A bathroom renovation is one of the best investments you can make in your home. But the first big decision is the layout: should you opt for a sleek, open-plan wetroom or stick with a traditional bathroom? As Wakefield’s bathroom specialists, we’ve installed hundreds of both. Here’s our expert breakdown to help you decide.

A wetroom is a fully waterproofed (or “tanked”) bathroom where the shower is open to the room, and the floor has a gentle slope leading to a drain. This creates a single, open space, often separated by just a glass screen.

The case for a wetroom is strong. Its biggest advantage is unbeatable accessibility. With no shower tray to step over, a wetroom provides completely level access, making it the perfect solution for homeowners with mobility challenges, as well as families with young children. They also create a “wow” factor, feeling modern, spacious, and luxurious. By removing visual barriers, they can make even a small bathroom feel significantly larger, which adds real value to your property. Finally, with fewer corners and crevices, wetrooms are incredibly easy to clean.

The main consideration for a wetroom is the vital importance of professional installation. Its biggest drawback is the risk of leaks if installed incorrectly. The entire room must be professionally waterproofed—a process called tanking—and the floor gradient must be perfect to ensure all water flows directly to the drain. This is not a DIY job; it requires a specialist with proven experience.

A traditional bathroom layout is often more cost-effective and familiar. With a defined bath or shower enclosure, it’s typically less complex to install than a full wetroom. Water containment is also simple, giving some homeowners peace of mind that splashes will be contained. However, in a small bathroom, a shower enclosure or bath can take up a lot of physical and visual space, making the room feel more cramped.

So, which is best? We recommend choosing a wetroom if you want a modern, high-end look, need to maximise a small space, or require easy, level access for mobility. We suggest choosing a traditional bathroom if you are on a tighter budget or simply prefer the classic, familiar layout of a contained shower area. Whichever you choose, the key is a quality installation from an experienced team.