Wet rooms are a growing trend in home design and remodeling. Between their functionality and opportunities for top-of-the-line design features, it’s easy to see why.
Mosby Building Arts senior design consultant Jake Spurgeon shared more about what sets wet rooms apart from traditional bathrooms, as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of installing a wet room.
What is a wet room?
A wet room, as Spurgeon explained, can simply be described as a large shower space that also accommodates a soaking tub or tub surround. The innovative design combines both elements into one open area, 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, offering an open, walk-in shower experience.
“It’s a great solution for those who want a separate tub area and a shower but don’t have a ton of room in their bathroom,” Spurgeon says. “With this option, homeowners can have both a big shower and a big tub, which is a great option for those with little kids who like to splash or when you need to give the dog a bath. Plus, clients love the look and spa-like feel of it.”
Considering the benefits, wet rooms are a rapidly growing trend, Spurgeon says. “Ten to 15 years ago, we were maybe doing one wet room every couple of years,” he says. “Now we’re doing at least a couple per 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 concerns about water damage to the rest of the bathroom.
Wet rooms also offer an opportunity to showcase beautiful tiles, unique materials, and even heated flooring, adding to the spa-like feel.
“The space is always going to require a custom shower base, which means tile,” Spurgeon says. “We usually carry the tile design up onto the shower walls to create a seamless transition in the space and make the elements work together. It gives homeowners the opportunity to really use a beautiful tile and inject personality into their materials.”
Spurgeon recommends using manufactured materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, rather than natural stone, for easier upkeep. For safety, Spurgeon also suggests using pre-sealed grout products and incorporating slip-resistant features, grab bars, and benches.
The biggest downside of wet rooms can be the cost, especially if you’re looking to remodel a traditional bathroom into a wet room. “It can be a significant investment because of how big the base has to be, and we often need to relocate plumbing to accommodate a wet room from a traditional layout,” Spurgeon says. “Quite a lot of planning goes into a wet room.”
Spurgeon’s best advice if you’re looking to get your own wet 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’re doing,” Spurgeon says. “It’s just like an addition on a home: If it’s not done right, it can destroy the existing space, and water is not something you want to mess with.”
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Mosby Building Arts. Ready to start your wet room installation? Visit Mosby Building Arts online at CallMosby.com, or call 314-909-1800 to get started today.
