Wet room ideas and planning tips - Grand Designs magazine
wet room with green mosaic tiles with curved shower panel by Ex-t

7 stylish wet room ideas

Create your dream space with design and build tips from the experts

By Paula Woods & Paisley Tedder |

Planning a wet room in your home?  The latest waterproofing methods mean even the smallest space can become a chic shower experience.

Read on to find out more about the trending concept in the bathroom, and the best ideas for designing yours.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is defined as a waterproofed or ‘tanked’ bathroom with a shower area at the same level as the main floor. The water from the shower then drains away thanks to a modest gradient that slopes towards the shower drain.

Wet rooms are popular for their accessibility, and are ideal for smaller bathrooms where squeezing a bath in isn’t practical. When designed thoughtfully, they can also be much easier to keep clean than a standard bathroom space.

They are popular for elderly or disabled people, but can also be seen as a luxury space for those without additional needs. In 2025, a wet room style bathroom is seen as almost like a spa-style shower experience.

How to apply for a wet room from the council?

If you are looking to have a wet room installed due to a disability or additional needs, you’ll need to apply through your local council. The local council or an occupational therapist will then assess any adaptation needs and make a recommendation.

If you are currently living in a council house, the entire cost of the wet room will be taken care of by the local council office (as long as your application is accepted).

If you own your home or live in private rented accommodation, the amount of financial support you receive for your wet room will depend on your means test results.

Homeowners may find it easier to get help as private renters will need to get their landlords agreement to any structural changes.

In certain circumstances, the assessment may reveal that only minor changes need to be made to the existing bathroom. This could be:

  • Bath seats and shower stools
  • Hand/grab rails
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Security lights
  • Thermostatically controlled mixers

These could be covered under the Minor Adaptation Grant and are estimated to cost less or around £1,000. In that case, the entire cost will likely be taken care of by the local council authority.

However, should a full wet room be required, the applicant may need to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant through the council. Residents in England can apply for up to £30,000.

After the assessment, and agreement on funding amount, the council authorities will hire a contractor to begin the work. Payment and terms of engagement will be managed directly through them.

Can you have a wet room upstairs?

Yes, wet rooms can be installed upstairs. There is a common misconception that this isn’t possible but you can have one anywhere, even in the loft if you desire.

When tanking a wet room upstairs, you will need to pay especial attention to fully tanking the floor. You will want to consider using a waterproofing product that comes with a decoupling membrane which adds an extra layer of protection.

Wet room ideas

Do you want to go ahead with the installation in your bathroom space? Enrich your shower experience with these ideas that will boost both the aesthetics and practicality of your design.

1. Opt out of a shower screen

First up, it’s important to differentiate between a wet room and a walk-in shower: ‘A true wet room features a drain fitted into the floor,’ explains Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart.

A wet room installation requires additional waterproofing and new pipework.

A shower screen really isn’t necessary, making it easier to achieve a sleek, contemporary bathroom design. Whereas a wet room tends to have a more luxurious feel, especially if you opt for spa-style fittings, a walk-in shower sits at the more affordable end of the price spectrum.

wet room with sunken shower area in natural stone colours with terrazzo floor

A wet room must be professionally tanked to prevent water escaping. Photo: Asquiths Bathrooms

2. Spa-style ideas

The whole point of a wet room is to have the best shower possible in the available bathroom space.

So, it is vital to install a system that will work effectively with your home’s water supply. You may need to fit a pump to boost the pressure, especially if you want features such as spa-style body sprays, or are converting a space in the loft.

Choose a model that comes with more than one spray strength or pattern if you want to alter the intensity of your shower.

For a shower experience with more of a therapeutic benefit, look for body jets or innovative overhead sprays with massage effect, like Kelda’s BubbleSpa, or Chroma therapy lighting built in. Seek advice from an experienced plumber before investing in fittings.

rainfall shower in large bathroom with blue walls and biophilic design

Revive Twist 380x380mm recessed showerhead in polished stainless steel with rainfall and twist sprays (requires minimum 2-bar water pressure) from Crosswater

  • Crosswater Revive Twist Recessed Shower Head, £1,119.30 from Sanctuary Bathrooms – buy here

3. Luxury wet-room ideas

If you have enough room, why not fit two showers? You could have one at either end of the space.

This will require two drainage points. Opt for a recessed drainage gully for a sleek finish. The drain is fitted at the bottom edge of the wall and all that’s visible is a linear gap alongside the shower area. A built-in bench and storage niches create a spa feel.

double shower in a large bathroom with freestanding bath and steel-framed glazing

Where space allows, having two shower heads adds a sense of luxury. Photo: Domus Tiles

4. Walk-in shower

A true wet room eliminates the need for any form of shower screen. But if you want to install a wet-room-style walk-in shower as part of a bigger bathroom, one or more glass panels prevent the rest of the room getting wet.

Frameless panel can be fixed to a wall for a minimalist look. All glass screens must be toughened and meet British Standard EN 12150-1.

The usual thickness is from six to eight millimetres. Screens with slim frames and a low-level tray create a streamlined look. Or opt for an extra-shallow tray that fits flush with the floor.

wet room with mosaic tiles and green tinted curved shower screen

Green tinted glass shower panel with a curved top by Ex-t

5. Walk-through shower

Another great option for larger bathrooms is a walk-through shower.

Frameless shower screens can be held in place parallel to the wall by a pole attached to the ceiling or wall brackets.

Why not create a feature wall behind the shower to help zone the bathroom space?

walk-through shower with frameless screen and dark marble bathroom tiles

Hudson Reed freestanding wet room screen with double support arms from Victorian Plumbing

  • Hudson Reed freestanding wet room screen with double support arms, £269.95 from Victorian Plumbing – buy here

6. Flush-fitting shower tray

You can also keep costs low by installing a low-level or flush-fitting shower tray, which is cheaper and less complex than tanking the floor.

They come in an array of colours, finishes and sizes to suit any schemes. Try the Tempano anti-slip acrylic shower tray with side drain, available in 27 sizes from Duravit.

‘Many steel and composite trays offer anti-slip options,’ says Yousef. ‘This is important with shower floors. When installing wet room tiles, choose a matt finish and check the product’s slip rating.’

For a budget wet room look, install a low-level or flush fitting shower tray like this one from Duravit

Tempano shower tray by Duravit

7. Vinyl flooring

For wet room ideas on a budget, consider stone-effect vinyl flooring.

You must select a product that’s formulated for this use so that it stands up to the heat, humidity and water flow.

The Olympus 533 Pierrot water and slip-resistant, stone-effect vinyl flooring from Carpetright is ideal for this.

vinyl flooring for a budget wet room

Olympus 533 Pierrot stone-effect vinyl flooring from Carpetright


Planning a wet room

Any ideas should be planned at an early stage of building your own home. Similarly, a retrofit project requires advance planning.

This is because the entire room needs stripping back for waterproofing and the installation of new pipework and fittings.

Tanking the room

Seek out an experienced professional to tank the room and ensure the walls and floors are waterproof, and create a gradient in the floor to ensure water runs towards a drainage point.

The floor and any areas of wall within the splash zone must have an impermeable membrane lining, as any water leaks will damage the subfloor and walls. So, it’s really important this work is done correctly.

Flooring tips

Make sure the surface is completely even before installing a wet room tiled floor. An uneven subfloor can cause movement in the surface.

This will result in cracks in any grout and could affect the tanking below. Choose anti-slip porcelain for safety. Consider fitting underfloor heating. Kits are available that are suitable for wet areas. This will help the space to dry out quickly.

Drainage

It’s also important to ensure your drainage system can cope with the amount and flow of waste water generated.

Make sure your plumber is aware of the shower fittings you want, as you may need a tray with fast-flow waste or a channel-style wet room drain that collects water across its full width.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential to prevent condensation, which can lead to mould. Building Regulations state that bathrooms must be ventilated by means of a window opening or an extractor fan, but including both is the best option.

An extractor in a new bathroom is required to remove at least 15 litres of moisture per second, with a 15-minute overrun after it has been switched off.

grey wet room with gold shower fixtures

HighLine 800mm drain in brass by Unidrain


MORE ON BATHROOM DESIGN

Planning a wet room in your home?  The latest waterproofing methods mean even the smallest space can become a chic shower experience.

Read on to find out more about the trending concept in the bathroom, and the best ideas for designing yours.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is defined as a waterproofed or ‘tanked’ bathroom with a shower area at the same level as the main floor. The water from the shower then drains away thanks to a modest gradient that slopes towards the shower drain.

Wet rooms are popular for their accessibility, and are ideal for smaller bathrooms where squeezing a bath in isn’t practical. When designed thoughtfully, they can also be much easier to keep clean than a standard bathroom space.

They are popular for elderly or disabled people, but can also be seen as a luxury space for those without additional needs. In 2025, a wet room style bathroom is seen as almost like a spa-style shower experience.

How to apply for a wet room from the council?

If you are looking to have a wet room installed due to a disability or additional needs, you’ll need to apply through your local council. The local council or an occupational therapist will then assess any adaptation needs and make a recommendation.

If you are currently living in a council house, the entire cost of the wet room will be taken care of by the local council office (as long as your application is accepted).

If you own your home or live in private rented accommodation, the amount of financial support you receive for your wet room will depend on your means test results.

Homeowners may find it easier to get help as private renters will need to get their landlords agreement to any structural changes.

In certain circumstances, the assessment may reveal that only minor changes need to be made to the existing bathroom. This could be:

  • Bath seats and shower stools
  • Hand/grab rails
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Security lights
  • Thermostatically controlled mixers

These could be covered under the Minor Adaptation Grant and are estimated to cost less or around £1,000. In that case, the entire cost will likely be taken care of by the local council authority.

However, should a full wet room be required, the applicant may need to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant through the council. Residents in England can apply for up to £30,000.

After the assessment, and agreement on funding amount, the council authorities will hire a contractor to begin the work. Payment and terms of engagement will be managed directly through them.

Can you have a wet room upstairs?

Yes, wet rooms can be installed upstairs. There is a common misconception that this isn’t possible but you can have one anywhere, even in the loft if you desire.

When tanking a wet room upstairs, you will need to pay especial attention to fully tanking the floor. You will want to consider using a waterproofing product that comes with a decoupling membrane which adds an extra layer of protection.

Wet room ideas

Do you want to go ahead with the installation in your bathroom space? Enrich your shower experience with these ideas that will boost both the aesthetics and practicality of your design.

1. Opt out of a shower screen

First up, it’s important to differentiate between a wet room and a walk-in shower: ‘A true wet room features a drain fitted into the floor,’ explains Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart.

A wet room installation requires additional waterproofing and new pipework.

A shower screen really isn’t necessary, making it easier to achieve a sleek, contemporary bathroom design. Whereas a wet room tends to have a more luxurious feel, especially if you opt for spa-style fittings, a walk-in shower sits at the more affordable end of the price spectrum.

wet room with sunken shower area in natural stone colours with terrazzo floor

A wet room must be professionally tanked to prevent water escaping. Photo: Asquiths Bathrooms

2. Spa-style ideas

The whole point of a wet room is to have the best shower possible in the available bathroom space.

So, it is vital to install a system that will work effectively with your home’s water supply. You may need to fit a pump to boost the pressure, especially if you want features such as spa-style body sprays, or are converting a space in the loft.

Choose a model that comes with more than one spray strength or pattern if you want to alter the intensity of your shower.

For a shower experience with more of a therapeutic benefit, look for body jets or innovative overhead sprays with massage effect, like Kelda’s BubbleSpa, or Chroma therapy lighting built in. Seek advice from an experienced plumber before investing in fittings.

rainfall shower in large bathroom with blue walls and biophilic design

Revive Twist 380x380mm recessed showerhead in polished stainless steel with rainfall and twist sprays (requires minimum 2-bar water pressure) from Crosswater

  • Crosswater Revive Twist Recessed Shower Head, £1,119.30 from Sanctuary Bathrooms – buy here

3. Luxury wet-room ideas

If you have enough room, why not fit two showers? You could have one at either end of the space.

This will require two drainage points. Opt for a recessed drainage gully for a sleek finish. The drain is fitted at the bottom edge of the wall and all that’s visible is a linear gap alongside the shower area. A built-in bench and storage niches create a spa feel.

double shower in a large bathroom with freestanding bath and steel-framed glazing

Where space allows, having two shower heads adds a sense of luxury. Photo: Domus Tiles

4. Walk-in shower

A true wet room eliminates the need for any form of shower screen. But if you want to install a wet-room-style walk-in shower as part of a bigger bathroom, one or more glass panels prevent the rest of the room getting wet.

Frameless panel can be fixed to a wall for a minimalist look. All glass screens must be toughened and meet British Standard EN 12150-1.

The usual thickness is from six to eight millimetres. Screens with slim frames and a low-level tray create a streamlined look. Or opt for an extra-shallow tray that fits flush with the floor.

wet room with mosaic tiles and green tinted curved shower screen

Green tinted glass shower panel with a curved top by Ex-t

5. Walk-through shower

Another great option for larger bathrooms is a walk-through shower.

Frameless shower screens can be held in place parallel to the wall by a pole attached to the ceiling or wall brackets.

Why not create a feature wall behind the shower to help zone the bathroom space?

walk-through shower with frameless screen and dark marble bathroom tiles

Hudson Reed freestanding wet room screen with double support arms from Victorian Plumbing

  • Hudson Reed freestanding wet room screen with double support arms, £269.95 from Victorian Plumbing – buy here

6. Flush-fitting shower tray

You can also keep costs low by installing a low-level or flush-fitting shower tray, which is cheaper and less complex than tanking the floor.

They come in an array of colours, finishes and sizes to suit any schemes. Try the Tempano anti-slip acrylic shower tray with side drain, available in 27 sizes from Duravit.

‘Many steel and composite trays offer anti-slip options,’ says Yousef. ‘This is important with shower floors. When installing wet room tiles, choose a matt finish and check the product’s slip rating.’

For a budget wet room look, install a low-level or flush fitting shower tray like this one from Duravit

Tempano shower tray by Duravit

7. Vinyl flooring

For wet room ideas on a budget, consider stone-effect vinyl flooring.

You must select a product that’s formulated for this use so that it stands up to the heat, humidity and water flow.

The Olympus 533 Pierrot water and slip-resistant, stone-effect vinyl flooring from Carpetright is ideal for this.

vinyl flooring for a budget wet room

Olympus 533 Pierrot stone-effect vinyl flooring from Carpetright


Planning a wet room

Any ideas should be planned at an early stage of building your own home. Similarly, a retrofit project requires advance planning.

This is because the entire room needs stripping back for waterproofing and the installation of new pipework and fittings.

Tanking the room

Seek out an experienced professional to tank the room and ensure the walls and floors are waterproof, and create a gradient in the floor to ensure water runs towards a drainage point.

The floor and any areas of wall within the splash zone must have an impermeable membrane lining, as any water leaks will damage the subfloor and walls. So, it’s really important this work is done correctly.

Flooring tips

Make sure the surface is completely even before installing a wet room tiled floor. An uneven subfloor can cause movement in the surface.

This will result in cracks in any grout and could affect the tanking below. Choose anti-slip porcelain for safety. Consider fitting underfloor heating. Kits are available that are suitable for wet areas. This will help the space to dry out quickly.

Drainage

It’s also important to ensure your drainage system can cope with the amount and flow of waste water generated.

Make sure your plumber is aware of the shower fittings you want, as you may need a tray with fast-flow waste or a channel-style wet room drain that collects water across its full width.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential to prevent condensation, which can lead to mould. Building Regulations state that bathrooms must be ventilated by means of a window opening or an extractor fan, but including both is the best option.

An extractor in a new bathroom is required to remove at least 15 litres of moisture per second, with a 15-minute overrun after it has been switched off.

grey wet room with gold shower fixtures

HighLine 800mm drain in brass by Unidrain


MORE ON BATHROOM DESIGN

Image: Where space allows, having two shower heads adds a sense of luxury. Photo: Domus Tiles

SCROLL FOR MORE LIKE THIS