What is a Garden Tub? What You Need To Know!

Simply put, a garden tub is deeper than a normal tub. Garden tubs can come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of them have jets, and some do not. However, their main draw is that they are deeper, which allows users to soak in them easier. With one of these tubs, you can soak your whole body in the water.

If you’re interested in actually soaking in a tub, then you probably want a garden tub!

However, that doesn’t mean that garden tubs are automatically the better option out there. They are usually more expensive and take up more space, which may make them out of reach for some individuals. You have to have the room and extra money on hand to install one of these baths.

Beyond this, this garden tub uses elements that are indistinguishable from any other bathtub. For instance, they have a drain, spout, and faucet—and you can often purchase customizable hardware to go with them. Usually, your average bathtub hardware can fit on these tubs, which leaves you with a lot of different personalization options.

Why is it Called a Garden Tub?

Of course, no one is leaving these tubs in their garden today, so where did the name come from?

Garden tubs originated in eighteenth-century France. Back then, it cost a lot of money to have indoor plumbing, so it was typically only a thing in upper-class homes. Often, the elite would place their large bathtub near a window where they could view their garden while they bathed.

Then, contemporary designers stole the nickname and used it to refer to any freestanding tub. After that, it was used for only high-end tubs, which were usually whirlpool tubs. Many designers even based their tubs on the old French style, with clawfoot tub designs and minimalistic options being very popular.

This term is used interchangeably with “Roman Tub.”

In all likelihood, the tubs we have today are not like the ancient Roman or French tubs, but the term has stuck.

Why Shouldn’t You Get a Garden Tub?

While these tubs may seem like a dream, there are plenty of reasons not to get one.

Expensive

These tubs are extremely expensive. Usually, they’re considered a luxury item that you probably aren’t going to find in the average house. Therefore, they may not be in your price range.

However, there are some ways you can lower the price, such as using cheaper materials for your tub. With that said, even if you do choose a cheaper tub, you have to consider the high installation cost and utility bills as well. Not only will the tub cost more upfront, but it’ll also cost more over its lifetime.

Room

As a larger tub, you can expect a garden tub to take up much more room than a standard option. Therefore, you’ll need a larger bathroom overall to accommodate these extremely large tubs. Many smaller bathrooms simply can’t handle it.

You’ll need to consider whether you’re willing to give up the space in your home for this large tub. Even if you can fit it in, is it worth the space?

Practicality

Garden tubs are not terribly practical. Sure, they let you soak your whole body in them, which may be relaxing. However, that’s where their practicality ends.

These tubs are not suitable for children, for instance. They are simply too hard, and it’s difficult for an adult to reach into the tub to help the child bathe. Even older children may be unable to use them independently simply because they can’t get in or out. Those with mobility problems can often have trouble as well.

Labor

Garden tubs are harder to put in than your usual tubs. Therefore, you’ll often spend more money on professional installation, and you can expect the installation to take a bit longer too. Most plumbing in the home is simply not designed to accommodate these tubs, so it often has to be re-routed, which is a considerable expense.

Furthermore, this job is more difficult to do yourself since you have to have some knowledge of plumbing to accomplish it.

Why Should I Get a Garden Tub?

While there are plenty of reasons to avoid garden tubs, there are also a few reasons you may want to get one.

Comfortable

Most garden tub designers have comfort in mind when creating their tub designs. Therefore, these tubs are often more comfortable to lounge in than traditional tubs, making them perfect for those that like to soak. You can choose from a wide variety of options too, so there is sure to be something that you find comfortable.

Furthermore, these tubs allow you to completely submerge in water, which is something that other tubs just don’t do.

Quality

Because they are more expensive, these tubs are also of higher quality. They are usually made using better materials, which may bring in an extra design element to your home. There are many different material options, so you should be able to choose something that fits the overall design of your home.

Plus, many of these come with a lifetime warranty, which should make you feel confident in their durability. These tubs are truly made to last forever.

Aesthetically Appealing

On top of feeling very comfortable, these tubs are also beautiful to look at. A garden tub can easily be the focal point of your bathroom, creating an inviting space that you want to spend time in. These tubs are luxurious and can really brighten up a bathroom.

Plus, these tubs also add quite a bit of resell value—not just because they are comfortable, but they also make bathrooms look rather nice.

Are Garden Tubs Outdated?

While garden tubs have been around for a very long time, they are not outdated. Some of the specific designs have changed. You’ll find that garden tubs tend to be a bit more minimalist nowadays. However, they still add quite a bit of resell value to a home, even if they have an older design.

Of course, it does depend on the type of garden tub you have. Some can be a bit too much for the modern market. If you have one that looks like it was plucked out of the 80s, you may not find much resell value there.

However, freestanding, clawfoot garden tubs are still extremely popular today.

Conclusion

Garden tubs are basically just oversized tubs that allow you to soak in them completely. However, these tubs are also focal points in a bathroom due mostly to their large size. They ooze luxury and come in many quality designs.

However, that doesn’t mean that they are automatically a better choice. They take up a lot of room, so you have to consider whether you really want to dedicate that much room to a bathtub. Plus, they also cost more money than other tubs and require more installation time.

Still, if you want to soak and relax in a bathtub, it doesn’t get much better than this!

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Featured Image Credit: Liz Van Steenburgh, Shutterstock