Quick look

• Conventional bathroom fixtures like older toilets and showerheads waste gallons of water daily, straining resources and increasing bills.
• Simple habits like taking shorter showers and fixing leaks can significantly reduce water consumption.
• Water-saving upgrades, including low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, minimize usage without compromising performance.
• Incorporating water-saving products and practices helps conserve resources, lower utility costs, and support sustainability efforts.

The problem with conventional bathroom fixtures

Conventional bathroom fixtures are notorious for wasting water. For instance, older toilets use as much as 3.5 gallons per flush, while standard shower heads can flow at 2.5 gallons per minute or more. These numbers add up quickly, straining both your water supply and wallet.

Beyond personal finances, excessive water use has a broader environmental impact. Freshwater is a limited resource, and its overuse contributes to water scarcity, particularly in drought-prone areas. Worn-out fixtures and leaking pipes exacerbate the issue, wasting thousands of gallons yearly. By opting for water-efficient upgrades, you can reduce your household’s water footprint and help preserve this precious resource for future generations.

8 tips to conserve water in the bathroom

Conserving water in the bathroom is a simple yet effective way to reduce your environmental impact and lower utility bills. You can make a significant difference by adopting a few mindful habits and making small changes. Here are eight practical tips to help you save water in your bathroom:

1. Take shorter showers: Reducing your shower time by just a few minutes can save gallons of water daily. Aim for five-minute showers to conserve water and energy.
2. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth: Running water while brushing your teeth serves no purpose other than convenience. Instead of leaving it on, wet your toothbrush and fill a cup with water for rinsing. Alternatively, turn it off and on any time you need to refresh your brush.
3. Fix leaks promptly: A dripping faucet or leaking toilet may seem like a small problem, but over time, it adds up. Regular maintenance prevents unnecessary water loss.
4. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators: These devices reduce water flow without compromising pressure, saving significant amounts of water.
5. Use a bucket to catch shower water while it warms up: Collecting this water allows you to reuse it for tasks like watering plants,
6. Opt for showers over baths: Baths can use up to 70 gallons of water, while a five-minute shower uses significantly less. Choosing showers helps conserve water.
7. Only flush when necessary. A standard toilet uses an average of seven gallons of water per flush. To reduce unnecessary flushing, avoid using the toilet as a trash can.
8. Conduct a home water audit: Regularly check for leaks and identify whether or not your bathroom faucets, shower heads, and toilets need updates. If they are old, chances are there is an affordable way to make them more efficient.

5 water-saving products for a more sustainable bathroom

Upgrading your bathroom with water-saving products is a practical way to conserve resources and reduce utility bills. You can buy brand-new products or find ones that improve the efficiency of your current systems. Here are some of the top water-saving products to consider:

High-efficiency toilet (HETs): Toto Drake Cotton Elongated Toilet

• Cost: $376
• Buy it: Toto USA

The Toto Drake is a reliabl, efficient, and easy-to-maintain toiletn. It features a strong tornado/cyclonic flush,which preventsg double flushing andprovidesg 360-degree cleaning coverage,extendings the time between deep cleanings. The toiletis also comfortable in height and hasd an elongated bowl shape, improving user comfort. One thing to note is that the seat is not included in some cases, allowing you to choose one that fits your preferences, such as a soft-closing one.

Low-flow showerhead: Delta Faucet 5-Setting Showerhead

• Cost: $48
• Buy it: Home Depot

If you’re looking for aefficient and versatile showerheade, the Delta Faucet 5-Setting Showerhead isan excellentt choice. With five different spray settings—like full body spray and massaging spray—you can switch things up depending on your mood or needs. There’s even a Pause setting that cuts the flow down to a trickle, perfect for shaving or lathering up. With a 1.75 GPM flow rate, you’ll save water without losing out on a refreshing shower experience. This sleek chrome showerhead is a simple upgrade that’s easy to install and delivers big on style and functionality.

Faucet aerator: Niagara Conservation 1.0 GPM Dual-Thread Pressure-Compensating Faucet Aerator

• Cost: $18 (6-pack)
• Buy it: Amazon

Looking for a quick, affordable way to cut down on water waste? The Niagara Conservation Faucet Aerator is a small but mighty upgrade. It reduces water flow to just 1.0 gallon per minute, helping you save water without noticing a difference in performance. Its dual-thread design fits most faucets, so installation is a breeze—no plumbing skillsare  needed. Plus, the pressure-compensating tech keeps the flow steady, giving you a smooth, consistent stream every time you use it.

Dual-flush conversion kits: Fluidmaster 550DFRK-3 Dual Flush Conversion System

• Cost: $30
• Buy it: Amazon

This dual-flush conversion kit allows you to upgrade your existing toilet to a water-saving dual-flush system without replacing the entire unit. It features two flush options: a quick flush for liquids and pape, and a full flush for solids, helping to reduce water usage by up to 70%. The installation is straightforward, requiring no specialized tools, and compatible with most standard 2-inch flush valve toilets.

Water-efficient bathroom faucet: Moen Genta Single-Handle Single Hole Bathroom Faucet

• Cost: $109.00
• Buy it: Home Depot

Looking to add a touch of modern elegance to your bathroom while saving water? The Moen Genta faucet features a sleek, high-arc spout that delivers a smooth ribbon of water, combining style and efficiency. Its single-handle design allows for easy temperature and flow control, making daily use a breeze. With a flow rate of 1.2 gallons per minute, this faucet helps conserve water without sacrificing performance. Installation is straightforward, and it comes in four distinct finishes: Brushed Gold, Matte Black, Spot Resist Brushed Nickel, and Chrome.

Bottom line

Upgrading your bathroom with water-saving products and adopting mindful water habits is a practical way to reduce your environmental footprint while lowering utility bills. Making these small changes can contribute to a more sustainable future without compromising comfort or style.

Want to stay informed about the latest sustainability tips and products? Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on eco-friendly practices and innovative solutions to make your home greener.

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. 

For more on must-have home design trends, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.