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How to choose a bath: inset or freestanding?

By Jen Bishop โ€ข 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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December 30, 2021

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
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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 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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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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