First, let me say that you did a great job with the layout to get all of that in a relatively small space. I especially like the nice size shower!
I vote for the freestanding tub - itâÂÂs smaller and without a tub deck it will make the room seem more open. You have 82 inches so with a 66 inch tub that would allow 8â on either end. Look on Houzz for pictures and you will see many where there is less clearance than that.
The depth will probably work for the freestanding tub as well - the 74 inch shower less 34 inches for the tub and 12 inches of space for the tub filler leaves 28 inches for the shower door which is probably adequate, but you will have to watch that you donâÂÂt hit the tub when opening the door.
Not sure how tall you are - but are you sure you can reach the filler when it is behind the tub like that? I found it to be a problem for me based on showroom displays. Fortunately, the tub I selected has an end drain and so we will put the filler on that end, making it easier to reach. You have space to do that with 12â on one end and 4â on the other end, and it would leave more room for the swinging shower door.
One other observation - you have the shower head on the far wall, away from the shower door. If your controls are there too, you will have to step into the shower to turn it on and will get a cold shower until it has time to war. Or were you planning to put the controls on the other side by the door? It appears that the shower head is on an outside wall - may be a concern if you live in a cold climate where the pipes may freeze.

It seems like you've thought this out.

Having sufficient space around a free-standing is important. Free-standing rubs can open up a space visually, similar to how a pedestal sink appears lighter than a boxy vanity.

But if the free-standing is crammed into a space. If it makes is tough to clean around. Or service. Or if it doesn't fulfill the needs of what you want in a tub; air versus soaker, etc.

Shower doors, you're usually looking at a 24" minimum door, or perhaps a minimum 22" clear way. Check with your local officials for clarification.

With your shower you could go doorless. If you're worried about overspray, you could add a small return on the shower wall to protect from overspray. Something along the lines of the attached drawing. That should give you room for an aproned tub with deck.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like free-standing will be more attractive, visually, than deck-mounted. I'm content with a soaker tub; it requires less servicing than a tub with bubbles.

I will move the shower head to the other end, near the shower opening to provide easier access to shower controls. I will keep the shower door, but open it toward the vanity, instead of toward the tub.

I'm just barely 5'1". The Wetstyle drain is in the center and the overflow is on the side, centered above the drain. The tub can be placed against the wall, with a wall-mounted filler or can have a floor-mounted filler.

All the photos of this tub show the filler centered behind the tub, over the drain. I've seen photos of other f/s tubs with the filler at one end or at a corner, but I can't tell from the photos where the drain is. Does the filler need to be over or near the drain?

I miswrote (in the text of my original message) that the maximum length of the shower space is 66", it's actually 75" (wall-to-wall), but waterproofing and tiles at both ends will take up at least 1" of this space.

I will move the shower head to the other end, near the shower opening to provide easier access to shower controls.

That is not necessary. Move the controls so they are near the door, but leave the shower head where you currently have it located.

With regards to deck mounting vs free standing, I am leaning towards deck mounted and totally covering the sides and back edge with decking. This would eliminate cleaning in those tight corners and sides of the tub.

My thoughts areâ¦free standing is prettier to look at. However, a deck mount is more comfortable for long leisurely baths with a book, a candle and a glass of wine because you have the wider edges to sit things on. You could pull something up to the free standing to sit things on but I guess it just depends on how much room you have.

Whichever look you choose, make sure to take into account whether or not you will have something to hold on to while wet and exiting a slippery tub. We are staying in a rental now that has a deck mount with an extra step and nothing to hold on to. All of us, of all ages, have commented on how dangerous this is.

Here are some more photos of freestanding tubs with ledges...

[Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Birmingham General Contractors Kathy Beaumont

[Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Enviable Designs Inc.

I like numbersjunkie's first photo with the wood ledge, but I don't think you have the room for it. The next 2 photos are probably closer to the space you have and I would not like having the tub so close to the wall to clean around. I like deck mount because it is so much easier to enter and exit the tub.

I have a deck mount tub now, and I'm wondering if it really is easier to get/out compared to a freestanding. My tub deck has enough space to sit and swing my legs in, but I never do that. I just step over the deck ledge and directly into the tub. The extra depth of the deck ledge makes that a bit of a reach, and that seems dangerous to me.

In any case, I'm not sure OP has enough space for a deck, let alone one with a deck large enough to allow her to sit and swing her legs in. The depth of the 72" tub is unknown, but it's probably 36 in min. Then add 6" of decking to the front and back and it That would leave only 26" for a shower door. I dont think there is room on the ends for the filler, so that would have to fit on the front or back of the deck - unless it mounts on the tub. Am I missing something?

Agree with deckeoboe.

Leave the shower head on the wall that it's on.

Install the supply valve on the wall to the right of the shower door as you enter the shower.

Easy. Practical.

I am facing the same decision re freestanding v. deck-mounted in our remodeling plans, so I'm watching this thread closely :)

I can contribute one definite answer: our current, corner, deck-mounted tub has a filler on one end, and the drain is centered along one of the sides - so you don't have to pair them up on one wall.

The WetStyle f/s tub has a removable tray that sits across the tub. I like numberjunkie's idea of a shelf or ledge behind the tub for placing items and also like the idea of having the shower wall next to the tub tiled half-way up to have a space for installing a grab bar.

WetStyle has an optional shelf that surrounds the tub, but I think it would make it more challenging to get in and out of the tub - would need to hop over the shelf.

The drop-in tub I was initially considering was 72"x42" but that would likely not fit, so would need to be 72"x36".

This weekend I looked at an open house (new construction) in my area that had a drop-in tub with a narrow space for the deck surround (see attached photo). The deck was tiled on the top and on the apron with white subway tile. I noticed that with the narrow deck space (about 2") and the tub overhang, it would be awkward to sit on the edge of the tub and swing my legs in or out of the tub.
Wiithout space for a deck that is wide enough to comfortably sit on, ease of entry or exit may come down to depth of the tub and options for placement of grab bars. The Wetstyle tub is 22" deep; the drop-in tubs are generally deeper, more like 26"

LA - Interesting placement of the tub filler on that pic. Just wondering if you have had an opportunity to try out either of the tubs you were considering? Some of the ones I tried out were darn uncomfortable for me. Size is a consideration - the 34 width of the freestanding may seem too tight and the 72" may be too long for you to recline comfortably, especially if you are short.

I too am following this thread with a choice between free standing or an 3 sided alcove deck mounted soaking tub with integral flange. My depth is not an issue, it is my length.
I am leaning toward the free standing. With feet attached, it is only 24" off the ground. It will be a tight fit length wise but 8" either side in depth, if I center it in the alcove. I like the ledge ideas presented above.

If I go with the alcove, I am considering the Kohler Archer K-1946-LW-0. I cant center it though, due to the tile flange on 3 sides so I will have a lot of deck space in the front for entering and exiting. The front is like a drop in that will rest on the deck.

I'm designing a similar bathroom right now and may have found a type of happy compromise. We really want a freestanding tub look and do not want a tiled in area around a drop in. How about a decent looking free standing tub that can back up to a wall or corner like this picture or alternatively one that goes in a corner like the link below shows. what do people think about this compromise? is there a name for this type of tub so I can search for more?

Here is a link that might be useful: corner tub

Thanks for the advice on f/s versus deck-mounted tub. I've selected a f/s tub that is a bit longer but more narrow than the tub that I had initially considered. It's 68"x31". It's a classical style, so I can use a telephone-style tub filler, either wall-mounted or floor-mounted. The tub is rounded on the ends, but flat along the sides, so can go flush against the wall.

Demo has started and there have been a few design changes. No window behind the tub and may go doorless on the shower.

I'm deciding where to locate the tub filler (behind, in front, or to one side). The tub is symmetrical and has a center drain, so I can lie in either direction (facing wall or shower).