Hot Home Trend: Wet-Room Bathrooms
You've heard of the open-concept kitchen — but have you heard about this HOT NEW HOME TREND: the open-concept bathroom? The idea centers on creating a private, waterproof space and immersing your home with all the elements of a luxe bathroom.
What is a Wet Room?
A wet room is a totally waterproofed bathroom with a shower area that sits at the exact same level as the rest of the floor. The coolest part? The water drains away through a flush drain within the shower area! The walls and floor are sealed by a waterproof membrane, so there is no risk of runaway water causing damage.
The trend has been popular in Europe for years, but it has officially made its way to America and is now taking a strong hold in the states.
Key Characteristics
- An open-concept layout
- A frameless, zero-entry shower
- Floor-to-wall shower tile
- Freestanding tub
- Floating vanity
- ADA-accessible design
How is it different from a standard bathroom?
- Wet room showers flow seamlessly into the rest of the room, while standard bathrooms separate the shower with a curb
- Floor-to-ceiling tile ensures a watertight seal; standard bathrooms may have wallpaper or bead-board
- Wet room floors slope toward the shower drain; standard bathrooms have a flat floor
Pros
- Makes your bathroom appear roomier and spa-like without increasing square footage
- No shower curb gives you more flexibility when designing the bathroom layout
- No curb makes the shower accessible to all
- Increases the resale value of a home
Cons
- Enlarging the shower pan significantly increases the cost of a bathroom remodel
- Can be harder to keep clean and dry because water goes everywhere
- Bathroom storage and furniture pieces must be waterproof
- Limited variety of materials — drywall and MDF can't be used