Over the last 10 years, wet rooms have become a go-to choice for homeowners looking to transform their bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries of calm and relaxation.
This boom in popularity shows no signs of stopping, with over 8% of UK homes featuring one of these bathrooms in 2023, a figure that’s likely larger still today, and a corner of the bathroom market that’s projected to be worth £119 million by 2027.
So, if you’re prepping for “project bathroom renovation”, don’t neglect to consider this enormously popular bathroom design.
But, What IS a Wet Room?
Wet rooms originate from Japan, where it is traditionally customary to separate the bathing fixtures like baths and showers from the toilet and basin.
Today, these bathrooms have become a style of their own, and are a stunning feature of homes across the world.
No longer are the rules so cut and dry, in line with the traditional Japanese bathroom, these bathrooms can now feature showers (with or without glass screens), wall-hung vanity units/basins, and floating toilets and bidets. Some people even choose to include bathtubs.
Unlike in a shower room, wet room showers are typically built at floor level, without a raised tray, though not always.
In short, what makes these bathrooms unique, is that they’re essentially one big shower, built to be totally water resistant, via wall to ceiling tiling or panelling, and to ensure water runs away via an efficient draining system and placement.
What are the Benefits?
- Boost your home’s value: By 2-5%, due to the growing popularity of this bathroom style, buyer hunger for luxury home interiors, and for those buyers with accessibility requirements.
- An enduring bathroom style: While a decade of widespread popularity isn’t forever, wet rooms are sure to be an enduring bathroom style, due to their modern yet timeless, spa-like aesthetic. Furthermore the tiled nature of these spaces enables you to tailor the design to your most exacting tastes.
- Great for small bathrooms and ensuites: At a time when many claim that houses are getting smaller, and when apartment owners want to harness the same luxury design they see in traditional homes, these bathrooms are a great way to make small bathrooms feel open and spacious.
- Flexibility and versatility: These bathrooms can be built on any floor of the home, and in any size and shape of room.
- Easy to clean: The open, minimalist nature of these bathrooms, the materials used, and the use of floating vanity units, basins, toilets and bidets, make them easier to clean than a traditional bathroom.
- Accessibility: Wet rooms are a great way to futureproof your home, or to support a family member with accessibility requirements, due to their level flooring and open, spacious nature.
- An investment for life: These bathrooms, if properly installed, are not prone to water damage, meaning if properly maintained, they are a very long lasting investment. Depending on your age, it could be an investment for life.
Key Wet Room Considerations
While the benefits are extensive, there are a few factors to consider:
- Price: A wet room renovation can cost significantly more than a traditional bathroom.
- Extra Ventilation: Due to the wet, open nature of these bathrooms, extra ventilation is often required, which is an additional cost to consider.
- The importance of installation: If improperly installed, or incorrectly waterproofed, these bathrooms can risk causing significant property damage. Be sure to research your providers extensively to ensure a successful, long-lasting install.
Finding the Perfect Floating Vanity Unit
Open, spa-like wet rooms, like a traditional bathroom, require a focal point, and there’s no greater way to introduce one, than opting for a floating vanity unit over a traditional basin.
Blending functionality with beautiful aesthetic appeal, vanity units are the ultimate way to give your bathroom a wow factor whenever the door is opened.
At Parker Howley, we design and manufacture bespoke vanity units in our Yorkshire workshop, and collaborate with leading interior design studios, like House Nine Design, Sanderson, and Sophie Patterson, to diversify our offering of stunning designs.
Whether you’re looking for a modern/contemporary, traditional or Italian-style vanity unit, or are simply searching for “the one”, our extensive range of designs has you covered.
We also offer a wide range of basins, taps and handles from the market’s leading luxury brands, to help you tailor every aspect of your vanity unit to your most exacting tastes.
Ensure you choose a wall-hung orientation when you start the customisation process (using our online tool or working with our team) to achieve the ultimate spa-like aesthetic and to ensure a perfect match for your wet room.
Work with Our Bathroom Specialists
If you’d like to be guided through the process of customising our vanity units, or want to inquire about working with Parker Howley to design and source your entire bathroom suite, contact our team today.
Beyond the vanity, be sure to also explore our range of additional bathroom furniture and accessories (including mirrors, handles, hooks and rails, toilet roll holders, bath trays and more) to find the perfect pieces for your space.
