"People are using the bath as a place of relaxation and indulgence as opposed to simply for washing, " says Helen Scott, managing director of The Yard in Belfast, which is brimful of designer delights for some seriously seductive sink-in style.

Many tubs, such as Moments, created by German design studio Arkefakt for Ideal Standard, which features an internally illuminated sidewall, and sells from 4,686, reflect our desire to cocoon.

Antica's enormous 'Cradle', which has a price tag of 36,000, has been decadently designed so that the user can only lie down at one side. Normally crafted in travertine, it's now available in grey sandstone to complement a clean lined cool contemporary setting. For less costly cradling, Sottini's eye-catching Lagaro Cradle bath sells for around 3,169.

Many householders are opting to create a wet room in their en-suite and make the tub the focus of the bathroom.

Some, influenced by boutique hotels, are making the bath the focal point of the bedroom.

Putting a generously proportioned freestanding bath on a platform can create a sumptuous sleep sanctuary, says Paddy McQuaid of Antica in Dublin. In general, there is a trend towards blurring the boundaries between upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms, with open plan layouts becoming more popular.

Duravit this year has a new product, the Sundeck wooden tub collection with acrylic lining and covers, ranging in price from Stg£999, that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

While there's been a lot of talk in our increasingly time poor society about the power of speedy showers, bath manufacturers in recent years have been turning on the treats in the form of hydrotherapy, colour therapy and underwater lighting, remarks Scott.

Baths, such as those in the Phillipe Starck collection, have been getting bigger, with double-ended tubs in demand.

"The average person is now going for a 6ft bath rather than the 5ft-6 standard option, and there's a focus on the free standing option, " says Scott.

Freestanding tubs are best for big bathrooms, as they need room to breathe while insets work well between two walls, she says. Some homeowners are insetting their bath and creating a lounging area with steps up to the tub for a chilled out home spa effect.

Modern materials range from glass with Corian interiors . . . Le Cob from The Yard from Stg£10,000, is a clear winner for those who want to be a glass act in their wallowing . . . to wood, travertine, marble as well as acrylic, cast iron, steel and resin.

The handsome good looks of natural stone are setting a stylish standard in many bathrooms. Stone vessels are tactile and retain the heat wonderfully, says McQuaid who is taken with the movement of travertine. However, an onyx deep rust red tub is due into Antica over the next three to four months. The real appeal of his baths, he says, is that they are one-off sculptural statements.

With stone being a heavy hitter . . . Antica's baths are about eight to 10 times the weight of a normal bath . . .

McQuaid says modifications may have to be made in upstairs floors with RSJs.

However, those with concrete floors upstairs won't have a problem.

The Japanese have traditionally favoured wooden tubs for their bathing rituals and Italian company Agape's birch plywood, from The Yard, which is shaped like a chaise longue for comfort, will bring a touch of drama to any bathroom. The single version retails at Stg£5,600 with the double model priced at Stg£7,500.

Boffi's enormous Tevere circular tub consists of 16 layers of Corian for the perfect plunge pool for your pad. Antica sells a stunning circular bath in two types of travertine on a stone plinth and Alessi's egg-shaped style has cracked it with designers, Scott says.

The gentle curves of the Restful tub from B&Q were inspired by the smoothness of a pebble in water. However, with square basins hip, there's also a big emphasis on rectangular baths to complement them.

The new Jasper Morrison signature bath for Ideal Standard, previewed at 100% Design in London recently and which will be available next spring, retailing at approximately 1,403, follows the soft square design Morrison has reflected throughout the entire collection by using a one-piece panel. The same curve seamlessly follows the shape of the bath, eliminating the need for a separate end panel.

Sunken baths that don't require panelling are popular, Scott says. Creating a sunken tub space can make rooms with low ceilings seem bigger and less cluttered. Some tubs such as the Moments, can incorporate storage . . . the stowaway style version sells for around 4,340 . . . or have builtin recesses in the wall alongside them.

Accessories are ace with detachable pillows and plasma screens set into the tiles on the wall facing the tub, adding lashings of luxe. Simply add water f and maybe even a glass of wine to float your bathtime boat.

Useful contacts:

>> Antica, Churchtown, Dublin 14, 01-2960136;

www. antica. ie >> Ideal Standard;

www. ideal-standard. co. uk >> The Yard, 32 Montgomery Road, Belfast, 048-9040 5600; www. theyard. co. uk