If you're renovating your bathroom or building a new home, you've likely come across the term "wet room." Originally popular in luxury spas and Scandinavian homes, wet rooms are now a growing trend in modern bathroom design — valued for their sleek, open layouts, easy maintenance, and improved accessibility. By removing barriers like shower trays or enclosures, wet room creates spacious, minimalist environments. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to plan and design a stylish, safe, and functional wet room in your home.
What is a wet room?
A wet room is a fully waterproofed bathroom where the shower area is open and level with the rest of the floor — with no trays, steps, or enclosures. Water drains away through a subtle floor gradient, creating a seamless, spacious, and modern look.
Wet rooms are not only stylish, but also practical and easy to maintain. To design a truly functional wet room, it's essential to carefully plan the layout, drainage, ventilation, and material choices — balancing safety, comfort, and aesthetics in a clean, minimalist space.
What do you need for a wet room? Key elements for a safe and stylish design
When planning a wet room, attention to detail is essential to create a space that is not only stylish but also safe, functional, and durable. From selecting the right materials and ensuring proper drainage to prioritizing ventilation and smart storage, these practical tips will help you design a wet room that meets your needs and stands the test of time.
1. Choose the right materials: safety and style go hand in hand
The floor and walls of your wet room must be fully waterproof and durable. Opt for non-slip tiles or textured surfaces to reduce the risk of slipping, especially when wet.
Consider large-format tiles to minimize grout lines and make cleaning easier. Waterproof paint and sealants on walls will help protect your structure long-term
2. Plan the floor gradient and drain location carefully
Proper drainage is the heart of a wet room. The floor should have a slight gradient (typically 1-2%) guiding water toward the drain.
Choose the drain location early in the design process — it can be centered, linear, or discreetly placed near a wall, depending on your aesthetic preference and plumbing constraints.
3. Don’t neglect ventilation and heating
A wet room is a humid space by nature, so ventilation is critical to prevent mold and moisture damage.
Combine extractor fans with good natural ventilation when possible. Also, consider underfloor heating to keep the space cozy and dry, improving comfort after your shower.
4. Prioritize safety and accessibility
Wet rooms are ideal for all users, including older adults or those with limited mobility. To enhance safety, opt for non-slip flooring, well-placed grab rails, and ample, glare-free lighting. It's also important to ensure that the entrance is completely barrier-free and wide enough for wheelchair access if needed.
Incorporating features that reduce the need for bending, lifting, or moving around with wet towels — such as a wall-mounted body dryer — can further improve usability and comfort, especially for people with reduced mobility. By combining safety with smart design, you ensure the space works for everyone — now and in the years to come.
5. Integrate smart storage solutions
With no shower tray or enclosure, wet rooms require clever storage solutions. Built-in niches, shelves, or recessed cabinets help keep toiletries organized and dry.
However, traditional towel storage can be challenging since towels often become damp or humid quickly in the open and moist environment of a wet room. Rather than storing towels in a constantly wet space, today there are smarter alternatives — like a body dryer — that offer a more practical and accessible way to dry off.
6. Incorporate innovative technology for comfort and hygiene
Modern wet rooms invite you to rethink everyday bathroom rituals. Beyond faucets and lighting, think about advanced drying solutions and smart controls.
The Valiryo Body Dryer offers a towel-free, hands-free drying experience that complements the minimalist and open design of wet rooms. By drying your body with warm air, it keeps your space hygienic, comfortable, and eco-friendly — eliminating the problem of wet towels, humidity and laundry.
Why wet rooms are ideal for people with reduced mobility
Wet rooms are especially well-suited for people with reduced mobility, disabilities, or age-related physical limitations as they offer greater independence and comfort during daily routines.
Unlike traditional bathrooms, which often involve physical obstacles and awkward movements, wet rooms provide a seamless and more dignified experience — removing the need to step over thresholds or navigate tight enclosures. The open layout makes hygiene tasks easier to manage, especially for those who rely on mobility aids or occasional assistance. Beyond structural design, adding practical features like built-in seating, thermostatic controls, or a hands-free body dryer can further reduce physical effort and create a safer, more comfortable environment.
Together, these thoughtful choices turn the bathroom into a space that truly supports autonomy, well-being, and quality of life — without sacrificing hygiene or style.
Designing a wet room? Don’t forget the drying experience!
Discover the Valiryo Body Dryer — the perfect addition to any wet room. Enjoy a more hygienic, hands-free way to dry off, eliminate damp towels, and enhance both comfort and safety in your bathroom routine.
Key benefits of a wet room for people with reduced mobility
Wet rooms are particularly beneficial for people with reduced mobility, offering greater independence and comfort in everyday life.
Barrier-free access
No steps, trays, or enclosures — making entry easy and safe for wheelchair users or those with walking aids.
Easier and safer hygiene routines
No need to lift legs over a tub or adjust to confined spaces, reducing risk of falls or injury.
Compatible with mobility aids
Wet rooms are ideal for users with wheelchairs, walkers, or shower chairs, offering flexibility and convenience.
Customizable safety features
Built-in seating, grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring improve stability and confidence.
Supports independent living
Enables users to maintain autonomy and personal care routines without relying on constant assistance.
How to dry off in a wet room? Smarter and safer solutions
One of the most overlooked aspects of wet room design is the drying process. In an open, fully waterproofed space with no shower tray or enclosure, towels often remain damp, humid air lingers longer, and there's rarely a convenient place to keep textiles dry. Traditional towel rails or storage units can struggle to function properly in such environments — and stepping out wet onto a shared floor area increases the risk of slips and excess moisture buildup.
That’s why adding a wall-mounted body dryer, like Valiryo, can be a game-changer. It eliminates the need for towels entirely, offering a hands-free drying experience that fits perfectly into the open and minimal design of a wet room.
Beyond solving the specific drying challenges of wet rooms, Valiryo also brings long-term benefits to any bathroom setup:
- More hygienic: No more damp towels that collect bacteria or aggravate sensitive skin.
- Greater safety: Avoid moving around wet or handling slippery towels — ideal for elderly users or those with limited mobility.
- Increased comfort: Enjoy a warm, spa-like sensation every time you step out of the shower.
- Eco-friendly: Reduce laundry, save water, and minimize energy use over time.
- Smart and stylish: Sleek design and easy integration.
Ready to transform your bathroom?
Planning a wet room is an exciting journey that combines design, function, and innovation. With the right choices — from materials and layout to smart technology like the Valiryo Body Dryer — you can create a bathroom that is stylish, safe, and sustainable.
At Valiryo, we understand that a modern bathroom should be more than just stylish — it should also be safe, comfortable, and designed with your well-being in mind. That’s why we created the Valiryo Body Dryer: to seamlessly integrate into wet rooms and redefine the way you dry off.
Want to learn more about its features or how to install it in your bathroom? Visit our website and explore everything Valiryo can do for you.