The Ultimate Freestanding Bath Buying Guide

Choosing the perfect freestanding bath is a key step in designing a stylish and functional bathroom. In this freestanding bath buying guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Whether you’re renovating an outdated space or building a brand-new home, freestanding baths are a contemporary and versatile choice that can transform your bathroom into a luxurious retreat.

A freestanding bath doesn’t just elevate your bathroom’s aesthetics—it creates a space for relaxation and unwinding. However, with the sheer range of styles, sizes, and designs available, selecting the right one can be daunting. That’s why we’ve created this guide to simplify the process and help you find a freestanding bath that suits your lifestyle, space, and design preferences.

From plumbing requirements to positioning, style, size, and accessories, this guide covers all the important factors to consider when buying a freestanding bath. Let’s get started!

Freestanding Bath Positioning

The first thing you need to do before you even consider buying a freestanding bath in Perth is to determine the positioning of the bath in your new bathroom. Know that the positioning is important because certain types of freestanding baths are designed to be positioned against a wall or in the corner of a room, as opposed to being in the middle of a room or away from walls. One example is our new Madrid Back to the Wall Corner Bath.

As stated above, freestanding baths are best positioned in one of three locations:

• against a wall,
• in the corner of a room, or
• the middle of a room / away from walls

You will know which position is best for you by creating a bathroom floor plan/bathroom layout. If you’re building a new house, you can refer to your house plans, which will have this set out for you. If you’re planning a bathroom renovation and haven’t yet decided on the layout of your bathroom, then start with the room’s dimensions, and include the shower, vanity, and toilet to reveal how much space you have left for a freestanding bath. You can then play around with the positioning and size of each fixture till you settle on the most functional and practical layout.

If you have a spacious bathroom, consider positioning the freestanding bath away from the walls as a feature. Otherwise, see which position works best in your space, against a wall or in the corner of the room.

My earlier article, How to Design the Bathroom of Your Dreams, may also assist you in planning your bathroom layout.

Freestanding Bath Plumbing Requirements

Once you have finalised your bathroom floor plan and know the positioning of your freestanding bath, you then have to consider the plumbing requirements, primarily the location of the spout and waste.  We will discuss spouts more in the Freestanding Bath Tapware section, but there are mainly two considerations, which we’ll touch on here; wall-mounted bath spout and a floor-mounted spout.

If you opt to position your freestanding bath away from walls, you will need a freestanding bath spout. Thus, the plumbing for the spout will need to come through the floor. However, if you are positioning your bath against a wall or in the corner of the room, you can choose between a wall-mounted spout or a freestanding bath spout – it just depends on which you prefer, your budget, and which offers the best use of space.

If you’re renovating an existing bathroom, you may be considering leaving your plumbing where it currently is to reduce costs, in which case, you can skip this section and continue reading about Freestanding Bath Types. However, if you’re renovation means changing your bathroom layout, you have to factor in the plumbing requirements. You will need to consider your subfloor – if it’s a concrete slab, this can cause additional problems and costs. If you have a raised floor with crawl space beneath your home as I do, then changing plumbing isn’t that difficult. It’s about the same amount of work as plumbing in a new bathroom.

Freestanding Bath Types

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of freestanding baths. While they are all self-supported, meaning they don’t have to be supported by a frame (like insert baths), they each differ in terms of where they are best positioned.

• If your bath is positioned against a wall, a Back-To-The-Wall bath or Standard Freestanding Bath is suitable.
• If your bath is positioned in a corner, a Standard Freestanding Bath is best suited
• If your bath is positioned in the middle of a room / away from walls, a Standard or Claw Foot Freestanding Bath is suitable.

Standard Freestanding Baths

Standard Freestanding Baths are, by far, the most popular and common type of freestanding bath, which is why we have such a variety of them in our Freestanding Baths range.

Their popularity stems from their flexibility. As you can see from the list above, Standard Freestanding Baths can be positioned anywhere in a bathroom; against a wall, in a corner, or in the middle of a bathroom – they look great in any location.

Their flexibility is due to the many shapes in which they are available. They can be oval, oval with raised ends, egg-shaped, rectangular with rounded corners, rectangular with squared corners, round; the list goes on.

In terms of placement, Rectangular Standard Freestanding Baths are best for corner locations. Round Standard Freestanding Baths are best positioned in the middle of a room, away from walls. The other shapes are suitable for any location.

Back-To-The-Wall Freestanding Baths

Back-To-The-Wall Freestanding Baths are another popular choice, which is why we also have some of these baths in our Freestanding Baths range. Their back-to-the-wall design makes them the ideal choice for baths positioned against a wall.

They are shaped like a ‘D’ on the outside – with a flat back and rounded front corners. The straight back edge fits flush against a wall to provide a nice, clean finish. Whilst the outside is shaped like a ‘D’, the inside can be oval, rectangular with rounded corners, rectangular with squared corners, etc., as you will see in our Rio (rectangular) and Morocco (oval) baths.

Claw Foot Freestanding Baths

There’s nothing more formal, more elegant, or more regal than a traditional Victorian-inspired Claw Foot Freestanding Bath. Characterised by their claw-like feet, Claw Foot Freestanding Bath’s don’t have an internal frame and feet like other types of freestanding baths. Instead, they are supported solely by their claw feet.

Claw Foot Freestanding Baths make a stunning statement; however, they don’t suit modern homes. They’re best suited in traditional homes or contemporary homes with traditional design influences. And while you can technically position them anywhere in a bathroom, they offer the biggest ‘wow-factor positioned away from walls in the middle of a bathroom.

Freestanding Bath Size

Freestanding baths come in a range of sizes to fit bathrooms of all sizes. You no longer have to have a large bathroom to be able to include a freestanding bath in your bathroom design. With the types of baths listed above, you will find the perfect fit for your space, regardless of positioning.

Common sizes of freestanding baths are 130cm, 150cm, 160cm, 170cm; however, they will likely differ depending on the type and model. It is possible to find freestanding baths in Perth smaller than 130cm and larger than 180cm; however, they are scarce. Most baths in our Freestanding Baths range are 130cm, 150cm, or 170cm in length.

Materials and Styles of Freestanding Baths

When it comes to freestanding baths, there are many different materials and styles to choose from. The most common materials used in freestanding baths are acrylic, cast iron, and stone. Each material has its own unique qualities that make it ideal for certain settings. For example, freestanding acrylic baths provide a lightweight option that is easy to install, while cast iron and stone give a more traditional look that will stand the test of time.

Additionally, freestanding baths come in many different styles. From contemporary designs to classic clawfoot tubs, you can choose from plenty of options when selecting your perfect bathtub. It all depends on your personal preferences and the overall design of your bathroom.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our freestanding baths are made from acrylic, so they are lightweight and easy to install. In terms of style, our range is very modern but lends well to any design style, whether it be contemporary, classic or anything in between! A great example of our range is the Matador Back to the Wall Freestanding Bath, a back-to-the-wall type.

Freestanding Bath Tapware

To complete a freestanding bath installation, you need some type of faucet to facilitate water flow. As mentioned earlier, there are two main options; a wall-mounted bath spout and a floor-mounted spout.

Wall-Mounted Bath Spouts

Wall-mounted bath spouts are the most typical choice because freestanding baths are more commonly positioned against a wall than in the middle of a room. Wall-mounted bath spouts are also much cheaper than floor-mounted spouts. However, floor-mounted spouts are also suitable for baths positioned against a wall or in a corner.

Today, there are many options for wall-mounted bath spouts; there are traditional three-piece sets with turn assembles and a spout, or the more modern option of having a separate spout and mixer or a joint wall mixer set that comprises a spout and mixer combined. There’s also a selection of spout options, including fixed spouts, swivel spouts, cascade spouts, and waterfall spouts.

Floor-Mounted Spouts

Floor-mounted spouts, as mentioned, are suitable for any bath in any position, but they’re a necessity for baths positioned away from a wall, such as those in the middle of the room, which has no wall support to mount a standard bath tap.

They are seen as a luxury accessory due to their opulence. Striking in design, floor-mounted spouts add another level of ‘wow’ to a freestanding bath. In addition to facilitating water flow, some floor-mounted spouts can provide extra practicality that wall-mounted fixtures cannot.

There are three types of floor-mounted spouts;

• standard freestanding spouts, which don’t include a mixer and therefore are suitable for baths positioned by a wall;
• freestanding bath mixers, which feature a built-in mixer, and
• freestanding bath mixers with a hand shower, which provide the added practicality mentioned above.

Our stunning freestanding bath mixers and freestanding bath mixers with hand showers are ideal for baths positioned in the middle of a room or away from a wall, as they don’t need a wall to support a separate mixer. Freestanding bath mixers with hand showers are the ultimate freestanding bath accessory. Not only do they look luxurious, but the addition of the hand shower makes for a more enjoyable bathing experience.

View our range of bath mixers, spouts, and freestanding bath mixers.

Choosing the perfect freestanding bath involves considering style, size, and functionality. With so many options available, this guide will help you make an informed choice. For more insights and inspiration on freestanding baths, explore these related articles:

• Top 10 Benefits of Freestanding Baths
• Revamp Your Bathroom with the Elegance of Freestanding Baths in Perth
• Pros and Cons of Free-Standing Baths
• 3 Benefits of Freestanding Baths over Insert Baths
• How to Incorporate a Freestanding Bath in a Small Bathroom

Conclusion

Including a freestanding bath in any bathroom, new or renovated, is an excellent idea. However, it’s important to consider all factors to ensure you buy the best-suited bath for your bathroom design and personal needs.

Thankfully, with the range of freestanding bath types and sizes available today, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect bath for your space.

Simply start by deciding where your bath will be positioned in your bathroom floor plan. Generally, a freestanding bath will be posited against a wall, in a corner or away from walls in the middle of a room. You also have to factor in the plumbing requirements to ensure your chosen location is doable. This is really only a concern in renovations where the bath and other plumbing fixtures are moved.

With your position finalised, you can then start to shop for freestanding baths in Perth. Look at which type of freestanding bath best suits the position you decide. There are Standard Freestanding Baths, Back-To-The-Wall Freestanding Baths, And Claw Foot Freestanding Baths. Standard Freestanding Baths can be positioned anywhere, while Back-To-The-Wall Freestanding Baths are designed for wall installation, and Claw Foot Freestanding Baths look best in the middle of a room. Unsure which type is best for you? read our post, Benefits of Back to Wall Baths Over Freestanding Baths – you may find the benefits surprising!

Once you know what type of bath is best for your position, you can choose the size based on your bathroom floor plan and your tapware based on your bath’s position and your needs and budget.

For the best freestanding baths Perth has to offer, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre. We have a large range of baths, all available at the lowest possible prices.

View Our Freestanding Baths