How to Choose a Bathtub to Avoid Regret: 5 Tips

Trends may change, but a stylish and comfortable bathtub never loses its relevance. Moreover, choosing the right bathtub can transform your space into a full-fledged relaxation zone: here it's pleasant to rest after a stressful workday and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of solitude.

However, when searching for the ideal model, several important nuances should be considered, and it's not only about color or design. We tell how to choose a bathtub that will delight you for many years and not regret your decision.

Don't Make a Mistake with Sizes

This point may seem obvious, but some people don't think about it. However, the size of the bathtub affects not only harmony in interior design but also your comfort. If you choose a bathtub that doesn't fit your height, instead of relaxing water procedures, you will only feel discomfort.

Pay attention to the length of the bathtub. The rules are very simple — the taller you are, the longer the bathtub should be. For example, a person who is 170 cm tall will suit a length of 150–160 cm. The width is also an important parameter: take into account that there should be a distance of about 5–8 cm between the body and the edges of the bathtub. The optimal option is a basin width of 70–80 cm.

Finally, the depth of the basin: it's important to remember that the water should completely cover a person lying in the bathtub. A basin depth of 50–60 cm is one of the most favorable solutions.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Take into Account the Features of the Room

Naturally, when arranging a bathroom, it's important to consider not only your own comfort but also the proper organization of space. For this, you need to think about which bathtub will fit best into your bathroom.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Freestanding Bathtub is perfect for spacious bathrooms. It becomes an interesting accent in interior design and allows you to bring your most unconventional design ideas to life. Freestanding bathtubs are a trend that modern manufacturers follow. For example, in the collections of Jacob Delafon, you will find stylish models made from various materials — cast iron, acrylic, or innovative composite material. An inspiring example of a freestanding model is the Cléo bathtub: it combines an original design, carefully considered shape, and depth.

Installed Bathtub gives the space a special elegance. It can be built into a special podium, installed in the floor or niche. With such a bathtub, you can let your imagination fly without limits. Another undeniable advantage is practicality in use. For example, the elegant installed model Odéon Rive Gauche from Jacob Delafon is mounted right up to the wall, allowing you to ensure water tightness of the seams.

Corner Bathtub is a smart and modern solution for small spaces. By placing the model in a corner, you save space and properly fill the valuable area of a compact bathroom. Corner bathtubs suit most interior design styles. To ensure maximum comfort, look at models with built-in corner seats, like the two-person DOMO bathtub from Jacob Delafon.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Find the Perfect Basin Shape

When you have determined the sizes and taken into account all features of your bathroom, it's time to choose the shape of the basin. Of course, here it's important to follow personal aesthetic preferences, but you shouldn't forget about functionality and trends. We will tell about the most popular shapes.

• Rectangular. A rectangular bathtub is one of the most in-demand options and your main ally in creating a modern and comfortable atmosphere. In the collections of Jacob Delafon, you will find tubs with an ergonomic backrest bend — full relaxation is guaranteed. Models equipped with a head pillow allow you to achieve maximum enjoyment from water procedures.
  
• Asymmetrical and Corner. Bathtubs with an asymmetrical basin or quarter-circle shape suit lovers of creative experiments, unconventional solutions, and space optimization. The variety of models gives the opportunity to find the best solution for your bathroom — from a spacious bathtub to a compact option for functional space.
  
• Oval. Thanks to the smooth curves of oval-shaped basins, they become a pearl of interior design. If you install such a model in the center of the room, it will look especially stylish. For oval basins, it's important to choose beautiful legs that will add charm to the space.
  

Choose Material Carefully: Study Advantages and Disadvantages

Choosing the material can be called one of the most responsible steps. Each has its pros and cons, so we decided to tell in detail about the most relevant options — cast iron, acrylic, and innovative materials.

Cast Iron Bathtubs

The first enameled cast iron bathtubs appeared in the distant 19th century, and to this day they remain a sought-after solution for bathrooms. How do they manage to maintain their leading position?

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Advantages:

1. Low thermal conductivity of the material. The water stays hot for a long time.
2. Durability. Enameled cast iron bathtubs are not afraid of impacts or dropping heavy objects, and they do not dent under a heavy weight.
3. Noise absorption. Thanks to the unique properties of cast iron, water flows into the basin very quietly.
4. Stability. You can sit on the edge of a cast iron bathtub and not worry that it will tip over. For example, in the legendary Cléo model from Jacob Delafon, the legs are made of cast iron — this provides additional safety.

Disadvantages:

1. Weight. The weight of a cast iron bathtub can reach 120 kg. Of course, such a model can boast of stability, but it is difficult to transport and install, especially if there is no elevator in the house.
2. Difficulties in repair. If scratches or cracks appear, it is impossible to fix the defects yourself.
3. Three available shapes. For lovers of classic design, this point is irrelevant: if you like rectangular, oval, or corner shapes, there will be no problems. However, lovers of original design solutions will not be surprised by cast iron bathtubs.

Tip from INMYROOM: During the manufacturing of cast iron bathtubs by Jacob Delafon, the enamel is applied in several layers — the coating becomes maximally resistant to scratches and chips. You can use such a bathtub for up to 50 years! There is no need to doubt the quality: the brand provides a 25-year warranty on its cast iron products.

Acryl Bathtubs

Baths made of technical acrylic are relatively young models, appearing on the market about 20 years ago. But in such a short time, they have managed to become a worthy competitor to similar models made of cast iron or steel.

Advantages:

1. Variety of solutions. The physical properties of acrylic provide the possibility to constantly improve bathtub manufacturing technologies. Acrylic is very pliable, so specialists can create models of original shapes to meet any request.
2. Aesthetics + Durability. A winning combination of two parameters. Acrylic bathtubs look stylish, and over time the coating does not darken or change color, and it is also not afraid of damage. Even if scratches appear, they can be removed by yourself using sandpaper.
3. Comfortable tactile sensation. Unlike cast iron or steel, acrylic is a warm material that one wants to touch. At the same time, acrylic bathtubs do not lag in thermal capacity and noise absorption quality.
4. Lightweight. The weight of an acrylic bathtub is no more than 30 kg, so it's convenient to transport and install.
5. No Slipping. Acrylic bathtubs do not need additional anti-slip coating, as acrylic is a non-slip material.

Disadvantages:

1. Support Frame. Without installing a support frame, it is impossible to avoid — it helps distribute the load on the bathtub, ensures stability and shape.
2. Deformation. Acrylic is a soft and pliable material: it can undergo deformation. Despite the fact that scratches can be easily removed by sanding, owners of household pets better not bathe their pets in acrylic bathtubs.

Tip from INMYROOM: Acrylic bathtubs from Jacob Delafon will become a modern addition in various interiors. The asymmetrical bathtub from the Odeon Up collection will fit well into minimalist spaces, while the Bain-Douche Néo model is equipped with a special step for easy access — all family members will be able to use the stylish and functional bathtub comfortably. The bathtubs are made from high-tech acrylic, and special antibacterial coating ensures reliable protection against microorganisms.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Innovative Materials

Innovative materials are only gaining popularity, but some of them have already won the hearts of consumers. Let's take a closer look at the world of technologically advanced solutions for bathrooms.

Neoroc — a composite material that combines crushed dolomite marble and polymer resin. Using this technology, craftsmen from Jacob Delafon create bathtubs with the most diverse parameters.

Advantages:

1. Impact Resistance and Coating Durability. Let's look at the advantage with a specific example: during the production of Grands Boulevards bathtubs, a painted thermoreactive resin is applied to the cast bathtub — this provides impact resistance, high water and salt solution resistance.
2. Stability. The construction is very strong and stable — this is due to the high content of stone.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Disadvantages:

1. High Cost. You pay a lot for innovations: if you plan a budget renovation, such a bathtub will not be a practical solution.
2. Limited Range of Forms. Today in the Jacob Delafon collection, you will find freestanding and semi-installed bathtubs.

Bathtubs made of Flight® material are an example of elegance and sophistication. They appeared on the market only five years ago, but already found their devoted followers. Flight® material is a blend of two sheets of cast acrylic, with a mineral composite mixture between them.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

Advantages:

1. No Need for a Frame or Additional Mounting. The Elite bathtubs from Jacob Delafon are installed on six legs that come with the set. This is convenient, practical, and very stylish.
2. Lightweight. Compared to cast iron bathtubs, Flight® material products weigh very little — only 50 kg.
3. Aesthetics and Reliability. Bathtubs made from Flight® have all the best characteristics of other materials — attractive appearance, stability, simultaneous lightness and strength (products withstand a load up to 400 kg).

Disadvantages:

1. Bathtubs made from Flight® have the same drawbacks as acrylic analogs: the top and bottom layers of models are made from this material.

Don't Forget About Proper Care

If you want the item to delight you for more than a decade, it's important not only to choose trusted manufacturers but also to take proper care of your bathtub. The rules of care depend on the selected material.

Photo: Jacob Delafon

• Cast Iron. Wash the basin after every use: if foam or grease dries up, it will be difficult to remove. Use a sponge and gentle cleaning product or stick to hot water from the shower. Avoid abrasive household chemicals.
  
• Acryl. After water procedures, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, then dry the bathtub again. Avoid using chemicals or harsh sponges — they will damage the item. Be careful not to drop heavy objects or glass into the bathtub, otherwise chips will appear. When filling the basin, pay attention to the water temperature: it should not exceed 55 degrees.
  
• Neoroc. The reliable coating is easily cleaned with a damp sponge.
  
• Flight®. It's easy to care for the basin surface: during manufacturing, Jacob Delafon products are treated with a special BioCote coating. Thanks to this, the bathtub is protected from bacteria, fading, stains, and unpleasant odors. You only need to wipe the item with a sponge and cleaning product, rinse with water, and dry the bathtub.