When you walk into a bathroom, the one thing you expect to see is a bathtub; we all remember our mothers running a hot bath when we arrived home after playing outside and in this short article, we dive into the history of the bathtub.
The Roman Empire
We cannot be sure when humans started to bathe; if they didn’t, it is unlikely that any of us would be here today, we know that the Romans loved their baths and built elaborate clay and ceramic baths that could hold 25-30 people. The Romans were quite unique in that they bathed on a daily basis and after the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe in general, did not see much in terms of bathing at home. In the summer, people would bathe in rivers and canals; the French preferred to wear a lot of perfume rather than bathe.
Middle Ages Europe
The Bubonic Plague made people rethink personal hygiene and bathing began to be accepted, especially with the nobility. Large metal tubs would be filled with urns of hot water for the Lord of the Manor to bathe, while working class folk used clay urns and washed their body using a flannel.
Industrial Revolution
Bathtubs were made from tin and gradually emerged all over the British Isles, as living standards began to improve; if you are looking for a period bath for your renovation, visit a trusted Esher bath store and see what they have to offer. Period baths are all the rage at the moment and an Art Deco look might be just what you’re looking for.
United States
Believe it or not, the very first bathtub installed in America was in 1842; before plumbing arrived, bathtubs were portable and were often left behind the house, upside down and leaning against the wall. Once water systems entered households using underground pipes, bathtubs became more popular and innovative designs began to appear.
Solid Porcelain Baths
In the early 20th century, solid porcelain bathtubs were manufactured in Great Britain and that was the beginning of what we know today. Ceramic baths are without doubt the most popular tubs today and there are stunning units available at your local bathroom showroom, along with many other bathroom furniture, fixtures and fittings.
Shower Crazy
You could say that the 1990s saw the start of a shower trend, which continued into 2010
While technology continues to develop, the trend is for older designs with bathtubs and your local bathroom store would stock a diverse range of baths, all at affordable prices. Bathtubs come in a range of rich colours, allowing you to fine-tune the décor to suit, plus quality bathtubs last for many years. Feel free to opt for the services of an expert in bathroom design in Weybridge or those at your local bathroom showroom, in case you need more help.
It doesn’t matter how popular showers are, people will always want to have a long, hot soak after a hard day at the office. The good old bathtub is expected to be with us for many years, if not forever, and you can find the best units at your local bathroom store.
