Could You Live With a Bath in the Bedroom? Here's How to Get It Right
If you have the space, squeezing a bathtub into your bedroom can be the perfect indulgence for ultimate relaxation. Here's how it's done
Installing a bath in the bedroom is the ultimate in sheer indulgence. Who hasn’t visited a boutique hotel and come home with a head full of ideas for recreating that chic look back at home? But before you begin, consider the practicalities. Do you economise with a lightweight acrylic or fibreglass bath, or splash out on a heavyweight copper, marble or cast-iron design that may require reinforcements to the floor? Once you’ve evaluated your choices, work out how to make the room feel like a cohesive space rather than the tub looking like a tacked-on afterthought. Take a look at these successful designs for inspiration.
Wow with a feature fire
While double-sided fireplaces are more commonplace in living spaces, they’re perfect for creating an open-plan bedroom and bathroom with two access points and heat benefits for both sides. Make a feature of the dividing wall with tiling, using the tile colour in both spaces to create cohesion.
While double-sided fireplaces are more commonplace in living spaces, they’re perfect for creating an open-plan bedroom and bathroom with two access points and heat benefits for both sides. Make a feature of the dividing wall with tiling, using the tile colour in both spaces to create cohesion.
Choose glass doors
If you want a separate ensuite that still feels like part of the bedroom, glass panels and doors are the answer. Exhibitionists won’t mind bathing in a goldfish bowl, but if you’re a little more modest, opt for frosted glass or clever glazing that turns opaque at the flick of a switch.
If you want a separate ensuite that still feels like part of the bedroom, glass panels and doors are the answer. Exhibitionists won’t mind bathing in a goldfish bowl, but if you’re a little more modest, opt for frosted glass or clever glazing that turns opaque at the flick of a switch.
Raise the floor
A raised plinth really makes your bath stand out, as well as making the bathing space feel more cosy and intimate. Tie the two zones together and add warmth with plush curtains and accessories, such as the hurricane lamps and deer cushion, so the bathing area doesn’t feel too clinical.
A raised plinth really makes your bath stand out, as well as making the bathing space feel more cosy and intimate. Tie the two zones together and add warmth with plush curtains and accessories, such as the hurricane lamps and deer cushion, so the bathing area doesn’t feel too clinical.
Link to the fireplace
Take your cue from original features in the bedroom when choosing a bath. Here, the natural fire surround has inspired the natural grain of the bath panel. Follow this homeowner’s lead and go for curves, too – a much safer option in a high-traffic area like this.
Take your cue from original features in the bedroom when choosing a bath. Here, the natural fire surround has inspired the natural grain of the bath panel. Follow this homeowner’s lead and go for curves, too – a much safer option in a high-traffic area like this.
Consider storage
A beautiful freestanding bathtub may look amazing in the bedroom, but where do you put your toiletries? A small side table is one option, but a bathtub with integral shelving off a central post may be a better solution.
More: 10 Tips to Save Your Sanity in the Bathroom
A beautiful freestanding bathtub may look amazing in the bedroom, but where do you put your toiletries? A small side table is one option, but a bathtub with integral shelving off a central post may be a better solution.
More: 10 Tips to Save Your Sanity in the Bathroom
Zone with flooring
As well as being more practical, a tiled or vinyl floor beneath the bathtub demarcates the sleeping and bathing areas perfectly. Checkerboard tiles are ideal for a more masculine, traditional look, while a small-scale pretty floral pattern is great for a girlie boudoir.
As well as being more practical, a tiled or vinyl floor beneath the bathtub demarcates the sleeping and bathing areas perfectly. Checkerboard tiles are ideal for a more masculine, traditional look, while a small-scale pretty floral pattern is great for a girlie boudoir.
Screen it
If your budget won’t stretch to some of the bespoke solutions, such as glass doors and double-sided fireplaces, a freestanding screen can look amazing for a modest sum. Scour second-hand shops and vintage fairs for something a bit different and link it with your bedroom scheme. Choose a carved wooden fretwork screen for a Mediterranean or Moroccan look, a white-painted screen for a Scandi or New England space, or an elegant Victorian tapestry for a traditional room. They can also be given a new lease of life with new fabric or by wallpapering wooden panels.
If your budget won’t stretch to some of the bespoke solutions, such as glass doors and double-sided fireplaces, a freestanding screen can look amazing for a modest sum. Scour second-hand shops and vintage fairs for something a bit different and link it with your bedroom scheme. Choose a carved wooden fretwork screen for a Mediterranean or Moroccan look, a white-painted screen for a Scandi or New England space, or an elegant Victorian tapestry for a traditional room. They can also be given a new lease of life with new fabric or by wallpapering wooden panels.
Divide with storage
A freestanding wardrobe is a great option if you have high ceilings, but for standard room heights, why not use a chest of drawers as a room divider? This way the bath will feel more open to the bedroom.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Does the prospect of putting the bathtub in the bedroom feel right or frightening? Tell us in the comments section.
MORE
Designs for Living: Excellent Ideas for Your Ensuite’s Entry
What’s Your Bathroom Design Style?
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
How to be Bold (and Beautiful!) in the Bathroom
A freestanding wardrobe is a great option if you have high ceilings, but for standard room heights, why not use a chest of drawers as a room divider? This way the bath will feel more open to the bedroom.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Does the prospect of putting the bathtub in the bedroom feel right or frightening? Tell us in the comments section.
MORE
Designs for Living: Excellent Ideas for Your Ensuite’s Entry
What’s Your Bathroom Design Style?
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
How to be Bold (and Beautiful!) in the Bathroom
Bathing by the window can feel rather liberating, and the aesthetic appeal is undeniable. But if you live in a built-up area, consider window film (which you can cut to fit) to half height. It comes in a variety of designs, including bathroom-related typography.