Building a new bathroom or remodeling your old one, a bathtub can be a luxurious addition. Don’t let a shortage of area keep you from creating your dream bathroom. With a little research and some clever planning, you can work a tub into most bathrooms.

From different bathtub installations to various styles and features, here's what you need to know before choosing one.

INSTALLATION

When choosing a tub, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the type of installation that will fit in your space. Depending on the type of installation, you then choose the style of bathtub and the fixtures that go with it. These are the most common bathtub installations: 

o    Freestanding

With this type of installation, the bathtub sits by itself on the floor without the need for a constructed surround support. They can be placed anywhere in the bathroom, though obviously near the delivery and drain plumbing.

o    Inset

Bathtubs that fit into this type of installation come with a finished top rim or edge. The rim of the bathtub usually sits level with the enclosure and plumbing gets hidden behind the wall or within the support framework. This type of installation is quite common in small and medium-sized bathrooms.

o    Freestanding Inset

A combination of the first two, a freestanding inset requires the construction of a surrounding support. However, the entire bathtub and enclosure is not attached to any wall. As with a simple freestanding, this installation is more suited for larger bathrooms.

o    Sunken

Sunken installations cannot be undertaken in apartments but are great additions to ground-floor bathrooms. The bathtub takes centre stage and is the focal point of the space.

You need to consider how much space is available below your flooring before embarking on this project.

FEATURES YOU MIGHT WANT:

There are quite a few features that come with bathtubs that can really enhance the experience, such as whirlpool and bubble bath jets, chromotherapy light fixtures, heat and sound controls.

Whirlpool jets can do wonders for tired muscles but before you purchase a tub fitted with jets, sit in it to make sure that the jets won’t hit uncomfortable places on your body.

Heat controls can allow you to control the temperature of the water, whether you prefer a still soak or the whirlpool option.

Soothing, colored lights can be synchronized to match the pulse of music vibrations.

TIPS FOR SMALL BATHROOMS:

In a small bathroom, fit a shower along with the bath so the area can double to work for quick showers or long soaks.

You can also open out the space by fitting a glass partition instead of a shower curtain, which will allow the flow of light.

If you plan to install the tub along the length of the bathroom, look for narrower tubs but not less than 32 inches. 

Keep the look of the deck of the drop-in tub and the walls the same so that there is continuity in the design.

Using the width of the bathroom might turn out to be a better option.