London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

People are bringing this bathroom furnishing into their gardens - should you make this bold move?

People are bringing this bathroom furnishing into their gardens - should you make this bold move?

This is the outdoor status symbol of the summer - would you dare to try it?

As we look to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, we are seeing a rise in unorthodox exterior decor- from architectural salvaged goods and outdoor fireplaces, to most currently, garden bathtubs.

If you look past the initial unconventionality of this status symbol, you are left with a modern garden idea that is equally beneficial for your wellbeing. As the early signs of brighter seasons emerge, we are thinking less about mundane exteriors and more about shaking up the ordinary - especially when it involves the timeless beauty of a freestanding bathtub.

While there are a number of ways to bathe in the grandeur of this quintessential trend, Victoria + Albert Baths urge you to choose an 'opulent circular' tub, with a 'chamfered edge and sculpted detail at the base for ultimate comfort.' It is, therefore, easy to see the appeal to this remedial craze as people look for an alternative to more conventional garden water features.



'I much prefer the outdoor bath to a spa pool that uses the same water over and over again filled with chlorine,' emphasized Bridget Foley of Bridget Foley Design.

'A bath full of freshwater or the onsen is blissful,' she added.

The bold beauty of this trend does, however, come with a caution, as this statement piece is easy to get wrong. So, we caught up with garden design experts who offered their tips on making this daring piece work in your garden.

'After a day toiling in the garden, there is nothing as sweet as soaking into a hot bath in a lush garden setting. Outdoor bathtubs allow for a multi-sensual experience; you can relax taking in the views of the garden, with the sounds of the birds, the wind in the trees, and the multitude of scents around you,' shares James Walkinshaw, Senior Designer at Xanthe White Design.



James continued, reminding us of the fundamental practicalities to consider before taking the plunge.

1. Pick the right location


Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the tub's location, as James highlights:

'Choose a private location in the garden so you can fully relax, but somewhere still within easy reach of the house.'

'On cool evenings, you'll want to be able to get indoors quickly when you get out of the bath,' he adds.

'While wood-fired tubs can add an extra dimension to the experience, my preference is a tub plumbed into the hot water line so you can draw a bath easily whenever your body is sore and ready for a soak.'



2. Consider the practicalities


Beyond the aesthetic and therapeutic value of a garden tub, James reminds us that this piece is, after all, a bath, and will, therefore, need maintaining in ways beyond your average tub.

'You'll need to allow for drainage. Can you accommodate this water in the garden? A soak pit or perforated drainage pipe could be an option. Alternatively, get a drain layer to connect the tub to your wastewater line,' he suggests.

'You'll also need to cover the tub when not in use. This could be a timber cover or something as simple as a tarpaulin with stretchy ties.'

3. Look beyond the tub




As a designer, James reminds us that the overall impact stretches beyond the tub. He urges us to look beyond the feature and prepare your garden so that it showcases the furnishing in the best looking (and most practical) way possible.

'Create a place to hang a towel or a robe and something soft to step out onto. A bench seat is a great addition as it allows you to dry your feet before popping on your slippers and doubles as a place for a candle,' James suggests.

He also urges us to think about the lighting, sharing: 'Garden spike spotlights can help to illuminate your path to the bath but avoid too much artificial light around your tub. I stick to one or two candles for a truly natural experience.'

Could this be our most daring and yet elegant summer yet?

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×