Freestanding baths are a perfect way to bring style into your bathroom design using sanitaryware. Saville Jocobson from leading tile and sanitaryware supplier, Bathroom Bizarre, explains how freestanding baths can add a stylish touch to any bathroom space.
Classic chic
“Ball-and-claw baths were the height of luxury during the early 1900s, and have recently made a huge comeback,” says Saville. The ball-and-claw bath resonates classic luxury, and it remains the perfect addition to any classically styled bathroom space – with its unique shape and iconic ball-and-claw feet, it easily adds a timeless elegance.
In the past, ball-and-claw baths were made entirely out of cast iron, which made them exceptionally heavy and it is a material that doesn’t hold heat very well, so bath water would get cold relatively quickly. Today, Saville explains, that ball-and-claw baths are made from acrylic, which holds heat exceptionally well, doesn’t scratch easily, is lightweight and really easy to clean and maintain. He says that the ball-and-claw feet on these modern replicas are usually made out of aluminium, as it doesn’t tarnish or rust – and they can be chosen in a silver metallic tone, such as the Monticarlo bath form Bathroom Bizarre, or alternatively sprayed white to match the bathtub for a more understated look, such as the Richmond bath from Bathroom Bizarre for example.
“The ball-and-claw free-standing bath will no doubt shine as the main design aspect in any space in which it is featured. It is ideally suited to classical architectural styles, such Victorian or Georgian styles for example, but it can also be paired with more modern fittings for a striking juxtaposition,” explains Saville.
If ball-and-claw baths are not for you, freestanding slipper or skirted baths are also a great choice for adding some classical inspiration into your bathroom space. Examples of these kinds of baths include the Marlborough, York or the Boston freestanding baths from Bathroom Bizarre. Not only do they pair exceptionally well with the classic style, but they also have a streamlined modern undertone that brings the bathroom design into the present day.
Modern and minimalist
“Spa-styled bathrooms are a huge influence in contemporary bathroom design, and it is no wonder why – they are designed to create a spa-like retreat in the home that exudes a sense of optimal luxury and calm. In line with the clean lines and the streamlined, unfussy design ethos of this style, contemporary free-standing baths can be used to great effect to serve as a stand-alone feature in these rooms,” says Saville. To complement a contemporary bathroom space, be sure to choose a freestanding bath with a unique, yet inviting and practical shape – after all, functionality is key. Freestanding baths such as the Napoli or the Ios bathtubs from Bathroom Bizarre are ideal for these kinds of applications.
Freestanding baths can be placed independently from the walls of the room, which can create the illusion of spaciousness. Pairing a white freestanding bath with dark tiling and cabinets for example, can create an eye catching and dramatic composition for any contemporary bathroom space. Monochromatic colour palettes are also very popular in contemporary bathroom design, and since freestanding baths often boast visually interesting sculptural forms, they can be used to add a sense of bold design and added visual interest to these rooms.
Eastern inspiration
“The clean lines inherent in many free-standing baths can give them a Zen-type flavour, which when incorporated with details such as a partial wooden base for example, can give them a truly Oriental flair, as seen in the Munich, Memphis or Venice II baths from Bathroom Bizarre for example,” notes Saville. The quintessential Oriental style is all about clean lines and open spaces, which is why freestanding baths complement this style so well, especially with the addition of a natural element such as wood.
Alternatively, you can choose a freestanding bath in plain acrylic or composite stone resin for an Eastern bathroom design. The variety of styles that free-standing baths can be found in range from both very geometric, such as the Ravello bath for example, which boasts a shape reminiscent to Japanese crockery; to designs that boast softer, more organic shapes, such as the Moloko bath from Bathroom Bizarre for example – both these extremes pair well with Oriental styles. What’s more, is that free-standing baths are very flexible when it comes to placement, which allows the bathroom space to be utilised as efficiently as possible, which is in keeping with the traditional Oriental design ethos.
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