wet room ideas for small bathrooms

Designing a wet room in a small bathroom involves careful planning and clever design ideas to achieve a wet room that not only looks great but is usable. There are several factors to consider before you start stripping off your old wall tiles in preparation. In this blog post, we cover some common issues with smaller bathrooms, the pros and cons of wet rooms and ideas to inspire your wet room design. Let’s jump straight into some pros and cons.

pros of installing a wet room

· Easier to clean
· Ideal for smaller bathrooms
· Improved accessibility
· Modern design style
· Potential to increase property value

cons of installing a wet room

· ​Everything gets wet (they don’t call them wet rooms for nothing!)
· High installation costs
· Extensive building works causes disruption
· Risk of damp if not properly ventilated
· May affect selling the property if no bath

ideas for small wet rooms

​Wet rooms are a great option for small bathrooms where you can't fit a separate shower and bath, by removing extra storage and some furniture that may not be suitable for wet rooms you can really make the most of the space you have. This open layout makes the room feel bigger and less cluttered, unlike having a standard shower enclosure, which can feel a little cramped. Also, using bigger tiles in the shower can make the room feel bigger, with fewer grout lines and simple shapes like squares or rectangles adding to a clean, modern look.

walk in showers in a small bathroom

​A proper wet room would not be complete without a walk-in shower, but do you have enough space for a walk-in shower in your small wet room? Typically, a fully enclosed walk-in shower needs to be at least 80 cm wide by 120 cm long. However, for an open-ended walk-in shower, the minimum size should be 80 cm wide by 140cm long to avoid too much water splashing over onto the floors outside of the shower area.
 
Having an open-ended walk-in shower with a single piece of glass makes cleaning a breeze. With no funky trims or dirty door hinges to worry about, the sleek design eliminates hard-to-reach spots and reduces the buildup of grime. This streamlined approach not only enhances the aesthetic of your bathroom but also ensures that maintaining a spotless, hygienic space is effortless.

design ideas for smaller bathrooms

​A great tip for small wet rooms is by installing underfloor heating, you can get rid of any large wall-mounted radiators. This will keep your feet cosy during cold mornings and speed up the drying time of your wet room floors. Don’t forget about a place for drying towels though, removing radiators only works well if you have a separate space or drying cupboard for towels.
 
What’s the best flooring for wet rooms? Well, something that is 100% waterproof (not water resistant) so no vinyl roll or luxury vinyl tile, you should consider investing in high-quality stone or tiles that will stand the test of time.
 
Matching your wall and floor materials is another great way to make your small wet room appear bigger, choosing large format tiles can help by creating fewer visual interruptions and make your wall and floor space look more spacious.

Having waterproof fittings and furniture is a must in wet rooms, why not look at custom made sinks and vanity units made from porcelain tiles, these items are durable and stylish, perfect for wet rooms! Qualiporcelain are a Cornish company who build bespoke porcelain sinks in a large range of sizes and finishes, check them out for basin inspiration!

ensuite wet room ideas

​When planning a wet room to fit inside a small ensuite space is going to be your biggest obstacle when creating a layout, you need to allow for the projection of fixtures like toilets and sinks but also some room to use them and manoeuvre around them. If you can when the bathroom is empty mark out all fixtures on the floor with tape to get a better feel of what will work and what won’t.
 
Have you considered installing a pocket door in your ensuite bathroom? This is an excellent tip for saving space, as many ensuite doors are blocked by the bed or bedroom furniture. By utilising the dead wall space, you can install a pocket door that slides instead of opening on hinges swinging out into the bedroom area.

things to consider in a small wet room

waterproofing
Wet rooms need to be 100% waterproof on the floors, walls and ceilings this is where a lot of the budget will be spent, and the entire room needs to be stripped back and waterproofed before any tiling or fixtures can be fitted.
 
tile choice
Did you know that not all tiles are suitable for wet rooms? It's crucial to make sure your chosen tiles are appropriate for wet environments, both on walls and floors. We also recommend choosing non-slip tiles for the floor to enhance safety.
 
storage
Conventional storage options might not work well, so think about using shelves attached to the wall or built-in cabinets that are waterproof to make the most of the area without making the room look messy.
 
ventilation
It's essential to have a good extractor fan to avoid the accumulation of dampness and the build-up of mould, especially in a wet room with high levels of hot water and steam on the floors, walls and ceilings.

conclusion

​In conclusion, a well designed wet room for a small bathroom presents numerous benefits, including maximising space and achieving a sleek, modern look. Careful planning and attention to detail are key to creating a functional and beautiful wet room that elevates your bathroom experience. Armed with these ideas, you're well on the way to turning your small bathroom space into a stylish and practical wet room.

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