Between the biting cold of the outside world and the internal bustle that comes with the holiday seasons, we all need something nice to escape to. It’s time to immerse yourself in the glorious idea of a master bathroom remodel. Picture it with us: It’s the day after Thanksgiving, the family is gone, and the kids are griping about eating leftovers for the (*take a moment to gasp*) second night in a row. You’re feeling wiped out. What’s going to make that a little better? We think the answer could be found between a few candles... in a bubbly tub... with a glass of wine. And alright already, we’ll concede we’ve written about bathroom remodels and renovations a few times on our blog.
You could say we’re a little obsessed. We wrote about bathrooms for National Toilet Paper Day, as a potential host to your future wet room and creating a spa oasis inside your home. But listen, our obsession is warranted! Bathrooms are sacred chambers where people must leave you alone, assuming they subscribe to social decorum. It’s simply uncivilized to disturb people in the loo! This go around we are honing in on tubs, and not just any tubs, but the hottest tubs (both literally and figuratively) on the market. Did you know there are several different types of tubs? And within each type there’s about a million and a half options? No worries, we’ve poured (hehe) over tubs for hours and hours to find top tier tubs.
*Friendly Disclaimer! Maverick Home Remodeling, Inc. would love to renew your bathroom, but cannot guarantee the availability of any tub listed below. If not available, our suppliers will source a comparable model to fit your desires. The following tubs are ranked for their aesthetics, luxury and opulence, and provide the inspiration for your own bathroom vision! So now, let’s dream on...
Freestanding Tubs
A freestanding bathtub, also known as a vessel tub, will not have feet or a platform to support it. All four sides of the tub are visible, and there is a wide variety of shapes and sizes including: single slipper, double slipper, double-ended, single-ended and more. These are great for smaller bathrooms because they can come in tiny sizes without sparing luxury. They can serve a bit of artistic flair as easily as any piece of furniture could for a space, too. Without further ado, our choice for number one is the… 67 in. Freestanding Soaking Bathtub with Light.
So, we’re not going to lie, the deciding factor was the use of the word “chromotherapy” in the product description. It just sounds so… lavish. It means that there are lights below the tub with wireless remote control for the light’s brightness, color and gradient between colors. Additionally, the tub is highly durable and built from acrylic and reinforced with fiberglass. The tub has an ergonomic design, modern features, and comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Our runner-up is the 67 in. Retford Acrylic Freestanding Tub. This tub is a lovely blend of contemporary design and functionality. There are cubbies in the tub wall for storing frequently used soaps, candles or whatever you need. A really tiny bottle of wine could fit here too… we’re just saying.
Walk-In Tubs
It’s pretty much what it sounds like. Walk-in tubs allow a person to enter without the hazards of stepping over a wall and slipping or falling. These tubs come with pros and cons that are worth running through. For the pros, it should be noted that this tub is great for aging-in-place, accommodating to disabled individuals, and is a unique feature to your home. The cons are that the door can leak or flood your bathroom if not attached properly, and tub fill and drain times are longer than other tubs because you have to be inside of the tub for the whole of the process. So long as you don’t mind a lengthy dip and get professionals to install the door, a walk-in tub is a dream! And our winner is… Monaco Hydro+Air Acrylic Outward Swing Door.
It comes with an excellent fast drain, which helps cut down on that wait time we talked about earlier. Ella’s drainage technology works with gravity and uses dual drains. The 3-latch door, which increases the strength of the door’s watertight seal, decreases the chances of flooding we also mentioned earlier. Effectively, it takes away the cons of the average walk-in. That’s not even mentioning the 4 adjustable foot jets and double calf jets. Yes, please! That’s gonna knock out any holiday stress you might be carrying in those stems. No runner up, for this round. It’s that good
Clawfoot Tubs
We cheated, okay? Before you call us out, we know that Clawfoot tubs are also Freestanding tubs. But they have a cute vintage look, so we want to give them their own category. Clawfoot tubs hearken back to a time before smartphones, the internet or even mass produced vehicles. This style of tub was popularized in the late 19th century as a “mark of social standing and luxury”, and they surged in popularity again for the similar reason during World War I because of a metal shortage. Nothing says glamour like using rationed materials for long, relaxing soaks.
Honestly, clawfoot tubs still give off that sort of appeal. They’re the kind of tub that would pair well with a fainting couch, smelling salts and hoop-skirts. Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for, our winner is… the Arsenic Green & Matte Black Antique Inspired Edwardian Cast Iron Clawfoot Bathtub. The glossy exterior, porcelain enamel finish and Victorian Era style are a beautiful combination.
There is an odd history about the word choice of “Arsenic green” for this tub; the designers likely named the tub this because green was an incredibly popular color in the Victorian Era. The color was made with the deadly poison arsenic. Back then, it was called “Paris Green.” Runner up in the category of clawfoot tub goes to this Mexican Copper Bathtub, Hand Hammered Claw Foot. It looks like it would come with a cigar. Very, very posh, in our opinion.
Japanese Soaking Tubs
A Japanese Soaking tub, or Furo tub, are small, deep baths that have a bench seat built into the interior of the tub. Of all the types of tubs, this one might have the widest variety possible. They can have jets, be inflatable or extremely elegant and custom made. Japanese style tubs are catching on in a big way—even Bette Midler has one.
It’s pretty easy to understand why, too. These tubs are recommended for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, back and neck pain and more. They’re even believed to boost immune systems! The intended purpose of these tubs is less bathing and more relaxing and rejuvenating. Once, long ago, all of these tubs were made from fragrant cypress wood, which was the same wood used to build some traditional temples in Japan.
So this tub deserves your full attention. Our personal favorite is… this $40 Foldable, Free standing tub. The pillow is included and it comes in a flamingo print! Just kidding. It is this 60 in. Watson Double-Wall Hand-Polished. Ahhh, what a beauty. Let’s go back to the image we were conjuring at the beginning of this blog, shall we? The wine and candles are back. And because this tub is a two-seater, you can pick someone to join you for this relaxing soak. We’re picking Ryan Reynolds (sorry Mrs. Reynolds!). Isn’t that just about the most lovely unwind of all time?
Custom Tub
A bonus tub round! This one isn’t technically a type of tub, but it is a chance for us to talk about the incredible, jaw-dropping tubs designed by NK Woodworking Design. They have been featured in Best of houzz, The Seattle Times Pacific NW Magazine, and Mountain Living. And our winner from their exceptional body of work is the Round Walnut bath, pictured below.
That woman is living her best life—and We. Want. In. This beauty, and all tubs and furniture designed by NK Woodworking Design, are made of wood, maintenance-free and completely waterproof. All the wood used to design these tubs is sustainable and domestically harvested. If it looks this good and it does zero permanent damage to our planet, why not support such a great cause while bathing in luxury?!?
If having a relaxing bath sounds like a remedy to the chilly nights and holiday madness to come, then we encourage you to get in touch with us. Our team at Maverick Home Remodeling, Inc. would love to help you select and install the perfect tub for your new sanctuary! Contact us below to discuss your bathroom remodeling opportunities.
