One of the most effective ways to increase the luxury, and often the value, of a home is to create an extraordinary bathroom. Whether a homeowner is building new or renovating, paying special attention to bath areas can yield exceptional results. To go beyond the average, consider installing a walk in wet room shower in place of a traditional bathroom.

European style walk in shower wet rooms are bathrooms that are designed to function as full-room showers, where bathing areas are not segregated from the rest of the room by walls, enclosed stalls or even lips that a user must step over. The shower is a walk-in model, level with the rest of floor, which is a safety feature for many homeowners. Benches and handrails can also be installed to further increase accessibility for users with mobility concerns. To further enhance the open appearance of the space, any dividers such as toilet screens are usually transparent. The whole area is intended to operate as a single space. The effect is a large, spa-like environment that makes the most of any lavatory’s square footage, while increasing luxury, safety and ease of cleaning.

Many homeowners are opting for transitional designs that incorporate features of the European style wet room and a traditional bathroom. Based on each homeowner’s preference these hybrid baths may include a number of variations on the original European open space concept.

Wet room construction is based largely on proper management of water. In traditional bathrooms, showers are of a limited size and typically have a pan or tray underneath the stall to prevent water leakage to surrounding surfaces. Walls and flooring outside the stall or enclosure are expected to stay dry, so walls and flooring are similar to the materials used throughout the rest of the house. With an open bathroom floor plan, the entire room is considered a potentially wet space, so drainage and waterproofing becomes more important.

Subfloors must be treated with waterproofing materials to create an impenetrable seal, often called a membrane. Performing this extra preparation is called tanking the floor and is essential for this type of project. Without proper sealing, water can cause significant, expensive damage not only in the lavatory, but through the entire house. Walls also must be tanked, and both floors and walls must be covered with a non-porous material, such as sealed tile or vinyl. The floor must be sloped to channel water toward a drain, and it must be solid so the surface flooring will adhere properly. If the floor flexes, tiles may pop off and grout will crack and flake.

The use of tile is most common in wet room flooring, partially because it gives a more sophisticated appearance than vinyl, but also because it provides great variety. Tile is available in a wide range of colors, patterns and sizes, enabling homeowners to create almost any look, from classic, to art deco, to modern. Larger tiles create the illusion of more space and are a popular choice for smaller areas. They have the added benefit of requiring less grout, which means less labor for installation and fewer opportunities for grout lines to crack. Additionally, lighter colors can make a small space appear larger, while darker colors can help make a larger area feel more intimate.

Some homeowners also choose to install an under-floor heating system during construction. Such systems provide outstanding comfort, since tile can be cold at any time but is particularly so in winter months or northern climates. An added benefit is that heated floors dry more quickly, reducing the opportunity for mold and mildew to grow.

One practical advantage to walk in shower wet rooms is that cleaning is easier. All surfaces can get wet without being damaged and floors are more open, with no shower or tub walls to work around. The unobstructed nature of the floor can be further enhanced by wall-mounting toilets, sinks and storage utilities, rather than mounting them on the floor. Some storage is generally advised to help keep towels, toilet paper and other items sufficiently dry. Shelves can be an effective choice, but if cabinets with actual doors are preferred, cabinets also can be wall-mounted.

Another way to keep non-bathing areas dry is to incorporate a shower screen into the design. A screen can be a curtain that pulls back when the shower is not in use, similar to a typical shower curtain, but more often, a glass wall is used to enclose the bath space, effectively screening the rest of the room from spraying water while preserving the open look and feel of the room.

Due to the extra preparation needed for floors and walls, many homeowners employ professional designers and contractors to create a walk in shower wet room. However, professionals can be expensive, and many homeowners prefer to do the work themselves at a reduced cost. For the do-it-yourselfer, walk in shower wet room kits are available. Kits offer a range of products. Some provide just basic products for waterproofing sub-floors and walls, while others also include trays or pans, under-floor heating elements and other extras. Price depends on what is included in the kit and the size required.

Most homeowners or designers choose a contemporary design, with sleek lines and designer colors, but walk in shower wet room design can accommodate any style. Colors, textures and fixtures can be carefully selected to create a signature look that matches the design plan of the rest of the house or creates a distinct retreat space. Regardless of style, walk in shower wet rooms are a smart and flexible choice for increasing a home’s value and a homeowner’s luxury.