Another bathroom question

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Inspired by another post... I have bought a house with the most gorgeous tiled bathroom. It's fully tiled, all walls, and currently has an ordinary panelled bath, a high-level cistern toilet and big old fashioned sink (this is an 1800s cottage, so it's in keeping).

I'd like to remove the bath and put in a free standing one, which I think would look better with the old fashioned fittings in the rest of the room. But this will obviously mean disrupting the tiles.

Do I a) leave things as they are as the tiles will be impossible to match
b) fit a new bath and retile in different tiles (spoiling the 'look' of the room and being really expensive)
c) fit a freestanding bath and do something else with the bits of wall where the tiles once were (which might look a bit odd)

or d) something else I haven't even thought of.

Opinions (and bear in mind that I'm not made of money...)

e) Do nothing. I hate free standing baths as too much chance of water or soap dropping over the sides. (and cheaper too).

Leave the bath but fit a new panel, eg a tongue and groove style which will look more in keeping with vintage fittings. Changing the taps can have a huge effect too.
There's no point taking out the bath because you feel it doesn't suit the look, if you're going to end up ruining the whole room by taking it out.

If you can't match the tiles then I don't think you can swap to a freestanding tub.

An alternative (expensive) option would be to remove the tiles from a different wall (plastering and painting that whole wall) to free up the tiles to be relocated into position behind the freestanding tub.

But I just don't think it would be worth risking the tiles breaking.

I wouldn't.

I have just redone my bathroom and was so keen on a freestanding bath. I didn't realise how much space they take up.

Even if you have ample space, can you match up those tiles? Otherwise you will need to retile the floor as well.

We've just done our bathroom and I desperately wanted a freestanding bath but good sense won out. We've gone for a fitted bath and made a panel ourselves from reclaimed wood in different colours/textures. It looks rather beautiful and we've saved space and money.

Thank you all SO much! Good advice, and a fabulous idea to panel the bath with reclaimed wood - that sounds excellent and it's what I shall aim to do. I fully admit that I was a bit wooed by the look of the freestanding bath without considering the practicalities.

I shall stick to my 'built in' bath and have a good think about panelling it in something rather nicer than the plywood that is currently coating it!