Small Wet Room Ideas: How to Turn a Tiny Space into an Accessible Haven

The “Box Room” Challenge: Why Smaller is Often Better

It is the most common worry we hear during home visits:
“I’d love a walk-in shower, but my bathroom is just too small. There’s no room for a wheelchair to turn.”

In the UK, we are famous for our compact homes. But here is the secret that most bathroom designers won’t tell you: A wet room actually saves space.

Unlike a traditional bathroom where a bulky bath takes up 50% of the floor, or a shower tray chops the room in half with a step, a wet room opens the floor up completely. By removing the barriers, we can turn a cramped “box room” or even a downstairs cloakroom into a safe, functional accessible suite.

At EA Mobility, we specialise in what we call “Micro-Layouts.” Here is our complete guide to maximising every inch of space.

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The Golden Question: What is the Minimum Size?

Before we look at design, let’s look at the maths. Can you actually fit a wet room in?

Ideally: A comfortable disabled wet room is 1.5m x 1.5m. This allows enough room for a standard shower chair and a carer to stand alongside.
The Minimum: We have successfully installed wet rooms in spaces as small as 1.2m x 1.2m (often converting a downstairs toilet).

• Key Requirement: If the room is this small, the entire room effectively becomes the shower cubicle. We “tank” (waterproof) the whole floor and walls so the water can splash anywhere safely.

Don’t Forget the Doorway
You can design the perfect internal layout, but it is useless if you can’t get in.

• Standard UK Door: Usually 762mm (2’6″).

• Wheelchair Requirement: We recommend widening the doorway to at least 800mm–900mm clear opening width to allow comfortable access without scraping knuckles or wheels.

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8 Layout Hacks to “Create” Space

If you can’t push the walls out, you have to be clever with what you put inside. Here are the 7 tricks we use to unlock dead space.

1. The “Pocket Door” (The Biggest Game Changer)

A standard bathroom door swings inwards, instantly killing 1 square metre of usable floor space behind it.

• The Fix: We install a Sliding Pocket Door that disappears into the wall cavity.

• The Result: You reclaim 100% of the floor space. Suddenly, a wheelchair can enter and turn without hitting the door.

2. Wall-Hung “Floating” Fixtures

In a small room, the more floor you see, the bigger it feels.

• The Fix: Install a wall-hung basin and a wall-hung toilet.

• The Benefit: By lifting the sanitaryware off the floor, you create essential knee space for wheelchair users to get close to the sink. It also makes cleaning the floor incredibly easy (see our cleaning guide here).

3. Fold-Flat Equipment

Avoid bulky plastic shower chairs that sit in the middle of the room.

• The Fix: Install a modern, wooden-slatted seat that folds completely flat against the wall when not in use.

• The Benefit: It is there when you need it, and invisible when you don’t.

4. The “Glass Wall” Trick

Shower curtains can make a small room feel claustrophobic, cutting it in half visually.

• The Fix: Use a clear, fixed glass screen or a specialised bi-fold shower screen (like the ones we show in our 25 Stunning Ideas gallery).

• The Benefit: Your eye travels all the way to the back wall, making the room feel twice as big.

5. Continuous Flooring

Standard bathrooms often have a different tile in the shower tray area, which chops up the floor.

• The Fix: Use the same Safety Vinyl or Textured Tile across the entire room, from the door threshold right into the shower drain.

• The Benefit: Visual continuity expands the space. (Read more in our Flooring Guide).

6. Corner Toilets

Sometimes the corners are the only space you have.

• The Fix: A corner toilet cistern sits diagonally, opening up the central turning circle for a walker or wheelchair.

7. Recessed Storage

Don’t clutter the room with cabinets.

• The Fix: We build “niches” (shelves) inside the shower walls between the stud work. Perfect for shampoo bottles without stealing an inch of elbow room.

8. “Short Projection” Toilets

Standard toilets typically project about 650mm–700mm from the wall. In a tight space, that steals valuable turning room.

• The Fix: Ask for a “Short Projection” (or Compact) Toilet. These are designed to stick out only 600mm or less.

• The Benefit: It might sound small, but saving 50mm–100mm can be the difference between a wheelchair user being able to turn around or getting stuck.

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Case Study: The Downstairs Loo Conversion

A massive trend for elderly homeowners is converting the “under-stairs cupboard” or downstairs cloakroom into a wet room to avoid climbing stairs.

Is it possible?
Yes, but it requires technical know-how.

1. Drainage: We often use a digital pump because gravity drainage isn’t possible under the stairs.
2. Ventilation: These rooms rarely have windows. We install high-power extractor fans to remove steam instantly, preventing damp in such a confined space.
3. Layout: We often remove the radiator and replace it with underfloor heating to save wall space.

(Worried about doing this upstairs instead? Read our Guide to Upstairs Installations).

⚠️ Pro Tip: Vital for Small Rooms: Extraction
Small wet rooms fill with steam instantly. If the steam hangs in the air, you will get mould and slippery surfaces.

• The Rule: A standard window is not enough. You must install a high-performance Inline Extractor Fan (ideally on a timer) to suck moisture out immediately.

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Visual Tricks: Make It Look Bigger

Once the layout is sorted, use these decor tricks to create the illusion of space:

• Go Bright: Light coloured tiles reflect light. White, cream, or pale grey work best.

• Go Large: Use large format tiles rather than small mosaic tiles on the walls. Fewer grout lines make the walls feel wider.

• Good Lighting: A small room can feel like a cave. Install bright LED spotlights to banish shadows.

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How Much Does a Small Wet Room Cost?

You might assume that a smaller room is cheaper. While you save on tile quantities, the technical complexity (tanking, pumps, pocket doors) means the cost is often similar to a standard bathroom.
However, because it is for a disability, you are likely eligible for VAT Exemption (saving 20%).

• Check the full price breakdown in our Wet Room Cost Guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Small Spaces)

Q: Can I turn a separate toilet and bathroom into one wet room?
A: Yes! This is a “Knock-Through.” We remove the dividing wall, block up one door, and create one spacious accessible family bathroom. This is often the best way to get a full turning circle.

Q: My bathroom is narrow (Galley style). Can I have a wet room?
A: Absolutely. We typically place the shower area at the far end of the “galley,” with the toilet and sink along one wall. This keeps the central walkway clear.

Q: Do I need planning permission for a small extension?
A: If you truly cannot fit a wet room inside your existing walls, we can build a small “Micro-Extension.” Usually, this falls under Permitted Development, but we can advise you on this during a survey.

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Don’t Let Size Stop You

Just because your bathroom is small, it doesn’t mean you have to struggle with a bathtub or unsafe shower. Some of the most beautiful transformations we have done were in the tiniest rooms.

It all starts with a tape measure and an expert eye.

Book a Free Home Survey
Let our designers look at your “Box Room.” We will show you exactly how to fit a safe, stylish wet room into the space you have.