Have you ever walked into a bathroom and thought, “hmm, nice. But something is just…missing”? Maybe you feel like that now in your own space. I know I’ve been there too. With bathroom design, we tend to focus on the basics – a shower, a sink, some storage. Maybe it’s tile (I see all your Pinterest boards!) or maybe it’s the endless search for the right paint color. Well, chances are, if your bathroom feels incomplete, it might be missing one key element: a well-designed bathtub area. Here, I’m going to share twenty bathroom ideas that put the tub front and center.
As someone who’s spent years helping clients create their perfect bathrooms, I’ve learned that a thoughtfully placed bathtub can completely change how a space feels. It’s more than just a functional fixture – it’s an opportunity to create a personal retreat. I’ve gathered these ideas from real homes and real budgets, and I’ve included practical tips for each one below.
Farmhouse Charm with Clawfoot Tub and Vintage Door
Natural wood elements pair perfectly with crisp white shiplap in this cozy farmhouse bathroom. A classic clawfoot tub takes center stage against the planked walls, while an ornate shelf with corbels offers a sweet spot for decor. The weathered wooden door adds character and warmth to the space, creating a balanced mix of rustic and refined elements.
Modern Marble Master Bath with Built-in Niches
Marble tiles laid in a chevron pattern create movement across the floor while leading to a raised platform with a freestanding tub. The glass-enclosed shower keeps the space feeling open and airy, while three built-in wall niches add both function and soft lighting. A dark wood vanity provides contrast against the light marble surfaces, and brushed nickel fixtures add a contemporary touch. The combination of textures – smooth marble, clear glass, and textured wall tiles – gives this bathroom a balanced, spa-like feel.
Sleek Wet Room Design with Integrated Tub and Shower
Combining a tub and shower in one space is a smart bathroom layout that I really love for smaller spaces. The deep green vertical tiles create a moody backdrop while the frameless glass panel keeps the room feeling open and airy. The bathtub’s clean lines flow seamlessly into the shower area, making the most of every inch. What makes this bathroom idea particularly clever is how the window placement above the tub allows natural light to pour in while maintaining privacy – a detail I’d definitely recommend for anyone planning a similar setup.
French Country Charm
Romance meets practicality in this thoughtfully designed bathroom space. An arched alcove with delicate floral wallpaper serves as the perfect backdrop for the freestanding soaking tub, while brass fixtures add warmth throughout. Sage green tiles wrap the shower enclosure, creating a natural flow from the tub area’s neutral wainscoting. Wall sconces with crystal details and a rustic wooden stool bring together the room’s mix of refined and casual elements. The glass shower partition keeps the space feeling open while maintaining the bathroom’s elegant proportions.
Modern Soaking Tub with Mosaic Accent Wall
Gray and white mosaic tiles create a contemporary backdrop for this freestanding oval tub, making it a perfect focal point for any bathroom renovation. I love how the natural light from the tall windows combines with the cream curtains to give this bathroom a spa-like feel. The clean lines of the bathtub design paired with the textured wall tiles show how modern bathroom ideas with bathtub can balance style and function. Yellow accents through carefully placed towels add just the right pop of color against the neutral palette.
Copper and Marble Luxury
Classic glamour meets modern luxury in this elegantly appointed bathroom. A copper-clad freestanding tub takes center stage against marble-lined walls and floors. Floral drapery in soft gold tones frames tall windows, while wooden vanities add natural warmth to the space. Through the doorway, a glimpse of an olive-green chair creates an inviting seating area. The mix of materials – from the black marble door frames to the patterned runner rug – gives this bathroom the feel of a sophisticated European hotel suite.
Modern Serenity in White
Clean lines and natural light create a peaceful bathroom retreat that I’d love to relax in. The oval freestanding bathtub takes center stage against marble-clad walls, while black fixtures add subtle contrast to the predominantly white space. What really makes this bathroom idea work is the smart layout – placing the glass shower enclosure behind the tub maximizes the room’s functionality without compromising style. The light wood flooring brings warmth to the space, and that tall window lets in plenty of natural light while maintaining privacy. It’s exactly the kind of bathroom that makes you want to draw a long, hot bath after a busy day.
Coastal Calm in White
Nautical black and white photographs set the mood in this serene bathroom space. A classic freestanding tub takes center stage beneath a blue Roman shade, while a simple wooden stool adds warmth to the crisp white palette. Clean marble-look tiles flow across the floor and into the glass-enclosed shower, creating a seamless look. Fresh greenery and folded towels bring soft touches to the minimal aesthetic, making it feel like a personal spa retreat.
Room With a View
A freestanding soaking tub takes center stage in this light-filled bathroom, perfectly positioned to soak in the peaceful lake views through large windows. The all-white palette creates a fresh, clean feeling while marble countertops and herringbone floor tiles add subtle texture and interest. Built-in cabinetry maximizes storage without cluttering the space, while brass wall sconces and fixture details bring warmth to the cool tones. It’s the kind of bathroom that makes you want to linger in the tub with a good book and watch the sun set over the water.
Natural Light Spa Retreat
Large windows frame a leafy oak tree view, creating a seamless connection between indoors and nature. The freestanding soaking tub takes center stage against white zellige tiles, while a vintage runner adds warmth to the geometric floor pattern. A brass-framed mirror and delicate pendant light complement the champagne-colored fixtures. Fresh greenery and wooden accents bring organic elements that balance the cool marble countertop and crisp white surfaces.
Modern Neutral Bathroom with Brass Accents
Mix metallic touches with soft neutral tiles for a bathroom that feels both fresh and timeless. The brass-framed shower screen and fixtures pop against pearl-colored subway tiles, while dark wood elements ground the space. The combination of materials creates depth without overwhelming the compact layout. A built-in shower niche keeps essentials within reach, and simple striped towels add just the right amount of pattern to this well-balanced design.
Farmhouse Fall Charm
Bringing seasonal warmth into a bathroom doesn’t have to be complicated, as shown in this cozy farmhouse-style space. The classic clawfoot tub takes center stage, accompanied by charming fall pumpkins and dried florals that create a perfect autumn atmosphere. I love how the shiplap walls in a soft greige shade complement the rustic wooden elements, like the tub caddy and floating shelf. The vintage-inspired chair and stained glass window insert add character that makes this bathroom idea feel especially homey. It’s proof that bathroom designs with bathtubs can be both functional and seasonally festive.
Modern Marble Bath with Glass Shower
Marble-look walls create an elegant backdrop in this bright bathroom, while a freestanding oval tub takes center stage. Large windows let natural light pour in, making the space feel open and airy. The glass-enclosed shower features built-in lighting and brushed gold fixtures that match the contemporary tub filler. Gray floor tiles complement the veined marble pattern on the walls, tying the whole look together. A recessed niche in the shower adds both function and soft ambient lighting to the space.
Serene Gray and White Bathroom with Statement Window
Natural light pours through floor-to-ceiling windows in this modern bathroom, setting the perfect mood for a relaxing soak. Gray walls complement the crisp white fixtures and marble-look tile flooring, while a vintage-style runner adds character to the long space. A wooden stool topped with greenery brings an organic touch, and matte black hardware creates subtle contrast against the white vanity. Floor-length white curtains frame the windows without blocking the light, making the space feel open and airy. The drum pendant light overhead adds a contemporary finishing touch to this well-balanced design.
Modern White Sanctuary
Clean lines and natural light define this serene bathroom space. A freestanding white tub sits beneath a tall window, creating a peaceful spot for relaxation. The textured stone accent wall adds dimension while housing a floating vanity and framed mirror. Gray floor tiles and a plush bath mat ground the space, while a glass globe light fixture provides a contemporary finishing touch.
Modern Wet Room Design
Clean lines and smart space planning define this open-concept bathroom layout. White subway tiles pair with gray stone accents to create a cohesive look throughout the space. The frameless glass partition allows the walk-in shower and freestanding tub to share the same wet area, maximizing the room’s functionality. Matte black fixtures and a mosaic tile floor add contemporary contrast while maintaining the minimalist aesthetic. Natural light streams in through a high window, making the space feel open and airy.
Modern Spa-Like Sanctuary
Marble tile in a vertical layout creates a soothing backdrop for this freestanding soaking tub. A crystal chandelier adds a touch of glamour while brass fixtures provide warm metallic accents. The moody cloud artwork pairs perfectly with the gray and white checkerboard floor, while a simple pouf and potted greenery bring soft natural elements to the space.
Modern Farmhouse Serenity
Natural light pours through the frosted window, creating a peaceful atmosphere in this well-designed bathroom space. The freestanding tub sits perfectly against textured white tile walls, while aged stone flooring adds rustic character. A practical built-in wall niche keeps bath essentials close at hand, and the brass fixtures offer a refined touch. What makes this bathroom idea really work is the thoughtful blend of modern and traditional elements – I particularly love how the wooden stool and potted greenery bring organic warmth to the clean lines of the bathtub. The black-framed glass partition adds contemporary contrast while maintaining the room’s open feel.
Modern Wet Room with Geometric Floor Pattern
Smart bathroom layout ideas come to life in this contemporary wet room setup. The freestanding oval tub sits behind a sleek glass panel, creating a spacious shower zone without visual barriers. I love how the dark wood vanity contrasts with white square tiles, while built-in wall niches offer practical storage for bath essentials. The real showstopper is that brown floor tile with white linear patterns – it adds just the right amount of personality to this bathroom without overwhelming the space. It’s exactly the kind of bathtub design that makes a small bathroom feel bigger and more luxurious.
French-Inspired Soaking Space
Natural light pours through tall windows in this elegant bathroom, where a classic freestanding tub takes center stage. Simple white walls and tile create a clean backdrop while copper sconces add warmth. Fresh greenery in a white vase brings life to the bistro-style side table, and a striped Turkish towel offers a modern touch. The vintage-style tub filler and wooden bath caddy complete the refined yet relaxed feel.