Home Design & Decorating Room Design Bathroom Design

27 Wet Room Ideas to Inspire You

By
Sarah Lyon
sarah lyon, writer for the spruce
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 06/13/24
wet room ideas

@alinadrugainteriors / Instagram

Wet room-style bathrooms are open-plan spaces with walk-in showers that create a seamless flow. With a modern feel and an accessible design, they are appropriate for people of all ages and mobility levels.

The streamlined layout makes smaller bathrooms feel more spacious, and can make the inclusion of a bathtub possible in larger spaces while retaining an airy feel. A wet room also provides an opportunity to experiment with finishes like tile and paint to complement the style of your interiors.

Check out some of our favorite wet room ideas to help you optimize your bathroom.

  • 01 of 27

    Pair Black and White

    black-and-white wet room ideas

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Black and white are always a winning duo. This wet room is simple and fresh, with dark gray stone-effect tile flooring to add dimension.

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  • 02 of 27

    Choose Dramatic Marble Tile

    marble wet room ideas

    Design by Olivia Hail / Photo by Elizabeth Brooke

    Give your wet room a sophisticated feel with large format marble tiles, like this space from Olivia Hail. This striking finish makes this wet room appear ultra grand in the same way that large marble slabs would but at a more affordable price point.

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  • 03 of 27

    Try a Herringbone Accent

    wet room with herringbone and marble

    @the_eden_co / Instagram

    An accent wall of herringbone tiles adds interest to this spa-like wet room. The walls and floors are finished with marble-effect tiles, and the room is decorated with lighting, plants, and art for a tranquil feel.

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  • 04 of 27

    Run With Bold Geometrics

    geometric wet room

    @pavlidesstudio / Instagram

    You'll be seeing double when you step foot into this wet room that features a bold, geometric design. The pattern adds a bit of whimsy to this utilitarian space.

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  • 05 of 27

    Showcase Subway Tile

    subway tile wet room ideas

    @wildroseinteriorsinc / Instagram

    Subway tile is a timeless and affordable classic. Use it on every wall and pair with black plumbing fixtures for a clean modern look. On the floor, marble octagonal tiles add slight variation.

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  • 06 of 27

    Think Terrazzo

    terazzo tile wet room ideas

    @essex_road_renovation / Instagram

    Add personality to a small wet room with terrazzo tiles. Balance the color and pattern with solid neutrals to keep the pattern from overwhelming a compact bathroom.

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  • 07 of 27

    Keep It Contemporary

    modern wet room ideas

    @butterfieldbathrooms / Instagram

    Give your wet room a light and current feel with pale neutral finishes, a transparent glass splash guard, and a floating vanity. Create a focal point with an oversized round backlit mirror.

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  • 08 of 27

    Pair Marble and Brass

    marble and brass wet room

    Folding Chair Design / Photo by Jenn Verrier

    Marble and brass are a timeless mix. These materials always look luxe when combined; don't underestimate the impact of upgrading your builder-grade fixtures and adding coordinating decor like gold-toned mirrors and lighting fixtures.

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  • 09 of 27

    Mix and Match Tiles

    wet room tile ideas

    @dickiebertinteriors / Instagram

    Mixing and matching patterns is still majorly in vogue. So if you just can't make up your mind between two types of tiles, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

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  • 10 of 27

    Paint It in a Bold Color

    colorful wet room bathroom

    @ashfordbathroomcentre / Instagram

    It's not every day you see neon green used in the bathroom, but it surely makes a splash on the walls of this vibrant wet room.

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  • 11 of 27

    Build in a Shower Niche

    wet room-style bathroom

    @alinadrugainteriors / Instagram

    Add a built-in shower niche to keep your wet room-style bathroom looking neat and tidy. Tile it to match the shower walls or in another finish for a bit of contrast.

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  • 12 of 27

    Hang a Statement Light

    wet room bathroom with chandelier

    Design by Lisa Kooistra / Photo by Mike Chajecki

    Anchor the bathtub in your wet room with a pendant light or chandelier. This wet room has all of the bells and whistles, including hooks inside to house towels, which makes it easy to transition out of the bath and into the shower.

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  • 13 of 27

    Try a Minimalist Design

    minimalist wet room ideas

    Grey Joyner Interiors

    Minimalists, this is the wet room for you. While it's simple and white, a scalloped and textured bathmat placed right outside warms up the space a bit.

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  • 14 of 27

    Use Contrasting Tones

    gray wet room with bronze accents

    Etch Design Group / Photo by Avery Nicole

    Pair cool gray tile with bronze accents for a luxe contrast. Vertical tiles will make the ceilings feel taller by drawing the eye upward.

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  • 15 of 27

    Accessorize With a Stool

    large wet room with bench

    Etch Design Group / Photo: Avery Nicole

    If your wet room is large enough, place a small stool or bench next to the tub to add warmth and functionality. Use it as a plant stand or to store a scented candle so it's ready for your next bubble bath.

    How to Make a Wet Room Less Slippery

    To make a wet room less slippery, ensure that your shower has proper drainage to prevent pooling water. Choose slip-resistant flooring. Or make a slippery wet room floor less so by installing anti-slip mats or treads on the shower floor.

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  • 16 of 27

    Install an Accent Wall

    wet room primary bathroom

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Use tile to create a bathroom accent wall. Desiree Burns Interiors gave this light and airy space a spa-like feel with a green square wall tile focal point. Brass fixtures, terrazzo floor tile, reeded shower glass, rattan mirrors, and a white oak vanity with white marble countertops complete the modern space.

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  • 17 of 27

    Streamline a Tiny Bathroom

    studio apartment wet room ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    Maximize space in a small studio apartment or basement bathroom with a wet room layout. This space from Fantastic Frank mixed black-and-white tiles with gold fixtures for a clean modern look.

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  • 18 of 27

    Match the Vanity

    all-marble wet room ideas

    Studio Peake

    Commit to one dramatic finish to give your wet room a glamorous feel. Matching heavily veined marble walls, floors, and a custom vanity give this remodeled London bathroom from Studio Peake a sleek and polished look.

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  • 19 of 27

    Use a Galley-Style Layout

    wet room with bathtub

    The Home Consultant

    Use a galley-style layout to maximize a rectangular bathroom with enough width. The Home Consultant placed the shower on the left wall and floated a soaking tub on the right at a slight angle beneath the window to optimize space.

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  • 20 of 27

    Create an Industrial Feel

    minimalist wet room

    Brophy Interiors

    Dark gray large format wall tiles, silver and black plumbing fixtures, and a minimalist approach will add an industrial feel to a wet room of any size. Brophy Interiors added a modern soaking tub for a contemporary feel in this primary bathroom.

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  • 21 of 27

    Update a Traditional Bath

    elegant wet room ideas

    Studio Peake

    Modernize a traditional bathroom with a wet room-style makeover. Studio Peake wallpapered an ornate tray ceiling with wallpaper, hung a modern bentwood pendant light, clad walls with blue-and-white fishtail tiles, and installed a glass walk-in shower splash guard in this modern-traditional wet room.

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  • 22 of 27

    Soften With Earth Tones

    earth tone wet room ideas

    The Home Consultant

    Choose earth tone tiles and natural wood and woven accents to give your wet room a warm feel. The Home Consultant saved space by placing a smaller shower in the corner with a small side wall niche and separating the adjacent vanity with a pane of glass that allows natural light from the window to flow.

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  • 23 of 27

    Create Separation With Tile

    wet room shower tile ideas

    Folding Chair Design Co. / Jenn Verrier Photography

    Create a visual separation between a wet-room walk-in shower and the rest of the space by tiling the shower walls and floors in a contrasting tone. Folding Chair Design Co. paired glossy black tiles with matte white walls for a clean modern feel.

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  • 24 of 27

    Unite With Graphic Tile

    wet room floor tile ideas

    The Home Consultant

    Tile the floor of a smaller wet room with a bold graphic pattern to visually unite the shower with the rest of the bathroom. The Home Consultant chose a black-and-white pattern in this minimalist space that adds movement and keeps the eye flowing from front to back.

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  • 25 of 27

    Add Color With Tonal Tiles

    wet room tile color ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Add color to a wet room bathroom with tonal tiles. Michelle Berwick Design used shades of green on the floor and shower tile to create a soothing feel in this modern space. Brass accents add warmth.

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  • 26 of 27

    Install a Double Shower

    large wet room bathroom

    Brophy Interiors

    In a large wet room-style bathroom, consider installing a double shower that will make sharing more comfortable. Brophy Interiors installed glass doors around the shower and added a round tub in the corner for occasional bubble baths.

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  • 27 of 27

    Install a Splash Guard

    wet room shower ideas

    White Sands

    A frameless glass panel can make a smaller wet room more functional without interrupting flow. White Sands installed a splash guard to protect the toilet that practically disappears when not in use and doesn't block the natural light from the window at the far end of the room.

FAQ
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of a wet room?


    Wet rooms are more accessible for people of all ages and mobility levels compared with traditional bathrooms. They are easy to move around in and to clean. With a modern, minimalist feel, a wet room can save space in a smaller bathroom for a more spacious feel. 


    However, wet rooms can be slippery without proper drainage and in cases where there are no splash guards around the shower. They can be drafty, and lack privacy in a shared space.

  • How much does it cost to add a wet room?

    According to Angi, it costs an average of $9,000 to install a wet room. The final budget can range from $2,000 to $30,000 according to size, plumbing considerations, labor costs, and choice of materials.