Disabled Wet Room Ideas| More Ability

Published: 17 January 2019 · Last Updated: 29 May 2025

Statistics highlight the importance of bathroom safety, with over 80% of all falls within the home occurring in this troublesome area. Sadly, introduce a disability, ailment, or physical impairment into the situation and these statistics only worsen — transforming a daily routine into a potential hazard.

For individuals living with limited mobility or a disability, maintaining independence and dignity at home begins with having a safe and practical bathroom. That’s where a well-designed disabled wet room comes in. More than just a functional solution, a thoughtfully planned disabled wet room can be a purposeful and empowering space, tailored to meet unique needs without compromising on comfort or design.

In this article, we explore a range of disabled wet room ideas to inspire safer, smarter bathroom spaces — combining form and function to help create environments where confidence can thrive and accidents are far less likely to happen.

What Is A Disabled Wet Room?

A disabled wet room is a fully waterproofed, open-plan shower room designed to provide increased safety and ease of use for individuals with a disability, ailment or physical impairment.

By eliminating traditional barriers like shower trays or bathtubs, the entire room becomes a seamless showering space. This design ensures that users can move freely and safely, whether independently or with assistance.

At More Ability, every disabled wet room we design, and install is tailored to meet individual requirements, enhance safety, offer peace of mind, and promote independence. As covered in detail in the ‘Essential Features of a Disabled Wet Room’ section of this article, our disabled wet room solutions also typically include anti-slip flooring, strategically placed grab rails, and a fold-down shower seat as a minimum.

Benefits Of Disabled Wet Rooms.

Disabled wet rooms offer a range of advantages that cater to the specific needs of users:

1. Enhanced Safety: The level-access design minimizes trip hazards, making it safer for all.

2. Adaptability: These wet rooms can be designed to accommodate changing needs over time, ensuring long-term usability.

3. Space Efficiency: Suitable for bathrooms of various sizes and shapes, they maximize available space without compromising on comfort.

4. Aesthetic Appeal: Combining practicality with design, disabled wet rooms can be both functional and visually pleasing.

5. Ease of Maintenance: With fewer fixtures and a streamlined layout, cleaning becomes more straightforward and less time-consuming.

At More Ability, we focus on creating bespoke disabled wet room solutions that meet individual safety requirements and mobility needs while reflecting personal style and accessible bathroom design preferences.

Disabled Wet Room Ideas.

When it comes to creating a disabled wet room, thoughtful design can make all the difference, with a well-planned space significantly improving client safety, comfort, and independence.

Whether you're starting from scratch or adapting an existing bathroom, there are a number of essential features that can be tailored to meet your specific needs and design preferences — without compromising on style.

In this section, we’ll explore the core elements that make a disabled wet room both functional and safe. From layout considerations and level-access showering to anti-slip flooring, grab rails, and accessible fittings, each feature plays a vital role in supporting ease of use, reducing risk, and promoting independence.

Whether you're designing for yourself or a loved one, these essential features offer a strong foundation for a safer, smarter, and more accessible solution.

Essential Features Of A Disabled Wet Room.

1. High Rise WC / Comfort Height WC:

A great addition to a disabled wet room is the inclusion of a high rise WC. This is also known as a comfort height WC. As the name would suggest, these particular WC’s are taller in height. This in turn helps the user with getting on and off as they require less ability to bend when lowering yourself onto the seat. Depending on your particular circumstance, we would always recommend accompanying this with rise and fall handrails at either side for added peace of mind, safety and stability.

2. Wall Hung Basin:

A wall hung basin is a sneaky, yet perfect addition to a disabled wet room. This isn’t a specialist addition in terms of fixture benefits or features. However, a wall hung basin helps disabled users sit down as there is no intruding pedestal. Stylish and fully adaptable these basins can be set and installed at a particular height that is comfortable for the end user, whether stood or seated.

3. Shower Seat:

What disabled wet room would be complete without a shower seat?

Safe, secure and fully adaptable for independent or assisted washing, a shower seat offers the most troublesome and stress-free bathing experience and there are many options available including:

> Cushioned seat and backrest with arm support

> Wall hung shower seat

> Custom built shower bench

Now depending on your circumstances would influence which would be best for you however for a disabled user we would always recommend the cushioned seat as the safest and most secure.

4. Shower Doors:

In addition to installing a shower seat in the wet area the incorporation of half height shower doors and a curtain offers a more dignified experience for both the user and the carer. Moreover, this should be considered whether assisted washing is required now or anticipated for the future. The added benefit is keeping the non-bather dry.

5. Anti-Slip Safety Flooring:

Similar to the above, no disabled wet room would be finished without the inclusion of anti-slip safety flooring.

With many styles, colours and textures available, anti-slip vinyl is a disabled wet room must have as it offers complete peace of mind for the user, and their loved ones. This is especially important in this particularly unsafe, wet and troublesome area.

6. Wall Boards:

For an easy to clean, ample choice and maintenance free options we would highly recommend the installation of wall boards, rather than tiles, in the wet area.

7. Grab bars:

Finally, and as mentioned much higher up in this wet room ideas for the disabled article, the installation of grab bars, if nothing else, is one of the single biggest additions you can make to your wet room. Offering stability, security and complete peace of mind, grab bars make manoeuvring around this wet and troublesome area safer, and less risk infused.

To find out more about grab rails, take a look at our bathroom grab rails buying guide.

Disabled Wet Room Regulations and Compliance.

for safety, accessibility, and functionality. Below is a breakdown of the key regulations and standards you need to consider:

Building Regulations – Part M: Access to and Use of Buildings:

Part M of the Building Regulations in England focuses on ensuring that buildings are accessible and usable by all, including people with disabilities. Key aspects relevant to wet rooms include:

> Level Access: The wet room floor must be level with the adjacent room or corridor, with no steps or thresholds that could impede wheelchair access.

> Turning Space: The minimum recommended space for a wheelchair to turn is 1500mm diameter.

> Doorways: Door widths should be at least 850mm clear opening to accommodate a wheelchair.

> Grab Rails: Properly positioned grab rails must be installed to assist with movement and stability.

> Sanitary Layout: The placement of the WC, basin, and shower must allow easy and safe access. For example, at least 1000mm in front of the WC and 450mm on one side is typically required.

BS 8300:2018 – Design of Accessible and Inclusive Buildings:

This British Standard provides guidance on the design, construction, and maintenance of accessible environments, including domestic settings like wet rooms. Key recommendations include:

> Shower Controls: Must be reachable from a seated position and easy to operate with one hand.

> Seating: A fold-down shower seat with support legs is often required.

> Slip-Resistant Flooring: Flooring must meet anti-slip standards when wet to prevent accidents.

> Visual Contrast: Fixtures and fittings should have a minimum 30 LRV (Light Reflectance Value) contrast against the background to help users with visual impairments.

While this article focuses on regulations for private domestic homes, it's worth noting that additional requirements apply in settings like care homes or rental properties, where compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards are also be necessary.

Disabled Wet Room Case Studies.

Every disabled wet room we fully project manage from design concept right through to installation completion is centred around providing a unique solution in order to meet the individual needs and requirements of the person using it.

Whilst ensuring adherence to regulations and full compliance, our case studies share real customer stories, showcasing the thoughtful designs and clever adaptations that have helped improve the day-to-day life of end users and friends and family alike.

To read more, visit our dedicated section for our customer case studies.

How More Ability Can Help?

More Ability, part of the Passmore Group, is Yorkshires only 5* rated bathroom adaptation company. Specialising in accessible, mobility and disabled bathroom solutions we are extremely proud of the exceptional service we continuously deliver from design right through to installation and after care.

Whether you want a future proofed solution or require a more specialist adaptation in order to remain independent at home More Ability can help create a safe space to bathe for you or your loved ones. You can either book a free design appointment online, visit one of our showrooms or call to speak to a friendly member of our team.

FAQ’s.

What is the minimum size for a disabled wet room?

The minimum recommended size for a disabled wet room is typically 1.5m x 2.2m which allows for:

> A level-access shower area

> Adequate wheelchair manoeuvring space (at least 1.5m turning circle)

> Room for essential fixtures such as a toilet, basin, and grab rails

> Space for a carer if assistance is required

If space is limited, there are clever design solutions that can make smaller wet rooms accessible, but a professional design appointment is always recommended to ensure full compliance and safety.

Do you need a special floor for a wet room?

Yes. Wet rooms require a specially designed floor that is:

1. Fully waterproofed (tanked)

2. Slightly sloped to direct water to the drain

3. Non-slip for safety

4. Strong and level-access, suitable for wheelchair use

These features help prevent leaks, ensure safety, and support hygiene—especially important for disabled or mobility-assisted users.

How much does a disabled wet room cost?

The cost of a disabled wet room varies depending on individual needs, bathroom size, and the required adaptations. Because every person's circumstances and preferences are different, we don't offer fixed prices. Instead, we provide tailored quotes following a free home design appointment that considers your bathing needs, the best-fit solutions, and your design preferences.

It's also worth noting that installations may qualify for the government’s 0% or 5% disabled VAT exemption scheme, which can help reduce overall costs. You can find out more about VAT exemption and pricing here.

Can you get funding for a wet room?

A number of disability grants for home improvements, including disabled wet room adaptations, are available, but funding options and scope of works do vary. To find out more, read our dedicated article on Disability Grants For Home Improvements, where we’ve broken down the types of funding that are available, what type of work is covered and the steps you can take to apply.

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