Freestanding tubs are the focal point for wellness and renewal.

The perfect bath design begins and ends with an exceptional tub, especially during these pandemic times when pursuing wellness at home has become not just desirable but essential. It’s no wonder that the freestanding tub — which was already gaining momentum — has become a must-have upgrade for homeowners across the country.

From elegant sculptural shapes to organic materials, the tub has rightly assumed its position as the lead fixture in today’s bathroom design. Also surging in popularity are tub fillers with new elevated styles such as cascading wall-mounted designs and freestanding faucets in beautiful matte black and gleaming stainless-steel finishes.

A freestanding tub inspires a sense of renewal and feels like a five-star hotel where relaxation and pampering abound. Here is a sampling of the newest styles of tubs and fillers to help create a bathroom space that is both classic and contemporary while also offering therapy options to enhance wellness for the whole family.

Pure Simplicity

A freestanding tub is the natural focal point of the bathroom. The Metro 2 Sculpted Finish tub from MTI Baths deserves center stage with its effortless chic and sleek minimalist design. Its simple rectangular shape is enhanced by crisp lines and smooth planes with a refreshing absence of ornamentation. This purity of design allows the Metro 2 to compliment modern decors with a timeless elegance that defies trends.

An extended deck on one side allows for faucet installation and provides a convenient ledge for entering and exiting the tub. Available in three sizes, the Metro is offered as a soaker or air bath with a sloped backrest and blissfully comfortable ergonomic design. MTI’s proprietary Sculpted Finish feature allows customers to choose a finish for one to four sides of the tub, creating installation options that make the Metro a versatile choice for any bathroom configuration.

As part of the brand’s Designer Series, the Metro tub is made of reinforced cast acrylic and meticulously detailed with a high gloss finish that is nonporous, easy to clean and highly resistant to stains and scratches.

Waterfall Wonders

The ritual of preparing a bath is often a soothing one — running water, dim lights and the inviting aroma of soap and essential oils. Isenberg brings a new dimension of relaxation to this process with its wall-mounted Cascade tub fillers. The faucet produces a waterfall effect, filling the tub with streaming arched panels of water that are mesmerizing to the senses. The high-volume design means the tub is filled quickly, making it easy to slip into a restorative soak with little waiting time.

The Cascade Collection brings a fresh, modern aesthetic to the bathroom with a sleek shelf design that does double-duty as a style element and a handy ledge for bath essentials. The matte black finish is very on-trend and creates a dramatic contrast in a white bathroom. Crafted from solid brass, the wall-mounted filler comes in two sizes with flow rates of 10 to 11 gallons/minute.

They are available in 24 different finishes, from gleaming metallics to colorful options such as crimson, army green and navy blue. Cascade faucets are perfect for renovation projections with easy installation connections and are covered by the brand’s limited lifetime warranty.

Singular Sensation

BainUltra turned to centuries-old traditions to create its newest tub — the BeOne. Inspired by Japanese bathing rituals, this first-of-its-kind freestanding tub translates the past into modern times. BainUltra pairs the traditional circular design of Japanese tubs with its signature air jets to create a powerful yet soothing massage experience unlike anything else in the market. When enjoyed with the brand’s signature therapies, BeOne becomes an unforgettable sensory experience.

Its compact footprint makes the tub a smart choice for smaller spaces with a deep bathing well and comfy built-in seat. Because BeOne is designed specifically for one bather, the user is free to focus on personal wellness, creating a private retreat to relax the body and refresh the spirit.

The tub is offered as a soaker or with its popular Thermomasseur technology with up to 40 air jets and Geysair hot air system for the ultimate hydro-thermo massage. Measuring 46 inches by 39 inches by 30 inches, BeOne is available in a glossy white or with options for a dramatic black and white finish or Ultravelour matte finish.

Walnut Oasis

There’s something almost magical about the award-winning Shell bathtub from Nina Mair. What was once a solid block of aromatic walnut has been transformed into an extraordinary freestanding tub. The painstaking process uses a precision CNC milling machine to carve every corner and curve until the final form is refined, polished and oiled by hand many times.

The finished wooden tub feels warm and smooth to the touch, welcoming the body into a bathing experience that is an oasis of rest and tranquility. The Shell bathtub makes a dramatic style statement with rich wood tones and textures, bringing a sense of organic nature into the home.

Measuring 33 inches by 74 inches, the generously sized bathing well may accommodate two bathers in blissful comfort. The sophisticated drain and overflow sit flush with the tub's surface, virtually disappearing into its form. This special bathtub is truly unique and helps create a luxurious spa experience at home.

Sculptural Style

Nothing sets off a freestanding tub like a beautiful freestanding tub faucet. Lenova has a sleek design — the FST01SS — that is the perfect partner for any tub. Its towering design is long and lean with minimalist lines that are equally at home in a vintage-inspired décor or a modern setting.

This Lenova faucet stands tall at 40 inches with geometric planes and angles for a sleek, sculptural look. The faucet has a compact footprint, allowing it to bring big style to small spaces. Crafted of premium 304 stainless steel, the faucet is built to Lenova’s exacting standards with zero lead content and a top-quality ceramic cartridge for drip-free performance.

A single-lever design provides easy control over water flow, and a pull-out hose is a handy feature for total tub access. The faucet is finished in gleaming polished chrome and is backed by a 10-year limited lifetime warranty.

Tub-Side Table

MTI Baths adds just the right finishing touch to the bathroom with its sleek bathroom tub table. Nestle it next to any freestanding tub for a convenient and beautiful place to keep bath essentials close at hand and easily accessible. It’s the perfect spot to keep a smartphone or glass of wine safely out of the water. Measuring 22 1/4 inches tall, this minimalist table is constructed of MTI’s SculptureStone material to coordinate perfectly with its extensive collection of tubs.

Small rubber feet are attached to the bottom of the table to protect flooring and prevent it from sliding. Handcrafted in the United States, this adorable table brings beauty and functionality to the bathroom and is sure to be a much-used and appreciated accessory.

When it comes to the bathroom, the most sophisticated designers are responding to consumer demands to put the tub front and center in the bath. With new ideas and innovations for styles, materials and fixtures, our industry is leading the way in the trend to put this freestanding fixture on a pedestal.

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