Cityscape Bliss // UK lifestyle blog based in Birmingham: Top tips for finding your perfect bathtub

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who (not so) secretly dreams about furnishing & decorating their first home well before having even saved up for the deposit. My Pinterest (browse all 20,000 pictures here, oops!) is overflowing with photographs of the most stunning interiors - be it cosy bedrooms with dark saturated walls and large banana plants in larger than the life belly baskets, kitchens that look like antique markets rather than cooking & dining facilities or colourfully tiled bathrooms with tasseled towels spread across a wooden ladder which is carefully adorned by twinkly lights. If you gave me a pen & paper I could draw the whole house with every single detail in it right now. But dreaming is one thing and actually refurbishing your first house is another thing. Today we have John here who will be helping you with the latter. This article is not just for those who are currently working on their first home - it's for anyone who's doing a refurb of their bathrooms - or you know, just fancies sprucing up the space with a new fancy bathtub number!

Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have & please leave questions below for John(or me - if they are slightly less technical) to answer!

When shopping for bathtubs, it can be a daunting task to wade through the huge variety of different styles and sizes on the market, and find the perfect option to suit your bathroom design. As such, we’ve compiled a shortlist of key tips that will remove the stress from finding your ideal bath. Far removed from an area in which to simply shape up and prepare for the day ahead, the bathroom is now seen as a space in which to unwind and relax after a long, stressful day. The bathtub will typically represent the focal point of a modern bathroom, and providing you make the right choice, can add a definite sense of glamour and luxury to your space. From standard freestanding designs to elegant clawfoot tubs, spa-like whirlpool tubs and a whole host of other options, there’s sure to be a bathtub out there that matches up with your specific preferences and requirements.

🛁 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR BATHTUB
Prior to choosing your bathtub, you’ll need to perform careful research; it is likely to be an expensive, permanent purchase. You should also set yourself a budget to adhere to, as you could encounter greatly contrasting prices depending on style, size and material. Furthermore, it is imperative to take accurate measurements of your available bathroom space to remove the possibility of making costly mistakes. Think about the way you prefer to bathe too – are you a whirlpool massage enthusiast or would you rather enjoy a long relaxing soak? Once you’ve answered questions like this, you can begin to whittle down your available bathtub options and start selecting the right type of accessories and fixtures that will meet your needs. If you’re shopping for a bathtub that will be used by the entire family, including young children, a large, practical design is an advisable choice – it will allow you to easily wash the kids and also feature adequate space in which they can play. Also consider whether your tub will be used as a showering space too, as you may need to fit a shower curtain or glass screen to protect the bathroom floor from excess water. The overall theme or style of your bathroom should also partly dictate which type of bathtub you opt for – the likes of claw-footed tubs are particularly well suited to traditional bathrooms, for example, whilst contemporary freestanding baths are a better choice for modern spaces.

🛁 THE BEST BATHTUB MATERIALS
Acrylic
Probably the most popular material on the market, acrylic is easy to mold, easy to clean and extremely durable. Offering a great high gloss look and resistant to scratches, acrylic tubs are available in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, and typically fall into the mid-price range.

Fibreglass
Fibreglass is another lightweight material that is easy to mold, and represents the most affordable option on offer. However, a major disadvantage of fiberglass is its propensity to scratch easily, which negates its suitability as a long-term investment.

Enamel coated cast iron
Available at a more premium price point, enamel coated cast iron can provide a bathtub with impressive durability, but considering its heavy weight, especially in filled tubs, it is not recommended for a soaking bathtub. Before selecting this material, first ensure that your bathroom floor can cope with the weight.

Porcelain enamelled steel
This steel-based material is covered in porcelain enamel to deliver a smooth, glossy finish that is both durable and easy to clean. It represents one of the fastest-growing bathtub materials with regards to popularity.

🛁 CHOOSING THE IDEAL BATHTUB
Once you’ve considered all the aforementioned factors and decided on which material is best suited to your requirements, you’re fully equipped to find your perfect bathtub. Hudson Reed USA offer a great selection of stylish bathtubs in both modern and traditional styles, amongst an expansive collection of luxury bathroom products.