What is a Corner Bathtub: Beginners Guide to Corner Bathtubs in 2024

Corner bathtubs make an excellent addition to any bathroom that is a bit challenged for additional space or an awkward layout. Since the design is more rounded in shape, these bathtubs can fit into many areas that were previously inaccessible for conventional bathtub designs.

The smaller size also doesn’t have any impact on the added functionalities of this bathtub type as many corner bathtubs are often doubled into hot tubs and jacuzzis, creating a stylish and comfortable addition to any bathroom.

What is a Corner Bathtub?

A corner bathtub is a bathtub with two sides anchored by walls. They are usually triangular in shape, but can be made across a wide spectrum of shapes and sizes so they can fit into a corner and are typically large enough to accommodate anywhere between one to two other bathers.

The advantage of these bathtubs is that you are able to place a bathtub in a space that may not fit a normal rectangular bathtub, giving you more available space in your bathroom itself. Many jacuzzis or hot tubs are considered to be corner bathtubs and as such, with minor adjustments, you can enjoy the benefits of these in your home so long as you are willing to pay for it.

Who are Corner Bathtubs for?

A corner bathtub is for those that are lacking in available floor space in their bathroom. As the typical rectangular bathtub is a bit long in horizontal length, a corner bathtub is much rounder in design, allowing it to fit more comfortably in a smaller area. Since the shape of a corner bathtub is large enough to accommodate multiple people, this makes this design ideal for those that have trouble bathing alone, such as the elderly and young children,

Corner bathtubs are not just for those with space constraints however, as stated before, many of these bathtubs can be converted into hot tubs or Jacuzzis, giving you a bathtub with a much more relaxing and elegant aesthetic. If you are looking for an addition to say a master bathroom, then a corner bathtub would be an excellent choice.

Requirements for a Corner Tub

So is a corner tub right for your home? Here are the requirements for installing a corner tub in your home:

• Good water outlet/drainage-Before you consider a corner tub, ensure that you have an appropriate drain to handle the extra water load. If not, the impurities leftover from the bathing experience can stain your bathtub and make it look less than ideal. 
• Overflow drain-You need a reliable overflow drain to ensure proper water control if the faucet is accidentally left on. This can happen quite often when you step away to fill the bathtub, so an overflow drain is a must to ensure that your home won’t flood.
• Non-slip strips or mats on the tub floor-Ensure that your floor is safe from slippage with a stable bathroom mat or install non-slip strips to provide you with additional leverage. This is increasingly important if your home has any elderly individuals that use your bathroom to prevent an accidental fall.

Corner Tub vs Rectangle Bathtub

As stated above, corner bathtubs are great for those that have a unique bathroom set up where the only available space is a corner or an awkward area. They are also large enough to fit anywhere between 2-4 people and can easily be modified into a hot tub if so desired.

However, for most bathrooms, a corner bathtub may not be a feasible option as they are more expensive and their overall volume can be unwieldy for most bathrooms. Rectangular bathtubs have the advantage of being more uniform and easier to clean, maintain and install in comparison.

In many cases, the rectangular tub is more ideal as they are much cheaper, come in great variety of shapes and sizes and can fit any space whereas corner bathtubs can only be installed in more specialized recesses.

Pros & Cons of your Corner Bathtub

Efficiently utilizes space

Perhaps the primary advantage of a corner bathtub is its ability to fit many areas that a normal rectangular bath will not fit into. This offers a much wider range of customization in terms of how you want to fill your bathroom as a corner bathtub frees up more available space in the center of your bathroom.

Aesthetically pleasing

Since they are less common than the typical rectangular design, corner bathtubs provides a unique visual appearance in your bathroom and can even elevate its overall appearance.

More bathing space

Corner bathtubs are designed to fit anywhere between 2-3 other bathers, which in turn offers more available space, making this bathtub invaluable for those with small children or elderly in their homes.

Volume of bathtub is quite large

Though it provides more central space to your bathroom, the overall shape of the corner bath can tend to be quite large. Since it’s design is fitted for multiple bathers, the actual depth of these bathtubs can be a bit unwieldy, making it unsuitable for every bathroom.

This size also tends to make cleaning a bit more problematic when trying to reach for all the extra corners of the tub.

Some high end models can be quite expensive

Since these bathtubs can later be fitted with jacuzzi jets and modified with additional features, they also tend to stand on the more expensive side of the spectrum.

Where as the standard model is around $300 starting, corner bathtubs generally start around $500 for a smaller size, meaning that for a medium sized tub, you are easily looking at around $1,000 and above.

What is the Average Cost of the Corner Tub?

Starting price for a small corner bathtub is around $500. For a medium sized tub, the price effectively doubles, resulting in an average of $1,000 for a corner bathtub. If you want additional functions such as therapeutic jets or pulsating jets, you are looking at an increase of around $500, depending on how intricate you want your changes to be. Of course, you can also add a shower to your corner bathtub, quite easily, for a modest increase of anywhere between $100-200.

What are Common Corner Tub Dimensions

Small corner bathtubs have an average width of 48 inches, with a length of 48 inches, ending with a height of anywhere between 19-20 inches. This size can easily fit 1-2 two bathers at a time. On the large end of the spectrum, you have a width and length of 72 inches, finishing with a height of 19-20 inches. The larger size is meant to fit anywhere between 3-4 people.

Types of Installation

When it comes to corner tubs there are several installation types available to you:

Alcove

An alcove tub is installed in a recess in your bathroom with three joining walls or a pocket alcove. Modern designs can have two walls a large window to remove the confined feeling of this installation. Alcove bathtubs are quite common as they provide an average sized bathtub in a small space without feeling too cramped. They are typically dropped-in an existing recess to install, making them easy to install, but they do require the support of additional walls or a solid foundation before they can be placed. 

Freestanding

A freestanding tub can be installed anywhere in your bathroom and doesn’t require walls or a supporting foundation. This provides you with a great deal of freedom in terms of placement and is generally considered the best installation option when it comes to a corner tub as it provides an ample amount of space without being too intrusive.

Soaking

A soaking tub is a freestanding tub that is designed to fully immerse your body to provide muscle relief. It is often cylindrical in shape which allows it to fit in small corners and small spaces. However, the added water weight can make it difficult to use in small apartments without additional floor support. 

Whirlpool

A whirlpool tub is a freestanding tub with built-in jets to provide muscle relief and massage features. The advantage of a whirlpool is that these tubs have more functionality than a traditional tub but the primary drawback is that they can be much more expensive to operate as well.

Common Materials for a Corner Tub

Fiberglass

Fiberglass occupies the more affordable spectrum, providing a material that is lightweight, easy to work with and not very durable. A large majority of bathtub types and sizes are constructed from fiberglass, giving you a wide range of color and style options when compared to any other material on the market. The only downside to their affordability is that fiberglass is also the least durable material on the market as well, unable to sustain any hard punishment from outside forces as well as being a porous material that will eventually deteriorate with time.

Acrylic

Acrylic bathtubs are fiberglass bathtubs that are reinforced with sheets of acrylic. The additional reinforcement is more expensive than fiberglass, but it also strengthens it and helps to overcome many of the shortcomings of fiberglass as a material. For one, acrylic is not a porous material, meaning it will not absorb water, which will drastically improve its overall lifespan while still being an affordable option.

Stone Resin

Stone resin bathtubs are created by mixing crushed natural stone with resin. The resulting compound is then finished with a gelcoat finish to protect it from chipping and scratches. Stone resin bathtubs occupy a happy medium between cast iron and acrylic, providing a material that is both affordable and incredibly durable, without having the weight constraints that cast iron does.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is constructed by pouring molten iron into a bathtub mold, resulting in a bathtub that certainly can last several lifetimes. It also tends to be a pricier option due to it’s incredible heat retention properties as well as it’s strong durability. In terms of positives, this material is easily one of the best values for the money on paper. The only downside to it is that cast iron bathtubs are incredibly heavy as well, weighing easily 3-4x the normal weight of a fiberglass or acrylic bathtub. Though highly desired for its positives, proper research should be conducted to see if your home can support this material.

Other Features

Corner tubs have access to additional features that can drastically improve the bathing time:

Massaging jets

Corner tubs can be fitted with massaging jets, either hydro or air powered which can greatly elevate the bathing experience. 

Multi-seats

The unique design of a corner tub allows for multiple users and additional seats can be added for comfort. Pillows and bath cushions can also supplement your bathing experience and truly allow you to relax. 

Added heating

Many models can be fitted with additional heating to help supplement poor heat retention in the tub. 

Bluetooth functionality

Your corner tub can be outfitted with bluetooth functionality to add music and other entertainment for your bathing pleasure. Just be careful not to place too many electronics near your bathtub at once. 

Additional storage

Storage is always a premium in the bathroom, and your corner tub can be fitted with toilet paper holders, cubbies for toiletries and other shelving options to add more value to your space. 

How Long Does a Corner Tub Last?

How long your corner bathtub will last will ultimately depend on the material used in construction. Some material like fiberglass and acrylic have a significantly shorter shelf life than a bathtub constructed from stone resin or cast iron. The low average for a normal corner bathtub is roughly anywhere between 15-20 years.

This number can certainly be extended through refinishing or reglazing your bathtub, which can add another 10-15 years, depending on the integrity of your material. Proper care and maintenance is also advised to extend it’s longevity, and in the case of most materials excluding cast iron, heavy impacts are not advised. Including proper maintenance however, the material will decay over time due to general use, so do not hesitate to upgrade or replace it if it has run its course.

Corner bathtubs are great for those looking to spruce up a master bedroom or have a unique space in their bathroom. They are by no means for everyone, and in many cases, a normal rectangular bathtub will be ideal for most people. So, as always, do the proper research to see if a corner bathtub is right for you.