Thinking about turning your bathroom into a sleek, spa-style wetroom? Good call. A well-designed wetroom doesn’t just look incredible, it’s also practical, space-efficient and can add real value to your home.
But here’s the thing. If you want it to look high-end and actually work properly, there’s more to it than just ripping out the tub and adding a drain. Get a few details wrong and you could be dealing with leaks, mould or a floor that puddles in all the wrong places.
Let’s walk through the essentials that will help you design a wetroom that’s both beautiful and built to last.
1. Plan your layout like a pro
A wetroom only works if the space is planned with purpose. You don’t need a huge bathroom, but the layout does need to make sense.
Where will the water go? How will it drain? Is there enough of a fall in the floor? These are questions worth answering at the start, not halfway through. Think carefully about where the shower will sit in relation to the rest of the room. Ideally, the shower area should be slightly set apart, with a subtle divide or even a glass screen if you want to keep things feeling open but still dry.
Toilets, sinks, towel storage… all of this needs to be placed where water won’t splash constantly. Otherwise, you’ll be drying your toilet seat every time someone showers.
2. Get smart with your tiles
Tiling is one of the biggest visual features of a wetroom, and also one of the most practical. This isn’t just a style choice – it’s a technical one too.
When it comes to tiling your wetroom, your grout lines, tile size, and even surface texture all matter. Small tiles give you more grout lines, which actually helps with grip on the floor. Great for safety, but more work to clean. Large-format tiles? Sleek and modern, but can be slippery unless you choose a non-slip finish.
Make sure floor tiles have enough grip to stay safe when wet. Wall tiles can go bolder, especially in the shower zone. Just make sure they’re waterproof, easy to clean, and won’t fade with moisture over time. You don’t want to be retiling a year down the line.
If your tiler suggests a slope in the floor for drainage, listen. It’s vital. No one wants standing water in the shower corner that never quite dries.
3. Invest in proper waterproofing
This bit isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. A wetroom without proper waterproofing is a disaster waiting to happen.
Everything from the floor to the lower parts of the walls needs to be sealed with a waterproof membrane. It’s what protects your subfloor and stops moisture from creeping into other rooms. Skimp on this and you could end up with water damage, mould, or worse – costly structural repairs.
Get a professional in to handle this if you’re unsure. It’s not something to DIY unless you’re confident in the process.
4. Choose a drain that works (and looks good)
You might not think much about the drain, but it’s one of the most important pieces in the wetroom puzzle. It’s responsible for taking water away quickly and efficiently, so your floor doesn’t turn into a shallow pool every time you shower.
Linear drains are a popular choice. They sit neatly along one edge of the shower area and let water drain fast without messing with the design. Square or centre-point drains work too, especially in smaller spaces.
Whatever you go for, make sure it matches the flow rate of your shower. If your shower pumps out more water than your drain can handle, it’s game over. You’ll be swimming, not showering.
5. Think beyond white and grey
It’s easy to default to pale tiles and chrome fittings, but wetrooms don’t have to be clinical. You can go bold and still keep it timeless.
Earthy tones, matte black finishes, soft greens, warm neutrals – they all work. Want something sleek and modern? Go for a dark tile with a textured finish. Fancy a more natural vibe? Try stone-effect tiles or even wood-look porcelain (yes, it exists and yes, it’s waterproof).
Lighting also makes a huge difference. Recessed spotlights, underfloor lighting, or even backlit mirrors can add warmth and luxury to your wetroom. Just make sure everything is rated for wet areas.
6. Ventilation isn’t optional
Wetrooms generate a lot of moisture. Without proper ventilation, all that steam and water vapour can start to cause problems. Think mildew, peeling paint, and that musty smell that never quite goes away.
An extractor fan with the right capacity is a must. Ideally, it should kick in automatically when the humidity rises and continue running for a few minutes after the shower is switched off. If you’ve got a window, even better; open it daily to let the room fully dry out.
Don’t ignore this step. Even the best tiling and waterproofing can’t save you from the damage caused by poor airflow.
7. Keep it simple (but don’t skip the details)
Part of the appeal of a wetroom is the minimal look. But don’t mistake minimal for basic. Little details make a big difference. Think built-in niches for shower products instead of clunky caddies. Wall-mounted taps to keep surfaces clear. A flush shower valve to keep the lines clean. These choices don’t just look good, they’re practical too.
Storage can be tricky in a wetroom, especially if you’re ditching vanity units. Consider floating shelves, high-mounted cabinets, or even a built-in bench if space allows. Just make sure anything you add can handle moisture without warping or staining.
The secret? Good planning and even better choices
Creating a stunning wetroom isn’t about throwing money at it or copying a Pinterest board. It’s about making smart decisions, being realistic with your space, and paying attention to the details that matter.
Get the planning right, invest in quality tiling and waterproofing, and don’t skip on drainage or ventilation. Do that, and you’ll end up with a space that feels luxurious every single day – no spa booking required.
