Showers are great for washing off the dirt and grime of the day, but nothing beats a luxurious soak in a lovely hot bath. In an ideal world we would have both in the bathroom, but in many modern homes there is barely room for a shower never mind a full-sized bath. But if you do have room for a bath, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one.
Baths from a Bygone AgeChoosing a bath one hundred years ago would not have been a very taxing decision. Most ordinary people had to make do with a tin bath shared by the whole family. There was no chance of enjoying a leisurely soak with a few scented candles and some soothing music playing in the background. Instead you had to join the queue to step into what was basically a glorified bucket of lukewarm water. Thankfully things have changed since then and today’s modern baths are large, spacious and as long as your boiler isn’t on the blink, full of piping hot water. So what are the options in terms of bath design? Size Matters in the BathroomBaths come in many different sizes, so it is important to take accurate measurements before ordering a new bath. The size of your bathroom will dictate how large you can go, but don’t forget to make a note of where existing plumbing is and the configuration of the other essential pieces of the jigsaw. |
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You also need to decide whether (or not) you want a separate shower enclosure. Compact baths are perfect for small bathrooms because they take up the least amount of room, but a tall person would feel seriously cramped in a super short bath. Freestanding baths are lovely, but again you need lots of floor space or the bathroom design won’t work.
Who Will Be Using the Bath?
When you have children, baths are very useful. Most young kids don’t really like having a shower because the water goes in their eyes. They much prefer having a bath because they can splash around, play with toys, and generally burn off excess energy. Non-slip surfaces are useful for families as they help to prevent accidents. Non-slip baths are also a sensible choice for the older generation; you may also wish to buy hand grips for a bath if anyone has mobility issues.
Multi Purpose Shower-Baths for Modern Families
Shower baths are the perfect solution for smaller family bathrooms, or bathrooms where the layout won’t accommodate a separate shower cubicle. Shower baths are P-shaped. The shower is fitted at the wider end of the bath and a glass screen or shower curtain installed to prevent the water from splashing all over the floor. A shower bath is not as spacious as a separate shower cubicle, but they are economical and are available from all reputable bathroom suppliers.
Spa Baths – the Luxury Option
Sometimes a normal bath is not enough. Spa baths pump air bubbles into the water and can be both therapeutic and relaxing. Some spa baths even have lights included in the design so you can lie back and enjoy a massage and light show at the same time. They are, however, a lot more expensive than a regular bath and require specialist installation because of the extra equipment needed. But if you can afford it, a spa bath will definitely add the ‘wow’ factor to your bathroom together with a designer stainless steel bathroom radiator.
Bathroom design is not always straightforward and even if you are planning on doing the work yourself, it is sensible to have a design drawn up by a bathroom installation company. Most large stores will come and measure up for free, so why not take advantage of the service and that way you can ensure everything fits exactly where it is supposed to.
