Exploring the Pros and Cons of Wet Rooms for the Elderly

What Is a Disabled Wet Room?

A wet room is a fully waterproofed bathroom with a level-access shower area.

These rooms are specifically designed for the elderly, wheelchair users, or anyone with limited mobility. Unlike standard bathrooms, disabled wet rooms eliminate steps, trays, and high-sided baths, creating a safer, more accessible environment.

What are the Pros of Installing a Wet Room for the Elderly? 

First, let’s consider the benefits that a wet room installation can provide the elderly.

Improved Accessibility

One of the main benefits of a wetroom is the level-access design, as showcased in our previous project for a customer, which eliminates hazards like steps and raised shower trays. This makes it significantly easier for:

• Wheelchair users

• People using walking frames or crutches

• Individuals with poor balance, arthritis, or joint conditions

The open-plan layout also increases manoeuvrability, making it easier to safely reach the toilet, sink, or shower without barriers.

🧑‍🦽 According to NHS guidelines, accessible wet rooms are key in promoting independence and reducing fall risk for elderly and disabled individuals. Level-access showers are a core recommendation in home adaptations for mobility needs.

Source: NHS – Equipment and adaptations for the home

Flexible Design and Layout

Removing a traditional bath or shower enclosure gives you more flexibility in the layout of your bathroom. A disabled wet room can be fully tailored to meet your physical needs and preferences.

Popular wet room adaptations include:

• Wall-mounted disabled showers

• Fold-down shower seats

• Grab rails

• Height-adjustable or lowered sinks

• Lever or mixer taps

• Accessible toilets

• Anti-slip flooring

Luxury additions like underfloor heating, digital shower controls, and modern finishes allow you to combine safety with style.

✨ The Centre for Ageing Better highlights that well-designed accessible bathrooms reduce fall risk, support ageing in place, and improve overall quality of life — especially when tailored to the user’s individual condition.

Source: Home and Dry: The need for accessible bathrooms

Wet Rooms can Increase Property Value

A well-installed wet room for disabled access can also add value to your home.

Properties with accessibility features are in growing demand, especially among ageing homeowners or families with disabled members.

💷 Property expert Paul Gibbens notes in the Express that a wet room can increase a home’s value by £2,000–£5,000, especially when well integrated with the rest of the home’s design.

Source: Daily Express – Wet Rooms Boost Property Value

In addition to making the home easier to sell, a wet room supports independent living, potentially delaying or reducing the need for residential care.

Wet Rooms are Easy to Clean and Maintain

Wet Rooms for the elderly are much easier to clean compared to traditional bathrooms.

With no shower tray, glass screens, or tightly spaced units, there are fewer hard-to-reach corners. The open layout allows carers or family members to help with bathing or cleaning as needed.

🧼 According to Age UK, removing physical barriers and simplifying bathroom layouts can significantly reduce cleaning effort for elderly individuals, especially those with chronic pain, fatigue, or limited strength.

Source: Age UK – Independent Living Products

This helps maintain better hygiene and encourages continued independence for longer.

Lower Water and Energy Bills

Showers use significantly less hot water than baths, helping reduce both energy and water bills, an important consideration for those on fixed incomes. A typical 10-minute shower uses around two-thirds less hot water than a full bath, leading to meaningful long-term savings.

💡 According to Worcester Bosch, a standard bath uses around 90 litres of water, a thermostatic mixer shower uses approximately 9 litres per minute — meaning a 10-minute shower would consume just 60–90 litres in total, depending on flow rate.

Source: The Guardian – “Is a bath more expensive than a shower?”