You’ve selected a freestanding tub and are dreaming of your first soak. To be certain you can fully enjoy that first bath, equip your space with these bathtub essentials from plumbing to storage to safety to effortlessly fit your lifestyle and desired look.
Are you going to have an overflow on your tub? Have you selected to have drillings on your tub rim, tub wall, or not at all? These decisions will affect the options you have in tub drains and tub faucets.
Learn more about tub faucet installation types and tub drain options with our buying guides.
Consider if a hand shower will suffice for rinsing or if you’d like to include a conversion kit to add a shower to a clawfoot tub. If you are planning to install the plumbing yourself, a Quick Connect Freestanding Tub Drain can help with ease of installation by allowing you to install above the subfloor but underneath the cement floor or tile.
In addition to installation needs, your plumbing fixtures should suit your style. Filling your tub with a waterfall faucet can invoke spa-like relaxation even before you step in. If you have a vintage look in your bathroom, a telephone-style tub faucet is the perfect option.
Keep in mind the telephone style usually requires tub water supplies if they are not already included with your faucet. To better understand these options, browse our tub water supplies buying guide. If floor space is limited, a minimalist wall-mount faucet may be your best option.
Available in a variety of stunning finishes, it may feel daunting to choose the right one for your tub’s surrounding fixtures. But fear not, as our selection of tub faucets is designed to resist rust and corrosion, ensuring your favorite finish is ideal for the wet environment of a bathroom.
For a finish with a practical edge over the rest, however, consider matte black. This light-absorbing finish naturally conceals smudges and water spots, making a smart yet timeless choice in high-traffic areas like kids’ bathrooms. Brushed metals from brushed nickel to brushed gold offer similar benefits while adding a smooth, elegant shine.
Whether hoping to relax, refresh, or play during bath time, pick accessories that work with the intention for your bath.
Tub caddies or tub shelves are bathtub must-haves for not only keeping the essentials close by but also for those wanting to unwind with a good book or movie or enjoy a beverage or snack. Reading racks can be added to your tub caddy to securely prop your book.
Wire tub caddies offer a touch of vintage or farmhouse charm, while wood tub shelves have a sleeker, more versatile look. If you prefer less bulk, an over-the-rim soap basket might be more your style, providing just enough easy-access storage while hanging out of the way.
Slick surfaces and moisture aren’t exactly a recipe for safety. With bathrooms the most common room in the home for slipping to occur, especially among those aging in place, the proper safety measures will ensure these incidents are avoided in your bathroom.
For a safe place to step onto after a soak, wooden bath mats will give you a secure, non-slip surface to land and dry off on. When made of naturally moisture-resistant materials like teak or bamboo, your bath mat will stay dry and last ages with little-to-no maintenance.
If you have an extra deep soaking tub, such as a Japanese soaking tub, you may benefit from some extra support when stepping in and out. A grab bar can provide extra grip for pulling yourself up after a long soak or as a support when entering and exiting your tub for a seamless, hassle-free experience.
