Built-in bathtub ideas – 5 luxurious designs for a blissful soak

The right built-in bathtub ideas are a sanctuary, providing you with a private space where you can totally relax and wash away the stresses of everyday life. Therefore, it is vital that you carefully balance aesthetic appeal with comfort when thinking about your bath ideas.

Historically the bath was a large metal tub, placed in front of the kitchen fire, serving a purely functional job of cleaning the family and staving off illness. However, today, the bath is not just somewhere to wash; it is also a work of art that will define the backbone of your bathroom design.

The latest modern built-in bathtubs can provide a luxurious addition to even the most minimal square footage. Built-in bathtubs remain a popular option in compact rooms, mini bathtubs are growing in popularity and the choices in scaled-down fixtures are greater than ever – there is a plethora of options for tiny bathrooms and narrow bathrooms to choose from. 

5 bathrooms with built-in tubs

When designing a bathroom the first thing we think about is the bathtub – and for good reason. It is often to focal point in the room, but for many, a freestanding bathtub may not be an option. 

If you have a small bathroom, or a long space, a built-in bathtub is an exceptional choice. So whether you are updating your bathroom design, maybe giving your bathroom remodel a modern update, upgrading your narrow bathroom, or turning unused space into a luxurious ensuite, there is a vast array of built-in bathtub ideas available to suit your taste, from colors and materials to finishes and shapes.

1. Set up a tub on a plinth

Raising the bath on a plinth increases its prominence and allows a smart switch in flooring materials. ‘Drawing the eye to the center of the room, an elevated bath can create a stunning focal point in any contemporary bathroom. It combines function and form, adding an air of luxury while lending itself to the art of relaxation,’ explains Sharon Lillywhite, creative director, of Oliver Burns. 

Here, prestigious Calacatta Oro Italian marble was used to form the bath and plinth, allowing custom dimensions for both, as well as control over the beautiful book-matched veining.

2. Be bold with decor

A bold tub calls for bold decor. In this 1930s bathroom, New York-based designer David Frazier kept the original fixtures and tiles, then leaned into the teal and black palette by using eye-catching wallpaper. 

‘The unexpected scale and placement of the painting was influenced by the already bold color and the existing bathroom fittings,’ says David. ‘The art lends an additional eclectic layering that elevates the utilitarian space.’

3. Design a step

‘I love to build steps up to a bath – it’s like a pedestal to show off the bathtub,’ enthuses interior designer Victoria-Maria Geyer. 

Here, she used Arabescato marble to boost the presence of a classic drop-in acrylic bath set into the window niche. The wide, deep bath surround provides plenty of resting space for refreshments and toiletries and neatly accommodates contemporary deck-mounted taps with pull-out hand-shower for easy rinsing.

4. Take an artful approach to tiling

Take a paneled bath from basic to brilliant with an artful approach to bathroom tile ideas. 

‘I like to look at the walls and floors as a blank canvas and create a “frieze” or “carpet” to fill the space – bath panel included,’ says designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay. 

‘How you lay a tile can completely change the way it reads and creates its own texture. Mix colors, stagger, stack, make stripes, use patterned borders – the possibilities are endless.

5. Encase your bath in paneling

The enclosed built-in bath became popular in the latter half of the 20th century, praised for its easy maintenance, cleanliness and compact nature. Whether a solid unit or a paneled design, these built-in bath ideas have undoubtedly endured throughout recent decades.

‘Paneled baths are on the rise as homeowners become braver with their design choices. Post-pandemic, people want their homes to feel less clinical and cold, and paneling brings in a tactile and warming finish. It also helps bring a sense of grandeur and allows you to upscale the home with a luxurious yet timeless finish.’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs. 

When planning and designing a bathroom the first thing we think about is the bathtub – and for good reason. It is often to focal point in the room. 

Whether you are planning on updating your bathroom design, maybe giving your modern bathroom ideas a traditional twist, upgrading your shower room ideas or turning unused space into a luxurious ensuite bathroom, there is a vast array of bath ideas available to suit your taste, from colors and materials to finishes and shapes.

When planning and designing a bathroom the first thing we think about is the bathtub – and for good reason. It is often to focal point in the room. 

Whether you are planning on updating your bathroom design, maybe giving your modern bathroom ideas a traditional twist, upgrading your shower room ideas or turning unused space into a luxurious ensuite bathroom, there is a vast array of bath ideas available to suit your taste, from colors and materials to finishes and shapes.