Soaking tub | The Interior Design Trend With Surprising Health Benefits

A soaking tub is a standalone bathtub that has enough depth to allow water to cover the entire body. Considered a luxury item, a soaking tub may or may not be on your dream home wish list, but it is definitely on ours. Soaking tubs are perfect for cold winter nights, self-care days, or to give yourself a break from the outside world. With the right bathroom layout, a soaking tub can complete a spa-inspired design to a T. Large enough to incorporate as a beautiful statement piece in your bathroom, a soaking tub is not only stylish, it’s also the perfect solution for adding a little r & r to your life!

Soaking Tubs

The Interior Design Trend With Surprising Health Benefits

You can incorporate a soaking tub into any bathroom with the right design, and the benefits of doing so go far beyond the aesthetic beauty. While traditional bathtubs typically leave areas of skin exposed to cold air, a soaking tub is much deeper and allows you to fully submerge yourself in water and reap the full benefits of a warm bath.  Soaking tubs come in a multitude of different sizes and configurations, giving homeowners the opportunity to customize their tub to fit their unique vision. Considered a great investment – in not only your home but also in your mental and physical wellbeing – soaking tubs promote self-care, while simultaneously adding to the value of your home! Keep reading to learn more about all the benefits soaking tubs have to offer.

soaking tub

 

How Deep Should A Soaking Tub Be?

There’s no regulated size that makes a soaking tub a soaking tub. However, typically soaking tubs vary in depth from 14 to 15 inches, with a length ranging from 60 to 72 inches. Customization is available in most cases but isn’t always necessary due to the various arrangements available for purchase.

Will Adding A Soaking Tub Increase My Home’s Value?

Buyers are increasingly interested in home updates that add value to not only their homes but also their day-to-day lives. Due to this trend and the rise of the self-care industry, which is now valued at over $10 billion – Soaking tubs are more popular than ever before and we predict the trend to continue to rise at a rapid pace.

While a soaking tub can increase your home’s value, the fact is, with the completion of any mid-range bathroom remodel you’re likely to see an ROI of over 70% – And that’s just the monetary ROI! Adding a soaking tub to your bathroom will result in more than just a good return on investment, it may just change your life by giving you easy access to one of the simplest and most effective forms of self-care out there.

How Will A Soaking Tub Improve My Life?

Soaking in a warm tub after a long day may feel incredible, but the health benefits go beyond just relaxation. Having a soaking tub in your home may in fact be the solution to several common health ailments. According to a study on the effect of passive heating on the body, researchers found that an hour-long soak in a hot bath can burn up to 140 calories, lower blood pressure, and protect against illness. Furthermore, scientific research also shows that soaking in hot water helps to calm the nervous system and relieve pain. Sounds too good to be true, right?! Thankfully, it’s not and with additional benefits coming to light every year, the question of whether or not to add a soaking tub to your renovation wish-list is basically a no-brainer!

Which Style Of Soaking Tub Is Right For Me?

When it comes to soaking tubs, there are many styles and designs to choose from, but today we’re going over the three most popular types. Whether you prefer a more traditional look or a more modern aesthetic, there’s a soaking tub out there that will perfectly complete your space. No matter which tub you choose, from freestanding soaking tubs and drop-in tubs to corner tubs and alcove tubs, the investment in your home and your health will be well worth it.

3 Most Popular Styles Of Soaking Tubs:

1. Freestanding

2. Drop-In

3. Corner

 

Freestanding Soaking Tub

A freestanding soaking tub adds style and character to any bathroom design and is one of the most popular tub options available today. Freestanding tubs are known in the industry as a statement-making design element and are typically seen as a focal point to a design. Clawfoot tubs are definitely the most traditional type of freestanding tub, however, there are many variations that are popping up including the ever-popular, more modern flat-bottom tub.

freestanding soaking tubs

As seen in the designs above, freestanding tubs are beautiful and often feature lovely detailing that may include etched clawfeet, a sloped appeal, or even a farmhouse-style, metal frame. Whether you prefer the classic clawfoot look or love a farmhouse tub that’s fully supported by the ground, freestanding tubs offer a signature look that adds a contemporary and elegant touch to any bathroom design.

Drop-In Soaking Tub

Drop-in soaking tubs are an excellent choice for those with limited space and offer a classically beautiful aesthetic we love. We recommend a drop-in soaking tub for traditional-type homes, as well as transitional design styles, as a drop-in tub can beautifully integrate into both contemporary and classic styles. Drop-in tubs are ideal for creating a polished, stylized look, and typically “drop-in” to an area surrounded by tile.

drop-in soaking tub

Featured in the designs above, drop-in soaking tubs are unique and are often an integral part of the bathroom where they are installed. The area surrounding a drop-in tub can feature more or less surrounding surface area, depending on personal preference, which allows for additional storage space if necessary.

Corner Soaking Tub

Corner soaking tubs are typically the largest style of tub available and as the name suggests, are installed in the corner of a bathroom. Often the most expensive option, due to the size and additional features usually installed with this style of tub, however, the price comes with many added benefits. In fact, most corner tubs have jet features that add to the spa-like experience a soaking tub provides and can even feature a seating area.

corner soaking tub

As you can likely tell from the designs featured above, corner tubs require more floor space than other styles of soaking tubs, they have the option to fit one to two persons at a time! Along with their added size, corner tubs provide an element of luxury to any bathroom design and will certainly be an excellent addition to any contemporary bathroom design.

What’s Next?

We hope you found these tips on choosing the right soaking tub for you insightful and that they can help you create the bathroom oasis of your dreams. In the meantime, be sure to check out our blog on herringbone vs chevron, where we discuss the differences between the two popular tile patterns!

Want More Design Help?

Check out our latest blog on the Three Most Popular Kitchen Design Styles and learn everything you need to know about kitchen storage in our guide to Genius Kitchen Cabinet Storage Solutions.

Our designers are ready to make your dream home a reality.

Ready to make your kitchen dreams come true? The Kitchen Shop is here to help bring your vision to life. We offer custom kitchen design and remodeling services to Michigan homeowners and we would love to help you on your kitchen remodeling journey! Contact us today to get started!


When it comes to kitchen design, The Kitchen Shop has become one of West Michigan’s premier remodeling centers and is here to help you! We have everything you need to create your dream kitchen, from cabinets and countertops to plumbing fixturesappliances, and hardware, The Kitchen Shop is truly a one-stop-shop for all your remodeling needs. Our team offers over 300 years of combined experience in kitchen design and a master skillset to ensure the vision you have for your kitchen is brought to life.

Connect with us today for more information and get if you’re ready to start your kitchen remodeling journey schedule an appointment with one of our talented design consultants.

The Kitchen Shop is West Michigan’s premier kitchen and bath design and remodeling center with locations in LansingBattle Creek, and Kalamazoo.

Shopping cart close