Choosing between a freestanding, semi-freestanding or built-in bathtub is not just a matter of style. It depends on the bathroom you have, whether you're willing to move the plumbing, and how much clear space you can leave around the tub. Here are the real differences, without assuming one option beats the others.
The short answer
A freestanding bathtub is a standalone piece, finished on all four sides, installed away from the wall, and it usually needs the water supply and drain to come up through the floor. A semi-freestanding bathtub has one flat side that sits against the wall and uses the plumbing already there. A built-in bathtub is set into an existing recess or between two walls, with a panel visible only at the front, and it's usually the option with the least work if you're not changing the layout. If you have the space and want a centrepiece, freestanding looks best; if you're renovating without moving pipework, semi-freestanding is the practical choice; if the bathroom is small or an awkward shape, built-in makes the most of every centimetre.
Freestanding, semi-freestanding or built-in: comparison
| Aspect | Freestanding | Semi-freestanding | Built-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation / work involved | Water supply and drain come up through the floor; usually more work | Uses the existing wall plumbing; moderate work | Fits an existing recess; usually the least work if the layout stays the same |
| Space | Needs clear space on all four sides | Takes up less passing space, since one side sits against the wall | Makes the most of a tight recess or corner |
| Cleaning around it | Accessible on all four sides | Accessible on three sides | Only accessible at the front; the sides are hidden by the panel |
| Look | A sculptural centrepiece for the room | Keeps the freestanding look from the front | Blends into the line of the bathroom, without standing out |
| Changing it later | Easy to replace without building work | Easy to replace without building work | Replacing it means reworking the panel and the tiling around the recess |
| Taps | Floor-standing column or wall-mounted tap | Wall-mounted tap, simple to fit | Wall-mounted tap, integrated with the tiling |
When a freestanding bathtub makes sense
A freestanding tub works well when the bathroom is large enough to leave clear space around it, and when the renovation already involves moving the plumbing, since the supply and drain need to come up through the floor at the exact spot where the tub will sit. It's the right call if you want the tub to be the visual centre of the room, set away from the wall, and if you'd like to be able to swap it out later without opening up the floor again.
When a built-in bathtub makes more sense
A built-in tub fits better when the bathroom is small or an awkward shape and the recess already exists, for example when replacing an old tub with a similarly sized one without touching the tiling. It's also the logical choice when you don't want, or can't, open up the floor plumbing, or when the amount of building work matters more than the sculptural look: fitting into a recess that's already there usually means less masonry work than a freestanding tub. METROPOLE does not sell built-in bathtubs: if this is your case, look for that format from a specialist supplier, and come back here once the space or the renovation allows for a freestanding or semi-freestanding tub.
The middle ground: semi-freestanding
The semi-freestanding tub splits the difference: it keeps the freestanding look from the front, but one side sits against the wall and uses the plumbing already there, so it usually involves less work than a full freestanding installation. Three models in the METROPOLE range follow this format (prices as of September 2026): PALOMA, 170×80 cm, €828; AQUA, 170×75 cm, €728; and SERENO, 170×78 cm, €928. All three are white sanitary acrylic, with a concealed brushed-bronze drain.
What size you need
In our range, freestanding bathtubs run from 150×75 cm to 170×80 cm, and semi-freestanding ones from 170×75 cm to 170×80 cm, depending on the model. Before deciding, measure the available space at its narrowest point and check the route to the bathroom, and check the freestanding bathtub sizing guide for the exact dimensions of each model.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a freestanding and a built-in bathtub?
A freestanding tub is a standalone piece, finished on all four sides and set away from the wall. A built-in tub is set into an existing recess, with a panel visible only at the front and less need to move the plumbing.
Does a freestanding bathtub fit in a small bathroom?
It depends on how much clear space is left around it, not just the length of the tub. A compact size like 150×75 cm or a semi-freestanding tub can work; if the recess is very tight, a built-in tub usually makes better use of it.
What is a semi-freestanding bathtub?
It's a bathtub with one flat side that sits against the wall, while the rest keeps the finish and silhouette of a freestanding tub. It uses the existing wall plumbing, which usually simplifies the renovation compared with a full freestanding installation.
Can I swap a built-in bathtub for a freestanding one without building work?
Not without building work. A freestanding tub needs the water supply and drain to come up through the floor at the spot where it will sit, so replacing a built-in tub with a freestanding one means opening up that plumbing, even if the rest of the layout stays the same.
If your bathroom allows for a centrepiece, explore our freestanding bathtub collection. If you'd rather use the existing plumbing, take a look at our semi-freestanding bathtubs.