Freestanding bath: a buyer’s guide

Nothing demonstrates luxury within a bathroom more than a freestanding bath. Evoking thoughts of luxury five star hotels, indulging in mid-afternoon soaks complete with plenty of bubbles and a good book, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t dreamed of a freestanding bath in their home.

This guide to a freestanding bath will answer the most common questions to ensure you make an informed decision. We’ve also curated a guide to the best options on the market to suit every budget. Bathroom renovation 2025 pending!

How to fit a freestanding bath

It’s always daunting fitting something new into your bathroom, but its really a simple process.

Before beginning the installation you’ll need to make sure that it fits in the space and you have space for the waste pipe. Once you have made sure you have everything on your bath-fitting checklist, you can place the bath in the desired spot.

Then, tip the bath onto its front and fit the foot assembly, and adjust the feet height to the panel and fit sprung clips to bath rebate.

Check that the bath is level at several points, then connect the overflow and trap assembly instructions. You’ll then need to connect the waste pipe, the best option is usually to use a flexible plastic waste pipe for this.

Afterwards you’ll need to connect the bath shower mixer tap and turn on the water to check for any potential leaks.

Are freestanding baths a good idea?

Both freestanding baths and built-in baths offer their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what you’d like in your bathroom. It also depends on the layout and space you have available and your budget.

Freestanding baths require a larger bathroom space, especially if you’re wanting to have a separate shower in there, too. Similarly, it is usually cheaper to have a built-in bath. However, this means are then committing to that being the layout of the space rather than being able to place it where you’d like.

If you’re prioritising design flexibility and visual appeal, a freestanding bath is probably the better choice for you.

Are freestanding baths fixed to the floor?

Unlike traditional baths, which are usually secured to the wall or a built-in enclosure, a freestanding bath rests independently. They are typically placed away from the walls in the centre of the room.

This means you have greater flexibility in terms of your bathroom layout and design, so therefore can arrange the bath as you wish within the space. However, you must ensure that the bath you purchase is stable as they aren’t anchored by nearby structures.

The baths weight, especially when full of water, helps it to remain steady, but the possibility of slight movement means that positioning and levelling is essential.

The material its made from has a big impact. For example, a copper bath will provide sufficient grounding, if installed correctly; however a lightweight bath you may want to secure in some way to prevent unwanted shifts or tilts.

If you opt for a clawfoot bath, they can be tricky to secure to the floor without ruining the aesthetic, which is arguably the point. In contrast, a pedestal bath may have space underneath to easily hide fixtures of adhesive pads.

Can I put a freestanding bath in a wet room?

Yes, it is possible to place a freestanding bath in a wet room. However, it isn’t always recommended because wet rooms are mainly designed for use with a shower, rather than a bath.

When you consider how a wet room is designed, how it is drained, baths are not the most suitable options. Wet rooms usually contain a drain in the floor of the room, and the floor is sloped in such a way that water can drain away easily.

If you do decide to install your freestanding bath within your wet room, we would recommend consulting a plumber to discuss whether it will work within your space. It is likely that the plumber would need to install a separate drain and plumbing for the bath that drains the water from the wet room, rather than the floor drain. This would prevent potential flooding.

This is a point we would certainly consider seeking professional advice on.

Can you have a freestanding bath with a shower?

When you’ve got a freestanding bath, it can be difficult to find a shower solution to fit. But you don’t need to install a separate cubicle

Yes, it is possible to place a shower over a freestanding bath. The key is enclosing the space around it to prevent any splashing. It can be tricky to find a shower solution that will fit, but you don’t need to install a separate cubicle.

The most suitable bath options to use with a shower are P-shaped, L-shaped or standard baths. While a shower can technically be installed above any type of bath, these three options will provide the smoothest installation process.

We would recommend consulting a plumber or speaking with an expert where you are purchasing your fixtures to discuss the best options.

How do freestanding baths drain?

As with a typical bath, you take the plug out when you’re ready to get out, and let the water drain away. But where does it go?

The answer to this lies in the fitting of the freestanding bath. Once you have positioned and placed the bath where you want it to go, you will connect the flexible waste hose to the waste pipe. Then, push the plug to seal the drain and add enough cold water to cover the bottom of the bath.

Next, push the plug to unseal the drain and check the waste connections for any leaks. If there have been any, check and seal them, and then refill the bath to halfway and repeat the leak test. Drain the bath, to make sure you’re sorted, and check and seal once again and repeat the process. Once no leaks are appearing, you’re sorted.

Let’s shop for: a freestanding bath

Love the idea of a luxury, hotel-inspired bathroom of your own? Get inspired with these swoon-worthy purchases for every budget…

1. Vermont Blossom

This beautiful stone bath in blossom pink is truly stunning. The soft pink will enhance the serene and elegance of your space, making it the best choice for creating your own little sanctuary.

On a technical level, the waste pipe is included in chrome and it also has built-in overflow. The Vermont Blossom also retains water temperature, which is great for those of us who enjoy an elongated soak. Nôsa also offer lifetime guarantee on their products, so if you have any issues you have a direct contact to assist.

• Vermont Blossom Freestanding Stone Bath 1700mm, £1,347 from Nôsa – buy here

2. Muse Travertine Freestanding Bath

For those with a bigger budget, and wanting something even more striking, a travertine marble bath might be the one for you.

Flawless and unique, the travertine stone is a superior material used in design since Ancient Rome. It’s high-end, offering understated elegance, with a handcrafted, honed finish to the exterior, which offers a super silk touch

The organic texture, delicate veining and earthy tone make it truly desirable. Complete the look with an opulent brushed fold floor standing bath tap.

These are handcrafted by the brand’s on-site stonemason, so they can take longer to produce and prices can fluctuate. All are correct at time of writing.

• Muse Travertine Freestanding Bath 1700mm, £13,697 from Lusso – buy here

3. Delicata Bath in Matt White

This stunning sloped bath tub is ideal for long soaks as it lends itself to leaning back and relaxing.

It’s slightly smaller than other options on the market, so works well if you don’t have quite as much space to work with. The matte white will go with any colour scheme, and oozes elegance with its sleek matte finish.

• Delicata Freestanding Bath matte white 1520 x 715, £4,230 – buy here

4. Earl Black 1750 Double Ended Roll Top Slipper Bath

Get the luxury feel at a purse-friendly price point with this Earl black classical slipper bath.

It’s a stunning double-ended roll top with traditional matte black feet. This bath is the perfect centrepiece for a traditional bathroom, made with double-skinned acrylic with a superb surface finish.

It’s important to note that the bath taps and waste for this are sold separately.

• Earl Black 1750 Double Ended Roll Top Slipper Bath + Matt Black Leg Set, £499.95  from Victoria Plumbing – buy here

5. Haze Baths of Ashbourne

Designed to complement any modern or period style bathroom, the Haze bath is really special. It comes in an amazing 114 different colours, so you can secure an option that fits perfectly with the scheme you have in mind.

Choose from a chrome, white or black waste kit for an extra £89.95 and ensure a hassle-free smooth installation of your new tub.

• Haze 1700mm freestanding bath, £2,695 from Waters Baths – buy here

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