How to Choose The Right Bathtub

Bathtubs might seem like simple fixtures that hold water, and while that's probably true of their humbler beginnings, it's not the case anymore. Bathtubs have evolved to a point where some of them use various technologies and add-ons to further enhance your bathing experience. So before making your final selection, it may help to brush up on what's available so that you're sure you've exhausted all your options (you might find a style to indulge yourself with too! ). Contemporary Luxury Bathtubs like the Amalfi tub from Victoria and Albert offer a contemporary style to the deep soaking slipper bathtub. It's gentle sweep on one end provides a graceful look yet useful purpose of supporting your back, neck and head, similar to a lounge chair. Other products like the handmade mahogany bathtub from Bath in Wood of Maine shows off the beauty of wood in another contemporary soaking tub. Plainly stated -- tubs can be stylish too. Soaker & Air Tubs For Smaller Bathrooms If the thought of a freestanding soaker tub appeals to you but you don't have a bathroom the size of your living room, smaller soaker tubs are available. Acquatic makes the Serenity 13 which is a smaller version of their pedestal-base Serenity 11 soaker tub. Aquatic also offers their Serenity Studio rectangular air baths in a range of smaller sizes for smaller spaces. Heaters & Electronic Controls Many air baths and whirlpools offer heaters that keep the water hot. Aquatic's HotSoak has a heater and pump but limits the water movement for a more still, relaxing hot bath. Some tubs also have electronic controls that govern the overall functions of the tub like heat control and water pressure. The wonder of electronics does away with knobs and dial timers. Soaker-Like Features On Conventional Tubs Some conventional alcove-type tubs have features that allow them to be filled more than standard tubs, making them more like a soaker bathtub. American Standard produces the Deep Soak™ drain that puts the overflow drain at a higher level in the tub. Kohler's Archer™ tubs have a similar feature, allowing you to immerse yourself deeper into the bath. Integrating The Sound Experience Forget about just getting clean. How about bathtubs that project sound and light? Kohler's VibrAcoustic™ tubs combine what they call soothing instrumental music tracks that allow you to both hear it above the water's surface and feel it below (the water's surface that is). If you want your own music to listen to, use their DTV-Bath interface to pipe your own tunes into the bath from an MP3 player or computer. Chromatherapy (Light) Try some chromatherapy, the use of light, along with your bath to stimulate the visual sense and either energize or sooth your mood. Kohler's VibrAcoustic™ can be fitted with different colored lights that can also be synchronized to pulse with music vibrations. Jason Hydrotherapy's LED chromatherapy light kit provides preprogrammed light shows that blend color mixes and fades among the primary colors in the spectrum. In other words, the bathtub can be simple or it can be a place of refuge and relaxation. If you haven't shopped tubs lately, now you're aware that bathtime can be a little more indulgent. Source: HomeStyleChoices.com