Thu May 04 2023
Best Bathtub Sizes That You Should Know Before Remodeling – 2023 Edition
What is the best bathtub size? The big question popped up when you decided to remodel your bathroom. Are there any guidelines to finding the best bathtub for your bathroom? A new and good bathtub will always add value to your home.
There is no definite guideline for purchasing the best bathtub size for your bathroom, but there are factors that you should know that greatly helps to find the best bathtub that fits your home, such as bathtub material, shape, price, and most importantly, bathtub size. If you don’t have the correct bathtub size, the other factors does not matter. If you buy a small bathtub (considering the size of your room) which fits your bathroom, but does not fit your family members, your investment may not be worth it. So, what is best bathtub size to fit your bathroom, as well as you and your family members? This is the question we aim to discuss in our article, and come to a conclusion that can help you make an informed decision on your purchase.
What Is the Average Size for a Bathtub?
It is a known fact that bathtub comes in various sizes and shapes to fit in any type of bathroom. The average size of the full bathroom (the bathroom includes a bathtub, a shower, a toilet, and a sink) in the US is, 60 sq.ft or 6X10. The smaller bathroom size is, 40 sq.ft or 5X8. Larger bathroom sizes go beyond 60 sq.ft. Based on the size of the bathroom, most of the bathtub are constructed. Let us take an example for the 40 sq.ft bathroom (smaller). In order to fit a bathtub, shower, toilet, and sink, your chosen bathtub should displace about 10-13 sq.ft, this is around 32.5% of your whole bathroom, and your shower, toilet, and sink should cover the rest of the area.
With this setup in mind, it is possible to say that the standard size for a bathtub (external measurements) can be 60”X30”X15” (LXWXH). Most of the soaking tubs range from 40” to even 70” in length. This setup can help you to get the best fit possible for your bathroom without having the feeling of suffocation due to cramped space.
But, the important thing to note is that not every bathroom is same. Each bathroom has a different layout and the overall dimensions. Also, there are different styles of bathtub available. One bathtub style may not be applicable for certain bathrooms. So, it is better to choose the bathtub style while keeping the size of your bathroom in mind.
4 Popular Types of Bathtubs:
We have seen the average size for a bathtub of a small bathroom. But, not all types of bathtubs fit into that category. We will take our same scenario, a 40 sq.ft bathroom, and consider that there is no supporting walls (three walls). That assumption eliminates the idea of an alcove bathtub. Since an alcove bathtub requires a three walls, in order to install it, the options are reduced to either a freestanding tub or a clawfoot tub. This type of bathtub is also one of the factors that has an influence on the bathtub size. It is better to have an understanding of the different type of bathtubs you can choose from before you decide on one for your home.
1. Alcove Bathtub:
One of the most popular “types” of the bathtubs in the US. But actually, an alcove bathtub is not a type, but an installation or a placement approach. So, an alcove means that the bathtub is installed into a recess (eg. three-wall nook) in the bathroom. The main purpose of this type of installation is to ensure that there is enough space in the bathroom for installing other appliances. This is consider one of the easiest bathtub installations, which is also a downside. It is absolutely necessary to have a three wall nook or at least two walls with a window constructed in such a way that it there is enough space to fit a bathtub in between the walls. This can be seen in a smaller or even in standard size bathroom, since the walls are constructed near to each other. But, when it comes to larger bathrooms, there is a good possibility that walls are constructed apart from each other and does not provide an alcove for installing the bathtub. So, if you absolutely want an alcove type bathtub for your large bathroom, then it is recommended to have a extra partition of wall constructed to support the bathtub.
The standard size of an alcove bathtub is, 60” X 32” X 20” (based on our scenario), and it can go up to 70” X 42” X 20”.
2. Freestanding Bathtub:
Probably the most popular and common style of bathtub, a freestanding bathtub can be a suitable choice for any type of bathroom. Thanks to its ability to stand on its own without any external support, a freestanding bathtub, unlike an alcove bathtub, all the four sides are exposed and installed directly on the bathroom floor without a support. The best thing about a freestanding bathtub is that you don’t have to be locked to a single place. If the positioning is not correct, you can always change the installation location. Comparatively, freestanding bathtubs come in smaller sizes, which makes it the perfect choice for smaller bathrooms that do not have a recess to support an alcove bathtub.
The standard size of a freestanding bathtub is, 55” X 30” X 15” (based on our scenario), and it is possible to find a smaller bathtub at even 40”-48”, and can goes up to 70”.
3. Corner Bathtub:
The corner bathtub is known for its luxurious style and suitable for large bathrooms. The main reason is that the corner bathtub takes a lot of surface area. Most of the corner bathtubs are a “sorta-triangle” in shape, but it is best to consider the bathtub as a square shaped bathtub. So, in general a corner bathtub is one side cropped out square shaped bathtub. There are various ways to install a corner bathtub if the space permits. As mentioned, corner bathtubs take a hefty amount of surface area. But, most of the alcoves are best suited for a corner bathtub.
The standard size of a corner bathtubs is 60” X 60” X 22”, and the size can go up to 72” X 72” X 30”.
4. Oval Shaped Bathtub:
Last on our list is the oval shaped bathtub. People may think since the bathtub is round, it might take up less space. No, that is not the case. Oval shaped or even round bathtubs are much wider than the normal bathtub, meaning, it requires more space than normal bathtubs to install. When you compare the same standard size of an oval bathtub with an alcove or freestanding bathtub, you can see the difference in width of about 6-8 inches. So, it is recommended to use the oval shaped bathtub in a larger bathroom, since you can easily install the bathtub without having to worry about cramping up the space.
The standard size of an oval shaped bathtub is 60” X 40” X 24” and can go upto 72” X 50” x 24”.
Now you have an idea of the standard size of most popular bathtubs, and the factors that have a great influence on the bathtub size so you can make an informed decision for your bathroom. The first thing to remember is that, not every bathtub fits in any bathroom, and there is no standard size for all bathtubs, meaning, each bathtub has a different standard size. It is recommended to measure your bathroom first before purchasing a bathtub or remodeling your bathroom. If you don’t know where to start, our guide on small bathroom remodel ideas should give you an overlook on things to consider for a remodeling project.
FAQs:
The standard freestanding bathtub size is 55” X 30” X 15”, which is suitable for a standard full bathroom. It is possible to find a smaller bathtub at 40”-48” in length, and can go upto 70” for a larger bathroom.
The best size for a two person bathtub is 66”-72” X 33” X 22”. This size allows 2 full grown adults to fit into the bathtub comfortably for a longer soaking session.
Final Thoughts:
Bathtubs are a great tool for destressing and rejuvenating your body. Taking a nice, long, deep soaking session can help you both physically and mentally. Bathing in a bathtub helps you to relax muscles, tissues, and can even help reduce inflammation and joint pains. It also helps you to achieve good blood circulation and increase overall health of your body. Yes, bathtubs can be expensive on top of the remodel project. But, in turn, you can increase your resale value of your home, and remain healthy by taking a rejuvenating bath. Its a win-win situation.
If you want the best and most reliable bathtub, you are in the right place. Our collection has a wide variety of bathtubs suitable for most bathrooms. You can access the collection from here. This article hopes to provide you with insights on the best bathtub sizes, as well as factors that you need to know for your remodeling project.