7 freestanding bath tubs that will make you instantly feel relaxed

Freestanding bath tubs have become the must-have item for any luxurious bathroom. From modern and minimalist, to clawfoot or farmhouse, there are so many options to choose from that will suit both your design aesthetic and daily needs. Here are seven bathrooms that have used a freestanding bathtub as the centre piece of their design.

1. Crisp and contemporary

The brief given to Davinia Sutton for this family bathroom was to create a space that reflected the home's contemporary architecture. Striking herringbone pattern tilework, White American Oak elements and the choice of aged iron fittings combine in a modern, texture-rich design. The VCBC Sonit freestanding bath tub in engineered stone adds to the contemporary feel.

2. Classic style

To create a strong division between zones in the master suite of this original 1940s home, designer Mark Williams recessed the tub area. “The owners wanted their new bathroom to look like it had always been there, and not like an addition,” says Williams. The Cheviot Regal bath tub in sits in a recessed area with natural marble and small brick-shaped tiles arching around it. 

3. Curved around

The owners of this sculptural master ensuite wanted a strong feature to lead you into the space. Architect Taras Wolf designed a beautiful curving feature wall in twinkling mosaic tile to lead the eye in and act as a privacy partition between the bath and shower area. The wall follows the curve of the round Apaiser bathtub to create a minimal yet striking space.

4. Centre of attention

With their house close to the beach, the owners of this bathroom were drawn to natural materials. Stone, slate and timber materials have been used throughout this ensuite to create a textural and dramatic space. The first thing you notice when you enter the bathroom is the elegant freestanding tub. Dark slate-look tiles used on the floor and up the back wall not only draw the eye in but make the tub pop. Design Haus did a lot of research to find a freestanding bath tub that met the owner's design specifications and this Cassini tub by Athena Bathrooms ticked all the right boxes.

5. Carefully considered

This bathroom by designer Kirsty Davis has an architectural feel. The owner wanted a bathroom that felt luxurious and had "wow-factor". In response, Kirsty chose a palette of charcoal tiles and rimu cladding to create a simple yet striking space. The Emerge freestanding bath is the feature element in the bathroom with the rimu cladding flowing down the wall behind it to create a complementary backdrop.

6. Handcrafted

This space is an original take on an inner city apartment bathroom. A timber slat flooring has been used to create a wet area for the bathtub and shower with a glass panel to shield the vanity. “The warm wood, blue-green handcrafted tiles and lava stone basins all add natural, calming elements to the relaxed environment,” says architect Inmaculada Cantero Tamayo. With plenty of natural light bouncing off the handcrafted herringbone tiles, the Cocoon Salinas freestanding tub feels like its in resort spa instead of an apartment. 

7. 5-star spa

The design brief for this master ensuite was to create a relaxing sanctuary that replicated the style and feel of a 5-star hotel spa. Aveo Stone Oval Bath stands pride of place with a subtle backdrop of hexagonal marble wall tiles for an understated feature.  Plenty of natural light also adds to serene ambience in this bathroom.

Story by: Lakshmi Krishnasamy