Wet Rooms, Walk-In Showers And Shower Room Ideas To Delight

The key difference between a shower room and a wet room is the cost; wet rooms are, as you may imagine from the name, waterproof in their entirety, without dividers or screens. Walls and floors can be soaked happily and lend themselves to a minimal, pared-back style.

A shower room may incorporate a shower in a traditional enclosure but not too much else; in terms of cost, classical shower rooms will have a shower tray and enclosure which are a cheaper solution as they don’t require waterproofing the walls and floor, but limit you, as room for doors to open or step in and out of trays needs to be considered.

If you want small shower room ideas that will get you the wet room look without the cost, a fixed screen that covers the spray but opens on the side as you step in, is a good compromise and won’t require you to edge round an opening door.

If your space is small, the extra spend on a wet room shower that flows from the ceiling, can give you the illusion of extra space. Essentially, the whole room will be your shower enclosure.

Other tricks to create the illusion of more space include a wall hung toilet and wall mount sink to free up extra inches. A wall mounted cabinet hiding unsightly storage containers keeps your lines clean and minimal. And they’re easy spaces to keep clean with few corners for suds to accumulate or glass surfaces to polish.

For wet rooms or small shower room ideas, practical considerations need to inform designs. From drainage to purchasing water resistant bathroom blinds it’s essential to cover these off at the start.

The advantage of wet rooms is that they are so easy to maintain. But given the pernicious nature of water, it’s essential to get the build right in the beginning. Adequate drainage and ventilation is essential, plus, you’ll need the right gradient to be created along the floor so that water (especially from a powerful rainwater shower) easily channels down the drain.

The room will need to be properly primed, tiled (or layered with sheet vinyl) then waterproofed to eliminate problems with leaking water, damp and mould. That’s the practical stuff, but at this point it’s essential to plan for luxurious touches. Underfloor heating for shower rooms or full wet rooms will help dry out water and keep tiles toasty warm underfoot, adding that sense of comfort to what could feel like cold space.

Materials that lend themselves naturally to wet room ideas that incorporate practicality and style credibility include stone, wood and concrete. A pale limestone can bring a softness to a space that lacks natural daylight, especially if combined with a pale wooden shower bench. Concrete is durable and surprisingly warm as a material. Try combining it with healthy houseplants that clean the air and bring some organic interest. A floor made of wooden slated panels that acts as a drainer can work with both looks, just make sure you keep the wood well oiled to keep them in good condition.

Dark colours instantly make a room feel more intimate, so this helps it feel more open again. Add in some well-placed vintage mirrors to create the illusion of space or even one long mirrored wall (a heated mirror will prevent it from steaming up so badly if you prefer long showers).

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Once you’ve settled on the design side of things, it’s time to consider how to organise a small bathroom so it’s easy to keep clean and tidy. A large family can mean heavy traffic and a lot of detritus to hide away, so begin by staging a ruthless clear out – make sure precious small bathroom storage isn’t cluttered with any expired products or unnecessary packaging. You’ll need to get creative with small bathroom storage ideas, thinking about how you can make use of every nook and cranny.

Artfully display large items like towels up high on a simple floating shelf in contrasting colourways add a bit of practical softness but also keeps floor surfaces free, and products within easy reach without compromising on style. If you’re starting from scratch with your design you can create storage that can be recessed into your walls.

Neglected corners can inspire the best bathroom shelves ideas, for example using the gap between a column and a wall, to fit tailor-made display units. Double function furniture such as a freestanding ladder makes for great shelving, or you can buy stools with storage space hidden inside.

And finally, don’t fall foul of the classic planning mistake; a lovely radiator that doubles as a towel rail seems great until it becomes a choice between warming the room and warming your towel. Make sure you have enough heat for both; (your room size will require a certain size of BTUs AKA British Thermal Units, which measure the heat output). Now you just need to fit the lock so you can while away the hours disruption-free.

If you’d like more ideas for protecting your modesty read our guide to choosing the perfect bathroom blinds.