22 Beautiful Bathtub Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation

Whether you're dreaming of spending your evenings with a good book in a new soaker tub or you want a chic way to dress up the existing practical bathtub that's already in your bathroom, there are countless bathroom tub ideas to fit any style.

From glamorous marble bathrooms with freestanding soaking tubs to charming clawfoot tubs placed thoughtfully in front of a window to standard alcove tubs that have been dressed up with creative tile, you can create a space that feels modern, traditional, retro, or timeless.

Ready to start planning your bathroom renovation? Here are 22 bathroom tub ideas to get you started.

Embrace a Textured Retro Look

A retro tub with rounded edges and vintage channel details has a quintessentially '70s look. Paired with terracotta tile and narrow wood paneling in a light stain, it feels calming and warm.

Flank the Tub With Vanities

What better way to showcase a stunning tub than to flank it with two vanities? In this space, warm wood gives the entire room a calming, spa-like feel and the window behind the tub lets natural light stream in.

Surround an Alcove Tub With Tile

Alcove tubs have a reputation for being plain, but this tub shows that you can take it in a totally different direction. Muted green penny tile and wallpaper give this simple alcove tub an elevated look.

Give It a Farmhouse Spin

Black and white farmhouse-inspired tile and a paned glass window give this soaking tub a farmhouse backdrop. A few subtle wood accents are just enough to warm up the look.

Give It a Moody Color Palette

A moody color palette is a dramatic backdrop for a vintage-inspired clawfoot tub. Wainscoting in dark taupe and a black window frame echo the dark color of the tub itself.

Highlight the Tub With Sconces

Bathroom lighting doesn't need to be bright and stark overhead. You can set the mood and highlight the tub by using sconces. This ambient light is ideal for those evenings where you just want to draw a bubble bath and relax.

Set the Tub on a Classic Checkerboard Floor

A classic black and white marble checkerboard tile is a gorgeous setting for a traditional clawfoot tub. With a sleek glossy finish, the floor immediately draws your eye to the tub as the centerpiece of the room.

Try a Metallic Finish

Tubs come in a range of colors, even though we most often see them in white. This metallic bronze tub is lovely against the warm, moody tones of this classic wainscoting bathroom.

Pop the White Tub Against Bright Colors

This modern freestanding tub gets a cottage-inspired spin with original wood trim, a chair rail, wainscoting, and a delicate floral wallpaper.

Surround It With a Shower Curtain

If your soaking tub is going to function as both a tub and a shower, then surround it with a circular shower curtain. It draws attention to the tub, as if it's ready for its curtain call at any moment.

Put It in a Corner

If you're trying to maximize space, try a corner tub that allows you to make use of an awkward angle. Plus, you'll get a ledge on two sides, perfect for a glass of wine or the next book on your reading list.

Install Built-in Shelves

If you want all of your bath accoutrements at arm's length, install built-in shelves just above your tub. Keep your bath oils, sponges, candles, and anything else that might make your bathing experience more comfortable right where you can easily reach them.

Add Small Wooden Stools

For setting everything from a candle to a book to a crisp, clean towel, small wooden stools are a stylish and functional bath-side table choice. Not only are they practical, they had a touch of warm, organic texture.

Embrace the Drama

If you have the square footage, why not get dramatic with your bathtub? From the curved windows surrounding the tub to the high vaulted ceilings, this bathroom makes bathing an experience.

Go Light and Bright

If the idea of a serene bathroom means a space that is full of white space and light, then a bright white and gray marble bathroom is the perfect vision. Drench everything in clean, crisp white for a calming look.

Lean Into an Industrial Look With a Cement Tub

A cement tub feels unexpected and industrial, yet it can look modern and sleek with the right surroundings. In this bathroom, accents of black and gold keep it from feeling cold.

Tile to the Ceiling

Your contractor will likely advise you to tile at least four feet up the ceiling around a tub, but if you want a more eye-catching look, consider adding subway tile all the way up to the ceiling. This creates a seamless, modern line.

Create a Spa-Like Bathroom With a Standard Tub

Even a standard alcove tub can get a spa-like look with the right colors and materials. Marble countertops, subway tile, chrome details, and a towel ladder make this space a relaxing retreat.

Add a Chandelier

Give yourself something sparkly to stare at while you're taking a bath. A chandelier is a glimmering accompaniment to a freestanding soaking tub. Try a crystal chandelier if you're looking for something with even more glamor.

Go for Classic Tile

There's nothing more classic than a black and white bistro tile, white subway tile, and a black bullnose. It feels like something you'd find in a prewar New York apartment, and it will never go out of style.

Add Boho-Inspired Accents

From a rattan chandelier to Turkish towels to a vintage-inspired rug, boho-inspired accents give a bathroom a warm feel. The muted tones in the painting and the wood vanity add to the look.

Surround It With Spa-Like Green

The gentle sea foam green in this bathroom gives the tub a relaxing, spa-inspired feel. Reeded glass, terrazzo floors, and mosaic tile add a modern touch to the simple, clean space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bathtubs in style now?

Whether a bathtub is in style depends on its actual style. Large, garden-style tubs are less popular today, while smaller, sleeker freestanding tubs continue to grow in popularity.

How do you modernize a bathroom tub?

If you have a tub that feels less than current, you can modernize it by switching up the tile around it, painting it, or resurfacing it.

What is the most popular size for a bathtub?

The most common size for a bathtub is 60" long by 32" wide.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.