The first evidence of a bathtub, made of pottery, was in the shape of a pedestal tub and was used many centuries ago. Some of the ancient civilizations did their bathing in a common pool, some used creeks, and others used rivers, all with the common goal of removing dirt and odors from the body. In the early 1900′s it was common to use the family washtub for bathing, but everyone used the same water. The eldest family member went first eventually ending up with the baby. It was World War I before complete bathrooms became a common fixture in the American home. Prior to that time they were just part of some other room.

One of the first bathtubs used in this space was the pedestal tub because it was very comfortable with its raised, sloping ends. These ends enabled the bather to rest their head, neck, and shoulders while enjoying a warm bath. Today’s pedestal tubs, however, have gone very high tech and are also equipped with air jets which gently massage the body and bring about the complete relaxation of tired muscles while maintaining the original design.

The original tubs were made of iron with a white enamel covering. Some can be found today in antique stores and recycling companies who specialize in home demolition. These companies have many items from old homes such as tubs, fixtures, and other Victorian Era plumbing. A search of the web will sometimes reveal the location of such companies.

The modern pedestal tub is made of cast iron or acrylic. The acrylic tub is made by bonding several synthetic products and produces a beautiful replica of the original tub. These tubs are lightweight, are easy to move, and can be obtained in almost any color. The cast iron pedestal tub is very heavy and, as with antique tubs, usually has an interior coated with white enamel.

An additional feature of these tubs is that, since they are mounted on a circular base and fit snuggly to the floor, the need to clean under the tub is eliminated. This base can be made of cast iron, acrylic, or wood. Contrary to the modern tub, which requires sealant and a snug fit on three sides, the pedestal tub is easy to install as it is free standing. Companies with these modern tubs can also be located on the web.

In deciding to convert a modern bathroom to one of the Victorian Era there are several things to be considered. The size of the room and the plumbing arrangement should be measured to be sure that the pedestal tub and its plumbing will fit in the area. Also, consideration must be given as to which other fixtures should also be replaced? It would not look right to have a pedestal tub with a modern wash basin and cabinets. Sitting down and designing the room on paper before proceeding will eliminate many problems that would, otherwise, come up in the middle of the project.

Homeowners who wish to keep up with modern designs are converting their bathrooms to this Era by changing all the fixtures and following through with their design in the rest of the room. A study of books of previous times will assist in deciding just what will create this desired look and result in an outstanding room enjoyed by all.