Wet rooms have infiltrated the world of bathroom renovations and makeovers, becoming a buzzword in the industry. Statistics show that the market for wet rooms is growing. So, should you get in on the wet room trend?
Wet rooms may be good solutions for some families and spaces, but they aren’t right for everyone.
Below, learn exactly what wet rooms are, their pros and cons, and how you might decide whether or not you should add a wet room to your home.
What Is a Wet Room?
A wet room is the name for a whole bathroom or part of a bathroom that’s designed to be waterproof. Typically, it includes a shower area and a freestanding tub. Some wet rooms encompass the whole bathroom, with a floor of all the same level. All the water drains into the shower drain and the room is designed to contain the water. However, other wet rooms are sectioned off with glass panels. In these wet rooms, the floor is usually flush with the rest of the room, but in some cases, it is on a different level or features a small ledge.
The Pros of Wet Rooms
There are many pros to including a wet room in your bathroom. Here are the main advantages of wet rooms:
- Stylish: Sleek styling and an open, airy appearance make wet rooms very attractive. They also often include high-end tiles and free-standing bathtubs which give the bathroom a luxurious look.
- Maximize Space: When you opt for a wet room, you’re not limited by a shower stall. In some bathrooms, saving space in this way can mean you can squeeze in both a tub and open shower! For other homeowners, it means just opting for a larger walk-in shower and no tub. In either case, wet rooms make bathrooms feel bigger.
- Embraces Universal Design: Many wet rooms feature floors that are flush with the rest of the bathroom, making it easy for people with different mobility needs to access the shower area. As the years go by, a feature like this may make it easier for you to age in place.
The Cons of Wet Rooms
Wet rooms aren’t perfect. Below, discover some of the drawbacks you should be aware of before installing a wet room in your home:
- Won’t Fit In All Bathrooms: Despite the fact that they can save a few inches and help your bathroom seem more spacious, wet rooms do have minimum space requirements. Tiny bathrooms may not accommodate the needs of a wet room.
- Requires Expertise: Any bathroom remodel project requires expertise. But a wet room truly requires a professional who’s experienced in creating this type of environment. Wet rooms need extensive water-proofing and excellent planning. So, if you go this route, make sure you find a professional who is up to the challenge.
- Not Your Style: Not everyone loves the look of a wet room. If you prefer a more traditional set up, don’t feel like you have to opt for a wet room just because they’re currently in style.
Making the Decision: Should You Add a Wet Room?
The bottom line about wet rooms? This bathroom design trend offers a stylish way to update your bathroom while also making it feel more functional, spacious and prepared for the future. If you love the style and have enough space in your bathroom, you may decide that a wet room is right for your needs.