Would you ever (willingly) put a bathtub in your bedroom? It’s a question we never thought we’d ask—mainly because we presumed the bedroom-bathtub-scenario was a forced, last-ditch effort to bathing in a tiny studio apartment. Nevertheless, this look is anything but a last resort, and Pinterest reported a 50 percent year-over-year increase in ‘bath in bedroom free-standing’ searches, along with a 145 percent increase in searches for ‘deep soaking tub’ pins.
This Bathroom Style Is Trending on Pinterest, But It Can Be Very Polarizing
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Published Sep 30, 2021
Yet, you may still be wondering “why?”—why would someone want a bathtub to be the first thing they wake up to in the morning? On the one hand, the look is surprisingly luxurious (when done correctly). But, on the other hand, it can feel like a total invasion of privacy. See below for an exploration of both sides.
One perspective is that this trend is less about the bedroom, and more about the bathroom. “A bath is a lovely, leisurely activity, but not so much in a bathroom looking at your toilet,” says designer Tamara Eaton in a Wall Street Journal article. And she has a point. We guess it can be hard to set the mood or ‘channel your inner beach’ when all you can think about is how someone left the toilet seat up (again).
While we know spa time and morning breath don’t exactly go hand in hand, we have to admit: This en-suite bathtub look is wayy more sophisticated than we expected. “[Bathtubs] tend to be made from beautiful materials like copper, cast iron and marble, which allow them to easily migrate into bedrooms,” explains Eaton. Not only does the bathtub itself take “statement piece” to an entirely new level, but the final look is romantic and elegant—almost European—with clawfoot tubs that could be in a pied-à-terre in the 7th arrondissement.
For some, however, it doesn’t matter how chic this look is. Moments of privacy are essential (read: not killing your loved ones during lockdown), and in many cases, it’s the key to maintaining a healthy relationship. Not only does Designer Ámbar Margarida agree, but she too believes that bedroom bathtubs are only acceptable when they’re found in “a micro apartment” or “East Village tenement,” according to the article.
Furthermore, there’s the issue of nudity, specifically how much nudity you’re comfortable with. Don’t get us wrong; we love our S.O’s, and we want them to feel comfortable at home. But that doesn’t mean we want to see all of them, all of the time. If you’re more of a Charlotte from SATC, a bathtub in the bedroom might feel uncomfortable and polarizing. Not to mention that it can be nearly impossible to work from home when your partner’s having a spa day a few centimeters away. In theory, the idea is great. But it becomes less practical when your boyfriend decides to hop in the tub during your 10 a.m. Zoom call.
