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Small Bathroom Renovations: Designs, Ideas & Solutions – [2023]

by Corey Douglas | 14/10/2019

Small Bathroom Renovations

Even the smallest bathroom can be transformed into a welcoming sanctuary. There’s a lot to consider along the way; for example, are you hoping for a space that’s brimming with stylish upgrades, or does your budget demand something that’s purely functional? In most cases, we find that homeowners hope for a compromise between beauty and functionality. With careful planning, it’s easy to strike a balance. Read on for small master bathroom renovation ideas and much more. 

Streamline your bathroom’s layout

When renovating a small bathroom, many homeowners hope to achieve a luxe look while making the bathroom look larger than it really is. The good news is that streamlined fittings such as recessed LED strip lighting, wall hung vanity units, frameless-glass shower recesses, and large mirrors are often simple to work into modern small bathroom renovations. These features can create the illusion of space while treating your bathroom to a spa-inspired update. 

1. A wall hung vanity

2. A frameless glass shower screen

3. A large mirror

Make colour work for you

Swapping dark colour palettes for light ones is another very simple tactic for maximising visual appeal and creating a spacious feel. You can achieve a similar effect by eliminating any contrasting colours; for example, swap a dark wood-finished vanity for a sleek white one. If you’d like to take it a step further, have tiling installed all the way from the floor up to the ceiling to create a visual illusion of height that enhances space as well. Using similar tiles in different sizes or shapes can create a dynamic pattern that distinguishes different areas while making the bathroom seem bigger.

Related: 7 Dulux Paint Colours That Are Currently Trending

4. Floor to ceiling tiling

If you’re not into white, consider grey as a more forgiving alternative. Cream is another neutral colour to consider. If natural tones and wood finishes are on your list of must-haves, you’ll find that they are easy to incorporate. Try light wood as a pale-coloured and less sterile alternative to pure white. It works well in vanities and flooring alike. Light-coloured marble is the ultimate in luxury, perfect for the entire bath, or for finishing a small but luxe-looking feature wall when conducting small bathroom renovations on a budget.

5. Choose whites, creams and greys

Photo by Upstyled Interiors on Houzz 
cream bathroom
Image by Justin Humphrey Architect on Houzz
Photo by Philip Leeson Architects on Houzz

For those who crave colour and patterns, it’s still possible to achieve a streamlined look. Natural, neutral tones carefully applied to just a few areas can create stunning visual appeal. A little goes a long way; for example, a small amount of green tile, carefully positioned at the end of the bath, serves as a jewel-toned focal point

Focus on lighting

Maximise the amount of light that enters the bathroom from outside by installing opaque windows that allow you to maintain privacy while eliminating the need for shades or curtains that block daylight.

Whether outside light is a factor or not, you’ll want to have more lighting installed to ensure that there are no dark, shadowy corners. When you’re coming up with bathroom renovation ideas, try to maximise the effect of light further by ensuring that you include as many reflective surfaces as possible. Tile and large mirrors are once again helpful, as they reflect far more light than painted or wallpapered surfaces.

Create well-planned storage 

Since clutter can quickly make even the best-designed space appear cramped, it’s important to keep most of your essentials tucked away, out of sight. Wall-mounted shelves, baskets, or bins are perfect for towels, under-vanity storage provides hidden space for cosmetics and much more, and recessed cabinetry helps your bathroom retain a more spacious feel. We have access to designer shelving products as well as wholesale attractive bathroom shelves Bunnings, so you can create the look you want depending on your budget.

Top tip: Consider having storage built into the shower enclosure as well; it’s far more streamlined than after-market solutions.

6. Wall-mounted shelves

Seek help from a designer 

Bathroom renovations for small bathrooms pictures are absolutely everywhere but it can be tough to determine whether the ideas portrayed in images will translate well when applied to your own space. When you work with Houseace small bathroom renovations Melbourne & Sydney, you can take advantage of our in-house designers, who offer the expertise and experience required to make your dreams reality.

How much to renovate a small bathroom?

The average cost to renovate small bathroom depends greatly upon the amount of work required. Is the bathroom structurally sound? Do you like the existing colour? Can you keep the shower, toilet, and vanity where they are presently located? 

If so, you’ll eliminate costs associated with tearing out old pipes and rerouting water supplies. If budget is your number one consideration, you’ll find that it’s possible to save a considerable amount of money by taking advantage of the bathroom’s existing plumbing. By simply conducting a quick refresh, you can make a timeworn bathroom look new. For about $4,500, you can:

  • Replace the vanity 
  • Bring in a new toilet
  • Replace the shower screen 
  • Invest in new taps and towel rails

You may even be able to replace old light fixtures with new ones and stick within a small budget. 

If you want to resurface the entire bathroom or have tile installed over existing finishes and replace all of the fittings and fixtures in the bathroom, the price will increase accordingly. Expect to add another $4,000 to $8,000 to the renovation cost, bringing the anticipated total to an average of $8,500 to $12,500. At this level, you’ll find that your home’s resale value is likely to improve. 

What if your bathroom needs a complete do-over, with a full-strip out that calls for the replacement of waterproofing, plumbing, electrics, tiling, and more? The average cost falls around $18,000 when most of the fixtures can remain in the same place, and around $25,000 when the bathroom’s layout is changed. This type of renovation extends your bathroom’s life and ensures that the space readily accommodates your needs. 

If you’re hoping to create a stunning statement with your bathroom, expect renovation costs to increase – perhaps significantly, depending on finish levels. Add-ins such as a custom vanity, strip lighting, marble tiles, and high-end fixtures ensure that your bath will look fantastic for decades. Prices for high-end bathroom renovations typically begin around $30,000. 

Related: How To Renovate a Bathroom in a Rental Property

How to renovate a small bathroom, start to finish 

Every bathroom renovation is different. If you plan to completely refurbish your bath rather than provide it with a simple facelift, it’s likely that the following steps will be part of the big picture. 

  • Demolition of your old bathroom, including haul-away of rubbish
  • Electrics installation 
  • Plumbing installation 
  • Waterproofing
  • Installing underfloor heating
  • Tiling
  • Bathtub installation
  • Carpentry
  • Window replacement 
  • Painting 
  • Vanity installation
  • Toilet and bidet installation 
  • Tap installation 
  • Electrical finishing, i.e. installing light fixtures and switches 
  • Shower screen installation 

From start to finish, a small bathroom renovation that includes a complete overhaul can take between three to five weeks depending on the size of the bathroom and the finish level; for example, fittings such as a custom vanity or custom shower screen may take some time to build. In contrast, ready-made options are simply purchased and installed.

Related: Bathroom Renovation Checklist – Everything You Need to Know

Conclusion 

When it comes time to renovate a small bathroom, every centimetre matters. Houseace are your go-to guys for small bathroom renovations Sydney & Melbourne. In partnership with Reece, Australia’s leading supplier of bathroom and plumbing products, we can offer the latest looks at wholesale prices. That’s not all: Over the years, we’ve encountered a variety of challenges, and have built the knowledge required to take on the obstacles you’re likely to face when undertaking small bathroom renovations. 

If you’d like to get bathroom renovation quotes, click our instant estimate button at the top or give us a call on 1300 304 367. Our menu of small bathroom renovation services includes everything from crating complete designs that save money by taking advantage of existing plumbing to installing beautiful new bathroom fittings and fixtures. Give us a call today to find out more.

Related: How to Renovate Your Bathroom in 10 Steps


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