Baths | PRODUCTS
The Clevedon Corner freestanding bath, by Bathrooms to Love at PJH
The Roca Modo Stonex bath with integrated shelving
The Shropshire slipper bath by Victoria + Albert at House of Rohl
the plumbing. Built-in baths can also be executed in a contemporary manner and ‘zone’ the bathing area, creating a cosy haven for relaxation.” Storage is another plus with built-in baths, as concealed storage can be incorporated within the frame. Roca has responded with its Roca Surfex Modo bath, which has built-in shelves, adding a “clever solution without taking space away from inside the bath”. So built-in baths are more practical, but maybe won’t give that ‘wow’ factor. However, there is a third option – the hybrid. These claim to combine the best of both worlds – the luxuriousness and glamour of a freestanding tub and the practicalities of an integrated one. For example, Roca says its Ona Asymmetric Stonex bath can provide the perfect solution for those who want the look of a freestanding bath but may not have the space. It is only 1,600mm and can be installed either corner-right or corner-left but, thanks to the thin
walls, it does not compromise on space in the bath.
PJH bathroom product manager Richard Eaton comments: “Consumers don’t necessarily need a large bathroom to accommodate a luxurious freestanding bath tub if they opt for a space-saving corner model such as the Clevedon Corner Freestanding bath from Bathrooms to Love. “Our
latest freestanding bathing
collection enables retailers to offer the mid-market a truly affordable range of high-quality traditional baths.” Justine Bullock, co-owner of bathroom studio The Tap End in Pontyclun, Wales, says: “We might specify a hybrid option if it suits the room better – flat against a wall with a freestanding appearance. We
find
they are easier to clean and maintain, as you lose the area around the back of the bath that is hard to clean on a freestanding tub.” Kaldewei UK head of sales Adam
There is something uniquely opulent about a freestanding bath and its presence will add a touch of elegance and luxury to the space
Emma Joyce, brand manager, House of Rohl
The double-ended Rak-Evolution drop-in bath measures 750mm x 1,750mm
May 2022 ·
Teal adds that designers love Kadewei’s Meisterstuck Centro Duo as it offers built-in options left, right or back-to-wall, which is ideal for smaller bathrooms as it gives the appearance of a freestanding bath, yet has the practical advantages of a built-in. Duravit’s Luv, Cape Cod and the Happy D.2 Plus ranges have variants that can fit against the wall but give the impression of being freestanding. A]s always, then, it’s not as simple as better or worse. Rather, it is all about the needs of the customer. Thinking about how to best sell baths in the showroom, Ben Bryden, sales and marketing director at Rak Ceramics, asserts that a bath is a bit like a mattress, in that consumers want to test them out to see how comfortable they are. “Display baths alongside matching sanitaryware,” he adds, “to capture consumers looking for a complete bathroom redesign and maximise the sale.” It’s also important to display the bath in a realistic, true-to-life bathroom setting – so it should be properly dressed with towels and toiletries. This will help the customer visualise how the tub might work in their own home. BC Designs’ Allison adds: “Product
Laufen’s Immerse freestanding bathtub
knowledge and understanding trends is a big one. Being able to clearly communicate the USP of each model can help customers to understand the benefits. For example, solid surface baths that use natural minerals remain warm to touch and retain heat for a luxurious soak. Many manufacturers should have a wealth of lifestyle imagery that can support you in how the bath looks within a home setting. Use this to your advantage by creating product and look books, as well as POS so that homeowners can envisage how it could look.
“For freestanding models, think
about how these can be mobile and moved around the showroom. This helps to give prospective buyers a sense of it within their own space and can also show how it might work alongside other sanitaryware.” In terms of how the market is likely to evolve over the next 12 to 18 months, the picture is looking pretty positive despite all the recent news of rising energy costs and inflation. The bathroom sector has seen an uplift over the past couple of years as homeowners have invested in their properties during the pandemic, which has led to a bigger shift away from purely functional spaces as homeowners looked to create luxury. Emma Joyce of House of Rohl adds that personalisation will continue to drive new bathroom design: “The presence of colour was notable at the recent kbb Birmingham show, with many brands experimenting with colour across bath and basin designs. As many of us work from home more, the bathroom is now a more important element and one that can
be injected with personality.
Influenced by boutique hotels, we are seeing designers creating ever bolder design schemes.”
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