Add The Drama To Your Freestanding Tub With A Curtain Idea By Chip And Joanna Gaines
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While built-in bathtubs are making a comeback, some homeowners might find that they prefer the vintage charm of a freestanding tub. If you are ready to make the latter upgrade to your bathroom, then you might want to consider what "Fixer Upper" stars Joanna Gaines and Chip Gaines have suggested for this luxury fixture. Because aside from choosing the perfect freestanding tub style for your space, you also need the right styling to match or even enhance its overall appearance and presence in the bathroom. For Joanna and Chip, one of the best ways to add drama to this type of tub is enclosing it in hanging curtains.
When the Magnolia co-founders and real-life couple worked on the 1913 Cottonland Castle for "Fixer Upper" in 2022, they were tasked with reviving the abandoned stone building in Waco, Texas. Part of the restoration project involved bringing back the beauty of a spacious bathroom with a freestanding bathtub. The location of the tub seemed a bit tricky, as it was fronting two large windows on adjacent walls, posing privacy issues for whoever was using the fixture. To address the problem while also stylistically enhancing the appearance of the tub, Joanna and Chip installed a golden oval curtain rod above the tub and draped white curtains over it. Sharing a snap of the curtain add-on among the other revival and enhancement works in the castle on Instagram, Joanna wrote, "There's great reward in restoring beauty in forgotten places. And that kind of work is always worth the wait."
Why Joanna and Chip's curtain hack for freestanding bathtubs makes sense
While Joanna Gaines and Chip Gaines' reason for installing a wraparound curtain over a freestanding tub seemed related to privacy concerns, it might also go beyond this. Having waterproof curtains around the tub will keep the water in, preventing accidental spills outside the fixture and keeping the flooring dry. Adding that curtain also creates a zoned space, perfect for homeowners who really take their time to enjoy and relax while lounging inside the tub. If your bathroom can handle a freestanding tub, especially one placed in the middle of the room, that means it's quite spacious. However, having too much unused space in an open layout can make the room feel sterile or cold, making it difficult for you to feel warm and relaxed while bathing in the tub.
If you are ready to elevate your bathing experience each time you use your freestanding tub, it's time to follow Joanna and Chip's advice and get yourself a ceiling-mounted shower rod. There's no shortage of options on Amazon. For instance, Sikaiqi's Hoop-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod is perfect for freestanding whirlpool jacuzzi tubs, clawfoot tubs, and other standalone tubs that typically go in the middle of the room. Sikaiqi also has the Aluminum Alloy Oval Shower Curtain Rod for back-to-wall bathtubs, which are positioned flush against the wall. The best part of this upgrade is that the curtains can be easily folded when not in use, so the open layout is still there whenever you need it.