Wet rooms are one of the upcoming trends in bathroom design—they’re not just a shower or a bathroom but a space specifically designed to get wet. Unlike a traditional shower or tub, wet rooms offer greater accessibility, easier cleaning, and a spa-like style. However, they can be costly to integrate, and dampness can stick around if the room lacks appropriate ventilation. 

What is a wet room?

Wet rooms are areas of the bathroom that encase a separate tub and shower, creating the ultimate space for relaxation. A wet room could also be a bathroom with a shower head open to the rest of the room. Some consider it a “tanked” or waterproofed room. 

In a typical wet room, the shower is flush with the rest of the bathroom floor, so the floors and the base of the walls must be sealed with a waterproof membrane to prevent leaks and/or mold development.  

Wet rooms originally came from Japan, where they are separate from the vanity and toilet area. For people who love to soak in the tub, they offer a space of relaxation and quiet away from the rest of the bathroom—and limit the risk of being interrupted if someone’s ‘gotta go’!

How do wet rooms differ from large showers?

Wet rooms are barrier-free, accessible, and flush with the bathroom floor. Because of this, the floor has a subtle gradient so water can properly flow to the drain and not leak to the rest of the home. It’s recommended that a remodeler install a 1.5-2 degree slope with flat, linear drains. 

Wet rooms, unlike showers, combine the stand-alone tub and shower area and usually offer multiple shower heads and nozzle types. Some homeowners also install a bench or seat in the wet room. 

The ups and downs of wet rooms

Much like any home design choice, wet rooms have pros and cons. 

Pro: Spa-like style

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of wet rooms is that they are stunning. They elevate the atmosphere in your bathroom and invite you to unwind in the beautiful space. Plus, they’re entirely customizable in terms of tub and shower size, shape, and style. 

Con: It’s difficult to control what gets wet

Because the floor is almost completely level throughout the entire room and the shower heads aren’t contained, it’s difficult to control what gets wet. Moisture travels, especially when the water is hot, meaning anything within the room is at risk. Ensure you put electronics in another room and your towel is far enough away that it doesn’t get soaked. 

Pro: Easier to clean

Because the floor and most, if not all, of the walls are water-sealed, it’s easy to soak everything down, scrub the open surfaces, and effectively rinse. 

Con: Tiling gets expensive

Once the waterproof membrane is set, it’s time to cover it in tile. Some builders tile the floor and the bottom edges of the walls, but because the water is uncontained, most people choose to tile the floors and walls, which adds up quickly.  

Pro: Good accessibility

If you or someone in your home is affected by a physical disability, a wet room is perfect. There are no ridges, edges, or places to trip. If you lay down a grippy mat or two, it’s extra safe for those who need to be more careful. 

Con: It could negatively impact your resale value

While wet rooms are gaining popularity, they’re not quite a must-have in every home—and some people don’t love tubs, period. If you’re selling and your buyers have different design choices than you, or if the wet room goes out of style, it could affect the resale value of your home. 

Key considerations when planning a wet room

Wet rooms are a big decision when it comes to bathroom renovations and home design planning. Before setting your sights on a walk-in shower/tub combo, consider all the pros and cons, your budget, home construction capacity, and how long you plan on living in your home. 

Remodeling your bathroom to include a wet room is a time-intensive undertaking that is difficult to undo. So, it’s important to consider the setbacks the construction process could have on your daily life and how they could affect your future as a homeowner.

Bottom line 

A wet room is a beautiful, accessible, easy-to-clean bathroom space that elevates the traditional toilet-and-tub combi. It’s a space where you can treat yourself and relax in the comfort of your own home. However, it’s important to consider the cost, the construction setbacks, and the resale value post-installation. But if none of those are dealbreakers for you, you can kick back and enjoy the overdue pampering. 

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