One of the most common questions London homeowners ask when planning a bedroom-level bathroom is whether to create a traditional en suite or to go for a wet room format. Both are excellent options, and both are widely used in London homes. But they suit different needs, different spaces, and different priorities.
The right answer is not universal. It depends on the size and shape of your space, how you use it, who uses it, and what you ultimately want the room to feel like. This guide sets out the key considerations so you can make an informed decision before you start the design process.
What Is the Difference Between an En Suite and a Wet Room?
The term en suite simply means a bathroom that is directly accessible from a bedroom without entering a communal corridor. It can include a bath, a shower enclosure, or both, and it operates as a conventional bathroom in most respects, with defined zones for different fixtures and enclosed shower areas.
A wet room, by contrast, is a fully waterproofed space in which the shower has no enclosure or tray. Water drains from the floor across the whole room, which is tanked (fully waterproofed) from floor to ceiling. Wet rooms can include a bath, but they are most commonly shower-focused designs where the open layout creates a sense of space and luxury.
Space and Layout Considerations
Wet rooms are often perceived as requiring more space, but this is not always the case. In fact, a well-designed wet room can make a small space feel considerably larger than the same footprint configured as a conventional en suite with a shower enclosure and tray.
The reason is the absence of enclosures and trays, which take up both physical and visual space. A frameless glass screen positioned to direct water towards the drain, with the rest of the floor open, creates a streamlined aesthetic that reads as generous even in compact dimensions.
However, layout matters. Wet rooms need to be planned carefully to ensure water reaches the drain without pooling against walls or at the door threshold. The floor gradient must be built in from the outset, which is something that needs to be designed rather than retrofitted. Our bathroom design team will assess your space and work through the most effective layout options for both formats before you commit to a direction.
How Each Format Works for Different Users
If the bathroom will be used by multiple family members including young children or elderly relatives, a conventional en suite with a fixed shower enclosure and a bath may be the more practical choice. Enclosed shower areas keep water contained, and the clear distinction between shower and bath zones reduces the risk of slips and falls for less confident users.
For households where the bathroom is primarily used by adults who prioritise a high-quality showering experience and a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, a wet room often represents the better long-term investment. The open format is easier to clean, visually striking, and increasingly popular in luxury bathroom settings across London.
The Property Value Question
Both en suites and wet rooms add value to a London property, particularly in the mid-to-upper end of the market where buyers expect a high standard of bathroom provision. The relative uplift depends more on the quality of the design and installation than on the format itself.
A beautifully executed wet room with high-specification tiles, a quality drain, and professional waterproofing will add more value than a dated or poorly installed en suite with a plastic shower tray. The key factor is quality, and quality comes from working with a company that controls the whole process. You can find out more about how bathroom design increases London property values in our dedicated article on the topic.
Installation Complexity and Cost
Wet rooms require more preparatory work than conventional en suites, primarily because the entire floor and lower walls must be tanked before any finishes are applied. This adds to the installation time and cost, and it is work that must be done correctly, as failures in the tanking system are the most common cause of long-term water ingress in wet rooms.
This is an area where the quality of your installation team matters enormously. Our directly employed installation team carries out all waterproofing work to a consistent standard, overseen by our project managers. We do not use subcontractors for any part of the process, which means the accountability for every element of the installation sits with us throughout.
Making the Right Decision for Your Home
The best way to decide between an en suite and a wet room is to work through the decision with a designer who understands both formats thoroughly and can model the options against your specific space. Photographs and mood boards are helpful starting points, but nothing replaces seeing your actual room dimensions and configuration worked into a proper design layout.
We offer a free design consultation at any of our three London showrooms in St John’s Wood, Blackheath, and Chiswick. Our designers will talk through your space, your priorities, and your budget, and give you a clear view of what each option would deliver for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a wet room be installed in any bathroom?
Most bathrooms can accommodate a wet room, but the suitability depends on the floor construction, the drain position, and the available ceiling height. Ground floor rooms above solid concrete floors are generally straightforward. Upper floor rooms with suspended timber floors require more careful assessment and additional structural preparation. A survey of the space before design begins will confirm what is achievable.
Are wet rooms harder to keep clean than conventional bathrooms?
Wet rooms are generally easier to clean than conventional bathrooms because there are no shower enclosures, trays, or door seals to maintain. The main consideration is the drain, which should be cleaned regularly. Large-format tiles with minimal grout joints also make the overall maintenance considerably simpler.
How much more does a wet room cost than a standard en suite?
A wet room typically costs more to install than an equivalent en suite due to the additional tanking and floor preparation required. The difference varies depending on the size of the room and the specification of finishes, but as a general guide you should allow for a meaningful premium on labour compared with a conventional shower enclosure installation. The long-term maintenance benefits and the aesthetic impact often make this worthwhile.
Can a wet room include a bath as well as a shower?
Yes. Many of our most popular wet room designs incorporate a freestanding bath alongside an open shower area. The key is to plan the layout so the bath is positioned away from the main shower zone and that drainage covers the whole floor effectively. Our design team will work through the layout options to ensure both elements work together comfortably.
What tiles work best in a wet room?
Large-format tiles with a low-slip rating are generally the best choice for wet room floors. Smaller mosaic tiles are also used effectively because the higher number of grout joints increases grip. Polished or very smooth tiles should be avoided on the floor. Wall tiles can be specified more freely. Our tile range includes options across stone, marble, wood effect and patterned formats, and our designers can advise on the most appropriate choices for your specific design.
