The bathtub is considered a luxury good. The Greeks and Romans had already incorporated bathing into their culture thousands of years ago. Take a bath, relax, everyone knows the power of the bathtub which acts as a balm for body and soul. Just a few decades ago almost every bathroom had a bathtub. Over time, bathrooms have become smaller and smaller and the space-saving shower has replaced the bathtub. Yet what could be better than ending a rainy and cool day with a good hot bath? The bathtub is also very important for families with children. On the one hand, children love to splash around in the water, and on the other hand, it is much easier and safer for parents to put all their offspring together in the tub. Also, for some, the heat relieves pain. When for others, steam baths allow them to recover faster. In short, bathtubs can do a lot! And often they catch the eye. So when it comes to choosing the right model, their size plays an important role.
There are freestanding bathtubs, corner bathtubs or built-in bathtubs. As for the shape, you can choose between a round, oval or square shape. In terms of length, you will find variations from 1.40 meters to 2.20 meters. The standard dimensions are: 170 x 75 cm, 170 x 80 cm, 180 x 80 cm, 200 x 100 cm. The question now is which size is right for you.
The ideal length and width of a bathtub
Of course, this depends on many factors: for example, the size and shape of your bathroom, but also the intended use. Do you want to use the bath alone or as a couple? How tall are you and the other people in your household? The standard length of a bathtub is 1.70 meters and its width is 75 cm. A single bath measures 1.53 meters x 75 cm and a double bath measures 1.80 meters x 1.20 meters. Depending on your height, you may need a larger tub. You need to be able to stretch easily and fully immerse yourself without having to hunker down. After all, the bath is above all a way to relax, to feel perfectly at ease and to let go. On the other hand, the bath should not be too long. Otherwise, you risk sliding too far back. Measure yourself: your tub width should be your shoulder width plus 5-10 centimeters while your tub length should be your neck width to your toes.
The perfect height for your bathtub
Also, the height of the bathtub is extremely important. It is generally 59 cm, although you can also find lower variants because they are more design or on the contrary more accessible. When calculating the ideal height, also take into account the angle of inclination of the backrest: 30 or 45 degrees.
The double bathtub
Those who attach great importance to freedom of movement should opt for an XXL bathtub model or a double bathtub. Double bathtubs may be suitable for those of you who are feeling romantic at heart. If you don’t have room for an XXL bathtub, you don’t necessarily have to give it up. For two-person bathing, you can opt for a tap placed in the middle. Otherwise, one of you will always be a little uncomfortable when bathing as a couple.
The freestanding bathtub
Freestanding bathtubs, which are often two-person, take up the most space. Since you have to add the space around the tub to the dimensions of the tub itself. It is recommended to leave a free space of at least 55 cm between the wall and the bathtub. A freestanding bathtub 180 cm long and 80 cm wide therefore requires a surface area of 290 cm x 190 cm. You need a big bathroom to make it work.
However, it is you who ultimately decides whether to move the freestanding bathtub closer to the wall. It can therefore also be suitable for small bathrooms. In the end, what matters is that you are comfortable. Technically, the bathtub can be placed anywhere in your room.
The corner bath
In the case of a corner bathtub, the bathtub is not parallel, but forms an angle with the wall. This does not change the overall volume of the tub, but it takes up less space along the wall. Instead of 170 cm x 75 cm, the standard corner bath then has dimensions of 140 cm x 140 cm or 150 cm x 100 cm, for example.
An impact on the price of the bathtub
The larger your bathtub, the higher the costs. This does not only concern its installation, but larger models often have special dimensions. In addition, tens of liters of hot water are needed to fill a bathtub. So 100 liters more or less will certainly be noticeable on your electricity or gas bill at the end of the year.