Here’s a new slant on an old bathroom design. Instead of tucking the bathtub in a corner, consider taking it center stage.

Create a space for the tub. Under a skylight. In the center of the room. Whatever you do, just move it away from the wall.

The design evokes a sense of nostalgia. Think claw foot tub and a 1920s home.

If you are considering moving the tub away from the wall, here are a few design guidelines.

Consider Furniture Elements

Some manufacturers are adding furniture elements to tubs and moving them away from the wall. The use of wood, metals and other textures brings in a sense of warmth and turns the room into a living area instead of a functional space.

American Standard, Inc. recently added a Shaker style tub that sits on a rectangular wooden base with raised panel sections. The Enfield tub, which sells for $1,400, has a maple or cherry frame and measures 74 inches by 44 inches by 25 inches.

The tub is designed to be placed away from the wall and can be paired with a coordinating lavatory that sits atop a raised natural stone counter and a wooden base. “It really speaks to nostalgia, romance and elegance,” said Gary Uhl, director of industrial design for the Piscataway, NJ company. “It is a warm, home-like environment and the furniture elements allow you to add other materials in the room.”

The wood base can blend with natural stone, glass and metal to add texture and dimension. “Bathrooms are becoming more and more of a sanctuary, not just a place to go in and get clean,” he said. “This really allows you to start decorating the bathroom like you would other rooms.”

Where to Put the Tub

When deciding where to place the tub, consider:

• the amount of space in the room
• the other elements in the room
• what type of mood you want to create

A skylight in the center of the room or a large bank of windows along one wall would bring in nature and a sense of light. “It’s just a great way to show that you’re really into something innovative,” Schimmer said. “You don’t feel walled in and you can put it under a skylight so you get that outdoor feeling.”

Or, place the tub beneath a decorative chandelier or ceiling fan. A chandelier, particularly one made with crystal, would create a formal, traditional look. This style would blend with marble or granite elements throughout the bathroom.

A ceiling fan with a light fixture would create a casual, contemporary or country look, depending upon the style of fan and the type of light. This style might be used with ceramic tile floors or light colored solid surface countertops.

In a shaker bathroom design, place the tub under a more traditional light fixture that blends with mahogany or cherry accents.

Upscale Renovations

Adding this type of design is not for the budget conscious, however, as it can cost several thousand dollars for the tub, faucet, and plumbing configuration.

You also need a certain amount of space. The size of the room should be at least 13-feet by 13-feet, said Sheree Schimmer, regional sales manager for The Childs Dreyfus Group, a Chicago interior design firm. “You still need a sink area, space for a water closet and a separate shower and space to walk around.”

The amount of space needed will vary based on whether the tub is in the middle of the room or just a few feet away from one wall. If the tub is accessible from three sides, the fourth side can be about one foot away from the wall. This will leave enough room for cleaning and for placing decorative elements, such as towels and storage shelves, along that wall.

If the tub will be accessible from all sides, leave about three feet of space around the perimeter.

One way to reduce the cost is to restore an old claw foot tub. Also, ask your plumber for tips on reducing the installation costs.