How to choose the perfect bathtub for your space and lifestyle
Besides a trip to an actual spa, what’s better after a long day than a relaxing soak? (Hint: nothing.) That’s probably why the tub becomes the centerpiece of so many bathrooms. And while it’s hard to go wrong with all the beautiful options now on the market, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking to buy a new one.
Think practically.
How often do you take a bath? What sort of bathing experience are you looking for? These are questions award-winning, Winchester-based interior designer Kristen Rivoli says you should ask yourself upfront. “I’ve heard from so many people say, ‘We moved into this house, it has this giant tub, we never use it,’” she says. “You want to be looking for a tub that’s going to fit your lifestyle and how you want to use it. Do you want it to be a functional, cleaning, ‘I bathe every night,’ sort of thing? Or is this something spa-like with bubbles?”
Know your options.
“There are so many different tubs, ones that are sculptural and look beautiful,” says Rivoli. “But you want it to be deep enough, long enough and, if it’s a spa tub, you want it to have the right kind of bubbles. The old fashioned, claw foot tub—those are great. I know a lot of people want to take them out once they buy a house, but they’re usually the deepest ones.”
And what if you have children? “You’re looking at something completely different,” says Rivoli. “You want something that’s a little bit lower, not as deep. It doesn’t have to be as big as something for an adult.”
Try it out.
“Sit in the tub,” insists Rivoli. “You don’t want to pick it from a picture. You definitely want to go to a bath showroom and see it.”
Imagine how it’ll look in the room.
“I love a good soak, so I go for more of the sculptural soaking tubs,” explains Rivoli. “Some have straight lines, some are oval or egg shaped, some aren’t symmetrical. I love those kind of tubs in a bathroom because they become a centerpiece of the room and elevate your bath time a little bit. Put it in front of the window! If baths are something you really enjoy, you want it to be relaxing and serene and all of that good stuff.”
And don’t forget the shower head.
“I always recommend having a hand-held shower with the tub because, one, sometimes you want to wash your hair when you’re in the tub,” says Rivoli. And two, “it kind of has a duel purpose in that sometimes tubs are hard to clean and having that helps when rinsing out the tub afterwards!”
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