HOME DESIGN : Affluent Drawn to Big, Brazen Bathtubs in All Colors, Shapes

"People have discovered the bathroom as an erotic area where you can become human again after the stress of the day. By the early 1980s the plumbing manufacturers, aiming at an increasingly leisure-oriented public, had succeeded in associating the bathroom with sensual pleasure."

"Before oversize tubs became widely available, designers began meeting the demand for bigger bathing areas by building Roman tubs--made entirely of ceramic tiles. They were beautiful--and big--but hard to keep warm and acutely uncomfortable. The era of the ceramic tile tub has finally ended."

"People are using their own homes as an alternative to a mini-vacation. In many households with whirlpools, the bathtub is just a few steps away from the home gym, and the master bathroom includes a sauna or steam shower as well as a tub."

Bathtub manufacturers have responded to changing consumer preferences by designing larger, more luxurious bathtubs equipped with whirlpool systems and available in diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. Affluent homeowners in Orange County are transforming master bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries rivaling bedroom dimensions. The shift reflects a cultural transformation where bathrooms have become associated with sensual pleasure and stress relief rather than purely functional spaces. Luxury tubs emerged after ceramic tile Roman tubs proved uncomfortable and difficult to maintain. These high-end bathtubs align with contemporary wellness trends, often positioned near home gyms and complemented by saunas or steam showers. The luxury bathtub phenomenon represents part of a broader cocooning trend where homeowners create personal retreats within their residences.

Read at Los Angeles Times