I am seeking some input. I am taking out a heinous huge garden tub, but do want a bathtub still.
Freestanding are pretty, but boy are they hard to clean around and it seems rough when our idea is to improve our age in place options.
Undermount tubs are prettier than drop ins. But pricy for that big stone slab to cover it & how does the stone edge feel on your neck when leaning back?
I’d love to hear and any all comments on tubs & if you’re recommending a certain one, I need 5’ tub.
Having had a free standing once before, agree it’s pretty but a pain in the butt to clean around. Space constraints usually mean they are fairly close to a wall - if you’re someone with a huge space who can put it in the middle, different story maybe. I probably wouldn’t get one again.
The slab for undermount can be manufactured out of 2 pieces of material instead of one giant piece with a hole in the middle. You will just end up with seams on the two shorter sides. That said, I would think the tub would be a pain in the neck to use and would need a pillow of some sorts. I’d go with a drop in tub.
I used a bath pillow in my previous houses that had tubs up against stone tops.
FWIW I wish I had fought more for soaker in our primary bathroom this go around. I let myself get talked out of it and I regret it. If I could do it over again, I would have done a free standing tub in a wet room.
Certainly looks pretty but what a cleaning nightmare! 
There are free standing tubs that have a flat side that can go flush against the wall. I wouldn’t have had room to float a tub but it gives a similar look without the how to clean the backside problem.
We have a big undermount tub and both of us love it. We also use bath pillows. Ours is one of the old jacuzzi jetted ones but we just don’t use the jets. It is really deep. I love it.
Now that I bathe grandchildren I am very grateful to have a “not very attractive” plain vanilla fiberglass tub which is super easy to lift a toddler in and out of. Easy to clean, easy to use. Won’t win any design awards, but think of yourself leaning over one of those gorgeous soaking tubs to bath a baby… and then get the squirmy and wet baby up and out!
Ooohh like this one!
It wouldn’t have occurred to me to look for a rectangular one as you mostly see rounded ones.
I don’t see much of a difference in access between something like this and an undermount except for not being able to install grab bars.
What about a free standing walk in tub?
Oh yikes! Didn’t see the price! ($10k!)
Love the look. But I’d need a ladder to get in it.
Faced this dilemma with a primary bath reno. Put a deep Maxx tub (no jets, built in) against a partially tiled wall (with toiletry niche) utilizing an existing corner and added a chest height partial wall at the head (fixture side) of tub. Gave privacy and space for plumbing while bypassing cleaning issues in this high ceiling bath. Critical feature was a spray wand as part of tub faucet for cleaning tub and washing hair. The tub is deeper than an old school tub, with a much smaller foot print than the 2 person jetted tub it replaced. We expanded a small shower and added a much larger vanity in the reno. [10x12 bath.] Best with your plans.
I have an acquaintance who complained a lot because she didn’t think about the size of her stand alone tub. It looks great, but it’s not a soaking tub by any means. She fought for it, but now doesn’t use it because it’s just not comfortable.
We have a deep 2 person whirlpool by Pearl. We called Physical Therapist I referred to and asked them what they recommended 30 years ago. The swirl is different and in theory more therapeutic but who knows. It is encased with granite. The neck /head parts raise up and over the granite enclosure and came with 2 pillows but to me it’s more comfortable without them. It slopes gently down. Has a hand wand.
Most important features is a TV. My wife is a pisces /fish and takes a nightly bath watching movies /TV. Glass of wine and two way fireplace she is set. I could go day’s without seeing her 
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Kids bath has a smaller one person Jacuzzi. Don’t ask. Must of been a sale 32 years ago. But can definitely wash grandkids in there easier. One problem though. We don’t have any grad kids yet 
When I was building my house the master tub was the most important decision I made. I’m a nightly bath person and I knew I wanted a soaking tub. I went to the supply house showroom and got inside all the tubs I liked the look of. Found a tub I loved and had jets added to it. I rarely use the jets and in hindsight could have just gone with the tub. My tub is top set on a tile platform.
We actually took the tub out of our master when we renovated the bathrooms a few years ago! Love the new big shower, and have a brand new tub in the bathroom down the hall (that I rarely use).
I do know someone who installed a walk-in tub for their parents, and she complained about her mother being cold while waiting for the tub to drain.
Our house came with a double Jacuzzi tub in the master bath. I thought I would love using it, but it takes almost the entire hot water tank to fill. I have used it several times over the years but not recently because (1) it’s a pain to clean and (2) we have an outdoor hot tub.
Here’s a picture from the original real estate listing:
And hot tub. Which would you use?
I’d be outside too!
We have a tub like that only it is quite gaudy!! Massive. You know how I clean it? By sucking up the dust that accumulates in it with the vacuum attachment!
The plan is to get rid of it completely.
