By Ashley Zimmermann, Creative Content Director for @designREMODEL

What is a wetroom, you ask? The fact that we even need to ask is a telltale sign that this home design trend is not a traditional American one. To paint a picture of a European-style wetroom: imagine a steamy, spa-like room that functions as a giant shower. This room likely has a gently sloping floor with a central drain in the middle. The shower sits flush with the floor to allow the water to flow into the drain. A wetroom is different from a walk-in shower with a shower tray.

Practicality

Homes & Gardens suggests that a wetroom could be a solution for a tiny bathroom which might typically be a half-bath. (You could categorize a wetroom as a “three-quarter bath” if it doesn’t include a tub.) In this context, the shower might be positioned on one side of the room with a fixed glass panel separating the area. The toilet and sink might be on the other side.

Turning your bathroom into a wetroom is not for the faint of heart, and it is not an option for every home. You should consider the flooring in the rest of your home and the climate in which you live. If you live in a tropical or beachy environment with tiled or stone flooring and have a lot of natural airflow, a wetroom is much more feasible than in a colder climate. Nicholas Cunild explains to H&G: “You may be lucky enough to live in a hot climate which naturally gives a warmer bathroom. But if you live in a colder climate and you exit a wetroom onto carpeted rooms – add kids, dogs, and all the rest – it is a recipe for waterlogged, messy floors everywhere.”

Once you’ve determined whether or not a wetroom is feasible for your home, cost is the next consideration. In 2021, Homes & Gardens interviewed Nick Cryer of Berkeley Place, who said, “On average, we would expect circa $11,000 (£8,000) to $18,000 (£13,000) for a medium-sized wet room, compared to say $8,000 (£6,000) to $14,000 (£10,000) for a similar traditional bathroom.” (Note the UK currency as another sign of the popularity in European countries.)

Logistics

Homes & Gardens emphasizes ensuring you can keep the space hygienic. Per designer Rebecca Milnes says:

“In order to create a true wetroom, a watertight environment must be created by tanking both the floor and walls of the room to thoroughly protect it from leaks. First, a watertight membrane is laid, then the room will need to be tiled throughout with a gentle gradient in the main shower area, so the water flows away easily into the waste.”

U.K.-based Walls and Floors demonstrates the waterproofing process in their YouTube video (linked below) for a high-level overview. *Disclaimer: defer to your remodeler’s expertise. This video is an example only. Improper installation could cause serious drainage problems, so plan appropriately with a qualified remodeler.

On the one hand, a wetroom may be easier to clean than a typical bathroom because you can clean everything all at once with the same cleaning agent; however, inadequate ventilation could cause a mold problem. H&G also suggests considering underfloor heating to ensure the room dries appropriately and lessen the risk of slippery floors. Damla Turgut says, “The most suitable types of tiles for a wet room floor are porcelain or natural stone such as marble, terrazzo, encaustic cement, or mosaic tiles.” Avoid ceramic tiles for the floor. Do more research on this topic; you want to ensure your flooring will be safe.

Creativity and Luxury

My singular experience with a wetroom was in a hotel; this sense of luxury is part of the appeal. You can create your own bathroom spa experience by taking the plunge with a wetroom. The bathroom oasis trend has been popular for years and creating a relaxing sanctuary at home has become more pertinent during the past two years. Imagine floor-to-ceiling tilework, perhaps mixing two or more tile textures and patterns; or alternating with polished plaster to give the appearance of stone to delight the senses.

HGTV says wetrooms are good options if you’re working with limited space, as mentioned above. On the other end of the spectrum, wetrooms offer an opportunity to play around with design if your square footage and budget allow for it. Consider the placement of a statement fixture like a luxe bathtub. Since your whole room will be watertight, you can create a spa-like setup with the shower area partitioned by a sleek glass panel with a freestanding tub on the other side.

Is it worth it?

Suppose you commit to remodeling your bathroom into a wetroom. In that case, The Mobility Living Centre says, “If you install a good quality wetroom and that installation is carried out correctly by professionals, then the likelihood is that you will almost certainly add value to any property.” Though, consult your own trusted remodeler; they can give you a professional opinion about whether or not a wetroom is a good option for your home.

Do you like the wetroom concept? Do you think this trend will increasingly catch on in the US, or will people stick with the typical American bathroom design? Leave a comment below!