A wet room is the most open, seamless way to design a bathroom: a fully waterproofed space with a level shower area and no tray or enclosure to step over. They look stunning and work brilliantly in the right home, but they are not the answer for every bathroom. Here is how to decide.
This guide covers what a wet room is, the pros and cons, what it costs to build, and the key parts you need. If you already know it is for you, browse our walk-in showers and wet rooms, shower trays and wall panels. If you are still weighing it against a standard shower, our guide on walk-in showers vs wet rooms compares the two directly.
What is a wet room?
A wet room is a bathroom where the shower area is open to the rest of the room and the whole floor is waterproofed, or tanked, so water drains away safely. Instead of a raised tray and enclosure, the floor is gently sloped towards a drain, giving a completely level, step-free finish.
The benefits
- A sleek, open look. No enclosure or tray gives a minimal, spa-like feel that makes a bathroom feel bigger.
- Easy to clean. With fewer barriers, screens and corners, there is less to scrub around.
- Step-free access. The level floor is ideal for accessibility and future-proofing, suiting all ages and mobility levels.
- Great for awkward spaces. A wet room can make use of a loft, an attic ensuite or a small room where a standard enclosure would not fit.
The drawbacks to weigh up
- Waterproofing is essential. The whole room must be properly tanked, which is the single most important, and most skill-dependent, part of the job. Done poorly, it leads to leaks and damage, so it is not a corner to cut.
- Everything gets damp. Without a screen, spray can reach the rest of the room, so towels, toilet roll and storage need positioning with care. Many people add a single shower screen to contain the worst of it.
- Good ventilation is a must. More exposed water means more moisture, so a strong extractor fan is essential to prevent damp and mould.
What does a wet room cost?
A wet room usually costs more than a standard shower fit, mainly because of the waterproofing and the floor work to create the drainage fall. The exact figure depends on room size, the finish, and whether the floor is timber or concrete. Because the tanking is critical, it is one area where paying for a good installer pays off. Our guide on how much a new bathroom costs gives a fuller picture of budgeting.
The key parts you need
- Waterproofing (tanking) kit to seal the floor and lower walls.
- A wet room former or a level-access shower tray to create the correct slope to the drain.
- A suitable shower waste and drainage sized to clear the water quickly.
- Waterproof wall panels or fully sealed tiling for the walls.
- The shower itself, a quality shower valve and shower set, ideally thermostatic.
- A strong extractor fan for ventilation.
Is a wet room right for you?
A wet room suits you if you want a sleek, open, easy-clean bathroom, need step-free access, or have an awkward space to work with, and you are willing to invest in doing the waterproofing properly. If you would rather keep water firmly contained, or want the simplest possible install, a walk-in shower with a low-profile tray gives much of the look with less complexity.
Plan your wet room with Empress
We have spent over 40 years helping people design showers and wet rooms that work in real homes, and the projects that succeed always get the waterproofing and drainage right first. If you tell us your space, we will point you to the right former, drainage and fittings.
Browse our walk-in showers and wet rooms collection to start, and remember delivery is free on UK orders over £499. Our team is on hand if you would like a steer before you commit.
