A wooden bathtub is a bold statement. When redesigning your bathroom space, instead of a traditional porcelain bathtub, consider a wood alternative. Wood bathtubs have long been relegated to spa environments, but that’s changing among homeowners nationwide.

Wood bathtubs offer unique benefits. Here, we’ll explore wood bathtub designs and show you why they’re special.

The desire for a relaxing experience is driving the popularity of wooden bathtubs for soaking worldwide. Buddhist cultures see bathing as a ritual cleansing tradition. A wooden bathtub is for soaking in hot water.

Origin Of Wood Bathtubs

In Japanese culture, wood bathtubs are not used to soap and wash your body. People clean themselves outside of the tub and afterward soak themselves in a tub. Traditional style wood bathtubs in Japan include seats.

In Japan, Hinoki wood is used to make wooden tubs. The popularity of hot tubs and spa experiences in modern society could possibly be behind the rising popularity of wood bathtubs for soaking.

Wood Bathtub Ideas To Transform Your Bathroom

After careful research and review, we’ve created a list of the best wood bathtub ideas available on the market today.

Traditional Hinoki Wood Bathtub

This example, from Bartok Design, offers a traditional Japanese Hinoki wood tub. Designed by Jacopo Terrine, an Italian architect in Japan, the wood bathtub is an homage to the Japanese bathing tub.

Modern Wood Bathtubs

Puntoacqua, an Italian company, has been creating hydromassage wood bathtubs, multipurpose cabins, saunas, Turkish baths, and other sauna accessories for 25 years. This wood bathtub example, known as the “Natural,” features Canadian cedarwood.

Rectangular Wood Bathtubs

Even in this rectangular wood bathtub by Unique Wood Design, the light wood and spare style evoke an Asian aesthetic.

Western Soaking Wood Bathtubs

Similar to a western hot tub but with a white interior, this wood bathtub design is meant for soaking the body. The wood bathtub was designed by Graff.From Graff’s Dressage collection, both the wood bathtub and washstand feature a solid wood design. The tub has a Corian® solid surface interior.

Handcrafted Natural Wood Bathtub

From KHIS, the “Natural” is a large and versatile wood bathtub. The tub can hold 250 gallons of water. It offers built-in light, massage, and water heating controls. The Natural is available in a wood or stone bottom for added protection.

The way the wood is thermally processed gives this KHIS wood bathtub a dark brown, almost black finish. Besides giving it a luxe look, the process makes it water-resistant and durable.

Oval Wood Tub

This oval wood bathtub design from KHIS can hold 100 gallons of water.

This KHIS wood bathtub is a stunning addition for all bathrooms thanks to its dark color and elegant lines. The depth of the tub provides an excellent soaking experience.

From any angle, it’s a beautiful wood bathtub.

Mixed Wood Styles

Japanese Bathtub Aesthetic

This cypress — or hinoki — tub is made from the material used for Buddhist statues and temples. It is made by Furo of Japan.

Glossy Finishes

The Laguna Pearl is available in a variety of woods: Wenge, walnut, pear. mahogany, iroko, and oak. Importantly, all the woods are certified wood from forests with controlled felling and reforestation.

Alena’s experience with yacht building “makes it possible to manufacture timeless beautiful wooden bathtubs in a perfect quality.”

Embellished Tubs

Go ahead and fill it to the brim. Alena’s Laguna Spa wooden bathtub has a wide rim filled with pebbles to take any overflow. The excess water gurgles away between the pebbles, adding to the relaxation of soaking in this beautiful tub.

Understated Beauty

The Laguna basic wooden bathtub is a misnomer. The beautiful woodgrain and velvety-looking finish are elegant and stylish without being flashy.

A lighter-colored wood choice makes this wooden bathtub no less appealing.

Dark Drama

In a darker wood, the Laguna Pearl wooden bathtub looks even more dramatic.

The “Sailor” wooden tub from Bagno Sasso has digital touch controls built into the edge of the tub. As a result, it elevated this design from a basic soaking experience to a luxury spa soak.

Hand Finished Wood Bathtubs

Mair’s produce description explains that the sophisticated drain and overflow lie flush with the surface of the bathtub, disappearing into its form.

Old-School Feel, Modern Shape

The Barrel tub from Wood + Water is made from Tasmanian Oak and maintains the feel of a traditional soaking tub, even though its shape is modern.

Matte Finish

This substantial wood tub is produced by Italy’s e legno group. It is made from solid wood coated in a matte resin.

Sauna Style

Matteo Thun and Partners made this wooden bathtub called ‘Ofurò’. Inspired by traditional, the design features a European shape. “Made of larch wood – for a sauna-scented experience – it is dried in several work steps and cut, shaped and joined together in a special procedure.

The clean design focuses on the essentials and harmoniously emerges out of the wood grain. ‘Ofurò’ is haptic, visual, and comfortable: one of a kind,” says the product description.

Shell Shape Wood Bathtubs

Although not a traditional deep soaking tub, the Ocean Shell wood bathtub by Bagno Sasso is inviting. The sleek design, resembling an open seashell, makes you want to slip into the water.

A stand-alone tub is a breathtaking centerpiece for any large bathroom.

Shallow Wood Bathtubs

This wood tub is by WS Bath Collections. It is available in a number of wood varieties including larch, beech, mahogany, cedar, walnut, cherry, wenge, or teak

Unique Wood Tub Designs

More ship-shaped than the other wood tubs we found, the European-style custom tubs from Bath in Wood of Maine are very interesting. Of course, these tubs would fit well in a more ornate bathroom.

Ergonomic Bottom

Heart-Shaped Wood Tub

Australia’s Wood + Water creates one-of-a-kind handmade wooden bathtubs. For this reason, they can make specialty shapes like this heart. A far cry from the cheesy heart-shaped tubs of the 70s, this one is a marvel of wood craftsmanship.

Glass And Wood Combo

The Wave Diamond tub by Bagno Sasso Mobili s a combination of glass and wood.

Yacht Tub

Poland’s Unique Wood Design created these luxurious wooden tubs. The company began building wood boats and yachts. Consequently, they use the expert carpentry and boat-building skills they developed.

Unique Wood Design says that “Our impregnation method has been adopted from yacht hull building. The tub’s multilayer coating is waterproof and has mechanical and chemical resistance.

Wood Tub For Two

Niewendick’s two-person Bamwan wood tub is more European than eastern style, but would still be equally relaxing for a good soak. Overall, the design is ergonomic and the stainless steel railing helps bathers enter and exit safely.

Super Sturdy

The Rosemarie wood tub by Wooden Baths Ltd in Scotland is coated with a High Clarity glass-reinforced epoxy resin. Most important, this coating is hard-wearing. Moreover, the glass fabric reinforcing makes the bath resistant to changes in humidity, temperature, and high UV levels.

The basketweave style of this wood tub is attractive.

Sleek Wood Tub

Specifically, marine plywood features in this wood tub by Gruppo Treese. Known as the Capyso, it is available in cherry or wenge and has a modern, western shape.

Exotic Hardwoods

NK Woodworking says that “We are changing the culture of what is possible in architectural and home design.”

Built-in Styles

Without a doubt, some homeowners prefer a more traditional built-in style. For instance, this is a variation of the Laguna basic, the stand-alone model we showed above.

Unique Wood Design’s Vanala custom wood tub offers not only a beautiful tub but also the surround in the same wood. This provides extra counter space, like many large built-in standard bathtubs — but with the beauty of wood.

Life Boat Tub

Remember the film “Titanic”? You may recall the scene when the luxury cruise liner was sinking and the passengers used wooden lifeboats to stay alive. Well, with this bathtub design from Gallerie Kreo, you can play “Titanic survivor” in the privacy of your bathroom.

This boat-shaped, homage to history bathtub, isn’t a traditional standing tub, but rather a sturdy wood tub. This comes from Dutch firm Studio Wieki Somers.

Lacquered Finishes

Furo’s Urushi lacquer wooden tubs are based on the centuries-old art of lacquer. Makers apply a natural sap over a wood surface to create it. In fact, the company’s name — Furo — is the word for a Japanese bath.

Shallow Circular Tub

Bagno Sasso’s Circle Tub is not quite like the usual soaking tub. the wooden tub is dramatic and makes a bathroom statement, but is much shallower than a real soaking tub.

Boxy Beauty

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What Is The Best Wood For A Bathtub?

Cedar is the best wood for a bathtub. The reason why cedar is the best wood for a bathtub is due to its fast-drying capabilities. However, and like all wood types, cedar does not absorb moisture well.

Do You Need To Waterproof Cedar?

Cedar is meant to be treated every 24 months. For a maximum lifetime, apply multiple coats of waterproofing. If you want to paint your cedar surface after you waterproof it, then do not apply more than one waterproof coat on the cedar.

How Long Do Wood Bathtubs Last?

Wooden tubs last 30 years. However, their average lifespan is between ten to 15 years.

What Is Hinoki Wood?

Hinoki is a popular coniferous tree in Japan. The wood was first used to build shrines and temples. Today, the wood is for floors and walls.

Can I Waterproof A Wooden Bath With Varnish?

Varnish will help waterproof your wood bathtub and also protect it from scratches.

Wooden Bathtub Conclusion

Only wooden bathtubs offer natural health benefits. If you want to elevate your bathroom appearance, a wood bathtub would be the best investment. Wooden tubs preserve hot water for longer periods, so they reduce unnecessary water expenses. The tubs might be a little more expensive than other tubs, but their benefits are long-lasting, making them wise interior design investments.