Seeking bath in bedroom advice? Experts weigh up the pros and cons

If the phrase 'bath in bedroom' makes you think of hotels or country homes, you're not alone. Associated with luxury and indulgence, it's a bedroom design feature that appeals to many.

But, with a bath of any kind comes water, steam and plumbing - three elements that don't always blend well with bedrooms where soft furnishings, carpets and furniture take pride of place.

We asked the experts if there are ways of making bath in bedroom options safe and practical, without taking away any of the key elements that make your bedroom a beautiful space. Here's what they have to say.

Assess your space for bath in bedroom options

“Luxury hotels have popularised the trend of bringing a freestanding bath into the bedroom, and with careful consideration of certain practicalities, there’s certainly scope for this statement feature to be incorporated into your own master bedroom ideas at home,” says Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at Lusso.

“But, you should only consider bringing a bath into the bedroom if you truly have space to accommodate it," advises Mike. "If the room feels overcrowded this will instantly look like a misplaced addition. Both for practical and aesthetic reasons, the bath should have its own dedicated space in your room."

"If you don’t have space to build an en suite," adds Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, "your room probably isn’t big enough to hold a bathtub." 

If you do have the space however, then when it comes to getting your bath in bedroom installed correctly, experts agree that it's about the four Ps: plumbing, positioning, protection and product choice. 

Mike Whitfield

Mike Whitfield is a bathroom interiors expert and Head of Sales at Lusso. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury homeware sector, and nearly 20 years of experience in e-commerce and online sales, Mike possesses a great eye for interior design and stays up-to-date with the latest trends.

Getting your plumbing in place

“If you have the luxury of space in a large bedroom, a freestanding tub can be a fantastic addition to your bedroom ideas," says Mike Flook, an expert plumber from MyBuilder.com. "And while en-suite bathroom ideas might offer a little more functionality, going for a bath in the bedroom instead can offer you more space, and better views to enjoy while soaking in the bath."

"However, where you can place your tub all depends on your pipework," says Mike, "as if you need to install plumbing across your home, this can sometimes increase the costs dramatically.

“An obvious place for a bathtub in a bedroom is close to the window, especially if you have views from your room. However, you must also ensure that you follow building regulations when it comes to notching and cutting joists for copper pipework," adds Mike.

"You also want to make sure you have space to run the waste pipe under the floor and out through the wall into an accessible soil pipe so that it connects to your foul water drainage," he advises, meaning it may be a trickier job if you are renovating a bathroom.

Renovation is trickier than new build

“If you plan on retro fitting a bath in the bedroom, one of the key issues you will also face is the cost," adds Mike. "Your plumbing will likely need to be moved, coming up from the floor rather than out from the wall. This can be tricky on older properties and would be an easier installation if you planned this as part of a bigger renovation or extension which included the bath.

"As a result, you tend to see freestanding baths in bedrooms put in new build properties, when there is the option to create everything from scratch so you are able to complete the project more easily.”

"Retrofitting a bath into an existing bedroom can be challenging," agrees Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Co, "but is certainly doable with the right planning and professional assistance. This process involves assessing the current plumbing and structural capabilities of the room and potentially making significant modifications. 

"Consulting professionals regarding structural support, plumbing, and ventilation is crucial, as this is not a DIY job," says Phil.

Mike Flook

Mike Flook, an expert plumber from MyBuilder.com, is the owner of MJ Flook Plumbing in Cardiff. He has over 10 years of experience across all plumbing services.

Phil Etherden

Phil Etherden is managing director of The Albion Bath Co. who specialise in creating high-quality bath tubs that combine classical design with a modern production method that make them perfect for period and renovation properties.

Where to position your bath

Consider raised platforms

Although some flooring may be suitable for use in both the bathroom and bedroom, you'll usually find different materials used in these rooms, which means getting the positioning of your bath in the bedroom needs careful consideration.

"Taking inspiration from luxury hotels, creating a raised platform for your bath to sit on can help to create separation from the rest of the room," suggests Mike Whitfield. 

"As traditional bedroom flooring ideas (e.g. carpet) aren't as robust in handling water, creating a platform also allows you to incorporate a more suitable floor covering for your bath area, such as ceramic tiling, into your bedroom design."

Place next to a window

"The best position for the bath is often near a window or in a corner where it can become a feature of the room without obstructing movement," says Phil Etherden. 

"Placing it near an external wall can also simplify plumbing installations, however, don’t forget to consider privacy and the view from the window to ensure an enjoyable and private bathing experience."

Don't forget to allow space for taps

"Taps and their positioning are another important consideration," adds Phil. "Floor-mounted or wall-mounted taps will work best with freestanding baths, so ensure that the taps you choose are compatible with your bath and positioned for comfortable use."

Floor mounted taps will also require additional floor space so remember to include them when considering your bedroom layout ideas.

Floor mounted bath tap options

Protecting your bedroom fixtures and fittings

"As open-plan living has gained popularity, incorporating a bath in a master bedroom suite at home has become a viable option for those seeking a touch of opulence," says Phil Etherden. 

"There is something undeniably romantic and indulgent about slipping into a bath without leaving the comfort of your bedroom," but this can all potentially come at an additional cost.

"Bedrooms tend to have electrical equipment, expensive items and soft furnishings that don’t mix very well with bubbles or water," confirms Barry Cutchie, meaning extra care and attention must be paid to ensure your bedroom fixtures and fittings aren't ruined, and your bath in bedroom dream turns into a nightmare.

Choose your flooring carefully

If you're born before a certain date, you'll remember a time when it was considered the norm to have carpet in a bathroom. If you don't, then be glad. Although we have heard rumours that it's a returning trend, it will need some serious persuasion before I ever consider it an option.

However, on the flip side of this is the fact that outside of warmer climates where cooling floor tiles can be a sensible addition to your bedroom, they don't always feature as an option in the UK.

It's therefore more sensible to consider Mike Whitfield's advice for creating a section of tiled floor underneath your bath to prevent damage.

"If you imagine having a bath on a carpet," adds Mike Flook, "there is also the chance that water from the bath doesn't dry, goes through the carpet and then onto the ceiling below, potentially causing damage to both rooms."

If you're considering wood flooring ideas, for your bedroom, you could also consider luxury vinyl flooring which offers wood replica finishes that are more practical and hardwearing in bathroom spaces, but are still soft enough underfoot in the bedroom.

Protect your wall finishes

“Outside of your bedroom flooring, you’ll also need to damage-proof your wall coverings," says Mike Whitfield. "Steam from a hot bath could easily lead to condensation clinging to your bedroom walls, so it’s a good idea to repaint with a good damp-resistant bathroom paint.”

Bathroom panelling ideas can be a good design solution in this scenario, or you could even consider bathroom wallpaper ideas. Alternatively, if your bath is going to be placed close to a wall, make a feature of the space by tiling a section of the wall behind the bath, making it easier to wipe down should it collect moisture.

Ensure good ventilation

One thing all our experts agree on is that ventilation is key bath in bedroom advice. It's essential in order to prevent a situation where you face dealing with mould removal.

Positioning your bath next to opening windows provides immediate natural ventilation, or you may even need to consider installing the best bathroom extractor fan in your bedroom if you aren't keen on windows being opened during the winter months.

Barry Cutchie's additional word of warning? Don't consider having a bath in your bedroom if it's going to be the only bath in your home. 

A bath in a bedroom is an experience and gives the room a real sense of luxury and is lovely for relaxing, taking time to unwind," says Barrie. "But when it comes to family living and splashing children, a separate bathtub in a stand-alone family bathroom idea is most likely a must."

Barrie Cutchie

Barrie Cutchie founded British bathroom brand, BC Designs in 1999. He is an award-winning designer who has been at the forefront of bathroom design for over 30 years.

Picking the best bath for your bedroom

Choosing the best bath for your bedroom is no easy task says Barrie Cutchie. "The rise of social media and a dedicated trend for lavish bathroom interiors has meant that bathrooms now need to combine functionality with stunning finishes and aesthetics," he explains. However, it's something that suppliers have recognised meaning you now have more options.

"There has been an explosion of new sanitary ware, brassware and the resurrection of coloured ceramics," explains Barrie. "Showstoppers in their own right, these new products have helped bathrooms cement their place as one of the most desirable rooms in the house.

"It significantly matters when it comes to the star of the show; the bath. It will be hard to create the look with a low to mid-market product. If you’re going to have a bathtub at the end of the bed, it’s got to be a feature, it’s got to have presence and make a statement."

Mike Whitfield agrees, telling us "if you’re going to have a bathtub in your bedroom, it’s got to make a statement - so why not go bold with a coloured bath? 

"While white porcelain or acrylic baths are the usual picks for a bathroom, when brought into the more ambient space of the bedroom they may feel too sterile. Choosing a coloured concrete bath such as the ones we offer at Lusso, will help to cement this as a stylistic choice and match the bath with your room’s colour scheme for a harmonious, monochromatic look.”

"Cast iron, claw footed, roll-top baths are also ideal," says Barrie. Find a selection of roll-top baths at BC Designs.

Pick the right size bath for your bedroom

"A high-quality, visually striking bathtub is essential to serve as the centrepiece of your bath in bedroom ideas, creating a statement and adding presence," says Phil Etherden, "but there are also practical elements to take into consideration before you make your final choice.

"When choosing the size and style of the bath, consider the overall design and dimensions of your bedroom. Freestanding tubs are often favoured for their elegant look and versatility in placement, but they require sufficient space around them to be effective," notes Phil.

"Compact baths, such as the tubby tub from The Albion Bath Co. can work well in slightly smaller bedroom ideas, providing a classic look without overwhelming the space. For larger bedrooms, a statement bath like a modern, sculptural tub can become the focal point of the room, but be sure you can still use your bedroom effectively."

Having owned a freestanding bath before, I'd also add a final note on how it's important to ensure there's sufficient space between the wall and baths to be able to easily clean behind it. 

Sacrificing function in place of form could result in you regretting putting a bath in the bedroom further down the line if you are constantly battling to keep the area clean.

If you're still tempted by the thought of a freestanding bath but would prefer to keep it in a bathroom, check out some bathroom remodel ideas and find out what other bathroom design mistakes you need to steer clear of.