Planning a luxury wet room is one of the most exciting projects a homeowner can undertake — and, when done well, the result is a bathroom that feels closer to a high-end spa than a practical room. Whether you are renovating a Victorian townhouse or finishing a new-build, the decisions you make at the planning stage will define how the space looks and functions for years to come.
What is a Wet Room?
A wet room is a fully waterproofed bathroom in which the shower area is open-plan rather than enclosed in a tray or cubicle. The floor is tanked — sealed against water — and drains flush with the tile, creating an unbroken expanse from wall to wall. The effect is both contemporary and timeless: spacious, easy to clean, and genuinely luxurious.
Start with the Floor and Drainage
Before any fitting is chosen, the structure of the room must be right. Work with a specialist contractor to tank the floor and walls to at least 500mm above floor level. The gradient of the floor — typically a fall of around 1 in 80 — channels water efficiently toward a linear or point drain. A linear drain along one wall or beneath a glass screen gives a particularly clean, minimal look that suits both modern and traditional interiors.
Choose Your Shower Fitting First
In a wet room, the shower head is the centrepiece. It dictates the feel of the space, the required water pressure, and — if you are ceiling-mounting — the structural work needed above. A large-format ceiling-mounted shower head creates a rainfall effect that transforms the daily routine into something genuinely indulgent. Our brass shower heads range from 5 inches to 12 inches, each handcrafted in solid brass, so you can match the scale of the fitting to the scale of the room.
For a fully finished look, pair the shower head with a complete shower set — arm, riser, and hand shower — all in the same finish. This avoids the visual clutter of mismatched metals that can undermine an otherwise carefully considered scheme.
Think About Taps and Basin Fittings
A wet room rarely exists in isolation — it typically opens onto or adjoins a vanity area with a basin and, in larger bathrooms, a freestanding bath. Carrying the same metal finish through every fitting is the single most effective way to make the space feel deliberate and cohesive. Solid brass bathroom taps in a matching finish to your shower create a thread of continuity that ties the room together.
Select a Finish That Works for the Whole Room
Finish selection deserves careful thought in a wet room, where fittings are on constant display. Polished brass is bold and luminous, reflecting light back into the room beautifully. Brushed brass is softer and more forgiving of water marks in daily use. Aged brass and antique bronze bring warmth and character that suit period properties particularly well. We offer eight finishes across our range — you can explore every option on our finishes guide to find the right match for your interior.
Because all of our fittings are made from solid brass, the finish is consistent whether you are choosing a shower head, a tap, a towel ring, or a soap dish. There is no risk of mismatched tones from different base metals.
Plan Your Lighting and Ventilation
Two practical elements that are easily overlooked at the planning stage: lighting and ventilation. Wet rooms need IP65-rated fittings at ceiling level, and ideally a mix of ambient and task lighting so the room works in the morning and feels relaxing in the evening. Ventilation is equally important — a properly specified extractor fan prevents condensation from affecting the tanking and the grout over time. Both are best built in from the start rather than retrofitted.
The Finishing Touches
Once the structure and fittings are in place, accessories complete the picture. A solid brass towel rail, a robe hook, a soap dish, and a toilet roll holder in the same finish as the shower and taps make the room feel considered rather than assembled. Explore our full range of brass bathroom accessories to find pieces that complement your chosen fittings.
A well-planned wet room is an investment in the way you live — and with solid brass fittings that are built to last, it is one that will repay you every single day.