Measurements of the room; photos would help.

I'm still in the exploring options phase, deciding on whether it can be done if I move things around. I currently have a 60" alcove. But I might bump out or move things depending on how much room one needs around the tub to not be frustrated trying to clean (eg if you need 2 feet on each of the three sides then its not doable for my space)

A foot all around to start. More is better. If you can’t do that get a nice alcove tub. Free standing tubs are pretty but not practical in many situations.

Small spaces are not suited to free standing tubs. They need a lot more room than an alcove or drop in.

Your new tub:

Kohler Stillness Soak 46" x 46" freestanding bath

I got a freestanding tub in our primary bathroom (had plenty of space), and I regret it. I love the alcove tub in my kids' bathroom -- it's easy to get in and out, there are nice ledges to put my bubble bath and water bottle and glasses, there's no dust around it, and it feels cozy tucked into the 3 walls.

60" space is too small for a free standing tub. Code addresses sinks and vanities needing at least 4" between the edge of the fixture and the wall (unless it touches/is attached the the wall) for access to clean around it. So in a typical 60 x 30 or 32" alcove, that means the tub would need exterior measurements of 52" x 26-28" Max. Meaning the inside of the tub would be less than 4 feet by 2 feet. Very small.

Really freestanding tubs are made for, look best with plenty of space around them, and anything less than about a foot starts to look kind of shoehorned in. So for a standard 5 foot tub you would need 7 feet of space.

Yes, people do squeeze them into much less than 7 x 3-1/2 feet. But does it look great? Is it easy to clean around? Meh.

I wouldnt do it in that small of space- looks terrible and will be hard to clean.

I've heard wide ranging opinions on here from people with free standing tubs in tight spaces. Some think it is hard to clean and go crazy trying to find places to put soap, a book, candles, and others have found easy ways to get back there and clean and love it.

As a matter of aesthetics, a freestanding tub in a small space always looks to me like tupperware in an overloaded dishwasher. I think this fad will run its course in 10 years.

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Before you do a thing, you plan the entire bath. You measure, you post a drawing with every foot and inch of wall , window, doorway noted and inform what you are willing or able to move, within those walls.

No you do NOT squash a free standing tub in a 30 x 60 alcove space. Just because you see "stupid" in pictures online, does not mean that stupid is anything but that. ) .....yeah... stupid it is.

Don't do it.. Unless you have space. And even if you have space think about how you use a tub. I agree this is a fad that will fade.

Great photos @kendrah

All I can think of when I look at those pictures is "oh, the funk you'll have"... especially those wet rooms.

I suspect that $*&^ will get old after the first use. Can you imagine wiping down the front of that tub every shower? Getting on your hands and knees and wiping behind it (and it several that isn't even possible) . What do you do take a leaf blower in there and try to dry it? I am only half kidding.

Do the alcove. Light the candles. Have a space for your wine. Relax in knowing there's not a lab experiment of mold joining you in the tub.

@just_janni

do you do take a leaf blower in there and try to dry it?

rotfl you are so funny

FS tubs need huge spaces to look right and allow cleaning,They are a PITA to get in and out of for no reason as far as function is concerend A nice deep soaking tub alcove style is IMO always a nicer choice and will always function and look good. Wet rooms are just plain stupid IMHO the fact that the tub gets wet when you shower should be the first red flag.

Thank you everyone! I too have seen the photos of freestanding tubs in small spaces and so wondered if there was some kind of trick to cleaning around them. Apparently not, so unless I can find at least 7 feet it will be an alcove tub for me! Any recomendations on a 60 or 66 inch alcove one that is good, and pretty? (All the bath fixture stores only seem to be displaying freestanding ones!).

These two alcove tubs -- there are others -- have tile flanges on three sides but don't have an apron so you could add your own apron rather than having one that's just part of the tub.

• Kohler Archer 60" ExoCrylic Soaking Bathtub for Alcove Installations
• Duravit D-Code 60" Drop In Acrylic Soaking Tub

Here's a listing pic of my kids' bath. The tub itself *is* nice, but, IMO, what makes the bathroom really pretty is the detailed tile work and the unique fixtures. That's what I look, anyway, at when I'm taking a bath. ;)

so wondered if there was some kind of trick to cleaning around them.

@Paul F has some kind of trick for cleaning around his tight fit free standing. I can't remember what it is though. Sorry!