Make a statement with a state-of-the-art wet room
Wet rooms are becoming an increasingly popular addition to homes of all shapes and sizes. A perfect way to make the most of a small space, these sought-after features can also add value to your property.
Easy to clean, as there aren’t too many nooks and crannies to collect dust and grime, wet rooms offer a really handy solution for homeowners looking to gain an extra bathroom area when space is at a premium. Also, a great option for those with accessibility requirements, it’s easy to see why wet rooms are popping up in homes all over the country.
So, what exactly is a wet room?
In essence, a wet room is a space that’s been ‘tanked’ with a waterproof barrier behind the walls and floor. A central drain allows water to flow freely away from an open plan design. So you just walk in, shower and go. And that’s it.
Well, that’s it, except. Even though the concept of a wet room is basically an entire walk-in shower room, many people still prefer to have a shower panel in there. The reason being, everything can get wet. That includes the floor, towels, dressing gowns, toiletries…
With the introduction of the right panel, however, the shower jet doesn’t get the chance to go everywhere – just where you want it to. And it’s still possible to maintain that feeling of space thanks to a wide variety of design styles.
Choosing the right shower panel for your wet room
Of course, that begs the next question: what type of shower panel to go for? Leaving looks to one side for the moment, let’s start with the basics and consider width. Yes you read that right, width. Not the most exciting element of your new wet room but one that really needs to be high on your agenda.
Kirsty, Senior Designer at Matki recommends “getting the right width for your shower panel depends on a few different factors. Your wet room layout, shower output and who’s using the shower, all affect your choice of shower panel. For instance, a person who’s single probably has a different approach to showering than a family with teenage boys.”
Deciding on the ideal shower panel width
So is there a minimum requirement that people should look out for to keep water contained within the shower area? “As a guide, your shower partition needs to be at least 1200mm wide, which will provide good coverage against stray spray soaking the entire space.”
Kirsty also recommends using specialist shower panels that meet all the necessary EU standards and conform to industry benchmarks. “With Matki shower panels you can be sure that we tick all the safety boxes and provide after care, should you need it. Plus there’s the important reassurance that spare parts are always available.”
So what’s next? Well another key feature in any wet room is of course the all-important flooring option…
Shower tray or tiles underfoot?
Traditionally, a classic wet room has matching floor and walls to give that open and even feel that makes it more than just another bathroom. However, with tiles on the walls, this usually means that a tile floor is needed to match. And of course, that calls for grouting lines. Not only can they be a hassle to keep clean, but even the smoothest grouting can create an uneven feeling underfoot, detracting from that all-important overall smooth feel.
So what to do? Well, Matki’s made-to-measure Preference Shower Floor and Slate Shower Floor in standard and bespoke sizes offer a handy solution.
Available in very large sizes and with anti-slip properties built-in, they both offer a smooth all in one floor option. Even better, Matki’s Slate Floor can be colour matched at no extra charge to match the surrounding tiles…Did someone mention tiles?
Tiles of style are yours for the choosing
When it comes to the walls of your wet room, you might want to mix things up a little. Whilst wet rooms are usually associated with a matching colour scheme throughout, who says it has to be that way?
There are no hard and fast rules carved in stone here. In fact, it’s a great opportunity to indulge in something a little “out there”.
Whether you want to go bold, sleek or geometric there are some fabulous designs trending right now to give you all the inspiration you need.
Make your wet room a heated haven
If even the thought of a bare foot on a cold tile floor makes you shiver, then there’s another option you may want to consider for your wet room. Underfloor heating is a popular choice for those installing a wet room and who want to avoid frozen feet on cold mornings. Easily integrated into the build, it doesn’t impact the tanking of your wet room and adds control and comfort in equal measures.
Keeping moisture to a minimum
As with any room where there’s a lot of steam, it makes sense to ensure moisture doesn’t stay around too long. Just as you have an extractor fan over your kitchen hob, it pays to take the same approach in your wet room. Besides helping to keep your wet room looking pristine and mould free, a good extraction system will create a fresher healthier environment too.
Storage solutions for the smallest of spaces
A final consideration is making sure all of those bathroom essentials – such as towels and toiletries – have somewhere to go in your wet room.
As a small space can provide storage challenges, you may have to think outside the box a little.
There are, however, plenty of storage ideas around, ranging from free-standing to custom made. For instance, a popular option is floating storage which is ideal as pieces can add a feeling of extended height to your wet room, as well as making it easier to clean and remove condensation.
So is a wet room right for you?
There’s no doubt about it, a wet room is a great way to make use of a small space and create an extra bathroom in your home. It also adds value and features such as underfloor heating certainly help in the eyes of prospective homebuyers.
Things to watch out for are mainly around the installation: it always pays to get the right job done with the appliances that are fit for purpose. A wrongly installed wet room can cause all kinds of problems as a water build up will leak out into other areas of your home. And if you have a new cream carpet outside and kids with a muddy dog, well you may want to reconsider too.
Overall, however, a well-appointed wet room is a great asset to your home. It can be installed with minimum disruption and is easy to maintain – whilst enhancing the daily shower experience for you, your family and guests.