SOAK IN STYLE Our guide to baths and the practical factors to consider.

Perfectly placed to enjoy the view, the Amalfi bath is a contemporary take on the traditional slipper bath. Amalfi bath, from £3,275 each, Victoria + Albert Baths

in style SOAK Find the perfect bath with our guide to the various styles, shapes, sizes, materials and practical factors to consider

Relaxing in a warm bath is one of life’s great pleasures and a perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy day. Whilst choosing a bath may seem straightforward, it is essential to ensure it is comfortable to lie in and suits everyone’s needs as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

“Practicality is always key,” says designer Joel Fry at West One Bathrooms. “In a family bathroom or one where there will be an over-bath shower, go for a fitted bath, but in a master en-suite where you have the luxury of space, a freestanding bath can add impact and elegance.”

Fitted baths come in a range of formats including shower baths, shallow baths for accessibility, corner baths for awkwardly shaped rooms, and low-capacity baths to reduce water consumption. Made in a range of sizes, they are usually placed along a wall or built into an alcove so plumbing is easily concealed and maximum floor space left clear.

Freestanding baths provide a focal point, creating impact and adding character to a bathroom. Styles range from period-style models such as roll-top, bateau and slipper baths, to smooth, sleek contemporary shapes. Be aware, though, that they bring with them additional considerations. “Freestanding baths are generally a little costlier than a built-in bath,” notes Leanne Robey, senior designer at Ripples, “especially if you are considering a floormounted bath filler, which gives an opulent finish but can sometimes cost as much as the bath itself.”

ABOVE The Wye castiron large bateau bath with a polished finish adds to the glamorous style of this bathroom. Cast-iron large Bateau ath with Polished Finish, from £3,570, Drummonds LEFT The smooth form of this bath provides a sleek counterpoint to fine decorative plasterwork. Lonio Bath, £2,799, Clearwater

THINKING AHEAD

Before deciding on a bath design, it is important to consider practicalities. “The first step should be to assess the strength of the floor to determine the maximum weight it can bear,” says Lee Frost, director at Waters Baths of Ashbourne. “The size and capacity of bath it can support depends on it.” A builder or structural surveyor will be able to advise – bear in mind though that whilst strengthening a floor is an option if needed, so too is switching to a smaller or lighter weight bath to sidestep additional costs.

Fry prioritises the material of the bath. “Composite resin and acrylic baths are much lighter than marble or cast iron, and come in a massive range of designs and sizes. Thinner metal baths such as copper and steel, whilst extremely durable, are easier to move.” As when buying any large piece of furniture, access is a consideration, so check that staircases, landings, corners and door widths can be negotiated and will not hamper delivery.

Silvery metal, neutral tones and figured marble are key constituents of this elegant scheme. Nickel Bateau Bath with Charcoal Painted Exterior, £6,600, Catchpole & Rye

A simply shaped tub allows the pretty gothic window to be the centre of attention. Amiata Bath in gloss- or matt-finish Quarrycast, from £2,690, Victoria + Albert Baths

Pure and symmetrical this sophisticated scheme frames a beautiful view. Clyde Bath, £4,140, Porter

MEASURING UP

Bear in mind that both external and internal dimensions matter. Firstly, a bath has to fit comfortably within the room, allowing for doors to open freely and other fittings to be used whilst leaving enough circulating space for the area not to feel crowded.

With freestanding baths available in lengths of between 1200mm and 2000mm (try Albion Bath Co for the extremes) and conventional baths from 1050mm to 2000mm (Bette produce a wide range), there will be one to fit almost any situation.

When choosing a larger tub, note its capacity, as some heating systems may not be able to generate or store enough hot water to fill it. If in doubt, check first with a plumber to confirm.

Checking the interior size is more subjective, depending as it does on the physique and preference of the bather. “Comfort should be up there at the top of your wish list,” says Frost. “That said, it can be hard to assess this from a picture, which is why we always recommend seeing and feeling a bath before buying it.”

Check the internal contours of a bath too and, if possible, step in and try it for size. Features such as the angle of the back slope and the width of the cavity have an impact on comfort, and it is also important to note the position of the waste and taps. In families where children or couples enjoy bathing together, a double-ended bath with a central waste and taps can be a good choice.

RIGHT This project by Kasha Paris shows a freestanding bath with cleverly wall-mounted taps and shower mixer. Admiral Bath, from £4,046.06, Devon & Devon

MATERIAL MATTERS

Traditionally, cast iron was the primary bath-making material, and is still a popular choice for those seeking an authentically period look. Strong and stable with a beautifully lustrous enamelled surface, it is durable, easy to clean and, though initially cold to the touch, once warm, retains heat. However, cast-iron baths are extremely heavy and the floor may need to be reinforced to bear the combined weight of bath, bather and water.

Other lighter metals include enamelled steel, which can be moulded into a variety of angular or curved shapes that lend themselves particularly well to crisp modern designs, and copper, which tends to be reserved for traditional styles.

Synthetics such as high-grade acrylics and solid-surface stone composite materials are also widely used to make baths, and are developing fast. Though generally less weighty than metal, some have the substance to emulate traditional materials such as cast iron and fireclay, whilst others are cast into fine-edged shapes for sleek, contemporary baths.

Where once all baths came with a gloss finish, some are now offered with a tactile velvety matt surface, adding yet another element to the sensory art of bathroom design. “Matt solid-surface options and colours evoke a very

ABOVE A compact copper bath makes the most of a small bathroom. 1500 Petit Bateau bath, from £4,959.60, William Holland; Dornbracht Vaia mixer in Dark Plat Matt, £2,278.20, CP Hart RIGHT Enjoy the panoramic outlook from a double ended bath set in a bay window Lindley cast-iron bath painted in Farrow & Ball’s Cook’s Blue, with Chrome Feet, £1,915, Hurlingham Baths

The success of this bathroom rests on a clever pairing of rustic and modern elements. Eclipse Oval Bath by Antonio Lupi, £7,664; iSpa Freestanding Bath Shower Mixer by Gessi, £2,770, all West One Bathrooms

The steel outer of this bateau bath comes primed, ready to paint. La Rochelle bateau bath, £2,993.75, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Interior design by Samantha Todhunter Design

In this bathroom design, VSP Interiors has set the bath on a plinth to maximise the view. Hampton Classic slipper bath, £3,024, Bathroom City BELOW The matt-finish bath and weathered metal taps create a relaxed ambience in this design by Gunter & Co. Arezzo Bath, £1,199.95, Victorian Plumbing design-led feel, but be sure to reflect on how the bath finish will suit the rest of the scheme,” says Robey. “For example, if there is already a glossy basin, it may be advisable to complement it with a gloss finish for the bath.”

PERFECT POSITION

In many bathrooms there is only one possible location for a bath, but where space and flexibility allow, it can become the room’s most striking feature. Using architecture to frame a bath is effective. Try centring it under a beautiful window or between a pair of windows, in an alcove or before a fireplace. If a bathroom lacks existing features, try tiling a floor-to-ceiling panel behind the bath with metallic mosaics or a ceramic mural.

In an attic bathroom, the area under a sloping ceiling is the ideal place to locate a bath. Provided the head height is sufficient when stepping out of the bath, it puts an otherwise hard-to-use space into play, and lends a sense of intimacy and warmth to the room.

In a small bathroom, clever positioning of a bath can make all the difference. For example, in a tall slender space a regular bath placed lengthways highlights narrow proportions, whereas a smaller raised-leg bath placed widthways creates an illusion of greater floor area and thus space.

Fry offers a useful designer tip: “To make sure a bath fits, use masking tape to map out possible layouts on the floor, moving it around until you arrive at the right one.” n

ABOVE This bath is supplied primed, ready for painting to suit a scheme. Windsor bath in Chadite material, £3,950, Chadder & Co