Just read an Wall St. Journal article that one of the renovations most regretted are freestanding tubs. Prioritize functionality--cleaning, surfaces to set down things, etc.--over "trends." Here's a cut and paste from WSH on the subject:
Sorry Soak
A deep, free-standing tub holds a powerful, romantic allure. When Stacy Koehn was laying out the master bath of her Carmel, Calif., home, a luxe soaker seemed like a no-brainer—until it was installed and she tried it. “It was an exercise in acrobatics, difficult to clean behind and I was shocked how long it took to fill even halfway.”
Instead: “While free-standing tubs are beautiful, they don’t always cater to practicalities,” said Chicago designer Martin Horner, co-founder of the design and architecture firm Soucie Horner. To avoid bather’s remorse, he suggests opting for a deep, built-in tub (also known as an “alcove” tub) that blends both style and function. For instance, for a recent client, his team engineered a homey bathing nook by nestling a generous tub under a window and adding a sumptuous paneled marble surround. “[It] doesn’t scream for attention,” he explained, “but still evokes a kind of luxury.”
Q
