Alcove Bathtubs – The Complete Guide
Over the last 20-plus years of my career as an interior designer, I’ve had the pleasure of designing a variety of bathrooms. From complete remodels, to aesthetic upgrades, I have seen it all! Check out my recent article series on When To Fire A Contractor for an insight into a recent bathroom design project.
Through my experience I’ve had to maximize a number of bathrooms to accommodate more storage, and use other space-saving elements like an alcove tub. This type of bathtub combines functionality and style, while being the perfect option for those seeking a space-saving option.
But what are alcove bathtubs? How can they be used, and which material is right for you? In this complete guide to Alcove Bathtubs, I’m going to take you through everything you need to know about them! And explore some key design considerations to take into account too.
Let’s take a closer look at Alcove Tubs!
What is an Alcove Tub?
An alcove bathtub is a rectangular tub that needs to be installed against three walls – a three-walled enclosure. This can sometimes limit the placement of them in a bathroom, but they are often installed as replacements for previous designs.
Alcove tubs require a stable and level surface underneath, but this doesn’t need to be tiled like the rest of the bathroom floor.
Alcove Tubs We Love:
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Acrylic Alcove Bathtub
This acrylic alcove bathtub is ideal for any bathroom space. Made from acrylic, this bathtub is affordable and durable!
Porcelain Enameled Alcove Bathtub
A more classic option is this soaking alcove bathtub, designed for those that love baths. You can also install shower fixtures to create a shower and bath combo.
Alcove Soaking Bathtub
We love this alcove bathtub as it’s from one of our favorite bathroom manufacturers! Kohler has a huge collection of extremely reliable and well-made products.
Alcove Bathtub
Another great option from Kohler is this soaking alcove bathtub!
How Can Alcove Tubs be Used in a Bathroom?
Alcove tubs can be combined with shower fixtures or be on their own in a bathroom. This is great for those that are short on space and need a shower and bath combination in the bathroom, or rarely use a bathtub.
Shower fixtures can be installed at either end of an alcove tub to suit existing plumbing locations in the space.
Alcove Tub Materials
Alcove bathtubs are available in a variety of different materials. The most common materials are acrylic and cast iron. You can get volcanic limestone from Victoria and Albert but this is a very high end option that may not suit every budget.
Acrylic alcove tubs are the most popular as these are affordable. Cast iron is great for those that have more budget but this isn’t as popular as acrylic tubs.
Design Considerations
There are some key design considerations that we check before considering alcove tubs for our clients.
We always check the soaking depth of a tub, and not just the overall height. This ensures the correct option is chosen for the client’s requirements. If you prefer to soak in a tub then a deep soaking depth may be more desirable.
It’s important to make sure the tub is easy to get in and out of. This may not seem an important element to consider at first, but it can become tiresome over time if the height is too tall to set over to get in and out of.
Lastly, consider the floor surface in the bathtub itself. This needs to be safe for standing in if it will be mostly used as a shower.
When in doubt, hire an interior designer! We work on projects in person all over the Chicagoland area and offer virtual interior design services across the United States. We’d love to learn about your project! Contact us today!
