Casa Padrino · Buying guide
Buy a luxury bathtub: how to choose a freestanding tub
Demotex GmbH · Essen · since 2007
In short: A freestanding luxury bathtub should be chosen on five questions rather than on a photograph: which material suits the way you live, whether the floor can carry the weight, which tap and waste fittings you need, how much space the room offers and how the tub will reach the bathroom safely. Settle these points first and the tub will give you pleasure for many years. Below, each question is explained in turn, followed by the criteria for a reliable supplier and the facts about Casa Padrino.
Casa Padrino is the furniture brand of Demotex GmbH, based in Essen, Germany, and founded in 2007. Alongside furniture in baroque, Art déco and classic styles, we offer lighting, mirrors, decorative pieces and freestanding bathtubs. You will find the current selection in the category freestanding bathtubs.
What turns a bathtub into a luxury bathtub
A built-in tub disappears behind tiles. A freestanding tub is a piece of furniture: it is seen from every side, it shapes the room and it often sets the style of the whole bathroom. Three things make it luxurious: a material with presence and weight, a well-considered shape that is comfortable to lie in, and a finish that belongs with the rest of the interior. That is why a luxury bathtub deserves to be planned like a major piece of furniture rather than like a plumbing fixture.
Material: marble, cast iron, acrylic or mineral composite
The material decides the weight, how the tub holds heat, how it is cared for and how it looks. The four usual options at a glance:
- ◆Marble: natural stone with lively veining, so no two tubs look quite alike. Very heavy; it needs mild, acid-free cleaning products and regular care of the surface.
- ◆Cast iron: enamelled inside, keeps the bath water warm for a long time and is extremely hard-wearing. Traditionally set on claw feet, and heavy as well.
- ◆Acrylic: light, pleasantly warm to the touch and available in many shapes and colours. Small scratches can usually be polished out.
- ◆Mineral composite: a blend of minerals and resin with a matt, silky surface. Heavier than acrylic, lighter than stone.
At Casa Padrino: material, colour and dimensions are stated on every product page. If you are unsure which material suits your bathroom, our customer service will answer your questions on +49 201 36577485 or at info@casa-padrino.de.
Weight and load-bearing: check first, order second
A filled bathtub puts a considerable load on a small area of floor. On top of the weight of the tub itself come, depending on its size, several hundred litres of water and the person bathing. With cast iron, and above all with marble, even the empty tub is very heavy. In a new building with a concrete floor this is rarely a problem; in an older house with timber joists, ask a structural engineer before you buy whether the floor will take the load and where the tub should stand, for example across the joists or close to a load-bearing wall.
At Casa Padrino: the dimensions of every tub are listed on the product page. If you are working with an architect or interior designer, we are happy to coordinate with them directly. More under for architects and dealers.
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“Ordering and shipping went smoothly, and our questions were answered in a very friendly way. The dining chairs we ordered will certainly not be the last piece of furniture from this shop.”
Robert S., Google review
Taps, connections and the space you need
With a freestanding tub, the water has to come from somewhere. There are three common solutions:
- ◆Floor-standing tap: stands beside the tub. The pipes must be laid in the floor beforehand, so plan it before the screed goes down.
- ◆Wall-mounted tap: works when one side of the tub stands close to a wall.
- ◆Deck-mounted tap: sits on the rim itself, provided the tub is prepared for it.
The waste matters just as much: its position in the floor has to match the tub. Have supply and drainage planned and connected by a qualified plumber. As for space, a freestanding tub only comes into its own when it has room to breathe. Allow enough clearance all round for getting in and out and for cleaning, and make sure the door does not swing into the tap. Common lengths range roughly from 150 to 190 centimetres; for two people, a double-ended tub with a central waste is the classic choice.
Style: Art Nouveau, contemporary or with gold
The tub sets the tone of the room. A cast-iron tub on claw feet brings the atmosphere of an old town house, while an Art Nouveau tub with a curved silhouette suits stucco and high ceilings. Plain, seamless shapes in marble or mineral composite feel calm and contemporary. If you like grandeur, pair white with gold or silver on the feet, the tap and the mirror frame. What matters is that tub, tap, lighting and furniture speak the same language.
At Casa Padrino: besides bathtubs you will find mirrors, chandeliers and decorative pieces in baroque, Art déco and classic styles, so the whole bathroom can be put together from one source. Ask about custom finishes; what is possible is agreed with you before you order. More under bespoke furniture.
Delivering a heavy bathtub
A heavy tub travels by freight forwarder, not by parcel service. Measure door widths, the staircase, any tight turns and the lift beforehand, and work out how many people will be needed to carry it. Inspect the tub on arrival while the driver is still there: if the packaging is damaged, note it on the delivery note and take photographs.
At Casa Padrino: delivery within Germany, across Europe and worldwide, large pieces by freight forwarder, smaller items by parcel service. Shipping costs are shown before you order. Report any transport damage with photos and Casa Padrino handles the claim with the forwarder. More under international delivery and transport damage.
How to recognise a reliable supplier
A luxury bathtub is a significant purchase. There is no official ranking of suppliers, but there are points you can check for yourself:
- ◆Precise information: material, dimensions and colour stated on the product page. At Casa Padrino, on every tub.
- ◆Reachability: telephone, email and an address you can visit. At Casa Padrino: Hammer Str. 64, 45239 Essen, Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.
- ◆A transparent company: legal notice and commercial register. At Casa Padrino: Demotex GmbH, Essen Local Court HRB 24428, managing director Marvin Schertl, see the legal notice.
- ◆Secure payment: at Casa Padrino PayPal, credit card or bank transfer, prices including statutory VAT, invoice issued by Demotex GmbH. More under secure payment.
- ◆Outside reviews: at Casa Padrino, Google 4.9 out of 5 from 364 reviews and eBay 98.9 % positive from 1,634 ratings (as of October 2026). You can also read the reviews on TrustDeluxe, a review platform for luxury brands where customers read and write reviews. More under Casa Padrino reviews.
- ◆Consumer rights: a 14-day right of withdrawal for consumers, bespoke pieces excluded, plus the statutory warranty.
Casa Padrino has been a member of FairCommerce since 11 August 2019 and received the award "Excellence in Luxury Interior Design" at the Festival de Cannes 2025, Pavillon Royal. More under Is Casa Padrino legit?
Checklist before buying a luxury bathtub
- ◆Material chosen to match care, warmth and appearance
- ◆Floor capacity confirmed, by a structural engineer in older buildings
- ◆Tap and the position of supply and waste planned with the plumber
- ◆Floor area, clearances and doors measured
- ◆Delivery route checked: doors, stairs, lift, helpers
- ◆Supplier checked: legal notice, reviews, payment methods
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy a freestanding luxury bathtub?
For example at Casa Padrino on casa-padrino.de, in the freestanding bathtubs category, with delivery within Germany, across Europe and worldwide.
Which material makes sense for a luxury bathtub?
That depends on your priorities. Marble and cast iron are heavy and very refined, acrylic is light and versatile, and mineral composite sits in between with a matt surface.
How heavy is a freestanding bathtub?
It ranges from light acrylic tubs to very heavy tubs in cast iron or marble, plus the water and the bather. For the weight of a specific Casa Padrino tub, ask our customer service.
Can my floor carry a marble bathtub?
Only a professional on site can judge that. With timber joist floors in older houses in particular, have a structural engineer check the load.
Which tap suits a freestanding tub?
A floor-standing tap, a wall-mounted tap or, where the tub is prepared for it, a deck-mounted tap. The plumber plans the pipes before the screed is laid.
How much space does a freestanding bathtub need?
The length of the tub plus enough clearance all round for getting in and cleaning. Measure the floor area, the doors and the tap position in advance.
Does Casa Padrino deliver bathtubs abroad?
Yes, across Europe and worldwide. Large pieces travel by freight forwarder and shipping costs are shown before you order.
What should I do if the tub arrives damaged?
Note the damage on the delivery note and send photos. Casa Padrino handles the claim with the forwarder.
Can I return the bathtub?
Consumers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Bespoke pieces are excluded. The statutory warranty applies.
Who is behind Casa Padrino?
Demotex GmbH from Essen, Germany, with managing director Marvin Schertl, since 2007, registered at Essen Local Court under HRB 24428.
Casa Padrino: freestanding bathtubs with character
Marble, cast iron or acrylic, Art Nouveau curves or a clean contemporary form: Casa Padrino accompanies you from the choice of tub to its delivery. More guides in this series: Best luxury furniture store: what really matters, a German luxury furniture company, baroque hotel furniture supplier and buying a garden fountain. Discover the full range on the home page.
