The bath is often the biggest single fitting in a bathroom, so it pays to choose well. Get the type and size right and the whole room works around it. Get it wrong and you are stuck with something cramped, awkward to clean around, or too big for the space.
This guide covers the main bath types, how to size one for your room, and what to know about shapes and materials. If you already know what you want, you can jump straight to our baths collection, or go straight to freestanding baths, shower baths and corner baths. For smaller rooms, our guide to small bathroom ideas pairs well with this one.
Start with how you'll use it
Before the style, think about how the bath earns its place. Is it mainly for relaxing soaks, for bathing children, or a practical bath-and-shower combination for a busy family? That answer points you to the right type faster than any catalogue.
The main types of bath
Single ended baths have the taps and waste at one end and a sloped back at the other, so one person can lie back comfortably. They are the standard, practical choice and fit most bathrooms. See our single ended baths.
Double ended baths have the taps in the middle and a slope at both ends, so two people can share or one person can bathe from either side. They suit larger bathrooms. Browse double ended baths.
Shower baths are shaped wider at one end to give you room to stand and shower, making them ideal where space only allows one of the two. Pair with a bath shower screen to keep water in.
Freestanding baths stand alone as a centrepiece and make a real style statement, but need more floor space and room around them. See freestanding baths.
Corner baths fit into a corner and can be a smart way to use an awkward layout, though they take more floor area than people expect. Browse corner baths.
Getting the size right
Measure the space before you fall for anything. The standard UK bath is 1700mm by 700mm, but smaller (1500mm and 1600mm) and larger options exist. Leave room to move around it and to clean behind it, and check the bath will physically fit through doorways and up stairs on delivery day, a step people forget until it is too late.
Shapes, materials and finishing touches
Most baths are acrylic, which is warm to the touch, holds heat well and is lighter to handle. Steel and stone or composite baths feel more solid and premium but weigh more and cost more.
Don't forget the parts that complete the bath. A built-in bath usually needs a bath panel to finish the side, and every bath needs bath taps chosen to match the tap holes and your other brassware. Our guide on how to choose bathroom taps covers that in detail.
Get the right bath the first time
We have spent over 40 years helping people choose baths that fit their rooms and their lives, and the decision is straightforward once you start with how you will use it and measure the space carefully. If you tell us your room size, we will point you to baths that will fit and feel right.
Browse our full baths collection to start, and remember delivery is free on UK orders over £499. Our team is on hand if you would like a steer before you commit.
