When renovating or building a new bathroom, one of the biggest decisions is whether to install a traditional bathroom with a separate shower enclosure or opt for an open wetroom design. While traditional bathrooms have their merits, wetrooms offer significant practical and aesthetic advantages that make them an increasingly popular choice.
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Accessibility and Safety
A key benefit of wetrooms is improved accessibility and safety, especially for the elderly, disabled, or those with mobility issues. Traditional bathrooms can present tripping hazards like raised shower trays, small enclosures to manoeuvre in, and bathroom thresholds to step over.
Wetrooms remove these barriers through thoughtful design elements like:
- Step-free entry and curbless showers that enable smooth wheelchair, walker, or rollator access. Gradual sloped floors carry water to linear floor drains without restricting movement.
- Plenty of open floor space to manoeuvre in, facilitated by the lack of shower screens/doors and the possibility of removing non-weight bearing walls. Those with limited mobility have room to safely make transfers.
- Strategically placed grab bars, non-slip floors, adjustable shower heads, ergonomic seating and easy to access controls that aid stability, reach, and control.
With these features, wetrooms transform bathrooms into comfortable, safe spaces suitable for users of all ages and capabilities. Those recovering from surgery or illness also benefit from the enhanced accessibility. The open layout provides caregivers better access when assisting loved ones.
What’s more, thanks to modern wet room kits, creating a unique, stylish and practical wet room has never been easier or more affordable!
Spacious, Luxurious Feel
Wetrooms make small bathrooms appear more spacious and luxurious through clever design illusions. The lack of shower enclosures or baths, translucent glass partitioning, neutral colours, and mirrored storage gives wetrooms an airy, open look.
Features like floor to ceiling tiling, underfloor heating, designer fixtures, built-in technology and mood lighting add to the high-end hotel bathroom aesthetic. The continuity of textures and surfaces makes the space feel larger and seamless.
Compared to traditional bathrooms which can feel closed in, dated and clinical, wetrooms offer a welcome contemporary, opulent appearance.
Waterproofing and Drainage
With both the floor and walls completely waterproofed using tanking kits, wetrooms safely contain water in a designated wet zone which drains away effectively. This avoids leaks through cracks or unfinished grouting which lead to structural damage in traditional bathrooms.
Linear floor drains run the entire length rather than a single waste pipe cover, maximising drainage capacity. These drains have a very low profile, enabling easy wheelchair access across them. The drainage system prevents flooding by quickly diverting water away through gravity.
In addition, waterproofed cabinetry, vanities, mirrors and shower seating protect surrounding areas from moisture damage. With water safely controlled, wetrooms can confidently incorporate technology and electronics without short circuit risk.
Easy Maintenance & Cleaning
The sleek, minimalist design of wetrooms reduces cleaning labour and maintenance costs compared to traditional bathrooms. There are no shower screens, tracks or enclosures to scrub and disinfect. Nor shower grout to re-seal or bath enamel to repair.
Instead, large format tiles, stone resin flooring and safety glass partitions withstand heavy use while retaining their appearance. These surfaces just need quick wipe downs using diluted detergent.
Underfloor heating cuts energy bills while the open layout allows efficient heat circulation. Any leaks or pipework can be easily accessed for repairs without demolishing tile finishes.
With simple modern materials that shrug off water, limescale, mould and grime build up, wetrooms stay pristine for longer than traditional bathrooms between deep cleans.
Customisation Options
Wetrooms provide almost endless options for customising to your tastes and functional needs, restricted only by your imagination! For example, you can:
- Incorporate or remove baths/basins
- Experiment with vibrant colour schemes
- Add mood lighting, music and mirrors
- Integrate smart home technology like waterproof TVs, Bluetooth shower speakers and motion sensor taps
- Zone the space into distinct functional areas with glass/tile screens
- Mix textures and patterns with mosaic inlays, stone resin designs and metallic accents
- Display living plants, artwork or water features
- Install multi-function shower systems with customised flow, temperature and spray settings
- Create spa-like relaxation zones with luxury fittings and heated loungers
This flexibility lets you tailor your wetroom to suit your lifestyle, values and unique requirements.
Assisted Living Suites
For homeowners wanting live-in care, wetrooms enable creating accessible en-suite bathrooms connected via internal doors to bedrooms. This assisted living suite set up provides independence and privacy within a safe, monitored environment.
