Articles /
July 22, 2025
Wet rooms are one of the smartest ways to make a bathroom safer for older adults. With level floors, no shower trays, and more room to move, they reduce the risk of slips and support independent living. They also make life easier for carers and offer long-term comfort for those planning to age in place.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to build a wet room step-by-step. The focus is on safety, accessibility, and thoughtful design, all without giving up style.
What Is a Wet Room?
A wet room is a fully waterproof bathroom that eliminates traditional barriers like shower trays and enclosures. Instead, the shower area is open, with a gently sloped floor leading to a drain. The entire room is sealed to prevent leaks, making the space more durable and easier to clean.
Most older adults prefer to age in place. Installing a wet room is one of the most effective ways to support that goal. They offer added safety, comfort, and long-term independence.
Why a Wet Room Makes SenseÂ
One of the most compelling reasons to build a wet room is safety. Traditional bathrooms can become difficult to navigate as mobility declines. Raised shower lips, narrow enclosures, and slippery surfaces all increase the risk of falls.
By contrast, a wet room provides a wide, open space that removes those barriers. It’s ideal for older adults, wheelchair users, and people with chronic health conditions. Even those without mobility issues can benefit from the comfort and ease of maintenance wet rooms offer.
Beyond safety, wet rooms offer long-term practicality. Thanks to fewer fixtures and seamless flooring, they are easier to clean and make great use of space — particularly helpful in smaller homes or when converting a second bathroom into a more accessible layout.
If you need a wet room due to mobility concerns or a disability, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Step 1: Planning the Layout
Good planning is the foundation of a successful wet room, especially when accessibility is a top priority. Start by considering who will use the space and how their needs might evolve. Will they require a shower seat? Are they likely to use a walking aid or need support from a carer? These questions help shape everything from floor space to fixture placement.
Keep wet and dry zones in mind. It’s usually best to position the shower at one end of the room and keep the toilet and sink slightly separated so they stay dry. In very compact bathrooms, a simple glass screen can provide just enough water control without enclosing the space completely.
Storage also plays an important role. Wall-mounted shelves or recessed alcoves can keep toiletries within easy reach without cluttering the floor or creating hazards.
Related: Wet Room Storage Ideas: Clever Solutions for Mobility Bathrooms
Step 2: Creating the Floor Gradient
A key part of wet room construction is ensuring the floor slopes correctly so water flows toward the drain. Without this, puddles can form and the space becomes unusable.
The easiest and most reliable way to create a slope is to install a floor former. This is a pre-angled base designed specifically for wet rooms. It sits beneath the flooring and directs water to the drain. Floor formers are especially useful on timber floors, as they are lightweight, easy to install, and often designed with built-in gradients.
On concrete floors, a professional may create the slope manually using a screed. In either case, the ideal fall is around one to two centimetres for every metre of floor space, creating just enough angle to guide water without causing instability.
Step 3: Drainage: Choosing the Right System
After the slope is prepared, drainage installation comes next. A wet room needs an efficient system to quickly remove water from the shower area.
There are several types of drains to choose from. A linear drain is long and narrow, often placed along one edge of the shower area. It works well with larger tiles and offers a clean, modern appearance. A square drain is smaller and usually positioned in the centre of the shower space or just off to the side. It suits smaller tiles and is typically easier to install.
Regardless of the style, the drain must be properly connected to a waste pipe with enough capacity to handle the shower’s flow rate. It’s important that the shower drain has its own dedicated waste line to avoid water backing up during use.
Step 4: Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the most vital part of building a wet room. This process, sometimes called tanking, protects the structure of your home from long-term water damage and mould.
The waterproofing process begins by priming the floor and lower walls with a bonding agent. Then, a waterproof membrane is applied across the entire shower area and, ideally, the whole floor. All joints, corners, and pipe penetrations are sealed with special tape and flexible sealant.
It’s a job that must be done carefully. If water seeps into floorboards or behind tiles, repairs can become costly.
Step 5: Flooring and Wall Finishes
The best materials for a wet room floor combine safety with durability. Textured porcelain tiles are a popular choice because they offer slip resistance and come in many styles. If your goal is maximum safety, non-slip vinyl flooring is ideal. It’s soft underfoot, waterproof, and seamless, making it perfect for wheelchair users or those prone to falls.
Wall finishes can range from ceramic tiles to modern wall panels. Both are waterproof and easy to clean. Panels are quicker to install with fewer joints, while tiles provide more design freedom. Avoid high-gloss or smooth finishes on the floor, as they can be slippery when wet.
Related: What Is the Best Wet Room Flooring for Disabled Users?
Step 6: Fitting Accessibility FeaturesÂ
Once the core structure is complete, the final step is adding features supporting accessible living. These small touches make a huge difference in usability.
Wall-mounted sinks are a smart choice because they free up floor space and make it easier for wheelchair users to manoeuvre. Grab rails should be placed near the toilet and in the shower to provide support where it’s needed most. A walk-in shower with a fold-down seat offers comfort and stability for users who can’t stand for long periods.
Lever-style taps are easier to use than traditional knobs, especially for those with arthritis or reduced grip strength. For even greater comfort, consider installing underfloor heating. This keeps the space warm and helps water evaporate more quickly, reducing the risk of slips.
Related: 11 Essential Bathroom Aids for Elderly and Disabled People
DIY or Professional Help? Know Your Limits
Some confident DIYers might tackle parts of a wet room installation themselves, especially tiling or fixture fitting. However, drainage, floor gradient creation, and waterproofing are best left to professionals.
Hiring an experienced wet room installer ensures the space will be watertight, level, and compliant with building regulations. For those building a wet room with mobility in mind, professionals can also advise on meeting accessibility standards and future-proofing the space for evolving needs.
Why a Wet Room Is a Smart Step Toward Safer Living
Constructing a wet room is one of the best investments you can make in your home. With careful planning, quality materials, and the right help, you can create a bathroom that’s safer, easier to maintain, and ready for whatever the future holds.
Whether you’re adapting a bathroom for an ageing loved one or simply planning ahead for your own comfort, a well-built wet room delivers both peace of mind and lasting value.
Ready to get started? Download our free brochure to explore your options, then book a consultation to discuss the best wet room solution for your home.
If you need a wet room due to mobility concerns or a disability, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a wet room is one of the best options for older adults. Its level-access floor means there are no steps or thresholds to trip over, making showering safer and easier. The open layout also allows room for carers to assist and features like grab rails, slip-resistant flooring, and shower seats can be easily incorporated.
In most cases, yes. Most standard bathrooms, including upstairs bathrooms, can be adapted into wet rooms. The key is ensuring proper waterproofing, drainage, and safe access. If your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker, widening the space and installing supportive fixtures is important. A professional installer with experience in mobility bathrooms can help you plan for these specific needs.
To make the space truly age-friendly, you should include features that support independence and prevent falls. These often include:
- Grab rails near the toilet and in the shower
- A fold-down shower seat with armrests, if needed
- Non-slip flooring with high-grip surface texture
- Thermostatic mixer taps to prevent scalding
- Wall-mounted fixtures to maximise space and access
Even simple changes, like lever-style handles and contrasting tile colours for visibility, can greatly improve safety and comfort.
Wet rooms are generally low-maintenance, which is ideal for elderly users. With fewer hard-to-reach spots and no shower screens or trays, cleaning is faster and simpler. Choosing wall-mounted toilets and sinks makes floor cleaning easier, and anti-bacterial wall panels or tiles reduce mould buildup. Adding a handheld showerhead also helps with personal care, making the experience more manageable.
The cost of installing a wet room typically ranges from £5,000 to £12,000, depending on the size of the room, the complexity of the installation, and the materials and fixtures you choose. For a wet room with accessibility features, you should expect to be at the higher end of that range.
