August 15, 2025 Jonathan Murphy

Freestanding Baths, Shower Baths and the Best Bath Types for Irish Homes

Baths that fit real Irish homes

A good bath can be the heart of your bathroom, a place to relax, soak, and switch off. The best choice depends on your space, budget and the way you like to bathe or shower. This guide breaks down freestanding baths, standard straight baths and space saving shower baths.

Quick shop links: All Baths · Freestanding Baths · Standard Straight Baths · Shower Baths · Bath Screens · Bath Panels · Freestanding Bath Taps · Bath Wastes

Freestanding baths, the look that makes the room

A freestanding bath sits on the floor with space around it. The exposed shape creates a focal point in any bathroom and shows more floor, which helps smaller rooms feel open. These baths work best where you can leave about 50 to 100mm of breathing room around the rim for cleaning.

Explore styles: Freestanding Baths collection · Modern designs · Traditional roll top and slipper

See image on a product page: BC Designs Crea stone freestanding bath gallery

Materials vary. Acrylic is warm to the touch and easier to move during installation. Solid surface stone composites hold heat well and look premium. There are also steel options with vitreous enamel that are very tough and scratch resistant.

Compare examples: Crosswater Carne Acrylic Freestanding Bath · Bette Starlet Double Ended Super Steel Bath

Do not forget the taps. A freestanding bath usually needs a floor mounted filler, a wall mounted spout, or an overflow filler. Floor mounted fillers give the classic spa look, wall mounted keeps the floor clear, and an overflow filler hides the spout entirely.

Shop the tap options: Freestanding Bath Taps · Vado Overflow Bath Filler with waste · Crosswater MPRO Click Clack Bath Waste

See a floor mounted tap in situ: Eastbrook Meriden freestanding bath shower mixer

Standard straight baths, the reliable all rounders

Straight baths fit snug to a wall and usually sit in a three sided recess, which makes tiling and sealing simple. They are the easiest choice for most Irish homes because they use the space efficiently and keep plumbing straightforward. You can choose single ended, where the waste is at one end, or double ended, where the waste is in the middle and both ends are comfortable for reclining.

Browse the range: Standard Baths and Straight Baths · Double Ended examples

See image on a product page: Sonas Clover Double Ended gallery

If you value durability and a crisp enamel finish, consider a steel bath. If you want a warmer touch and lighter weight for upstairs installs, acrylic is ideal. Many baths are tested to European standards for durability and cleanability, look for wording that references EN 14516, and check the product page for compliance. For example, Sonas Clover states EN 14516 compliance.

Shower baths, soak and shower in one footprint

Shower baths are straight baths with extra width at the showering end and a matching glass screen. They are perfect when you need a family friendly shower and a relaxing soak in a compact room. Choose the shape that suits your layout, L shape gives a crisp square look, and P shape curves softly to guide water back into the bath.

See bath screen styles: Bath Screens collection

If you want hydrotherapy in the same footprint, you can choose a whirlpool shower bath with body jets. Check capacity and pump details, and confirm that electrical work is carried out by a registered installer.

See a whirlpool option: Sonas 12 Jet L Shape Shower Bath

How to size a bath for comfort

The most common bath length in Ireland is 1700mm, with 1600mm and 1800mm also popular. For a comfortable soak, aim for an internal base length that lets you stretch a little, and a water depth that keeps shoulders warm without overfilling. If more than one person will use the bath, a centred waste on a double ended model avoids the plug against your back.

When planning accessible layouts, consider transfer space beside the bath for ease of entry and exit. Ireland's Centre for Excellence in Universal Design advises a minimum transfer space at the end of a bath of about 400mm

See the guidance: Universal Design Homes Checklist, Bathroom section

See a compact bath layout image: L Shaped Portland gallery

Water and energy, choose the right routine

If you are weighing a bath against a long shower, water use is the useful metric. Uisce Éireann reports that an average bath uses about 80 litres of water, compared with about 49 litres for a seven minute shower. Shorten shower time or fit an efficient shower head to reduce energy for water heating.

Materials, weight and heat retention

Acrylic: warm to the touch, good value, lighter to lift upstairs.
Steel with vitreous enamel: very tough, crisp finish, slightly cooler feel.
Solid surface stone composite: excellent heat retention and designer look.

Compare products by material: Acrylic freestanding, Crosswater Carne · Steel, Bette Starlet · Stone solid surface, BC Designs Crea

Do not forget screens, panels and wastes

A shower bath needs a quality screen to keep water in the tub. Most baths also need a front and sometimes an end panel to finish neatly. Choose a waste you like, either a simple plug and chain for a period look, or a modern click clack. Overflow fillers keep the rim clean and reduce clutter.

Shop accessories: Bath Screens · Bath Panels · Bath Wastes · Overflow Bath Fillers

See image on an accessory page: Roman Haven8 fixed bath screen gallery

Pros and cons at a glance

Freestanding baths

Pros: showpiece look, flexible placement with floor or wall taps, comfortable double ended designs.
Cons: need more space around, heavier to move, may need floor mounted taps or extended pipework.

Standard straight baths

Pros: easy to fit, efficient use of space, large range at every price point.
Cons: less of a centrepiece, usually needs panels to finish, rim is against the wall so cleaning requires a long reach.

Shower baths

Pros: bath and generous shower in one footprint, great for families, easy to add a screen.
Cons: not as roomy for a two person soak, you will still need to step into the bath to shower.

Pre purchase checklist

Measure the maximum bath length and width your room allows, then check the internal dimensions on the product page.
Confirm left or right hand versions on L or P shower baths and on offset designs.
Check the waste position, end or centre, and match to your trap route.
Verify compliance to EN 14516 where stated and read the installation guide.
Add the correct screen, panel set and waste to your basket so everything arrives together.

Which bath suits which home

City apartment with one bathroom

A P shaped shower bath with a hinged screen balances daily showers with occasional soaks.

Three bedroom family home

Keep a bath for kids, choose a straight double ended or a roomy L shaped shower bath, add a robust screen.

Renovated period home

Make the bath the hero with a traditional roll top or slipper, pair with exposed or freestanding taps.

Guest ensuite

If space is tight, choose a 1600mm straight bath or skip the bath and create a level access shower instead.

Ready to compare and order

Browse the full range of baths, then add your bath screen, panel set and waste. We are Irish owned with free nationwide delivery over €499 and friendly support if you would like help choosing. Contact the team for expert advice.

Next article Bathroom Renovation Ireland 2025: Costs, Timeline & Planning Guide