Mosby Building Arts highlights wet rooms as an emerging trend in bathroom design

Wet rooms are a growing trend in home design and renovation. Between their functionality and the opportunities for premium design features, it’s easy to see why.

Mosby Building Arts Senior Design Consultant Jake Spurgeon explained more about what sets wet rooms apart from traditional bathrooms, as well as some of the pros and cons of installing a wet room.

What is a damp room?

A wet room, as Spurgeon explains, can simply be described as a large shower space that can also accommodate a bathtub or tub surround. The innovative design combines both elements into one open space, making it ideal for bathrooms with limited space.

Wet rooms still incorporate traditional shower heads and valves, and they can be designed with or without doors and walls, providing an open, walk-in shower experience.

“This is a great solution for those who want a separate tub and shower but don’t have a lot of space in their bathroom,” says Spurgeon. “With this option, owners can have both a large shower and a large bathtub, which is a great option for those with young children who like to splash around or when you need to give the dog a bath. Plus, guests love its spa-like look and feel.

Given their benefits, wet rooms are a rapidly growing trend, says Spurgeon. “Ten to 15 years ago, we did maybe a wet room every two years,” he says. “Now we do at least two a year.”

Benefits + Challenges

The functionality of wet rooms is one of their biggest selling points. They provide a cohesive space that contains splashes and spills, reducing the risk of water damage throughout the rest of the bathroom.

Wet rooms also provide an opportunity to showcase beautiful tiles, unique materials and even heated flooring, adding to the spa-like ambiance.

“The space will still require a custom shower base, which means tile,” says Spurgeon. “We typically carry over the tile pattern onto the shower walls to create a seamless transition in the space and make the elements work together. This gives homeowners the opportunity to actually use beautiful tile and inject personality into their materials.

Spurgeon recommends using manufactured materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, rather than natural stone, for easier maintenance. For safety, Spurgeon also suggests using pre-sealed grout products and incorporating non-slip features, grab bars and benches.

The biggest disadvantage of wet rooms can be cost, especially if you want to convert a traditional bathroom into a wet room. “This can be a significant investment due to the size of the base, and we often have to move the plumbing to accommodate a wet room from a traditional layout,” says Spurgeon. “A lot of planning goes into a wet room.”

Spurgeon’s best advice if you’re looking to have your own powder room: make sure an experienced, trusted professional does the job. “We recommend that homeowners who want a wet room hire a contractor who has done one before and knows what they are doing,” says Spurgeon. “It’s like an addition to a house: if it’s not done well, it can destroy the existing space, and water is not something you want to mess with.”

This article was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Mosby Building Arts. Ready to start installing your wet room? Visit Mosby Building Arts online at CallMosby.com, or call 314-909-1800 to get started today.