A wall-mounted vanity and doorless shower are common components in wet rooms. Pizzazz is added with an overflow tub that fills from a fixture mounted in the ceiling.

MATERIAL MATTERS
Numerous choices are available when selecting materials for a wet room. Our experts weigh in on the options:

Choose non-slip flooring. Select surfaces that work well with water and are slip-resistant, Tims suggests. He finds that many clients like the look of slate; however, its iron content can cause rust, he points out, and thus recommends high-quality sealed travertine or limestone instead.

Avoid stains. The Phoenix area’s hard water can stain such porous materials as marble, notes Benscoter. “I would suggest that the floors, walls and ceilings be made of a nonporous material, such as ceramic tile.”

Consider a unified look. “It is popular to use the same material on all surfaces of the room [walls, floors, tub surrounds, etc.], such as Bisazza or Ocean-side Glass Tile, creating one dynamic, uniform appearance,” Tims says. Gallo is seeing an increase in organic and recycled materials, including water-resistant woods and cement.

Educate yourself about the manufacturer. According to Tims, the marketplace is full of attractive materials; however, many are suitable only for specific applications. For example, there are numerous brands of glass tile that do not wear well in wet rooms, he notes. “Homeowners desiring to use glass tile or any other product should only work with a reputable dealer to ensure the product they are selecting will work in their intended application,” he counsels.

Grab bars, a slip-resistant bottom and an access door are universal design elements offered in this bathtub. A chromatherapy lighting system and massaging jets also can be installed to produce a spa-like experience.

FIXATED ON FIXTURES
Perhaps the most enjoyable features in a wet room are the fixtures and faucetry. Water can rain down from the ceiling or come at you from the side, while jetted bathtubs with chromatherapy can offer soothing results. Following are some elements to consider:

Cover all bases. When it comes to a wet room’s shower fittings, many home-owners go all out. Our experts have seen designs that place multiple fixtures at var-ious angles, including in-column body sprays, groupings of wall-mounted spray tiles, and oversized shower heads that generate a “curtain” of water. Benscoter says that a bar-mounted hand shower is a must-have. He adds that it can be adjusted up and down easily, and the fixture, which can be lifted off its cradle, is ideal for hosing down a wet room.

Consider steam showers or saunas. “Steam showers, by far, have been the center of attention when designing a master bathroom or wet room,” says Tims. He mentions a model by Amerec that blends a sauna and steam room into one, as well as steam showers with chromatherapy. Benscoter also sees a trend toward steam showers: “[They] make bathing a soothing experience and a retreat, as opposed to a way to get clean.”

Install wall-mounted sinks and toilets. Benscoter advises incorporating wall-mounted sinks and toilets so that water draining from a shower will pass underneath the fixtures instead of pooling at their bases. If you prefer a floor-mounted toilet, Tims suggests TOTO’s Neorest, which he says “redefines luxury.” The unit features a heated seat, built-in air purifying system, and a lid that opens and closes automatically.

Add the finishing touches. To create the ultimate wet room, Tims points to products that offer lavish amenities. A few he mentions include plasma TVs hidden behind two-way mirrors, towel-warming drawers (which also keep towels dry), synchronized chromatherapy lights, sound-immersion systems, and aromatherapy dispensers. He adds that the best feature of all is a simple one: “The power to relax and rejuvenate in the privacy of your own home is the ultimate benefit a wet room can provide.”