Wet rooms have long been popular outside of the United States, and have most often been used for small bathrooms that do not have room for a standard size tub or shower. But, wet rooms have now become a chic, upscale option in residential bathrooms, transforming spaces from a basic room with a tub or stall shower into an open and airy room where the shower area takes center stage.
What is a wet room exactly? A wet room is basically a bathroom that has an open shower area, rather than a shower that is delineated by a stall, tub, or set of doors. Instead, like an open floor plan kitchen, the wet room offers an open floor plan for the bathroom where there are no separations between the shower area and the rest of the bathroom features. Wet rooms are great in small bathrooms where there is not much room, if any, to fit a bathtub or shower stall, but they are an equally attractive option for larger, more luxurious bathrooms as well.
When it comes to wet room design, there are a few basic points to keep in mind. First and foremost, when designing wet rooms, it is best to keep the shower area as far away from the toilet and sink as possible. This is especially true of the toilet, since you do not want water from the shower area to splash and ruin the toilet paper or get the seat wet. Keeping the shower away from the bathroom vanity unit and sink is also a good idea, if possible, and it is best to have a closed cabinet to store any items that you want to protect from the water. These points are primarily useful for a small wet room design.
If you are designing a large wet room, however, you don’t have to worry as much about the water from the shower area impeding on your other bathroom fixtures and spaces. In fact, if you have the room (which you will unless you have a very small bathroom), you can even choose to install a partial or half wall to separate the shower space from the rest of the bathroom. This will keep the bathroom still open and airy, but will keep water from splashing all over the bathroom and will give you more privacy.
Another option for larger bathrooms is a variation of the wet room design. This works by sectioning off a portion of the bathroom which functions as a wet room, but that is still separated from the rest of the bathroom, offering more privacy and protection from splashing water. With this type of design, full or partial walls are constructed in a section of the bathroom and a variety of different shower heads are installed along the walls and/or ceiling to provide an invigorating and luxurious shower experience. This type of wet room shower offers loads of showering space, while still maintaining a bit of privacy. In fact, this upscale take on wet room installation can turn your shower into a private sanctuary where you can unwind and relax as you wash the cares of the day away.
One benefit of a wet room bathroom or shower area is that it is easily accessible. This means that you don’t have to worry about stepping in and out of a bathtub or getting over the lip of a shower stall. This feature makes it a great choice for those who are in wheelchairs or who might have difficulty navigating the sides or lip of a bathtub or shower stall. The one consideration to keep in mind, however, is to make sure that the wet tiles on the floor do not pose a slipping hazard.
Designing a wet room can be a great way to make the most use of space for a very small bathroom, or it can be the perfect way to add an upscale and luxurious feel to a grand master bathroom. It can leave your bathroom open and airy or can provide a private sanctuary with loads of space for showering. But, no matter what the reasons are that you choose to install a wet room in your home, and how you decide to design the space, it is important that installation is handled properly so that you avoid any potential moisture problems. This is not to say that DIY wet room installation is not possible, but if tackled by do-it-yourselfers, it is imperative that the proper steps be taken to properly grade the floor, waterproof the floor and walls, and position the shower heads and drain, so that this innovative bathroom design does not turn into a problem with water containment.
Related posts:
