can see how clients combined a built-in soak tub and the luxury shower design in one. This works in both larger and smaller bathrooms – utilizing the same wall of the bathroom.
We love the custom combo idea because, in addition to being easy on the flooring, steam shower functions accommodate the bather as well. This format it allows you to easily scrub off in the shower first, and then follow up with a relaxing bath, without having to leave the steamy warmth.
Do you hate having to reheat bathwater?
The reality is that all that exposed freestanding tub material means the water gets cooler faster. Installing heated flooring and a zone heating system helps with this, but there’s no doubt that freestanding tubs benefit from greater insulation potential, which adds to bathing comfort and relaxation.
The design-build team here at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited have decades of experience in designing luxurious Chicago bathroom remodels that perfectly suit the needs and tastes of our clients. Contact us to schedule your consultation, and we’ll help you solve the freestanding vs. built-in tub dilemma.
