Is a Sunken Tub Right for You?
One of these 14 sunken tubs might make you want to take the plunge
Jess McBride
July 20, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Custom decorating professional and content creator for the home design industry with a lifelong passion for color, pattern, and texture of every "stripe"
Houzz Contributor. Custom decorating professional and content creator for the home... More
Just like outdoor pools we’re used to belly-flopping into, sunken tubs erase the barrier between the floor and the waterline, which results in a more organic bathing experience akin to dipping into a pond or lake. This luxury amenity is not without its caveats, however. Decide if one of these 14 sunken tubs is right for your home.
1. Modern takes. Some still associate sunken tubs with the 1980s, when gaudy whirlpools were dropped into the floors of master suites. But everything old eventually becomes new again, and today’s updated take on this dated design features tubs with sharper geometry for a modern aesthetic.
2. Historical chic. This tub could nearly be called historic in a house that was ahead of its time. Built into a hillside, the landmark Radius House was an early exemplar of sustainable construction, conceived by Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice Daniel Lieberman in 1960.
3. Seamless integration. Extending the flooring or wall materials into the tub is a common design move for swimming pools that works equally well for sunken tubs. One caution, however, is that this seamless integration can make it even tougher to distinguish the void from the rest of the floor, making it alarmingly easy to essentially step off a cliff in your own bathroom. For the sake of the spouse who gets up nightly to use the bathroom, be sure to build your sunken tub out of the circulation path from bed to toilet.
4. Add some wood decking. There are other ways to quietly announce the presence of a potential safety hazard: Choosing a different flooring material for the area immediately surrounding the tub will give it some visual distinction and, as a bonus, will turn the tub into a sort of “destination” within the bathroom. Here, ipe decking and proximity to natural light give the tub the feeling of an outdoor pool.
5. A removable deck. Alternatively, you might consider asking your carpenter to fabricate a removable deck of wooden slats to cover the tub when not in use. Here, we see how slats create an additional floor surface for showering, if stepping into and out of a tub is not ideal, while the tub hidden underneath can be easily unveiled to accommodate the bather in the family.
6. Shower combo. A particularly ingenious way to incorporate the slatted deck as a safety measure is to fit it onto a track that can slide into a recess under the floor. Naturally, this will require extra planning and expense, but it’s a great solution if you want a little flexibility in your bath and shower setup but don’t want the hassle of manually removing the slatted surface every time you want to soak.
7. Curb appeal. For safety’s sake, you might consider adding a curb to the perimeter of your sunken tub to define the gap and eliminate the chance of accidentally walking into it. In this case, sinking the basin necessitated a lower than usual shelf, which changes the proportions of the room in an interesting way. The whole room looks organic and architectural, as if form was prized over function: a surefire recipe for good design.
8. Step it up. Building a sunken tub usually requires certain conditions for success — for example, a wood-framed floor or crawl space to insert the tub into, or the willingness to raise the floor and add steps down into the tub.
Though installing a sunken tub is always a significant undertaking, with a budget to match, it is perhaps a more realistic prospect for a first-floor bathroom. Subsequent floors will need to be reinforced and possibly reframed — sometimes extensively so — in order to house a sunken tub on an upper story.
Another reason to locate your sunken tub on the ground floor: You can open the bathroom up to your patio or yard to feel as though you’re basking in a shady outdoor swimming hole.
Though installing a sunken tub is always a significant undertaking, with a budget to match, it is perhaps a more realistic prospect for a first-floor bathroom. Subsequent floors will need to be reinforced and possibly reframed — sometimes extensively so — in order to house a sunken tub on an upper story.
Another reason to locate your sunken tub on the ground floor: You can open the bathroom up to your patio or yard to feel as though you’re basking in a shady outdoor swimming hole.
9. A concrete decision. Precast concrete is one material to consider if you go the custom route. While this option can be surprisingly pricey for such a humble aggregate, the extra labor and expense involved in casting a customized size and shape does allow for maximum design flexibility.
Here, we see an overflow drain on the outside of the tub’s lip, just like a pool. In fact, if you’ve ever dreamed of an indoor pool, outfitting a “wet room”-style bathroom with an oversized sunken tub might feel like a bargain in comparison to the real deal.
Here, we see an overflow drain on the outside of the tub’s lip, just like a pool. In fact, if you’ve ever dreamed of an indoor pool, outfitting a “wet room”-style bathroom with an oversized sunken tub might feel like a bargain in comparison to the real deal.
10. Drop in a standard tub. A sunken tub does not necessarily need to be super custom. This bathtub is situated over a crawl space and features an otherwise conventional drop-in basin like any other. The architects simply supported the tub from below and then insulated around the tub in order to keep it warm when filled.
11. Double plunge. This is one of my personal favorite bathroom photos on Houzz. This beauty showcases what is to me the pinnacle of sunken tub design for an organic-modern home: The indoor tub is mirrored by an identical outdoor plunge pool on the other side of the window, making the connection to the outdoors as explicit as can be. Presumably, one could simply hoist oneself up and slide across the ledge into the outdoor bath if craving some extra vitamin D.
12. Go compact. Sunken tubs don’t necessarily require a ton of space. This sunken Japanese ofuro tub is relatively compact, as this style soaker tends to be, fitting into a narrow alcove at the end of this long, skinny bathroom. The ofuro style is ideal for bathers who prefer to sit upright and admire the scenery, as in a hot tub, so be sure to hang a window low on the wall for this purpose.
13. Senior sensibility. Beyond aesthetics, sunken tubs can also serve a practical purpose, especially for those who intend to age in place. The instinct for a hot bath as a wintertime treat or as a means to relieve sore muscles does not disappear with age, but the high stepover of a deep tub may become physically prohibitive. Sinking the tub is one solution for prolonged bathing.
14. Romance in the making. Surrounding your sunken tub with thick masonry walls, stacked-stone tile or brick veneers will create a unique grotto-like feel, a la Phantom of the Opera, that will instantly boost the romance of even the most average bathroom.
More
19 Dream Tubs for Bath Lovers
10 Japanese Soaking Tubs for Bathing Bliss
More
19 Dream Tubs for Bath Lovers
10 Japanese Soaking Tubs for Bathing Bliss
High Point Cabinets is a custom cabinet builder located between Apple Creek, Fredericksburg and Mt. Hope, Ohio,... Read More
Related Products
At Urban Upkeep, we will work with you on design, pricing & scheduling for your project. We are interested in... Read More
Related Stories
Bathroom Design
4 Stylish New Bathrooms With a Shower-Tub Combo
See how designers play with tile, color and vanity selection to elevate the look and feel of this classic bathroom setup
Full Story
Housekeeping
4 Secrets to a Shiny-Clean Bathtub
Learn how to get your bathtub sparkling clean and keep it that way
Full Story
New This Week
3 New Bathrooms With a Shower-Tub Combo in 56 Square Feet or Less
Designers, including one found on Houzz, share details on how they made this space-saving feature a stylish focal point
Full Story
Feel-Good Home
Simple Pleasures: The Art of the Bath
Turn your tub session into a spa-like experience with sensory treats and relaxing decor
Full Story
Bathroom Makeovers
Before and After: 5 Bathroom Remodels That Free the Tub
Replacing bulky built-in tubs with streamlined freestanding ones rejuvenates these bathrooms
Full Story
Bathroom Design
New This Week: 6 Bold Bathrooms With a Shower-Tub
Designers use tile, color and other details to give this classic bathroom arrangement personal style
Full Story
Bathroom Design
Should You Get a Freestanding or Built-In Bathtub?
If you know you’re a bath person but aren’t sure which type of tub to get, these questions can help you decide
Full Story
Bathroom Design
Shower Curtain or Shower Door?
By Lara Sargent
Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo
Full Story
Bathroom Design
8 Narrow Bathrooms That Rock Tubs in the Shower
Not a fan of shower-tub combos or of ditching the tub altogether? Check out these 8 spaces with tubs in the shower
Full Story
Bathroom Design
10 Dreamy Bathtubs for the Ultimate Soak
Bathing areas with cozy fireplaces, eye-catching tile and outdoor views help you luxuriate in style
Full Story
These are no fun to clean. Be aware!!!
In most all of the examples, number 10 is the notable exception, the sunken tub is full of right angles and they do not look comfortable!
I think it looks ridiculous that after going through the effort and expense to create a beautiful surround--especially one in rustic stone or pebbles--someone just goes and drops in a pre-fab! I mean why even bother? And it's an even bigger eyesore when the tub is white.