What is a wet room? Experts weigh in on this luxury bathroom style

In recent years, American homeowners have been gravitating toward increasingly luxurious bathrooms, with more and more people wanting to recreate a spa-like experience in their own home. The latest iteration of this spa-like experience is the wet room, where the shower and other amenities coexist in the same tiled room, with very little separation between them. We asked experts to explain what a wet room is, how it differs from the more common walk-in shower, and the pros and cons of having one in your home.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is a type of bathroom where all surfaces can be wetted by water. There is no separation between areas that must remain dry and those that can be wet. Wet rooms are common in European homes, but are less common in the United States.

“All the materials can get wet; there’s a tub, a shower, and a drain in the middle,” says Gladys Shastra, owner, CEO, and creative director of Drury Design. “Outside the U.S., you’ll usually see the sink as well. So, think of a walk-in shower without a dedicated shower door (or maybe just a glass partition), but everything else is included as well.”

In the United States, wet rooms typically combine a tub and shower, Shastra explains. “This combined space may be separated by a full glass window with doors or just a glass window surrounding it. The wet room area is completely tiled and water can drain anywhere, hence the name ‘wet room,’” she explains.

The difference between a wet room and a walk-in shower

Although it may seem like a wet room and a walk-in shower are the same thing, there are some differences.

• The glass partition, if there is one, is the only separation between the bathtub and the shower in a bathroom.
• The bathtub is usually not hidden in an alcove.
• The shower is not separated into its own “cabin”.
• There is a floor drain in the middle of the room instead of isolating it in the shower area.

A wet room is designed as a large, watertight room that can be hosed down after each use.

Advantages and disadvantages of having a wet room

Having a powder room in your home has both advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits

• Accessibility. For the elderly or those with reduced mobility, a wet room is on a single level. There are no crosspieces or partitions, and the shower itself is borderless.
• Easy to cleanSome say that a wet room is easier to clean, but it depends on how it’s designed. If the toilet and sink get sprayed every time you shower, you’ll likely be wiping them down more often rather than less. Others, on the other hand, like everything wet.
• Relaxing experience. And then there’s the beautiful look and enjoyable bathing experience of a powder room. “If you have the space and your budget allows, having the opportunity to install a stunning master bath is a wonderful and luxurious experience,” says Michael Sauri, co-owner and president of design and construction firm TriVistaUSA. “When well-designed and functional, powder rooms offer a respite from a busy life, and the ability to close your powder room door and relax is certainly a delight.”
• Increase in home value.Finally, both experts agree that a bathroom designed with quality equipment can increase the value of the house.

Disadvantages

• Lack of privacy. Powder rooms are fairly open, so having your toilet out in the open can be distracting. One solution to this problem is to install a powder room, which is exactly what the name implies: a toilet in its own little room to promote privacy. Powder rooms are very popular, and some homeowners wouldn’t think of having a master suite without one. In some parts of the country, particularly in the South, a powder room is a requirement of home builders.
• Using more space. Once you add all the necessary accessories, a powder room can take up a lot more space than a traditional master bathroom. “Powder rooms tend to require more space, which can mean expanding the bathroom, which comes at an additional cost,” says Shastra.
• High initial cost. All those gorgeous large-format tiles, custom glassware, larger light fixtures, and extra waterproofing can definitely make a difference. “Everything in the powder room needs to be waterproof,” Shastra says. “That means a lot more tile and an extra-large shower pan kit.”

Tips for installing a bathroom

Designing a powder room is a process. “We first need to understand our clients’ lifestyles, whose bathroom dreams are the spark of our inspiration for planning tile, wood, plumbing and lighting styles,” Sauri says. “When we’re limited by space, I like to make sure the flooring (often tile) is consistent throughout, blurring the lines between the powder room portion of the bathroom and the rest of the bathroom areas.”

That said, both bathroom designers really enjoy the challenge. “Since a powder room is a space in its own right, I like having the opportunity to highlight the distinct character of the rooms,” Sauri says. “Being able to incorporate different lighting and tile finishes into each space can make the powder room feel even larger than it is.”

If you’re planning a powder room for your home, Shastra offers these design tips.

Think about how you will use the room

What will be the function of your bathroom and how will you use it? Do you simply want something larger and more like a bathroom, or do you want to be able to perform different functions in it?

Create a good layout and plan

Make sure the layout is correct, then focus on your plumbing fixture preferences based on your needs. This can include a range of shower heads, body jets and more.

Include plants in your design

Many people approach wet rooms with biophilic design in mind. If plants are to be added, the size and placement of the plant space as well as considerations for natural light, watering, and evaporation come into play. “I love this idea: We all want to bring nature into our homes, but to do it right, we have to prioritize the needs of the plants,” says Shastra.

Pay attention to the walls

Wall coverings are also important, as they involve waterproofing and heat considerations. “The wall material is a very important consideration. Is it going to be tile? Large-format porcelain? Beautiful natural stone slabs?” Shastra says. Shastra has seen some great examples made with crushed stone of different materials. “Luckily, there are a lot of choices. So I focus on the goal and then the direction of the design aesthetic that the client wants to create. That gives me the direction to go,” she says.