Using a freestanding bathtub as a decorative centerpiece in a bathroom is a tried-and-true way to give your space a more elegant, designer feel. But “buy a new bathtub” doesn’t often make the list of ways to add color to a bathroom. The vast majority of freestanding bathtubs come in white or off white, which gives them a nice sculptural quality, but isn’t great for changing up your color scheme. That said, one of the most interesting new bathroom trends I’ve been seeing is the emergence of bathtubs that do exactly that: enameled, glass, and metallic tubs in bright, bold colors that are more statement piece than statuesque.
A Fresh Take On Colorful Cast Iron Clawfoot Tubs
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Historically, one of the only ways you can get a colorful tub is to opt for a cast iron clawfoot tub and paint or refinish the exterior surface in a color of your choosing. It’s a look you’ve probably seen in really cute, cheery cottage style bathrooms, usually featuring soft, beachy pastel colors that play up a summery seaside feel. But maintaining a porcelain tub can be difficult and expensive – especially if you’re trying to care for a genuine antique – and hand-applied finishes don’t always turn out well or last for very long. The good news is, if you don’t want to fuss with a vintage refurbishment project, you can find brand new tubs with high quality enameled finishes in a variety of colors – and often in colors bolder and more assertive than you’d find on a shabby-chic vintage tub.
Enjoy The Advantages Of An Original Enameled Finish
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Professionally-applied enameled finishes may be a little less customizable than a personal project, but they’re a whole lot easier to actually live with. Cast iron tubs with hand-painted finishes tend to be delicate. Depending on your paint technique, they can require special care to clean, and deteriorate faster than high-quality enameled surfaces. Unless you spend a lot of money to have your tub professionally re-surfaced, buying a new tub is a better way to ensure that your tub stays looking good long-term.
Have Fun With Designs As Well As Color
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I’ve seen some really elaborate hand-painted clawfoot tubs in my day, and while I didn’t think I’d see them professionally replicated and easily commercially available, I’m happy to say I was wrong. The new trend of producing colorful tubs isn’t limited to solid colors, but includes some pretty incredible designs, too. From ornate, gilded patterns that will make your inner Victorian dandy swoon to professional-grade crackle paint jobs that will take your breath away, it’s easier than ever to find freestanding bathtubs with incredibly unique, stylish, colorful surfaces that Pinterest could only dream of.
Stylish Metal Tubs (Without The Weight Or Maintenance Of An Actual Metal Tub)
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If you love decorative bathtubs, chances are you’ve fawned over a vintage metal bathtub in your day – a big bold copper tub, or a shiny polished gold or brass one in some Victorian-era movie or another. But actual metal tubs are incredibly expensive, and almost invariably need special care and installation. The good news is, the same people that are making colorful enameled tubs are also making ones with really gorgeous metallic finishes. The effect isn’t always quite the same, but boy, if you want to make a statement, a gilded freestanding bathtub is a great way to do it. And since the interior is acrylic, these tubs are not only much easier to keep clean, but also cost a fraction of what you’d pay for an actual metal tub.
Gorgeous “Glass” Tubs To Really Make A Statement
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Most freestanding bathtubs are white in large part out of tradition. Acrylic and porcelain can easily be dyed, but many of us are still recovering from the all-pink, blue, or green bathrooms of the mid 20th-century. But if an enameled tub feels like it’s hitting a little too close to home, don’t worry: we’re also seeing a huge rise in the popularity of colorful glass and glass-like bathtubs as well. Rather than being a different, opaque color on the inside and outside, these tubs are made entirely of colored but translucent material, either glass or manufactured stone for added durability.
Showcasing More Than Just The Shape Of Your Tub
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White freestanding bathtubs, and even painted porcelain or acrylic tubs, are decorative primarily by virtue of the shape of the tub, and second by the color. But glass tubs take an entirely fresh take on the look, showcasing the material and color rather than just the style of the tub. While the mostly-transparent surface might make you feel like a little bit of an exhibitionist in your own bathroom (and might not be for the faint of heart), in the right light these glass bathtubs really sing, showcasing the color and depth of the glass and even reflecting off the water in the tub, for a truly rich, sensory experience – a perfect centerpiece for a stylish bathtub!
If you’re someone who really loves color or bold, innovative, trendy styles, it’s time to stop thinking of bathtubs as the bland, boring element in your bathroom, and start treating them as the centerpiece they have the potential to be. A little touch of color and designer flair can make all the difference.
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