Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes
The bathroom might be one of the smaller rooms of the house but this doesn’t make renovating it any simpler. In fact, the bathroom tends to be one of the more difficult rooms to renovate because of its various requirements. From plumbing and tapware to tiles and grout, there are plenty of elements to consider before embarking on a bathroom renovation. For this reason, we’ve asked Australia’s renovation queen and co-host of Space Invaders, Cherie Barber, for her best bathroom renovation ideas and tips.
From the exact dimensions your bathroom layout should be to what a bathroom renovation actually costs, find out the answers to all of your biggest bathroom renovation questions.
How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?
Cost is one of the biggest factors to consider when embarking on any renovation—and it’s something that can vary greatly depending on a number of different factors.
“The cost of an average Australian bathroom renovation varies widely due to factors such as your suburb location, size of the room, materials you want installed and their quality level, ” Barber explains to Home Beautiful, adding that you also have to consider “whether you’re going to be project managing it yourself (DIY) or hiring licensed professionals to do all the work for you (outsourcing).”
The cost of a bathroom renovation in Australia
Budget: $10,000 to $15,000 (DIY), $15,000 to $25,000 (outsourced)
A basic renovation with minimal plumbing changes, budget fixtures and cosmetic updates.
Mid-range: $20,000 to $35,000 (DIY), $35,000 to $60,000 (outsourced)
Layout changes, quality fixtures, professional waterproofing and tiling.
Luxury: $35,000 to $50,000 (DIY), $60,000 to $100,000 (outsourced)
Room is completely reconfigured with high-end finishes, custom cabinetry and underfloor heating.
How to save costs on a bathroom renovation
When it comes to saving costs on a bathroom renovation, one of the most impactful things you can do it is leave your plumbing where it is and instead, just refit your fixtures.
“Leaving plumbing in place is significantly cheaper than relocating it,” advises Barber. “Moving a toilet, shower, bath or vanity often requires re-routing of your existing water lines which can add thousands of dollars to your renovation cost for a home with timber bearers and joists with reasonable access.”
“If you have a concrete slab home, jackhammering new water lines into the existing slab, can significantly increase this cost again.”
There is however, an exception to this rule— if your current bathroom layout isn’t functional.
In this case, Barber recommends you “invest the money and do your bathroom right.
“What might cost you extra now, will pay dividends later in your increased property value and your own personal sanity.”
Read: How to renovate a bathroom for under $10,000
DIY or building company?
Depending on our renovation knowledge and enjoyment level, there are pros and cons to both DIY and outsourcing the job to the professionals.
“If you go the DIY route, you’ll need to juggle multiple tradies, get the construction timeline right and make sure everything meets Aussie building codes,” says Barber.
“If that all sounds a bit overwhelming, it might be worth paying extra for licensed professionals—at least you’ll have peace of mind knowing the job’s done properly. Bathroom mistakes can be expensive and tricky to fix so be honest about your skills before diving in.”
What is the best bathroom layout?
Your bathroom renovation may involve rethinking your existing bathroom layout and designing a new one. While Barber doesn’t believe there’s one “perfect floorplan,” she does believe there are some “smart design principles” to consider.
“A good floor plan will always maximise functionality, ensure proper spacing between fixtures, create a comfortable flow in which to circulate within the bathroom, offer good privacy, be practical for everyday use, all whilst having great visual appeal,” Barber says.
It’s also important to remember that certain layouts will benefit different sized bathrooms.
“If your bathroom is on the smaller side, the “all on a wall” layout where your shower/bath, toilet and vanity is all on one wall is space efficient and cost effective,” explains Barber, who suggests the ‘wet and dry zone’ approach for bigger bathrooms.
“A popular and modern design these days is the “wet & dry zone” approach, where the shower and bath are placed in one area, separated by a glass screen or partial wall, while the vanity and toilet remain in a drier section.”
When designing your bathroom layout, Barber suggests considering the following elements:
- Bathroom plumbing locations – Moving plumbing is costly so try to work with your existing locations if possible but don’t do so, if it’s still going to compromise the overall functionality of your bathroom.
- Bathroom space efficiency – Avoid overcrowding by ensuring you have adequate clearance between fixtures.
- Bathroom storage – Consider vanities with built-in storage, mirrored cabinets that can utilise your internal wall cavity space and shower nooks to neatly conceal day to day items such as shampoo, soap and the like.
- Bathroom lighting – Natural light is ideal but don’t forget to supplement it with well-placed task lighting.
- Bathroom accessibility – Ensure users have easy access to all fixtures, especially for people with mobility issues.
- Bathroom ventilation – Ensure adequate airflow to prevent mould, especially in the more humid states of Australia.
- Aesthetics vs. practicality – While trends are tempting, focus on durable, easy-to-clean materials that will stand the test of time. Trends come and go quickly but your bathroom needs to last the distance, ideally at least two decades.
The biggest bathroom design mistakes
When it comes to bathroom renovating mistakes, Barber has seen them all.
- Poor space planning
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is poor space planning – trying to squeeze too many things in or larger fixtures than what they necessarily need to be. This often results in a bathroom where there isn’t enough room for movement or failing to consider door swings and clearance for fixtures,” explains Barber. - Improper toilet placement
“Another big mistake is the improper placement of the toilet, where it becomes the first visible item when entering the room. Toilets generally aren’t attractive so don’t make them the focal point. If anything, try to hide them as much as possible.” - Poor ventilation
Poor ventilation is also a frequent oversight, leading to moisture issues and mould growth, a big problem with our humid Australian climate.
Waterproofing is crucial – Australian building codes require strict waterproofing standards so always hire a licensed water proofer. This is not a DIY area
Consider future-proofing – If this is your long-term home, consider accessibility features such as a walk-in shower and grab rails which will be easier to manoeuvre around as you get older in age
Use light colours in small bathrooms – White and neutral tones can make a small bathroom appear larger
Invest in quality tapware – Cheap fittings may corrode quickly, especially in coastal areas
Plan lighting carefully – Use layered lighting: task lighting near mirrors and ambient lighting for general illumination
Think about resale value – If renovating for resale, stick to timeless designs rather than overly trendy styles
Cherie Barber’s best bathroom renovation tips
Bathroom layout dimensions
When designing your bathroom, Barber suggests adhering to these standard measurements.
Bath
· Standard length: 1500mm – 1700mm
· Width: 700mm – 900mm
· Depth: 400mm – 600mm
*Freestanding baths require at least 100mm clearance from walls for cleaning access.
Toilet
· Distance from wall to front: 600mm – 800mm
· Side clearance: At least 200mm from walls/vanities
· Height: 400mm – 450mm (seat height)
Shower
· Minimum size: 900mm x 900mm (recommended for comfort)
· Walk-in showers: At least 1200mm x 900mm
· Showerhead height: 2000mm – 2100mm from the floor
Basin / Vanity
· Height from floor: 850mm – 900mm
· Depth: 400mm – 500mm
· Width: 400mm – 1500mm
Other Fixtures
· Towel rails: 900mm – 1200mm from the floor
· Mirror height: Top edge around 1800mm from the floor
You can find Cherie Barber on Instagram and on her website.
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