The Laura 58.75 in. Acrylic Flatbottom Center Drain Soaking Tub is designed for homeowners who want the visual drama of a freestanding bathtub without installing something the size of a small fishing boat. At just under 59 inches long and roughly 27 inches wide, it brings a contemporary soaking experience to bathrooms where every inch of floor space has already submitted a formal complaint.
Made by Wyndham Collection, the Laura is a rectangular, one-person acrylic soaking tub with a center drain, deep bathing well, adjustable base, and modern freestanding profile. Some versions are sold as a tub-only package, while others include coordinated drain trim and a floor-mounted tub filler. That distinction matters because similar-looking Laura model numbers can contain very different accessories.
This review examines the tub’s dimensions, comfort, acrylic construction, installation requirements, cleaning needs, advantages, limitations, and realistic day-to-day ownership experience. The goal is not simply to ask whether it looks lovely in a staged bathroom. Most freestanding tubs look lovely when surrounded by candles, folded towels, and suspiciously absent shampoo bottles. The more useful question is whether the Laura works in a real home.
Quick Verdict
The Laura is a strong option for a compact primary bathroom, guest suite, or remodeling project that needs a genuine soaking tub in a relatively narrow footprint. Its 43.5-gallon maximum capacity, 17-inch depth at the drain, warm-to-the-touch acrylic shell, and clean rectangular shape make it more comfortable and visually substantial than many standard alcove tubs.
Its biggest advantages are efficient sizing, deep immersion, manageable acrylic construction, and a modern appearance. Its main limitations are the narrow interior, one-person capacity, freestanding plumbing requirements, and the need to verify exactly which faucet, drain, overflow, and finish components come with the selected SKU.
Laura Soaking Tub Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Installation type | Freestanding |
| Bathtub type | One-person soaking tub |
| Material | Acrylic |
| Exterior shape | Rectangular flatbottom design |
| Overall length | 58.75 inches |
| Overall width | Approximately 27.38 inches |
| Overall height | 21.25 inches |
| Interior dimensions at top | Approximately 52.5 by 21 by 16.25 inches |
| Depth at drain | 17 inches |
| Drain-to-overflow depth | 12 inches |
| Maximum water capacity | Approximately 43.5 gallons |
| Drain position | Center |
| Base | Adjustable for leveling and stability |
| Warranty | Two-year limited warranty |
Published measurements may vary by approximately half an inch, which is normal for this product. That tolerance sounds tiny until a drain opening, wall, or floor-mounted faucet is placed half an inch in the wrong direction. Your plumber will not be comforted by the phrase “close enough.”
Design: Compact, Modern, and Intentionally Simple
The Laura uses straight upper edges, gently softened corners, and a glossy white finish to produce a minimalist appearance. Unlike a clawfoot tub, it does not introduce vintage detailing. Unlike a sculptural slipper tub, it does not rise dramatically at one end. Its appeal comes from clean geometry and a relatively low visual profile.
This restrained design works well with contemporary, transitional, Scandinavian, coastal, and modern farmhouse interiors. Polished chrome emphasizes a crisp hotel-bathroom look, brushed nickel softens the overall effect, matte black adds contrast, and brushed gold can make the space feel warmer and more decorative.
The rectangular shape also coordinates naturally with square sinks, slab-front vanities, linear tile, frameless showers, and modern lighting. It can still fit a traditional bathroom, but the surrounding materials need to do more of the stylistic work.
A Useful Size for Smaller Bathrooms
Many freestanding bathtubs are 60 to 72 inches long and more than 30 inches wide. The Laura’s 58.75-by-27.38-inch footprint is notably compact. It can fit layouts that would struggle to accommodate a broad oval tub, especially when the room must also contain a separate shower, toilet, or double vanity.
Compact does not mean miniature. The interior is long enough for many adults to recline with bent knees, but tall users should compare the 52.5-inch interior length with their preferred bathing position. A 6-foot-plus bather expecting full horizontal extension may find the Laura cozy rather than spacious.
Soaking Comfort and Center-Drain Performance
The tub is deeper than a typical shallow alcove bath and is intended for immersion rather than shower-combination duty. Its 17-inch depth at the drain creates a substantial bathing well, while the overflow limits the practical water depth to approximately 12 inches.
That difference is important. Product listings sometimes emphasize the total tub depth, but the overflow opening determines how high the water can normally rise. The Laura still offers a satisfying soak, particularly because the interior shape allows the body to sit lower than it would in many conventional tubs.
Why a Center Drain Helps
A center drain keeps the stopper away from either end of the bathing area. That makes the tub more flexible because the user can face either direction without placing a hip, heel, or lower back directly over drain hardware. It also supports the tub’s balanced, double-ended appearance.
The center drain does require precise rough-in planning. The waste connection must align with the tub after its final position is established, and the plumbing should remain accessible whenever the installation method allows it.
Contoured Interior
The interior sides provide a gentle reclining angle rather than a perfectly vertical wall. This improves back support, although comfort is subjective. One person’s luxurious recline is another person’s urgent request for a bath pillow.
Before purchasing, mark the interior dimensions on the floor or test a similarly sized display model. Exterior dimensions do not reveal the entire comfort story because the double-wall shell and sloped interior reduce usable bathing space.
Acrylic Construction: Practical Luxury
Acrylic is one of the most common materials used in modern freestanding soaking tubs. It is lighter than cast iron, relatively easy to transport, warm when first touched, and capable of being molded into smooth, seamless forms.
The Laura’s acrylic shell is especially useful in a remodeling project where a massive cast-iron tub would create delivery and structural challenges. Acrylic does not eliminate the need to evaluate the floor, but it generally makes the tub itself easier for installers to move through doorways and position.
Acrylic also warms quickly when hot bathwater is added. You are less likely to experience the chilly initial contact associated with metal tubs. However, water-temperature performance depends on room temperature, insulation, fill volume, and bathing time. No tub can negotiate with thermodynamics forever.
Potential Acrylic Drawbacks
Acrylic can scratch if cleaned with abrasive powders, rough pads, or aggressive brushes. Strong solvents may dull, discolor, or crack the surface. Heavy objects dropped into the tub can also cause damage, so the Laura should not become an emergency storage bin for tools during the final week of remodeling.
Minor surface marks may sometimes be polished, but prevention is much easier. Use soft cloths, nonabrasive sponges, and cleaners specifically labeled as safe for acrylic.
Floor-Mounted Faucet and Trim Options
The product name commonly refers to a Laura package that includes a floor-mounted faucet, pop-up drain, and overflow trim. However, the Laura collection has been offered in tub-only configurations and in bundles with different combinations of polished chrome, brushed nickel, shiny white, matte black, or brushed-gold components.
Check the complete model number rather than relying only on the word “Laura.” Confirm the following before placing an order:
- Whether a floor-mounted faucet is included
- Whether the faucet includes a handheld shower wand
- The finish of the faucet, drain, and overflow
- Whether the drain assembly is preinstalled
- The faucet’s flow rate and connection requirements
- Whether supply lines and mounting hardware are included
A floor-mounted filler complements the freestanding design because it does not require faucet holes in the tub rim. It also gives the installer flexibility in positioning the spout. The trade-off is that the filler must be anchored securely, connected below the finished floor, and aligned so water lands inside the tub without splashing the opposite wall.
Installation Planning
The Laura may be easier to handle than a cast-iron bathtub, but a freestanding installation is not automatically an easy weekend project. The drain, water supplies, faucet mount, floor condition, access route, and final clearances should be planned before tile is completed.
Measure the Entire Delivery Route
Measure the bathroom as well as exterior doors, hallways, stairwells, landings, and interior door openings. The tub is almost 59 inches long, but installers also need room to turn and tilt it. A product that fits perfectly on the floor plan can still become an expensive hallway ornament.
Confirm the Floor Is Level and Stable
The adjustable base helps compensate for minor variations and improves stability. It is not a substitute for repairing a weak, severely uneven, or damaged floor. The structure must support the bathtub, several dozen gallons of water, and an occupant.
This is particularly important in an upstairs bathroom or an older home. A qualified contractor should inspect questionable framing and determine whether reinforcement is necessary.
Plan the Drain Before Final Placement
The center drain should be coordinated with the waste line and finished floor. The installer may need to dry-fit the tub, trace its outline, mark the drain location, remove the tub, complete the connection, and then reset it.
A full water test should be performed before the installation is considered complete. Inspect the drain, overflow, supply connections, and faucet base for leaks. It is far more pleasant to discover a loose fitting during testing than when water begins auditioning for the room below.
Leave Enough Cleaning Access
A freestanding tub should have practical space around it. A narrow gap between the tub and wall may look tidy in a rendering but can become a lint, dust, and dropped-soap museum. Allow enough room to wipe the floor, inspect caulk, and reach plumbing components where applicable.
Water Use and Hot-Water Planning
The Laura’s maximum capacity is approximately 43.5 gallons, although an occupant displaces part of that volume. The actual amount used during a bath will depend on body size, fill height, and water temperature.
Before installing any deep soaking tub, consider the household water heater. A small tank that already struggles with back-to-back showers may not deliver the long, hot fill expected from a soaking tub. The faucet’s flow rate matters as well. A low-flow filler may save water, but waiting half an hour for a bath is an unusual form of meditation.
Households with limited hot-water capacity can fill the tub below the overflow, start slightly warmer, or schedule bathing when other hot-water appliances are not running.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Routine care is straightforward. Rinse soap residue after use and wipe the surface with a soft microfiber cloth or nonabrasive sponge. Mild dish soap or an acrylic-approved bathroom cleaner is usually sufficient for normal cleaning.
Avoid scouring powders, abrasive pads, stiff brushes, acetone, paint thinner, and other solvents. Do not assume that every “heavy-duty” bathroom spray is acrylic-safe. Read the cleaner label and test an unfamiliar product in a concealed area first.
Simple Weekly Care Routine
- Rinse the tub with warm water.
- Apply a mild, acrylic-safe cleaner.
- Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove cleaner residue.
- Dry the surface to reduce water spots.
- Remove hair and debris from the drain stopper.
- Inspect the faucet base and surrounding floor for moisture.
Bath oils, salts, colorants, and bath bombs should also be used thoughtfully. Products containing intense dyes, glitter, botanicals, or oily ingredients can leave residue around the drain and waterline. Glitter may be festive, but it has the survival instincts of a household pest.
Advantages of the Laura 58.75-Inch Soaking Tub
- Compact freestanding footprint: Its narrow width and sub-60-inch length can work in smaller bathroom layouts.
- Deep bathing well: The interior supports more immersive soaking than many conventional alcove tubs.
- Comfortable center drain: Either end can be used for reclining without sitting directly over the stopper.
- Warm acrylic surface: Acrylic feels warmer initially than enameled metal.
- Modern appearance: The simple rectangular silhouette suits a broad range of current bathroom styles.
- Adjustable base: Leveling feet simplify accurate placement on floors with minor variations.
- Multiple trim options: Available hardware combinations can coordinate with common bathroom finishes.
- Manageable construction: Acrylic is easier to handle than many cast-iron or solid-stone alternatives.
Potential Disadvantages
- Narrow interior: Broad-shouldered or very tall users may prefer a larger tub.
- One-person capacity: This is not intended as a two-person bathtub.
- Professional installation is advisable: Floor plumbing and a freestanding filler require careful rough-in work.
- Accessories vary by SKU: Similar product names may represent different faucet and trim packages.
- Acrylic needs gentle cleaning: Abrasives and solvents may damage the finish.
- No built-in storage: A freestanding tub does not provide the broad deck space of a drop-in model.
- Entry height matters: The 21.25-inch exterior height may be challenging for people with limited mobility.
- Limited warranty period: The published two-year limited warranty is shorter than some competing coverage.
Who Should Consider This Tub?
The Laura is best suited to a homeowner who wants a dedicated soaking tub, appreciates modern styling, and has a bathroom that cannot comfortably hold a broad 66- or 72-inch model. It works especially well beside a separate walk-in shower, under a window, or along a feature wall.
It may not be ideal for someone who needs a tub-and-shower combination, has significant mobility concerns, wants two-person bathing space, or prefers the weight and traditional feel of cast iron. Very tall users should also evaluate the interior length before committing.
Realistic Ownership Experience: From Delivery to Daily Soaking
The following experience is a representative remodeling scenario based on the tub’s documented specifications and common freestanding-bathtub installation patterns. It is not a claim of personal hands-on testing.
Delivery Day
The first pleasant surprise is that the Laura does not arrive with the intimidating mass of a cast-iron tub. It is still a large, awkward bathroom fixture that requires careful handling, but two experienced installers can maneuver it more easily than a traditional metal model.
The compact width proves useful in an older home with modest doorways. Even so, the packaging adds bulk, so the crew measures the route before carrying it upstairs. Baseboards, door trim, and recently painted walls are protected. This is a wise decision because a glossy white bathtub and a freshly painted hallway should never be introduced through improvisational dance.
Once unpacked, the tub is inspected under good light. The installers check the rim, corners, drain opening, overflow, underside, and finish before throwing away the packaging. The correct faucet and trim are compared with the order. This step catches one of the most common purchasing problems: receiving the right tub with the wrong hardware finish.
Installation Day
The tub is dry-fitted in its planned location. Its rectangular profile aligns neatly with the wall tile, but the plumber discovers that moving it one inch forward creates much better cleaning access behind the shell. That tiny adjustment has almost no visual cost and prevents years of frustrated attempts to retrieve dust with a ruler and a paper towel.
The center drain simplifies the appearance but demands accurate placement. The adjustable feet are set so the tub sits level without rocking. The floor-mounted faucet is anchored beside the tub, with the spout positioned far enough over the rim to direct water safely into the basin.
After the plumbing is connected, the tub is filled and left standing during the leak test. The installer checks the drain, overflow, supply lines, faucet body, and floor below. Only after the test is successful is the installation finalized.
The First Bath
The first noticeable difference from a standard alcove tub is the depth. The bather sits lower, the water rises comfortably around the body, and the acrylic does not deliver an icy greeting. The center drain stays out of the way, allowing either end to become the preferred reclining side.
A person of average height can settle into the tub with knees slightly bent. A taller user may not fully stretch out, but the deep water compensates for some of the limited interior length. A bath pillow improves neck support, and a slim caddy provides space for soap, a book, or a beverage kept at a sensible distance from electronics.
The 43.5-gallon capacity does not mean every bath requires that entire volume. The occupant displaces water, and filling a few inches below the overflow still creates a satisfying soak. Nevertheless, the household notices that the bath uses considerably more hot water than a quick shower. Scheduling laundry for later becomes an unexpectedly important wellness strategy.
After Several Weeks
Maintenance is uncomplicated when the surface is rinsed after use. A soft cloth and mild cleaner remove the faint waterline without scrubbing. The glossy finish continues to look bright, but one lesson becomes clear: leaving bath-oil residue overnight creates more work the next morning.
The open floor beneath and around the tub makes the bathroom feel larger, although cleaning behind it requires a long-handled microfiber tool. The floor-mounted faucet remains visually impressive and turns an ordinary bath into something that feels more deliberate. It also collects water spots, so a quick wipe after bathing keeps the finish presentable.
Most importantly, the Laura feels appropriately scaled. It creates a genuine bathroom focal point without swallowing the room. The owner gets the spa-like presence of a freestanding soaking tub while retaining enough floor space to move comfortably around the vanity and shower.
What the Owner Would Do Differently
With hindsight, the owner would verify the exact model number earlier, confirm faucet flow rate before installation, and purchase an acrylic-safe cleaner in advance. A small bath stool or nearby niche would also be planned because the narrow tub rim is not generous storage space.
These are minor adjustments rather than fundamental regrets. The experience reinforces the central lesson of freestanding-tub ownership: the tub itself is only half the project. Plumbing placement, faucet selection, access, hot-water capacity, and cleaning clearance determine whether the result feels luxurious or merely photogenic.
Final Verdict
The Laura 58.75 in. Acrylic Flatbottom Center Drain Soaking Tub succeeds by combining a deep soaking profile with dimensions that are practical for moderately sized bathrooms. Its acrylic construction, adjustable base, center drain, modern rectangular styling, and available faucet packages make it an appealing alternative to oversized freestanding tubs.
It is not the roomiest option, and it requires thoughtful professional installation. Buyers must also compare complete model numbers carefully because faucet and trim combinations vary. When correctly specified and installed, however, the Laura delivers what many homeowners want from a bathroom renovation: a comfortable place to soak, a strong visual centerpiece, and a little everyday luxury without requiring the bathroom square footage of a luxury hotel.
Note: Dimensions, included accessories, hardware finishes, availability, warranty terms, and installation details may vary by model number and retailer. Confirm the current manufacturer specification sheet and installation guide before ordering or modifying plumbing.
