Wet room vs bathroom: We weigh up the pros and cons when making your choice

When it comes to making the most of space in what is often the smallest room in the house, choosing a wet room over a bathroom can be a smart design play.

Free of shower cubicles, bath, toilet and sink all competing for space, a wet room can feel sleek, stylish and unconfined.

But you may worry that you’ll miss having a tub to relax in and that the walls and floors will get just so, well, wet; or even how to protect your toiletries from getting soggy.

We asked the experts what you should consider when designing a bathroom for your home, and how to choose which style of room is right for you and your family.

Wet rooms vs bathrooms

Though baths and bathrooms have been around for millennia, it is only in the last 100 years that ordinary houses included a purpose-built room for the bath, basin and toilet.

This reflected the shift in attitudes towards cleanliness, and a desire to do away with the weekly chore of dragging a metal tub in front of the fire and filling it with pans of just-boiled water.

Shower enclosures became popular in the 1960s as a luxurious extra in bathrooms large enough to have one separate to rather than over the tub. Tempered glass or acrylic doors and shower trays would keep the spray from coating the walls and flooding the floor.

The wet room is a relative newcomer in the evolution of wash spaces, as the term has only been in use since the early 1900s. It rather daringly does away with the protection of cubicle doors or a clingy curtain in favour of a liberatingly open showering experience.

"Unlike a standard bathroom that has dedicated showering or bathing areas, a wet room is a completely waterproof space that includes a level-access shower without a shower tray," explains Simon Boocock, MD of CR Laurence of Europe.

"The floor is tanked and features an integrated drain where the water runs out, while a fixed glass panel can help to deflect and keep water spray to a minimum."

A wet room can also include a basin, and toilet with the single glass screen preventing them from being liberally covered with shower water. A slight slope in the floor will also keep it rolling towards the drain rather than pooling around the bases of the sanitaryware. Meanwhile, you can keep toilet paper dry in the wet room with a recessed holder like the rustproof stainless steel Risingmed with chrome finish cover, £22.99 from Amazon.

Simon Boocock

As MD of CR Laurence of Europe, a leading supplier of shower hardware, Simon is an expert in creating luxurious bath or shower rooms.

Factors to consider

The decision of whether to install a wet room or a bathroom is influenced by need, personal style and how many square metres of room you have available.

1. The size of the room

If you are dealing with a compact space, such as an en suite, a wet room can make the most of every centimetre, and even make it look and feel bigger.

"You don’t need as much square footage to make it functional; a wet room can work in spaces as small as 1.5m x 1m and still fit a toilet and sink," says Jeff Kaiden, a civil engineer and contractor.

“Traditional bathrooms need more room because the fixtures are separate, and you’ll want space for things like cabinets or shelves.”

A bigger room in a family home might benefit from a more conventional bathroom, with defined zones for the shower enclosure, bath, basin and toilet. It can feel more practical as a shared space, and it lends itself to creating plenty of storage to hide away all the bathroom essentials.

If you enjoy a long soak but only have a small bathroom, the square Zencha from Duravit offers depth rather than length in its striking shape.

2. Whether accessibility is important

“A wet room is ideal for anyone looking to future-proof their home as they provide an accessible showering space,” adds Simon.

Deep baths and shower trays can prove a challenge for anyone whose mobility is limited or using a wheelchair. Adaptations can be made by retrofitting handles and hoists, but this might not be as practical as saying goodbye to the bath in favour of a sleek, open-plan shower room with level flooring.

"The average age of the population is rising and so are the number of houses where multigenerational living is increasing,” says Martin Carroll, MD, Duravit UK.

“The family bathroom has to offer an environment that is safe and relaxing for a wide range of ages, needs and abilities. Designers must consider what the age of the family is at present and what may be needed in the future, baths may be best for smaller children, however showers are easier for the elderly to get into.”

Try a contrasting shower floor to define the shower area in an open wet room, like Matki's textured slate anti-slip shower floor.

3. Whether you prefer a bath or walk-in shower

In wet rooms, the shower is usually the focal point feature, while in bathrooms it is the bath.

“A bathroom offers the option of a luxurious spa experience in the bath, somewhere consumers can create their own ‘private sanctuary’. Freestanding bath ideas are often high on the wish list for extravagant, spa-style bathrooms. With designs now available in a 1600mm size, you can install one in a more compact space,’ says Martin.

A love for minimalist design might sway homeowners towards a wet room as they look to “create a streamlined bathroom design with a sense of space,” adds Simon. “Frameless shower screens will enhance this aesthetic.”

Give the illusion of an open space while keeping the shower water contained with a clear, freestanding wet room screen, like the Hudson Reed screen with double support arms from Victorian Plumbing.

4. How much work is require to fit the room out

“Water management is something people don’t always think about until it becomes a problem. When designing either space, plumbing placement is key – you need to make sure everything is laid out to support good drainage,” warns Jeff

“Wet rooms, in particular, need thorough waterproofing to avoid leaks. If the slope isn’t right towards the drain or the waterproofing isn’t solid, you’ll end up with pooling water or, worse.

“Bathroom ventilation is important for both types of rooms because moisture can lead to mould if it’s not managed properly. And lighting should be functional, especially in wet rooms where everything is exposed to moisture.”

Lighting has an IP (ingress protection) rating against liquids and solids. An IP67 and IP68 rating have higher levels of water resistance. When planning where to place your lighting, be aware of the different zones of a bathroom to decide which is the right rating.

Jeff Kaiden

Jeff is CEO and co-founder of Capacity, a logistics company based in the US and the UK. With his background in civil engineering and contracting, he has worked on a number of projects helping people decide whether a wet room or bathroom is right for them.

Martin Carroll

As the managing director of Duravit UK, who produce high end bathroom products, Martin is an expert in creating bathrooms, wet rooms and en suites ideal for the customers needs.

Which costs more?

Finances could be the biggest influence on the decision on wet room vs bathroom.

Though a wet room may be smaller than a standard bathroom, the work that goes into making it watertight can make it more complicated – and expensive – to install.

“Exactly how much a new bathroom costs varies and will depend on the space you have available and the fittings you choose,” says Simon.

According to Checkatrade, the cost of installing a wet room ranges from £4,000 to £12,000 for a high end space, making an average of £8,000 for a new bathroom (including materials), it could cost between £5,500 and £8,000, with an average price of £7,000

“You need full waterproofing throughout the entire room in a wet room, and getting the drainage just right takes more work,” says Jeff. “But in the long run, they can save money on maintenance and even add value to your home – some estimates say a wet room can bump up your property value by around £5,000.

“Traditional bathrooms usually cost less to fit, especially if you’re working with an existing layout, but costs can vary depending on the materials and fixtures you choose. If you’re working with a tighter budget, a bathroom might be the better option.”

FAQs

Can you have a bath in a wet room?

Yes. In a large enough room, there can be space to accommodate a shower area with level access with a single screen separating it from the bath.

Which is easiest to clean?

A wet room has fewer corners and crevices to work around than a bathtub or shower cubicle. However, water spots and soap scum can build up faster when water is constantly washing across the floor. A bathroom has more fixtures to clean round, but it’s easier to keep certain areas dry.

Do I need special materials in a wet room?

Walls should be tiled or treated with waterproof coatings to prevent moisture damage. Floors in wet rooms need to be non slip.

If you are still deciding on the style of bathroom you want in your home, it is worth considering cottage bathroom ideas as well as Victorian bathroom ideas, pink bathroom ideas and loft conversion bathrooms.