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Original poster

Japanese soaking tubs / compact baths- any good?

31 replies

Goosegettingfat · 20/01/2017 12:41

I don't want to cramp our new ensuite with a full length bath. Some of these soaking tubs, where you sit upright but with water up to your neck look very chic... anyone with any experience of them?

OP posts:

StillRunningWithScissors · 20/01/2017 12:44

No experience with them, but have wondered about them myself. They look lovely, and as I'm a short arse, I think more comfortable looking than our current tub. It's fairly long, so I need to use tip toes to hold myself up above the water.

Will be interested to see any other posts.

JT05 · 20/01/2017 15:03

Had one in a rented French flat. It was great, all cosy and comfortable to read my book!

Boulshired · 20/01/2017 16:17

our friends holiday home has a spa it felt like an individual

Boulshired · 20/01/2017 16:19

Posted too soon
The soak tub had a spa and felt like an individual hot tub. It was lovely.

KindDogsTail · 20/01/2017 16:19

They sound very interesting. Do you have a link?
You can get smaller sized UK baths too.

pdunne · 20/01/2017 22:55

Ok, and a nice spa type thing, but no replacement for a good lie down in a standard bath for everyday use. They're not so easy to get in and out of if you have older relatives who might use it.

justaweeone · 20/01/2017 22:59

I want one of these
https://www.omnitub.co.uk/buy-original-omnitub-from-omnitub-direct/

Nyancat · 20/01/2017 23:09

They had a similar type thing in the hospital after I had DS, it was the most amazing bath I've ever had and I'm determined to get one when we eventually do up our horrid bathroom.

TimTamTerrier · 20/01/2017 23:30

I have one and I love it to bits. I have an Oronsay. You can get it with jets and lights and stuff, but I just wanted a quiet soak. It's very upright, there are others that are a bit more spread out, Cabuchon also have a range that are quite swish and larger.

The Oronsay wouldn't be great for someone who has very large feet as the footwell is quite compact, and if you had very long legs, especially from the hip to the knee, then it would be too much of a squash and you would need something more like a Minorca.

One thing to be aware of is that if you go for the deepest model then they are very tall and you will need to allow room for steps of some kind. I have three steps and the top one is level with the top of the bath so that I can sit on a towel and swing my legs over the edge. The smaller ones would be easier to get in and out of, but then the water might not come up as high as you want it to.

IRegretNothing · 20/01/2017 23:35

Ooh, I want one of these!! Does anyone know how comfortable they are for ahem, fuller figured persons?
And does anyone have one of these with young kids? Are they still comfortable when part filled?

TimTamTerrier · 20/01/2017 23:35

This is my bath, and the steps. The bottom two steps are drawers so they're quite useful for storage.

Japanese soaking tubs / compact baths- any good?

illegitimateMortificadospawn · 20/01/2017 23:37

I had a tub like that oronsay in a student house years ago, although roomy. Sometimes I'd sit in the footwell with my legs up on the seat, hot water up to my neck. It was great. I think the immersion beats being able to lie down in the bath any day.

TimTamTerrier · 20/01/2017 23:39

I'm a size 18 with a big apple tummy IRegret and I find it comfortable. You do need to be able to sit with your knees fairly close to your body in my bath though. There is a low seat in there, but it's like sitting on a child's chair when your kids are in reception. The deep water is very supportive though, the upright posture suits my back and it's relaxing. I usually spend about 45 mins in the bath and come out feeling great.

IRegretNothing · 20/01/2017 23:46

timtam your bathroom looks beautiful! Thanks for the advice, dh and I both like the idea of one. I'm wide and v short, he's tall (6ft4) and thin so quite a challenge finding furniture that's perfect for both of us!

TimTamTerrier · 20/01/2017 23:53

If he's 6ft4 then I think you might need something longer than an Oronsay, maybe the Islay. I just think that when he sits down in the Oronsay, even with his hips all the way to the back of the seat his knees might hit the front of the tub. Our previous au pair, who was here when the bath was installed, is 6ft4 and built like a brick shithouse, and he didn't think he would be able to fit comfortably in my bath.

witchmountain · 22/01/2017 21:12

I want one of these as well. I went to the Omnitub factory so I could sit in one and it was comfortable.

Albion Bathrooms also do some shorter deeper baths which are beautiful and comfortable, but more expensive. www.albionbathco.com/
In the Tubby Too and the Tubby Torre 1400 I could get my legs completely straight - I'm 5' 9".

If you're going to need a shower over it just think about whether you'd rather have a flat bottom than a footwell type one.

Agree about elderly relatives using them though - I think it's doable with steps and something to hold onto, but it's not like stepping into a normal bath!

Original poster

Goosegettingfat · 26/01/2017 20:32

Brilliant everyone, thanks. I'm going to have a good look over these links. Has anyone had any difficulties with floor strength? I wondered if the concentration of water on one small area meant the floor needed to be extra strong... is that a stupid question??

OP posts:

witchmountain · 26/01/2017 22:13

I think they are still loads lighter than something like a cast iron bath. I haven't come across anything about potential problems anyway.

Meant to say, measure all the doors it would need to be carried through. A normal depth bath is so shallow it will go through a doorway on its side no problem, but a really deep one may not, in which case the width of the bath needs to be less than the width of the door frames. It turned out to be a limiting factor for me.

Storminafeecup · 08/03/2017 20:12

I have had an omnitub duo for about five years. I would never buy a different tub now. It's so comfy to sit in. The water comes up to my chin while I sit up but I can also slink down a bit with my knees drawn up too. I read books in the bath and this is so much more comfy than lying down to read.
I have a DD aged 2 and it's a terrific bath for her. He can't easily climb out and she loves splashing about without it making a mess because of the higher sides.
The omnitubs have flat bottoms unlike some other small baths that have a seat and in my opinion it gives a better experience as an adult and for my child.
I have whirlpool jets in mine and it's terrific. I really couldn't recommend it enough especially if you have a small space like I do.
If I ever move I would get this bath again.

Chipsandonionrings · 09/03/2017 17:37

I found out about these on here and have been mentally reconfiguring my bathroom ever since. When we moved in the bathroom was recently done so can't justify/ afford, ripping it out and starting again damn it! But when that day comes I know what is first in the my list.

Jacqstar · 26/08/2017 14:28

Have just picked up this thread if you're all still out there - TimTamTerrier your bathroom is gorgeous. I'm hoping to redec mine in the flat I am buying. Did you have to have your floor strengthened? Cheeky but I'd love to show my carpenter photos of your bath with steps etc - are you able to send me any?

Yolliedolly · 26/04/2018 15:30

TimTamTerrier I am at the research stage having decided that this type of bath is definitely the way forward for me! Can I ask how tall you are and when you sit in your oronsay does the water cover your shoulders? Also, if it is not too cheeky to ask, I would be really interested to see how your shower backs on to the bath - do you have a screen there. I like how the top step is something you can sit on and swing yourself round. Currently my decision is between an oronsay (Essential bathing) and omnitubsolo plus and a Showa or Tancho (bathroom express).
Anyone in London with one of these who would be willing to let me see it - I'd really appreciate it!

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 26/04/2018 19:54

Hi Yolliedolly, I'm TimTamTerrier and too lazy to name change.

I've put on a photo of the shower and bath when they were first installed, I'm not sure if you've seen it before or not. There's no screen between the shower and the bath, mostly because it just looks better, but also so that I can use the shower to rinse the bath and therefore don't need a shower head in the bath. There's not issue with water getting where it shouldn't really, the wood panel at the back does get water on it, mostly because my shower gel sits there so water drips off my hands when I reach for the gel. The wood has been treated, I think with the same process that wooden decks on boats are treated, and so far there is no damage to the wood. I just dry it off a bit after my shower, but the DC don't do that so it does sit with damp on it for a while and it's been fine. I love the look of the wood finish, but it would also work fine with composite kitchen counter or tiles. The reason it's there at all is because the bath has been moved forward to line up with the edge of the shower. If I'd gone for a smaller shower tray then the bath could have been fitted flush to the wall.

U3A17 · 18/07/2018 22:16

We've had two. Omnitub solo is 1050 X 750 and they're wonderful. We're about to take the old disgusting bath out of a house we've bought and put yet another in. They fit in small bathrooms and are a joy. Do it!

Igletpiglet · 01/10/2018 01:07

What did you go for in the end goose ? Did deep Soak beat stretching out? I am also looking at these mainly omnitub but including Bette pool.
I would be so interested to hear about anyone else’s soaking tub - did you need a special fitter or did you use a regular plumber. Do you miss your old bath?
Now to find somewhere in Hampshire that I can sit in an omnitub! X
Thanks x

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