Advertisement
Home Shopping

A buyers guide to the best freestanding bathtubs for a touch of elevated luxury

Add a little self-indulgence to your nightly soak
white acrylic freestanding bathtub in a warm bathroom
Photography: Nic Gossage / Styling: Jonathan Flemming, Ryan McGregor

A stylish tub can make or break your bathroom renovations. For newly renovated bathrooms, a freestanding bathtub exudes luxury.

Advertisement

A freestanding bathtub is designed to be the focal point of the room. “Freestanding tubs are all about making a statement,” says interior designer Jono Fleming. “They bring a sculptural, spa-like quality to a bathroom and offer more flexibility in placement since they don’t have to be built into a specific alcove.”

Freestanding tubs are an ode to tradition, nodding to a period of time before built-in bathtubs became the standard. “When you look at homes from an older period, baths were always freestanding. Historically, that’s where we’ve come from,” says Sarah from Sarah Yarrow Interiors. “Our housing is much smaller these days and so we’ve had to adapt the bathroom style to that, and that’s where the built-in ones have come from.”

Now, freestanding baths can fit any bathroom interior style. From Victorian-style homes to mid-century interiors, freestanding tubs will compliment your space, as long as your bathroom has capacity. “One of the biggest mistakes is choosing a tub that’s too big for the space, making it hard to move around,” says Jono.

To help you find the best freestanding bathtub for your home, we’ve curated a list of the best tubs on the market based on their materials, aesthetic, customer reviews and advice from the experts.

Advertisement

2025’s TOP FREESTANDING BATHTUBS

  1. Caroma Urbane II freestanding bath, $1889 (usually $3072), The Blue Space (here’s why)
  2. Marbella Acrylic Freestanding Bath, from $799, Mytopia (here’s why)
  3. Fienza Eleanor fluted freestanding bath, from $2079 (usually $2295), Temple & Webster (here’s why)

The best freestanding bathtubs in 2025

01

Caroma Urbane II freestanding bath

$1889 (usually $3072), The Blue Space

Best for: Simple luxury

While understated in form, the Urbane II freestanding bathtub doesn’t spare on luxury. Crafted from acrylic with a gloss finish, the bath is available in two sizes for any modern bathroom space.

Sizes: Available in 1600mm and 1800mm sizes

Materials: Acrylic

Key Features:

  • Includes footlocker fittings to improve stability
  • Rectangular Oval
  • 310 L water capacity
  • 10-year warranty

02

Fontaine Industries Harper acrylic freestanding bath

From $849, Temple & Webster

Best for: Vintage charm

The new and old world combine for this freestanding bath, available in three sizes. Made of sanitary grade acrylic, the black high gloss finish offers a classic vintage touch for an elegant centrepiece.

Sizes: Available in 1500mm, 1600mm and 1700mm sizes

Materials: Acrylic, fibreglass

Key Features:

  • 256 L water capacity
  • Gloss finish
  • Centre drain
  • 7-year product warranty

03

Fienza Elizabeth freestanding clawfoot bath

From $1539, Temple & Webster

Best for: Old worldly charm

With its classic slipper shape, this freestanding clawfoot bath adds timeless style to any eclectic or traditional home. Pair with vintage-style fixtures for a Hollywood regency style, or rustic interiors for a farmhouse escape.

Sizes: Available in 1500mm or 1700mm sizes

Materials: Acrylic

Key Features:

  • Traditional slipper shape
  • 180L water capacity for the 1500mm size
  • 210L water capacity for the 1700mm size
  • Available with chrome, black and white legs

04

Indy 1700mm Oval Terrazzo Freestanding Bath with Overflow

From $5799, Temple & Webster

Best for: Unique feature piece

For that feeling of unparalleled elegance, this terrazzo freestanding bath by Madu Living is handcrafted from natural composite stone, while the soft matte texture brings a natural and calming appearance to any space for a spa-like indulgence.  

Sizes: 1700 mm

Materials: Terrazzo composite

Key Features:

  • Timeless oval design
  • 380 L water capacity
  • Available in white, grey and black
Advertisement

05

Marbella Acrylic Freestanding Bath

From $799, Mytopia

Best for: Easy installation

Made of acrylic and with a stylish gloss finish, this tub comes in a soft rectangular shape for a contemporary yet timeless appeal. Perfect for all modern bathrooms, the gentle curves offer a luxe European approach to a freestanding bath.

Sizes: 800 x 1750 x 633mm

Materials: Acrylic, internal stainless steel frame

Key Features:

  • Gloss finish
  • 10 Year structural warranty
  • Generous 50cm depth for a deep soak

06

Fienza Eleanor fluted freestanding bath

From $2079 (usually $2295), Temple & Webster

Best for: Adding texture to your space

The fluted design of this freestanding bathtub adds a textural element to your space, offering added interest to an already statement piece. Available in a gloss white finish, the smooth, non-fluted base perimeter simplifies cleaning ensuring that style doesn’t trump practicality.

Sizes: Available in 1500mm or 1700mm sizes

Materials: Acrylic, steel frame

Key Features:

  • Gloss finish
  • Smooth, non-fluted perimeter at the base for easy cleaning
  • Centre drain
  • Up to 10-year warranty

What to look for in a freestanding bathtub?

To find the best freestanding bathtub for your home, you need to consider a few factors including aesthetic, materials and size as well as your practical needs.

Freestanding bathtubs suit a wide range of aesthetics, so long as you choose one that matches your interiors. “A clawfoot or pedestal tub leans traditional, a sleek, matte-finish tub suits modern or minimalist bathrooms, and a concrete or metal-finish tub gives a bit of edge to your design”, says Jono. “If your space is more relaxed and coastal, a soft, curved white tub pairs beautifully with natural textures. The key is making sure the tub doesn’t feel out of place with the rest of the design.”

Advertisement

As for materials, acrylic is the most popular option as its more affordable, lightweight and easy to maintain. Other options include metal tubs such as copper or zinc. However, according to Sarah, “from a functionality perspective, they lose heat very quickly.”

Both Jono and Sarah recommend a larger space to offer more breathing room for the freestanding tub to shine. “Larger bathrooms work best, especially if you can position it near a window for natural light and a view. But even in smaller spaces, a well-proportioned freestanding tub can work, it’s just about making sure it doesn’t feel squeezed in,” says Jono.

Sarah also recommends considering how the bathtub will be installed. “It’s all very well choosing a beautiful bath, but if you can’t get it up the stairwell or through the door, then you’re never going to get to enjoy it.” For further tips, Jono recommends to “consider the size, comfort, plumbing setup, and how easy it’ll be to clean. If chosen well, a freestanding tub can completely transform your bathroom into a space you actually want to soak away in for hours.”

What are the downsides of a freestanding bath?

While freestanding bathtubs can be a stylish option to your home, consider whether the bathtub you choose is practical for your space. “I feel like the biggest mistake is people trying to fit too big a bath into a small space, they’re wanting that freestanding look but don’t actually have the floor space to be able to do that,” says Sarah.

Advertisement

If you are bathing small children, consider if a freestanding bath will benefit or hinder your routine. As Sarah notes: “Yes, with a freestanding bathtub you can access 360° around the bath, but water is going everywhere, toys are going everywhere… so it’s about knowing where you’re at in life and the functionality around that.” If this is the case, then perhaps choosing a built-in wall bathtub will better suit your space.

Both Jono and Sarah also mentioned accessibility issues. A lower profile tub is better to step into as opposed to a high-walled tub. Jono also mentioned that “a non-slip surface and grab bars can add extra safety.”  

“Plumbing is also something people overlook, some freestanding tubs require floor-mounted taps, which can add extra costs,” adds Jono. “And then there’s cleaning, because freestanding tubs don’t sit against a wall, getting around them can be a hassle. A hand shower attachment can make this easier, especially in wet areas where you can essentially hose things down.”

Freestanding bathtubs are an elegant choice, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to your space. Make sure that the bathtub you choose is practical for your home, space and lifestyle.

Advertisement

Related stories


Advertisement
Advertisement