How do you like to relax in your home? Some like to sit on their porch. Some go for some mood lighting in their bedroom. Others like to soak in their tubs after a tiring day. Bathtubs are certainly relaxing (and practical for some families), but choosing the right bathtub can play a major role in deciding your bathroom ambience. It can either make your bathroom look exotic or turn it into a cramped disaster.
If you’re shopping for a new bathtub, here are our top tips of what you need to consider first:
What Kind Of A Tub Are You Looking For?
How big should the tub be? What should be its shape? Should you go for the modern round or oval or the classic rectangular? These are questions that depend on your personal preference.
The standard capacity of a bathtub, for instance, is 42 gallons. The Freestanding bathtub style is the most popular among people in the United States, followed by the Drop-in and the 3 Wall Alcove designs.
The dimensions of your bathtub
Take into consideration the height, weight, and depth of the bathtub that you are looking to buy, based on the capacity of your bathroom. Get the exact measurements. Even a small mistake in your estimations can make you spend more on bathroom renovations.
The Material Your Bathtub Is Made Of
If you are looking for more expensive options, you can choose metal, natural stone, or marble as your core material. Otherwise, stick to the common acrylic bathtub. The tub weight, for one, will decide where you can place it. If the material is too heavy, your floor may not be able to support it.
For your finishing, you can choose to put tiles or stone to add some elegance to your bathtub. Or you can just keep it simple by using the same material as your core. Just go for materials that are durable and moisture-proof. If you don’t want to invest in a fancy finishing at the start, you can refinish your bathtub when it wears off.
Drainage And Bathtub Pipes
Proper drainage is important. Placing your bathtub pipes close to the drainage area is a good idea. Also, make sure you have a proper working stopper for your bathtub. If you want to save some space, you can also put your shower right above your bathtub. If you’re fixing a showerhead over your bathtub, ensure the tub is not too small or too slippery. You may also need to make provisions for a shower enclosure.
The Safety
Keep the handles and railing close to your bathtub space. Using slip-proof flooring can help avoid chances of you slipping. In a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 235,000 people over the age of 15 visit emergency rooms each year because of injuries suffered in the bathroom. Of them, almost 14% are hospitalized.
Buying a bathtub can seem simple, but don’t make the mistake of getting something you don’t need. Choose the right bathtub style, and get one that fits right in.