One of the most recent trends in bathroom design is walk in shower wet rooms. The style of such spaces is usually sleek and contemporary, and the open floor plan concept is relatively new to the United States, but it has long been popular in Europe. The basic idea is that instead of partitioning sections of the lavatory into toilet, bathing and sink areas, the entire space is left open. The disadvantage of this style can be a loss of privacy and the absence of a tub for soaking, but the advantage is the feeling of a larger space and easier cleaning.
Contemporary bathroom designs are emerging that offer homeowners the best of both worlds. If a bath tub is a must have item and a totally wide open space is not your cup of tea consider a more transitional style that combines features of both traditional bathrooms and European wet rooms. These transitional designs allow homeowners to create beautiful walk in shower areas without having to sacrifice some of the time honored features of a traditional bathroom space.
Walk in shower wet room design incorporates a number of essential features. A large shower space is standard. Whether the lavatory is left as one large open shower, or the showering area is marked out with screens, different tile or other markers, the showers in these types of bathrooms are typically larger than those in traditional bathrooms. However, they can be installed in very small areas where a tub might not fit. In addition, this style features a flat floor, with no lip to step over to enter the shower.
Another standard feature is that all surfaces, including walls, are tiled. Floors are sometimes made of vinyl, though non-porous tiles are more common due to their luxurious appearance. This overall tiling protects the fixtures, walls and floor from water damage throughout the space and makes it easy to clean. Some homeowners have been known to hose down walls, floors and all to clean it.
Many designs include wall-mounted sinks and toilets. By mounting these fixtures, floor space is maximized, further increasing the illusion of space. Another common option is to include a wet room shower screen. Screens section off the shower from the rest of the area to control splashing. They can be simple sliding curtains, like a typical shower curtain, or they can be permanent walls. If they are built-in walls, though, they are most often made of glass to preserve the open look of the space. Screens not only help keep the floor outside of the shower area dry, but they also help keep toilet seats, toilet paper, towels and other fixtures dry. To further protect paper or fabric items, a water resistant vanity with compartment doors can be installed for storage.
Waterproofing and drainage are the most important aspects when designing and constructing a wet room. Floors are usually sloped gently to funnel water toward a drain that is located either centrally in the space or in the designated shower section. Not only must the walk in shower wet room floor 
be water-tight, but walls must be as well to avoid damage to areas underneath or adjacent to the lavatory. Proper preparation during installation is essential, or expensive repairs will be needed later.
Walk in shower wet room designs are flexible in terms of style. All sizes, color schemes and themes can be incorporated. Whether the goal is to maximize the opportunity of a small space, or to create a luxurious and sophisticated master bath, this concept works very well.
