Not sure which freestanding bathtub to choose? Look at five things: the size, the material, the shape, whether you want it freestanding or semi-freestanding, and the installation space. The right bathtub is the one that fits your bathroom, suits your style and is genuinely comfortable to use.
1. The size
The most common freestanding bathtubs are 150 or 170 cm long. The 170×80 cm is the popular choice: it gives you room to stretch out and strikes the best balance between comfort and floor space. The 150×75 cm suits bathrooms where 170 cm would leave the walkway too tight.
Before deciding, measure three things rather than one:
- The available run, wall to wall, at its narrowest point.
- The route to the bathroom: door widths, hallway turns and, if you live in a flat, the lift. A 170 cm bathtub does not fold.
- The clear space around it, which is what makes a freestanding bathtub read as freestanding rather than boxed in.
See our guide to freestanding bathtub sizes for the exact dimensions of each model.
2. The material
Sanitary acrylic is the material we recommend for a domestic freestanding bathtub, for concrete reasons rather than catalogue ones:
- It feels warm. It does not pull heat from your body as you get in, the way steel does.
- It holds the water temperature longer, particularly in double-walled bathtubs.
- It is light when empty, which makes delivery and installation in a flat far simpler.
- It can be repaired. A surface scratch polishes out; on enamel or vitrified ceramic it does not.
Every METROPOLE freestanding bathtub is made from high-quality white sanitary acrylic. Do bear the loaded weight in mind: a 170×80 cm bathtub holds roughly 230–250 litres of water, plus the person in it. On a normal domestic floor that is not an issue, but it is worth knowing before you place one on a raised platform or over underfloor heating.
3. The shape
Oval bathtubs have soft lines and work best as the centrepiece of the room. Straight-sided shapes sit more comfortably when the bath goes against a wall or between two units.
Two details you will notice in daily use: the rim thickness, since a slim rim looks better but gives you less to rest on, and the position of the backrest, because a symmetrical bathtub can be used from either end and an asymmetrical one cannot.
4. Freestanding or semi-freestanding
A freestanding bathtub stands on its own and is visible on all four sides. The water supply and waste have to come up through the floor, at exactly the spot where the bathtub will sit, which is why it suits new builds and renovations that are already taking up the floor.
A semi-freestanding bathtub has one flat side that sits against the wall. It is the sensible option when you are renovating an existing bathroom: it keeps the freestanding look on the sides you can see, but uses the plumbing already in the wall and saves the floor work.
5. Installation and space
Leave a minimum of 10 to 15 cm clear all around the bathtub. That is what you need to clean behind it, and what makes the piece read as freestanding. If the bathtub sits in the middle of the room, allow around 60 cm of walkway on the side you step in from.
Check before you buy that you can reach the water supply and waste in the chosen position, and decide the taps at the same time as the bathtub, not afterwards.
6. Taps, which are decided with the bathtub
This is the part most often left to last, and the one that creates the most building work when it is. There are three routes:
- A freestanding floor-mounted column: the usual pairing with a central freestanding bathtub. It needs floor outlets in exactly the right spot.
- Wall-mounted taps: simple and economical when the bathtub sits against a wall, typical for semi-freestanding models.
- Rim-mounted taps: only if the model comes pre-drilled from the factory. Drilling an undrilled bathtub yourself will compromise the warranty.
Before you buy: a quick check
- Opening measured at its narrowest point.
- Route to the bathroom verified: door, hallway and lift.
- 10–15 cm of clearance allowed for.
- Waste and water supply positions decided.
- Tap type chosen before the building work is closed up.
Delivery and warranty in Spain
METROPOLE bathtubs are delivered free of charge, in 3 to 5 working days in mainland Spain. You have 14 days from delivery to change your mind, provided the product is unused and in its original packaging; collection from your home costs 59 €. Every bathtub carries a 5-year warranty from delivery (3 years as the legal guarantee of conformity, plus 2 years as a METROPOLE commercial warranty), plus the manufacturer's warranty stated on its product page.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best freestanding bathtub?
The one that fits your space and your style. The 170×80 cm size in white acrylic is the most versatile and the most common choice.
Which material is best for a freestanding bathtub?
Sanitary acrylic: warm to the touch, a good insulator, light when empty, and repairable if it picks up a surface scratch.
How much space do I need?
Leave at least 10 to 15 cm clear on each side for installation and cleaning, and around 60 cm of walkway on the side you step in from.
What is the difference between a freestanding and a semi-freestanding bathtub?
A freestanding bathtub is visible on all four sides and needs floor outlets. A semi-freestanding one rests against the wall and uses the existing plumbing, so it is usually the simpler option in a renovation.
Will a freestanding bathtub fit in a small bathroom?
Yes, with a 150×75 cm model or a semi-freestanding one. What decides it is not the length of the bath but the clear space left around it and the walkway you keep.
Across our range: the HUDSON is the most versatile, because it comes in both 170×80 and 150×75 cm; the AZUL covers the pure freestanding format at 170×80; and the SERENO is the logical choice if you are renovating an existing bathroom and want to keep the plumbing you already have.
Explore all METROPOLE freestanding bathtubs and semi-freestanding bathtubs.