How To Change Your Bathroom Decor With A Wooden Bathtub

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.

wooden bathtub

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 traditional Hinoki wood style tub is made by Bartok Design. The creator is Jacopo Terrine, an Italian architect living in Japan, who has beed creating wooden bathtubs, many for export, since 2002.
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 tubs, multipurpose cabins, saunas, Turkish baths and relaxation accessories for 25 years. This tub, called "Natural" is made from Canadian Cedar, in Italy.

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 wooden bathtub by Unique Wood Design, the light wood and spare style evoke an Asian esthetic.

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

Western Soaking Wood Bathtubs

A bit more like a western hot tub because of the different interior, this wooden bathtub is a soaking tub by Graff.
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 wooden tub and the washstand have the warmth solid wood. Their resign uses Corian® solid surface material on the inside.
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

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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. 

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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

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

The dark color and elegant lines make this KHIS wooden bathtub a stunning addition for any style bathroom. The depth of the tub provides an excellent soaking experience.

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

Mixed Wood Styles

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Japanese Bathtub Aesthetic

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub
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

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

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

Embellished Tubs

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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 in our opinion. The beautiful woodgrain, and velvety looking finish is very elegant and stylish without being flashy.

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

Dark Drama

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub
In a darker wood, the Laguna Pearl wooden bathtub looks even more dramatic.
The "Sailor" wooden bathtub from Bagno Sasso has digital touch controls built into the edge of the tub, taking this from a basic soaking experience to a luxury spa soak.

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

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

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 wooden bathtub from Wood + Water is made from Tasmanian Oak and still maintains the feel of a traditional soaking tub, even though it's shape is modern.

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 

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub
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

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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.

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

Shallow Wood Bathtubs

This substantial bowl of a wooden bathtub is by WS Bath Collections. It is available in a number of wood varieties: Larch, Beach, Mahogany, Cedar, Walnut, Cherry, Wenge, or Teak

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 wooden bathtubs we found, the European-style custom tubs from Bath in Wood of Maine are very interesting and would fit well in a more ornate style of bathroom.

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

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Heart-Shaped Wood Tub

Australia's Wood + Water creates one-of-a-kind handmade wooden bath tubs, which means the can make specialty shapes like this heart. A far cry from the cheesy heart-shaped tubs of the 1970's, this one is a marvel of wood craftsmanship.
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 

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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 bathtubs. The company started in business building wooden boats and yachts, allowing them to develop expert carpentry and boat building skills.

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. Multilayer coating is fully waterproof while having an excellent mechanical and chemical resistance."

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 wooden bathtub is more European than eastern style, but would still be equally relaxing for a good soak. The design is ergonomic and the stainless steel railing helps bathers enter and exit safely.

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 wooden bathtub by Wooden Baths Ltd in Scotland is coated with a High Clarity glass reinforced epoxy resin. This coating is incredibly hard wearing. The glass fabric reinforcing makes the bath extremely resistant to changes in humidity, temperature and high UV levels.

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.

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub
The basketweave style of this wood tub is attractive.

Sleek Wood Tub

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub
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

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

Built-in Styles

Some homeowners prefer a more traditional built-in style like this variation of the Laguna basic, the stand-alone model of which we showed above.

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.

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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

Again, not a traditional stating tub, but still a wooden bathtub, is this boat-shaped art tub sold by Gallerie Kreo. It is designed by Dutch firm Studio Wieki Somers.

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 lacquered wooden bathtubs are based on the centuries-old art of lacquer. It is created by applying a natural sap that over a wood surface. The company's name -- Furo -- is the world for Japanese bath
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

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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

Agape dark wood wooden rectangular bathtub

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.