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Original poster

freestanding or back to wall bath?

24 replies

Geneticsbunny · 27/09/2022 11:37

My gut feeling is that back to wall is more practical but my kids are older so slightly less splashy and I like the look of freestanding baths.
Does anyone have one and are they awful?
Are the ones which are flush to the floor easier to clean around?
Also floor standing or wall mounted taps and spout?

OP posts:
MrsTruss · 27/09/2022 11:38

I find that most are very high to step into and as you get older then that can be a problem.

Ariela · 27/09/2022 11:40

Cleaning around the freestanding is awful, regardless. With a back to wall, you haven't got to get down to eye level to see if you've really cleaned it properly, because it is there in front of you. Much quicker to clean IMO.

HairyFeline · 27/09/2022 11:44

I’ve seen too many horror films involving freestanding bathtubs to ever want one 😂

bath next to the wall and a lock on the door please!

Original poster
Geneticsbunny · 27/09/2022 11:58

@MrsTruss I hadn't considered that. Useful to know as I am not planning or redoing it or moving for a very long time.

OP posts:
Strictlyfanoftenyears · 27/09/2022 13:12

I love our freestanding bath, comfy, looks great. Doesnt feel particularly high. It makes me happy when I go in our bathroom.

OpposableThumbs2 · 27/09/2022 13:19

I hate my freestanding bath with a passion. It was there when we moved in so not my choice. It may be better if it was in the middle of the room but it's in a corner so there is no way to clean behind it.

stuntbubbles · 27/09/2022 13:21

Following with interest as I have a small splashy child, a lust for freestanding baths, and no room for a separate shower. I don’t, however, do any cleaning or care that much so I can scratch that con off the list!

AwkwardPaws27 · 27/09/2022 13:31

Love my freestanding clawfoot bath (it's a small 1500mm Burlington one) - but DS is only 3 months old, so I may live to regret it when he starts splashing a lot.

I have a Eufy robovac that I send underneath to clean the floor, I can also get the microfiber mop thing under there with a bit of angling. I can't really reach all of the tiles behind it but I also can't see them so... meh. Do they need scrubbing if no one sees or touches them? Maybe I'm a slattern for thinking that though...

My only regret is not going for wall mounted taps. I love the Crosswater deck mounted mixer tap but it projects forward further, so it's a little bit in the way when getting in or out.

freestanding or back to wall bath?
Sprig1 · 27/09/2022 13:34

Cleaning around a free standing bath is a real PITA. I would go for one against a wall.

Oddbutnotodd · 27/09/2022 13:37

Against the wall every time. Spiders can get behind and they’re a pain to keep clean. We don’t live in an Instagram world.

sausage767 · 27/09/2022 13:46

I don’t understand the issue about cleaning behind. The head of my cordless Dyson vax slides neatly in the gap, and so does the micro fibre mop.

I think it’s much easier to clean, less tile, grout and silicone to attract mould and mildew.

Freestanding floor tap also.

freestanding or back to wall bath?
SilentHedges · 27/09/2022 15:27

I freestanding bath would actually put me off buying a house, or at the very least I'd be pricing up the cost of removing it and getting a proper bath. I had a bathroom re-fit earlier in the year and really looked into free standing baths and tried a few out, spoke with friends, plus read advice on here. Why I would never want a freestanding bath;

  • You have a choice of your knees or shoulders being cold due to the upright sitting position, which is not comfortable in the way a normal bath is.
  • They look lovely, but where are you going to put your drink, phone, book, toiletries?
  • Use the shower attachment and water goes everywhere
  • A PITA to clean around and under
  • Go cold more quickly

I've got a standard Heritage 1700 bath, and it's super comfortable and does actually what a bath should do.

yikesanotherbooboo · 27/09/2022 15:51

I'm not a fan. I suppose that if it is far enough away from the wall that you can get behind it easily for cleaning and have a shower stall separately two of the problems are mitigated. I just think that they don't really fulfil and good design rules, in other words they are impractical despite looking good.Close ,stylish ,friends are utterly fed up with theirs and is is purely ornamental now.

TattiePants · 27/09/2022 16:20

I’d always choose a freestanding bath if I had space. I’ve had a couple of rolltop baths previously but as we’re all very tall, we now have this one which, at 5ft 11, I can completely submerge in. There’s plenty of space behind to get the hoover/mop so cleaning isn’t an issue.

freestanding or back to wall bath?
SwedishDentist · 27/09/2022 16:46

Is there enough space for room all around the bath - if so, go freestanding. If space is tight, build it in. No one wants a freestanding bath wedged into a tight space collecting dirt behind.

SilentHedges · 27/09/2022 17:01

@TattiePants You have a beautifully styled bathroom, its lovely! However from a practical point of view that bath looks too small to stretch out and the position is so upright it just looks uncomfortable.

AtillatheHun · 27/09/2022 17:04

I’ve just chosen a freestanding one this morning! Was going for the adamsez malmo which looks freestanding but is attached, however I’m getting panelling around the walls so have switched to freestanding. Taps - few freestanding have enough side space for the deck to sit on the bath, and with wall mounted it’s hard to get a shower hose, so I’ve gone for a stand pipe version

TattiePants · 27/09/2022 17:06

SilentHedges · 27/09/2022 17:01

@TattiePants You have a beautifully styled bathroom, its lovely! However from a practical point of view that bath looks too small to stretch out and the position is so upright it just looks uncomfortable.

I'm 5ft 11 and this is probably the biggest bath I've ever been in and isn't upright at all. My DH can testify how comfy it is as I when I disappear for a bath he knows he won't see me again for hours!

ChocolateElephant · 27/09/2022 17:12

They look kind of unfinished imo.

Although I love the room above with the view!

AriettyHomily · 27/09/2022 17:48

I'd have one as long as I still had my cleaner.

Cleopatra67 · 27/09/2022 18:25

I love my freestanding bath. It’s an original Victorian cast iron one from a salvage yard. Looks fabulous, keeps heat in, perfect size and shape for me to be able to read in the bath . It’s not that difficult to clean behind and under at all.

Dannexe · 27/09/2022 18:28

Cleaning nightmare. Hate it.

Although not as much as I hate freestanding baths in bedrooms. I mean just why?

NoDecisionMaker · 27/09/2022 18:28

They look nice but they’re a massive pain in the arse. We had to remove the one we had in our house (it also had floor standing taps that were monumentally annoying) and replace it with a back-to-wall bath which is SO much easier for me, DH and bathing the kids.

DialsMavis · 27/09/2022 18:30

We have a freestanding bath that is sealed into the wall tiles if that makes sense? I love it but when we ordered it I don't realise we would be worried about affording to fill it up 🙄

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