Baths are a fantastic way to unwind. The hot water is soothing, releasing muscle tension and relieving stress. But finding the perfect bath for you can be a bit of a minefield; there are so many options available, and it can be difficult to understand bath sizes or what would fit your bathroom.
Not all types of baths are suitable for every level of mobility, which can prompt additional challenges. Bathing is supposed to be relaxing, yet as we age and our mobility begins to decline, the act of bathing itself can become increasingly complex and even stressful.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types and sizes of baths available, as well as exploring walk-in baths, which are designed with mobility difficulties in mind.
The benefits of baths
A bath isn’t just a way to stay clean and prevent poor personal hygiene. It’s an important part of self-care. Stress relief is one of the biggest advantages of bathing, while additionally, doing so in the evening can help relax you and improve your sleep.
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But the benefits of baths aren’t just mental, they’re physical too. Baths can soothe aching muscles or joints, ease pain, reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
What is the standard bath size in the UK?
The standard bath size is 1700mm x 700mm, based on an average-sized bathroom. This size is most applicable to a single-ended straight bath, which is one of the most popular styles of bath in the UK.
While this is the standard average size of a bath, there are a lot of different bathrooms with a lot of different dimensions. Standard sizing is also available for smaller or larger baths.
What other size variations are available?
If it’s a tight squeeze in your bathroom already, opting for a smaller bath would likely suit you best. These measure at, on average, 1400-1600mm x 700mm, and so can be better tucked into smaller spaces. Though if that’s the case, there are certain styles of bath that would be beneficial – we’ll get to that shortly.
But if space isn’t an issue, you could definitely consider a large bath. These are typically 1800mm in length and 800mm in width, providing a great deal of space for you to relax and spread out. There’s something quite nice and luxurious about having the room you need, and it’s also more beneficial for taller adults.
How to measure the size of the bath you need
It’s worth noting that the precise dimensions of bathroom space, or the bath you want, are going to differ. It’s crucial to ensure that you get your bathroom measurements correct, as failing to do so can cause massive delays with your bathroom refurbishments.
Though sometimes it is best to consult a bathroom fitter – at Mobility Plus, we offer a specialist installation service for all of our walk-in baths and showers – if you’re interested in a traditional type of bath, you can do this yourself.
Start by picking the space you’d like the bath, or if you’re simply replacing an existing bath, begin there. It’s best to measure length first. Measure the distance from one side of your current bath, or the empty space, to the other.
For width, measure from the back wall to the front. For height, you’ll need to measure from the floor to the top edge – please remember you must measure the exterior of an existing bath for accurate results. For the depth, you’ll do the opposite: this is an interior measurement that will dictate the amount of water that the bath can hold.
What are the different types of bath available in the UK?
When it comes to modern baths, there are more variations (and more options to try and choose between) than ever before. While it can add time to the decision process, it does allow for a lot more flexibility in picking out a bath that will not only complement the style of your bathroom but also be the most practical option for you and your household.
Straight baths
Standard size: 1700mm x 700mm
We’ll start with the most common type of bath: the straight bath, which is the same style that we mentioned above. Probably the most commonly found bath in UK households, these are generally used for standard sizing references. These come in both single or double-ended versions, referring to where the plug and taps are placed, though double-ended tend to be slightly larger and can comfortably hold two people.
Straight baths are a popular option due to their size, they can fit neatly and compactly into tight spaces. They are often installed against walls for this same reason.
Shower baths
If you’ve only got the space for one, a shower bath allows its user to kill two birds with one stone. While many shower baths are simply single-ended straight baths with the addition of a showerhead and showering functions, there are a variety of options out there.
Freestanding baths
Standard size: 1800mm x 800mm
For those with bigger bathrooms, a freestanding bath is a great choice. Taking pride of place in your bathroom without the need to be connected to a wall, these have a very luxurious feel and offer plenty of room within the tub itself. They also tend to offer much more depth, meaning you’re better able to properly submerge yourself in the water.
Corner baths
Standard size: 1200mm x 900mm
Corner baths are another common choice in the UK and are similar to straight baths in that they fit perfectly into snug spaces without taking up too much of your bathroom. In fact, they can be a far better fit as they can squeeze into corners.
If you’re pushed for space in your bathroom, definitely consider a corner bath… although, despite being typically smaller in terms of standard size, you can get larger corner baths if you do have ample room for one. Because they tend to be wider and shorter than other types of baths in general, they can be a good option for those with slightly reduced mobility, and it isn’t difficult to find baths in this style that have a built-in seat for the same purpose.
Walk-in baths
While all of the baths listed above have their own advantages, sometimes they aren’t suited to those with disabilities or limited mobility. If that sounds like you, then a walk-in bath is definitely something that you should consider. Bathing doesn’t stop being enjoyable just because you get older; in fact, if anything, it’s only more beneficial.
However, it can become far more difficult. Getting in or out can be stressful and require assistance, but this is something that many don’t want to ask for. A walk-in bath allows people with limited mobility to enjoy that same experience in a safe, stress-free way, whilst enabling them to assert their independence.
What is a walk-in bath?
Walk-in baths have watertight doors, which means people can get in and out without having to lower themselves into it like a traditional bath would entail. In terms of sizing, they vary depending on what kind of experience the user is looking for. While some can be small and compact, and better suited to tighter spaces, which usually require that the user sit up whilst bathing, there are other full-length options that allow you to lie down as you would in a ‘traditional’ type of bath.
What types of walk-in baths are available?
Walk-in baths come in different variations, each suited to a different level of mobility. For example, there are many that have a low threshold to get into the bath itself, while some walk-in baths have a lift, so that the user doesn’t need to step upwards through the door at all.
Walk-in baths also have features that are designed to cater for older people or those with mobility problems. These include non-slip surfaces, hand bars for additional support, low entry doors, and additional features for comfort and relaxation like chromotherapy or spa therapy.
Walk-in baths also tend to have better, and easier to use temperature controls, than traditional baths, so that elderly people don’t have to worry about the shock of too cold or too hot water – which can definitely ruin the experience of a stress-relieving bath! Spa Therapy systems are also particularly helpful for elderly people; not only do these features really help you to unwind, but they’re great at tackling those aches and pains we talked about earlier, and have been known to aid arthritic discomfort.
If a bath isn’t actually your cup of tea at all, there are also walk-in showers and wet rooms which can fit a similar purpose.
Whatever the design of your bathroom, and whatever your concerns regarding practicality and mobility, there’s a huge amount of variety on the market and you’re bound to find a style to suit your needs. When it comes to mobility-friendly baths, we take pride in offering the largest selection of walk-in baths in the UK – and we’ll always work around your requirements. Take a look at our range or get in touch with our team.