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Top 8 Wet Room Design Ideas for Small Bathrooms

Top 8 Wet Room Design Ideas for Small Bathrooms

10th Jul 2025

Make the Most of Your Space with Style and Substance 

Creating a wet room in a small bathroom might seem like a challenge, but in reality, it’s one of the best ways to maximise function and add a touch of modern elegance to even the tiniest spaces. With clever layout choices, smart storage, and the right waterproofing products, a small wet room can feel just as luxurious as one twice its size. Whether you’re updating an en-suite or designing a compact guest bathroom from scratch, these ten design ideas will help you build a space that feels spacious, stylish, and entirely practical. 


1. Frameless Glass Screens to Enhance Light and Space

Frameless glass screens provide a transparent barrier that keeps water contained without visually dividing the room. This enhances light flow and makes the space feel open and larger, ideal for a minimalist design.


2. Wall-Hung Fixtures That Open Up Floor Area

Wall-hung toilets and basins free up floor space and reduce visual bulk, making the bathroom feel bigger. Their concealed plumbing offers a clean, contemporary look and simplifies cleaning.


3. Large Tiles and Monochrome Schemes for a Spacious Feel

Large-format tiles reduce grout lines, preventing the space from looking fragmented. A monochromatic palette (e.g., grey, off-white, beige) on both floors and walls creates a continuous visual flow, making the room appear larger.


4. Recessed Niches for Discreet, Built-In Storage

In a small wet room, functional and unobtrusive storage is key. Recessed storage niches, built directly into the wall, are a brilliant solution. They provide space for shampoos and toiletries without protruding, keeping the area clutter-free. Tiling them to match the walls or adding a contrasting tile creates a subtle design feature that's also highly practical.


5. Underfloor Heating for Warmth Without Compromise

Underfloor heating elegantly solves the problem of bulky radiators or towel rails, which can feel oversized in small spaces. It warms the room from below, keeping it cozy without needing any visible wall fixtures. This not only saves space but also aids in moisture control, as heated floors dry faster, reducing the risk of mold. Installing it while waterproofing and tiling is efficient and surprisingly affordable, especially for a small wet room.



6. Wall-to-Wall Shower Trays for Full Coverage and Simplicity

For straightforward drainage and waterproofing, a wall-to-wall wet room tray is a smart choice. These pre-formed trays cover the entire shower area, providing a built-in slope and a reliable, leak-proof base for your tiles. They're especially helpful in narrow or awkward spaces, making it easy to achieve a flush, level-access shower floor. Once tiled, they're nearly invisible but offer crucial support for drainage and long-term durability.


7. Strategic Lighting and Mirrors to Amplify the Space

Recessed LED spotlights provide clean illumination, while large mirrors create an illusion of depth, making the space feel significantly bigger. Position mirrors to reflect light sources for maximum effect.


8. Waterproofing Done Right, Every Time

Waterproofing is the most crucial element of any wet room. A beautiful wet room relies entirely on a robust tanking system. In smaller bathrooms, where water splashes extensively, full waterproofing is essential. A complete system—including primer, membrane, tape, and seals—ensures a leak-free space. Pre-formed trays and waterproof boards simplify the process, making sure this "unsung hero" keeps your wet room dry for years.


Ready to Start Your Project? 

At The Wet Room Store, we’ve helped thousands of customers across the UK create stunning wet rooms in bathrooms of all shapes and sizes. From pre-formed trays and waterproofing kits to stylish screens and drains, we’ve got everything you need to turn your vision into reality.