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How to choose a bath: inset or freestanding?

December 30, 2021 4 Comments

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While the shower may reign supreme in your morning routine, having a showstopping bath as a centrepiece and place for relaxation will elevate your bathroom to sanctuary status. The Reece Bathrooms Annual Insight Report 2021/22 found the bath is the third most important bathroom feature (up 5% since 2019/20), but how do you know which one to choose? Daniela Santilli, bathrooms & kitchens merchandising leader at Reece Bathrooms, shares her thoughts.

Kado Lux Petite Freestanding Bath via Three Birds Renovations

The main consideration is selecting a bath that will stand up to the rigours of your household needs and how you use the space. And with a rise in new materials, shapes and colours, there are several considerations which will inform the bath type and look you choose. 

Whether youโ€™re catering to a family or designing your dream bathroom, hereโ€™s what you should consider when choosing the right bath for your space. 

Why choose a freestanding bath?

Freestanding baths have a bold, luxe look, forming the absolute focal point of your bathroom. But when would you choose a freestanding bath, and what should you consider? 

KADO Era bath
  • Freestanding baths work best for bathrooms with a little more wiggle room. 
  • They donโ€™t need wall support, so they can be placed anywhere in the room โ€“ under a window or skylight or even in the centre for dramatic impact. 
  • One of the biggest considerations when looking at the placement of a freestanding bath is ensuring itโ€™s far enough from the wall to allow for ease of cleaning behind the bath โ€“ we recommend at least 100mm.
  • If renovating, think about existing plumbing and keep to the footprint of your current bath to avoid unnecessary expense. 

Our product picks:

  • Roca Inspira Freestanding Bath
  • Kado Lux Petite Freestanding Bath
  • Kado Era Freestanding Bath
KADO Neue bath

Why choose an inset bath?

If practicality is a priority (hello young children) and space is scarce, inset baths are a great choice. Hereโ€™s what you need to know about choosing an inset bath. 

  • They work well with a smaller floor plan, with a number of different sizes available โ€“ from 1200mm to 1900mm. 
  • Inset baths are built into a hob โ€” a tiled section that holds the bath. Theyโ€™re often installed next to the shower enclosure or with shower over bath installation to fit both a shower and bath in the one room.
  • The surrounding ledge makes access easy for children and is particularly handy for parents when bathing youngsters. It can also make for some added storage space. 
  • You can clean the space easily, as there are no nooks for dust and grime to hide behind.

Our product picks:

  • Posh Domaine Inset Bath
  • Kado Lux Pressed Steel Inset Bath
  • LAUFEN Palomba Inset Bath

The best of both worlds: back to wall and back to corner baths

Back to wall and back to corner baths are great for those who want the convenience of an inset bath, but still want the striking design of a freestanding bath.

Posh Domaine Back to Wall Freestanding Bath

Back to wall and back to corner baths are a hybrid solution, designed to sit against a wall and/or in the corner of a room, but are freestanding in that they donโ€™t need to be fixed into a recess. Theyโ€™re perfect if you donโ€™t have the space, but still want the benefits of a freestanding bath.

Interiors Addict’s Jen Bishop chose a back to wall bath for her own reno

Our product picks:

  • Posh Domaine Back to Wall Freestanding Bath
  • Posh Solus Back to Corner Freestanding Bath

Bath trends

With an ever-growing focus on the bathroom as a sanctuary, weโ€™re increasingly investing in products that elevate our daily routines through tactile materials and striking design.

Baths are available in a variety of materials, from pressed steel to the organic matte feel of a solid surface. The style of the bathroom and those using the bath can inform the right material and colour for you โ€“ think: sanitary grade acrylic and pressed steel for those with young children, or sleek matte black to make a statement.

Our product pick:

  • Kado Neue Freestanding bath Matte White/Matte Black

The best way to get a sense of a bath is to experience it! Visit your nearest Bathroom Life showroom to find a bath of any type that will fit your space.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarAlison says

    January 5, 2022 at 9:57 am

    We have a gorgeous free standing bath that received lots of complimentary comments from friends when we moved in, but would I have one again? No way! For a start it takes a lot of hot water to sit in luxury and it is difficult to get into if carrying an injury or if ageing. In fact deep sided freestanding baths are almost impossible to use for an older person. I am not yet old but after knee surgery I can get in but not out. So, in my house we have the best looking dog wash around because that is what it is currently used for. Think carefully about the water bill and mobility before installing a freestanding bath.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 5, 2022 at 10:59 am

      Thanks for sharing such a honest review of yours! These are all great points for others to consider. Very helpful indeed!

      Reply
  2. AvatarKaz says

    April 17, 2022 at 8:11 am

    How do you get under those back to wall baths to clean? they look like they have a gap ?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      April 18, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      I use a flat mop but I figure not much gets under there to worry about anyway ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply

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