How To Turn Your Bathroom Into a Wet Room

In recent years wet rooms have surged in popularity and there’s a good reason for it. Not only are they incredibly practical but you also have a lot more design freedom as you are not limited by awkward shower cubicles.

Wet rooms can be luxurious additions to your home. They offer a modern and stylish alternative to traditional bathrooms. With a seamless and open design, wet rooms create a spa-like atmosphere in your own home.

A wet room is a bathroom which features a shower area at the same level as the rest of the floor removing the need for an enclosed shower space. A wet room’s floor and walls and sealed using a waterproof membrane through a process known as tanking.

So, can you convert a bathroom into a wet room?

Thanks to the lack of additional surfaces, a wet room can be easier to maintain and clean compared to your average bathroom. You’ll also be able to clean the whole room quickly in one go without juggling different cleaning products for different surfaces.

Because wet rooms don't require enclosed showers, they are generally a lot easier to access which can be a great solution for those with mobility issues.

There's also no need for a raised shower tray either. Wet room tiles are laid to sit flush with your floor tiles to create a seamless design finish. This can further enhance your design and improve accessibility.

If you are updating an existing bathroom which has a bath, turning your bathroom into a wet room with a shower can help you save money in the long run. Showers use considerably less water than filling up a bath, so not only will you be doing your bit for the planet, but you’ll also be saving some pennies along the way.

If your current bathroom is on the small side, turning it into a wet room is a great way to save space by removing the need for bulky shower enclosures and fixings. If you have an unusually shaped room, you will have more flexibility when it comes to configuring your space too.

Wet rooms are versatile spaces that offer endless design possibilities. The minimalist approach of a wet room provides a blank canvas for exploring various tiling designs and styles, allowing you to customise your space to reflect your aesthetic preferences. From sleek modern tiles to intricate patterns, the options are limitless when it comes to creating a personalised wet room that combines functionality with stunning design.

It can cost anywhere between £3,500 and £10,000 to convert a bathroom into a wet room. The exact amount you pay will depend on several factors including how big the bathroom is, the substrate preparation required and the final fixtures and fittings, heating and tiles.

You can make significant savings by shopping around for the best deals and doing the work yourself, however, it does require some level of DIY experience.

The beauty of converting bathrooms into wet rooms is that it works with pretty much any size space (however, we wouldn’t advise converting a small downstairs cloakroom into a wet room as it wouldn’t be very practical!) If your bathroom is on the smaller side, then you need to consider how close the shower area will be to the rest of the fixtures.

Another incredibly important factor to consider is the waterproofing and drainage. Because of the nature of wet rooms, the entire room will need to be waterproofed. We stock a range of waterproofing and tanking materials to help you effectively waterproof your wet room as well as our selection of wet room trays in a range of finishes.

As wet rooms are essentially open-plan bathrooms, you will need to consider where you place other fittings in your space including the sink and toilet. For example, you are required to leave a minimum gap of 760mm between the toilet and other fixtures as well as a 510mm clearance in front of the toilet or bidet. For showers, a clearance of 610mm is required to the front of the fixture. When converting any bathroom, we would recommend checking these regulations and consulting with a professional for further advice.

As with any bathroom, another key factor to consider is ventilation. The law states that bathrooms in the UK should be ventilated by either a window or extractor fan. Windows are of course a great source of ventilation, however, you should also install an extraction system if you do not already have one or do not have an openable window in place.

There are a few different options when it comes to heating for wet rooms. Traditional radiators and towel rails are an option if your space allows. However, underfloor heating is the best option. When choosing underfloor heating you have a couple of choices. It can be installed as either a network of pipes which supply hot water or electrical wires hidden beneath the flooring and tiles. For smaller spaces we'd always recommend electric underfloor heating as it's cheaper and easier to install.

Of course one of the more fun jobs to do when converting your bathroom into a wet room is picking out your wet room tiles. Wet room tiles are not only a great way to put your decorative stamp on the space but they also serve a practical purpose. Using tiles in a wet room will provide you with lots of wipe-clean surfaces, making it easy to keep the room clean and hygienic.

The traditional tiled wet room is taking your floor tile into the shower and using precision cuts to create a water flow to the drain, creating a seamless finish across the room. The alternative is to use an extremely thin shower tray which is level with your floor and your entry into the shower is left open. A contemporary version of a sleek shower tray is a pressed tile, like Aquabase.

Before starting anything you need to create a thorough plan. Because of the minimalist design of a wet room, it can be common to think that wet rooms are simplistic to design and construct. In some ways, providing you have done the right research and planning they can be. Much like traditional bathrooms, there are various steps you must complete to have a fully functioning wet room.

You’ll also need to decide how big you want your walk-in shower and consider where you want to place it. We stock a variety of wetroom trays in various sizes and colours. These wet room trays are specifically designed to be used in wet rooms. They feature a slight gradient that encourages the flow of water to the gully rather than hanging around in the shower area.

For more advice, you can explore our guide on how to install a wet room shower in your home.

The next step in creating a wet room is to waterproof the area. This can be done in several ways, but the easiest method is to install waterproof wall and floor matting.

Once you have fully waterproofed the room, you should next consider what type of heating you want in the wet room. Much like a traditional bathroom, there are a range of options to choose from including traditional radiators, heated towel rails or underfloor heating. However, if you are installing a traditional radiator or towel rail, you should add the radiator after laying your tiles and grouting.

Now you have laid the foundations and you have installed the fundamental elements of the wet room, you can begin to think about thetiles for your wet room.

If practicality is your main concern, our range of high slip-resistant tiles is an ideal solution. These tiles are designed to provide extra safety and prevent accidents, making them ideal for wet rooms. They offer excellent grip while still adding a touch of style to your space.

Turning a bathroom into a wet room can be a great investment for your home. Not only are they practical but they also give you lots of freedom and flexibility to design a space that works for your style and budget. For more advice, you can use our helpful guide to wet rooms to get you started. Alternatively, you can read our guide on how to style a wet room and explore our Pinterest for more design inspiration.