A sunken soaking tub is a bit more of a specialized installation job. This is especially true if you are fitting a tiled bathtub. A sunken tiled tub cannot be bought from a bathroom showroom and simply fitted. This is usually either square or oblong.

Modern Design Makes An Impact If you do decide to go for a ready-made sunken bathtub, it can be possible to have a round bathtub, since these are available from major bathroom suppliers, including American Standard and Kohler.They are usually available in fiberglass and acrylic, though you can buy a ceramic bathtub, or even one with a porcelain finish. The round bathtubs style lends itself well to having seats installed, which can turn it into a two-person tub.

However, if the sunken bathtub is not to your liking, it is possible to go for a pedestal soaking tub. One of the most common sizes is the 5-foot bathtub, though for those looking at the two-person bathtub models the 6 foot version is probably a better choice. As with the sunken models, which take many of the design elements from the Asian bathtub style, this freestanding bathtub on a pedestal can also be fitted with a Jacuzzi or whirlpool.

Drop-In Tubs For Spacious Soaking

There is certainly plenty of choice. An elegant soaker is the Windward model from Kohler. This is a 5' bathtub, in biscuit color, and which gives a 21" bathing depth. It also has armrests and the faucets can be placed in various locations. Width is 42", and the bathtub is a drop-in type, made from durable acrylic which is also easy-to-clean. Lumbar support as well as the armrests is also included, with the tub retailing at about $653.69. If a Jacuzzi soaking tub is more to your style, Allusion provides a 66" x 36" x 26" soaker in white. Costing on average $750, this is a 65 gallon tub manufactured in high gloss acrylic with a slip resistant base. It has a clean, minimalist design, and is also available as a whirlpool soaking tub, air jet bath or a salon spa type.

For a unique style, American Standard offers a walk in soaking tub. Measuring 32" x 60" x 37", the bathtub has sliding doors and a built-in bathtub chair and grab bar. A slip resistant floor is also standard. There is the two-person Japanese soaking tub from Americh. This tub is a dual tub with two built in bathtub seats and is available as an airbath tub, whirlpool tub, or basic soaker tub. Dimensions are 60" long x 40" wide x 32" high with an 80 gallon capacity, and retails at $3,900.

Fiberglass Makes Light Of It

With any freestanding tub there are various shapes available, including square and round, though there is also a chance of picking up an oval freestanding bathtub. The traditional freestanding soaking tub was often made of cast iron, but new materials such as acrylic and fiberglass make it lightweight. This has made a huge range of soaking tub shapes available.

One place that has become popular for the soaking tub in the last few years is the outdoors. These are often known as garden tubs, and are often heated with propane gas. They are expensive to install if you have a permanent installation, though there are portable garden tubs available which can be put out on the patio, for instance, when they need to be used.