Garden Tubs

Choosing a garden tub

What counts as a garden tub?

Mostly it comes down to size and depth. A garden tub is wider and deeper than a standard alcove tub. Most are 30 to 40 inches across with a soaking depth of 15 inches or more, where a typical alcove tub gives you about 14. You don’t need a garden, and you don’t need the corner platform either.

Do garden tubs have jets?

No. Garden tubs are soaking tubs, so there are no jets, pumps, or motors to maintain or clean. If you’ve had a jetted tub before, you know why people give them up.

Sizes

Measure your space before you fall in love with a tub. The common footprints are 54″ for compact bathrooms, 60″ as the most popular size (see our 60-inch tubs), and 67 to 72″ for primary baths (see 72-inch tubs). Leave at least 4″ of clearance on all sides for cleaning and faucet placement.

Materials and plumbing

The material decision that actually matters is stone resin vs acrylic. Stone resin is heavier, holds heat two to three times longer, and won’t flex or yellow over time. Our bathtub materials guide has the full comparison. On the plumbing side, a freestanding tub needs a floor drain rough-in plus either a freestanding faucet or a wall-mounted filler. The installation guide walks through our EZ Drop-In drain system. And if you want the long version of all of this, read What is a Garden Tub?

Garden tub FAQs

What is a garden tub?

A deep, oversized soaking tub designed for full-immersion baths rather than quick washes. Modern garden tubs are usually freestanding and don’t have jets.
How wide is a garden tub?Most run 30 to 40 inches wide. A standard alcove tub is 30 to 32 inches, so the difference is noticeable the first time you sit down in one.

What’s the difference between a garden tub and a regular bathtub?

A garden tub is deeper, usually freestanding, and meant purely for soaking. A regular tub is shallower and typically doubles as a shower base.

Are garden tubs outdated?

The built-in corner versions from the 1990s are, yes. Freestanding soaking tubs are what replaced them, and they’re one of the most requested features in bathroom remodels right now.