EXPERT INSIGHT
Buying a bath
Barbara Sallick, co-founder of Waterworks, explains how to select the right tub for your space
Assuming the bath is going to be used as part of a wellness and relaxation routine, the most important factor is comfort. Is it comfortable for your back? Is it long and deep enough so you can stretch out easily? Do your shoulders fit the curve of the backrest? These are the questions to ask yourself first, and to make sure you have the measurements you need.
A freestanding bath makes a glamorous design statement. Like a beautiful piece of furniture, it can become the sculptural feature of your space. But it is not practical if you plan to use your bath for bathing and showering. It would be difficult to keep the water contained during a shower and a wet floor can be slippery. There are good arguments for surrounding a freestanding bath with at least 15cm of space. That gives you room to show off the shape of the design and make it a focal point.
The main disadvantage of built-in baths is that they don’t make a major sculptural statement. But they are the best tub to use in a small space and are perfect for soaking and showering. I recommend looking for a bath with a flat bottom so you won’t slip, and a special edge that can be topped with tile or stone to make the space watertight. My personal preference is for a cast iron bath with a flat-skirted front.
The smallest tub is around 150cm long. It will not be particularly comfortable for bathing, but as long as it is deep enough (45cm or more), your body will be partially covered and you’ll get that feeling of warm water all over you.
When it comes to choosing the material of the bath, so much depends on your personal taste and design scheme, but the quality of the material is important and we offer only the best options.
You have to think about the entire space when selecting taps. What are the surfaces? Tile, stone, formal, casual, colourful, patterned? The larger context matters, too. It’s important for the taps to be compatible with the style of the home. The choice is a very personal one, but that said, I would caution against a design or finish that might look trendy. Tapware is something you’ll use multiple times a day for years or even decades – it’s worth investing in a beautifully made, perfectly proportioned style that you love that feels good in the hand as you use it and that will, aesthetically speaking, endure.