We're not surprised that wetroom bathrooms are having a moment. More of us prefer taking a shower versus a bath these days, so why not make it an experience that wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury spa? Yes please.
By its very nature, a wetroom is a seamless, open showering space that’s been tanked – to ensure it’s completely watertight – where the shower area is the star of the show. And while you might think a wetroom is reserved for huge, sprawling bathrooms, it’s a great design choice for those bijou spaces that are a little on the small side. Or even those with awkward areas like sloping ceilings in a loft conversion, for example. The seamless finish, level floor and option to go without a shower screen (more on that later) all help to give that lovely air of openness, plus make access a dream.
The secret to a good wetroom is to have all of the mechanics hidden away, like the pipework for the shower and discrete drainage in the floor. A flush floor throughout is a must so go for a shower tray that’s either low level and sits flush with the tiles or, even better, a hidden tray system where your chosen tiles are laid on top – we know it’s the tiles that are the real star, right?
PORCELAIN OR A MOSAIC MOMENT
When it comes to tile choice, porcelain is a winner. It’s impervious to water, works for the walls and floors (check the slip resistance for the floor for safety. We advise an R rating of R11 for wetrooms) and is easy to keep clean. Speaking of, you might also want to think about the size of your tiles and how many grout lines there will be. The fewer grout lines, the easier the maintenance. Having said that, if you’re not worried about a bit of elbow grease, mosaics are a top choice too as they provide good slip resistance and can pack a style punch.
PLEASING PATTERNS, ALWAYS
We love a bit of zoning and while we are huge fans of the quiet luxury look, we can’t deny our affinity to a statement tile. In a wetroom bathroom, draw the eye towards that all-important shower area with a stand-out floor-to-ceiling tiled wall or patterned floor tile (or both) and make it the place to gravitate to. The bathroom below features Woodland Glade Porcelain for a pop of pattern and colour in one.
OR A MONO MIX
More of a monochrome lover? Try a two-tone laying pattern with our Maroc collection - Nero and Bianco to welcome you into the shower space. Oh so elegant.
MINIMAL BY DESIGN
Okay, so if we’re being all purist about it, a true wetroom doesn’t have any sort of shower screen, rather it’s an open space with the floor slightly sloped towards a floor drain. But really, this setup might not be the most practical day to day, right? We’re not sure we want soggy loo roll and damp towels. Instead, a minimal frameless shower screen won’t impede that open feeling, while we’re also fans of creating a hammam-inspired vibe with a tiled partition. A half stud wall can be clad in your wall tile of choice and provide you with a degree of privacy, a barrier against splashes and – bonus – a little spot to pop your toiletries. Why not contrast a colourful tile like Folly Porcelain Lake Matt on the walls with a more muted metro on the room divider?
SPA-LIKE ZEN
A seat in a shower isn’t only great for future-proofing and multigenerational households, it totally gives off that spa-like style. Imagine taking a moment to just sit and relax while bathing and while away the stresses of the day. We love how the Savoy Porcelain with its gorgeous marble effect is picked up in the shower seat, echoing the wider bathroom design and adding a third texture alongside the Reform Bianco floor tiles and Maroc wall tiles.
Credit: Roper Rhodes Vanity, Taps & Mirror
