Bathroom Renovations: 9 Things You Need to Know

Renovating a bathroom can be daunting, especially without proper consideration and careful planning. Your new bathroom should be a positive experience that leaves a lasting impression, not a headache that provokes bitter regret. 

Fortunately, we’ve thought through all the details and processes to ensure you can reduce the bathroom renovation stress factor. From being mindful of your budget to ensuring colour and style consistency, here are our nine top tips that you need to know to complete the bathroom remodel of your dreams.

Knowing your budget limitations and having a clear timeline before you start your bathroom remodelling is imperative to prevent any unforeseen cost upsets and to maintain a consistent mindset. 

It is possible to keep minor bathroom renovations under $10,000; however, an average bathroom renovation costs closer to $26,000 — up from $21,000 in previous years, according to Senior Economist at the Housing Industry Association of Australia Thomas Devitt.

If you want to keep your bathroom renovations under $10,000,  consider replacing touch points such as tapware, accessories, towels, and decor or giving your space a fresh coat of paint. These small adjustments can make a world of difference for a fraction of the price.

Keep in mind that replacing flooring can be one of the most expensive bathroom renovation costs. So, if re-tiling is included in your plan, be mindful of its potential impact on your budget.

Your budget will also determine whether a bathroom remodel or a cosmetic refresh will suffice. Don’t make the mistake of pulling out a perfectly good bathroom when the structure is fine — you could be better off updating your bathroom colour scheme or simply replacing the tapware, bathroom vanity, shower, bath or other bathroom fixtures and fittings to achieve the refreshed look you require.

However, keep in mind that a renovation could potentially increase your property value by up to 10% over a duration of time.

Sometimes it’s simply a matter of looking at what space you have that can determine whether to opt for a freestanding bath or whether a solitary shower would be more appropriate. Of course, personal preferences are also a deciding factor. 

If you’re more of a shower person and anticipate that a bath would be more or less neglected, opting for just a shower would be the more practical choice and allow for a larger shower space. Shower renovations, especially for those with time or budget constraints, can be as simple as updating tapware or replacing screens. These small changes can enhance your space remarkably, even if other aspects remain unchanged.

If you love your bath therapy, allocating additional space for a freestanding bath can infuse your bathroom with an added sense of luxury. If you’re tight on space, why not create a 'wet room' by incorporating a freestanding bath into your shower area to maximise space and elevate the overall ambience?

Opting for a shower, bath, or both offers numerous advantages in defining your new bathroom space. However, it's crucial to make this decision early in the process to avoid confusion regarding space and dimensions and prevent complications when fitting additional fixtures later on.

When updating your bathroom, going with something ‘on-trend’ can be tempting. However, it's vital to consider the overall styling and scheme of your home when renovating a specific area, otherwise, you potentially risk having a space that feels disconnected and discordant with the rest of your home. 

Opting for a minimalist design with a timeless scheme can provide a safe choice and ‘blank canvas’, enabling you to experiment with textures and decor enhancements while retaining flexibility for future restyling endeavours. It’s also a great option for the re-sell factor, as prospective buyers can envision their own style within it without needing extensive modifications. 

Colour consistency in the bathroom should be one of the primary aesthetic concerns for any bathroom renovation. Generally, you can’t go wrong with traditional white fixtures and timeless fittings such as brushed nickel, chrome, or matte black. 

However, we also offer a range of bathroom tapware and other accessories in appealing finishes like brushed brass, brushed copper, brushed gunmetal, and white, in addition to coloured and textured basin sinks for a more personalised and modern touch without committing to a fully coloured space.

The last thing you want is a newly renovated bathroom that doesn’t meet all the necessary storage requirements for your needs. Easily accessible storage should be seamlessly integrated into your bathroom space to avoid cluttering your area, which would be of particular concern for small bathrooms.

We offer a range of attractive bathroom vanities and mirror cabinets to choose from that can accommodate your storage requirements, along with custom organisation inserts to keep your drawers neat and tidy.

If storage is a concern for your bathroom, consider a bench-mounted basin or wall-mounted tapware to maximise storage space underneath the countertop and on top of your vanity as well.

Taking on a DIY home renovation project can make for a fun project, but it's recommended to enlist qualified tradespeople for tasks requiring expertise in areas like plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and waterproofing. Entrusting skilled professionals with intricate work provides added peace of mind and insurance against potential mishaps during or after the renovation process. 

Alternatively, you might consider contracting a renovation company to manage the entire project, particularly if you're planning extensive renovations that involve gutting the entire space and re-locating plumbing points.

Additionally, consider collaborating with an interior designer if you're uncertain about your design scheme or fixture choices. Alternatively, if you’re just in need of a little extra guidance, we provide a complimentary design consultation to assist in selecting fixtures and fitting, as well as planning your overall design scheme in any of our showrooms. Learn more about our design consultations.

When a bathroom is built, one of the initial steps that should always take place is waterproofing. You must ensure there is a waterproof barrier surrounding both the walls and the floor, protecting the structure of your house from moisture.

Each state in Australia has different regulations in terms of waterproofing that should be abided by; therefore, knowing which applies to where you live is a fundamental requirement.

Rules concerning who can undertake waterproofing also differ. For example, in both QLD and NSW, a current waterproofer’s licence is required. In other states, waterproofers must provide a statement of compliance once the job is done. This document should indicate that the work they have undertaken complies with Australian Standards (AS 3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas).

Renovations often extend beyond anticipated timelines, inevitably leading to decision fatigue and stress. To ensure your bathroom makeover stays on track, even with a limited budget, seeking a second opinion from an expert regarding your vision for the space can be invaluable. 

Our friendly team are always on hand to help discuss your renovation dreams or simply just to walk you through our range of freestanding baths, showers, bathroom vanities, mirror cabinets, bathroom tapware, shower tapware and other bathroom accessories to complete your bathroom remodel. Again, you can also book a free design consultation with one of our friendly staff.

Explore some budget-friendly ideas by reading our blog: Why a Budget Shouldn’t be a Barrier when Renovating your Bathroom.