What size bath is best for your bathroom?
Did you know that baths come in all shapes and sizes? While there’s certainly a standard bath size here in the UK, you’re not limited if you’d prefer a unit that’s smaller or larger. In fact, choosing the right bath size is an important consideration in designing your bathroom. It’s something that will add to the overall space in terms of aesthetics, comfort, and spatial balance.
If mobility challenges or future-proofing your bathroom makes you feel like you’ve got limited choice in the bathtub department, then think again. This will rule out more classic freestanding models like clawfoot baths. But on the other hand, it opens up a whole world of possibilities in terms of walk-in units, optimized for comfort, relaxation, and usability.
In this article, we’ll discuss all three bathing solutions, with their pros and cons, to help you find out what bathing solution is best for your space.
Standard bath sizes in UK
Standard size - In the UK, the standard size for a bath is 1700 mm x 700 mm, or 5’6” long by 2’3” wide. This is perfect for an average-sized bathroom.
Small bath - Usually between 1300 mm and 1400 mm long and 700 mm wide, small baths are typically the same width as a standard-sized bath, just shorter which makes them ideal for small flats and bathrooms with limited space.
Compact bath - The smallest sized bath you can get, usually from 1200 mm long by 700 mm. These include corner baths as well as freestanding units.
Large bath - From 1800 mm long and 700mm wide and upwards, you’ve got large baths. These are great if you’re taller or if you’re keen to create a more luxurious feel in your bathroom.
Small and compact baths available at Premiere Care in Bathing
| Compact bath | Length | Width |
| Haven | 1320mm | 660mm |
| Assure | 1210mm | 660mm |
| Tranquility | 1225mm | 660mm |
Pros
Affordable
There’s no doubt that a smaller, more compact bath is more pocket-friendly. While there are pricier, top-of-the-range models designed to mimic more whirlpool-styled soaks, there are equally lots of affordable options that still come feature-packed - just take our Tranquility unit with its heated seats and low-level entry threshold.
Maximises floor and wall space
One of the biggest advantages of a smaller bath is that it affords you more floor and wall space. Whether it’s a corner bath that leads to a more open-plan floor or a smaller unit you can tuck in against a wall you’re bound to have more room left over for other features, such as rails, towel racks or built-in shelving units.
Water depth
Unlike typical bathtubs, smaller tubs provide deeper water. A standard tub might give a bather around 13 inches of hot water, whilst a small or compact unit like our Assure walk-in bath can give you up to twice the depth. Taking into account the seated position, this should give around 20 inches of depth to immerse your upper body.
Low maintenance
Smaller baths can be easier to clean than larger ones. Large, freestanding baths, in particular, require more maintenance, particularly if they’re of the whirlpool kind.
Cons
Less ‘luxurious’ in feel
While there are certainly plenty of ways to make a smaller bath feel grand, if you’re after the works - lots of bubbles and whirlpool action - then a small bath may not be for you. The same goes for if you’re after more of a statement piece in a larger bathroom; a small bath is likely to get lost in such a space.
Can be less comfortable
If you’re on the taller side, then you might want to go with a standard or large-sized bath instead. Fitting into a smaller bath, particularly if you’ve been blessed in the longer limb department can be a bit snug if you enjoy lounging out.
That being said, a small bath can be just as, if not even more comfortable than a large bath, especially when it’s been designed with mobility in mind like our Haven model with its extra deep seats which makes it more immersive than other walk-in baths.
Not as flexible
This is especially true if you’ve chosen to go with a drop-in corner bath or built-in option - there are only specific places that such baths will fit. That means there’s possibly only one corner or wall area where your bath will be able to go which will limit your options for how you want to design the rest of your bathroom.
Standard and large baths at Premiere Care in Bathing
| Standard/large bath | Length | Width |
| Empower | 1675mm | 700mm |
| Momentum | 1690mm | 690mm |
| Paradise | 1685mm | 700/800mm |
Pros
Aesthetically pleasing
Homeowners tend to opt for a larger tub as a statement. A large tub is certainly an eye-catcher due to its inviting size. There are also lots of different styles you can opt for in this size range, from more classic freestanding tubs to modern units with features like water jet technology or LED lighting.
Flexible placement
Standard and large tubs that are standalone can give you more options when it comes to the design of your space. Whereas smaller and corner-style baths often need walls or a corner as support, a large bath can be placed almost anywhere. So, whether you’re placing it under a skylight or making it the centrepiece of your bathroom, you’ve got lots of freedom to play.
Comfortable
There’s no doubt that one of the biggest advantages of owning a large bath is comfort. Instead of having to squeeze into a cramped space, you’ve got all the room in the world to lounge out and fully relax. Additionally, full-length baths tend to come with more features, such as Hydrovescent Massage Chromotherapy systems. Some like our Empower model, even come with more than one removable seat for added safety and comfort.
More space for showering
For those who want to combine bathing with showering, a larger bathing unit can offer more space and practicality. For instance, our Paradise walk-in bath’s P-shaped design allows for added room when showering.
Luxurious
Yet another big selling point of a large bath is its sumptuousness. Large baths can look and feel more luxurious, particularly in a larger bathroom where there’s ample space.
Cons
Can be expensive
Larger dimensions means spending more money, which can make a standard or large-sized bath a pretty significant investment. If it’s a feature you’re likely to get a lot of use from, then it could be very worthwhile. However, if you’re more of a ‘shower’ person, then you might want to opt for a smaller model instead.
Heavy
Large tubs can sometimes require extra support, which often requires reinforcement from the floor or wall against which it’s installed. Homeowners will need to consider this for the cost while renters from a practical point of view.
Size
Finally, while full-length baths have many pros, their size can be cumbersome. If your space is small and cramped, then a large bath won’t be very practical and could actually be an obstruction that’s easy to run or bump into.
Factor in bathroom size before choosing
It’s clear that small and large baths each have their own set of benefits over the other. That being said, we would say the only real cons for either come down to the space where they will be installed.
Bathroom size should be the biggest factor you consider when choosing what bath size to go with. Purchasing a large bath when you’ve only got a small bathroom or living in a small city flat, will make fitting and using your unit more cumbersome and impractical. Likewise, a small bath will seem lost in a large bathroom where you’ve got plenty of space for a more luxurious full-length unit.
Find the perfect bath with Premiere Care in Bathing
Whether the time is now, or you’re just looking to the future, taking changes in mobility into consideration is one of the best ways of improving your quality of life. That’s why we design our walk-in baths to be mobility-friendly and safe, so you can do everything you need to do to enjoy and make the most of life, without worrying about slips and falls.
Whatever the dimensions of your space, we can help you choose the right bathing solution. From walk-in baths in a range of sizes to walk-in showers and wetrooms, we can help you create the perfect solution for you and your family.