Wet rooms, or areas that combine a tub and shower, are becoming an increasingly popular bathroom design trend in the U.S.
To find out more about the design and applications of wet rooms, BUILDER consulted Mitchell Parker, Houzz senior editor. He helps break down the concept of a wet room, how it differs from traditional large showers, and why many homeowners are opting for this sleek, functional layout.
For those that might not be familiar, how would you define a wet room?
In the U.S., wet rooms typically combine a separate shower and a tub in the same area, allowing water from either element to be contained in one location, often behind a glass enclosure. A wet room can also be a bathroom with or without a tub in which the shower is open to the rest of the room.
What features do wet rooms have? How do they differ from just large showers?
Wet rooms often have a barrier-free entry to the shower. The flooring then has a slight gradient so water flows to the drain and not the rest of the bathroom. Bathroom remodelers recommend a gradient of 1.5 to 2 degrees for floor slope with square or linear drains. The floor needs a waterproof substrate beneath the tile. In a wet room, a larger wall area may need waterproofing compared with a large shower, and the walls are usually tiled from floor to ceiling. Wet rooms often combine a stand-alone tub and a shower area with multiple shower heads and sprays.
Why do you believe homeowners want these spaces? What are the perks?
Functionally, this setup can improve accessibility for people with mobility issues. Homeowners are increasingly planning for special needs in their bathrooms, with a focus on aging household members. The 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study found that the needs of aging household members remain the top priority, both currently (38%) and for the future (50%). To address the needs of aging household members, remodeling homeowners add nonslip flooring (58%) and curbless showers (43%), which are common features in wet rooms.
From a design perspective, wet rooms can be a striking focal point in a home and make the space feel more open and streamlined.
What are the potential reasons for not incorporating a wet room?
Renovating a bath with special waterproofing, floor construction, and extra tiling all the way to the ceiling adds to the cost. Also, as the name implies, a wet room is … wet. Professionals recommend installing nonslip flooring, either with matte tile finishes or mosaic tile, which features lots of grout lines that provide a solid grip underfoot throughout the area. Some homeowners worry about moisture and mold, so pros recommend making sure a wet room is adequately ventilated with a powerful exhaust fan.
What’s the ideal size of a wet room and why?
Wet rooms typically take up a larger area than a separate shower and tub, so we see these arrangements most often in primary bathrooms. However, there have been a few examples of small or uniquely sized spaces on Houzz that have benefited from the design.
Should wet rooms have a curb or no curb? Door or no door?
We’ve seen a variety of configurations in popular photos on Houzz, however wet rooms generally have a curbless or low-curb entry and a frameless glass pane or pony wall to separate them from the rest of the bathroom and contain splashes.
Where should the drain be located?
Wet room drains should be located in a central area with little foot traffic.
What materials are best for the walls and floors?
Because of the openness of a wet room, there’s a larger area that can get wet, so using waterproof tile is essential. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are more practical than cement and natural stone because they’re not porous. Tile used for flooring should be nonslip. Smaller mosaics have more grouting and create better grip than larger tiles. When using large-format tile with less grouting, professionals suggest choosing a textured tile surface to make it less slippery.
What should designers pay special attention to when designing wet rooms?
As discussed, drainage and nonslip flooring are key considerations in the design and construction of a wet room. For large open spaces professionals also recommend in-floor radiant heating for adequate warmth.
