A Complete Guide to Bathroom Renovations in Melbourne
Tips to Prepare for Bathroom Renovations in Melbourne
Bathroom renovations in Melbourne are one of the most impactful ways to improve your home’s comfort, function, and value, but they can also feel daunting if not properly planned. From selecting fixtures and fittings to anticipating hidden surprises, success comes down to preparation and expertise.
Tip #1 — Have a Clear Vision
Think about both look and function. Consider your bathroom’s current pain points (perhaps it’s storage, layout, or lighting), and how you’d like to use the space on a day-to-day basis. Some good questions to ask yourself:
How many people will be using the bathroom, and do they need to use it at the same time?
What are the demands on hot water?
Do you require a bath for kids, pets, or possibly watering your indoor plants?
How many appliances do you use? Do they need power, and where will they be stored? (Think hairdryers, straighteners, shavers, electric toothbrushes, etc).
Light is a huge consideration; you can break this down into three areas:
Task Lighting - are you applying makeup, plucking eyebrows, or grooming with precision? You might want to consider creating more natural light where possible, or adding mirrors with lights that produce even light and minimise shadows.
Ambient Lighting - this provides the overall mood of your bathroom. These could include wall lights/sconces, pendant lights, and the inclusion of dimmable switches, under cabinet lighting or sensors (if you’re up in the night and don’t want to disturb others or be blinded by ceiling lights).
Accent Lighting - where you want to draw attention to specific design features or, have the light be the focal point (think chandeliers or statement pendant lights).
Do you want underfloor heating? This can be a nice addition for Melbourne homes, particularly during those chilly mornings. Underfloor heating is also generally more energy efficient than running overhead heat lamp lighting.
Once you’ve established your functional needs, start thinking about your aesthetic desires. We suggest creating a moodboard. Pinterest is great for organising this, or Canva if you’d like to annotate your moodboards.
If you’re unsure where to start your bathroom renovation, we recommend considering areas with large surface areas, such as flooring or benchtops. From there, you can choose complementary fixtures, fittings, and smaller areas of finishes.
If you’re still struggling, we work with interior designers who can help manage and curate this with you.
Tip #2 — Select Fixtures and Fittings Early
TV shows and DIY channels often set unrealistic expectations, but the truth is your finishes and fittings drive much of the budget. Researching and budgeting these up front is the smartest step.
Working with a custom builder also means you avoid the costly mistakes of DIY. With a skilled team coordinating every trade, your project is completed to a high standard that will stand the test of time, and with less stress.
Before engaging a builder, select tiles, tapware, vanities, and lighting so quotes are accurate and there are fewer surprises during construction.
For Melbourne bathroom renovations, we recommend visiting Icon Bathware, as their Coburg showroom is laid out by price, making it easier to align your selections with your budget.
Other suppliers and stores across Melbourne worth visiting include:
Perrini Tiles for tiles.
E&S for fixtures and fittings.
Bowens for finishes and fittings.
Beacon Lighting for a range of lighting options.
Beaumont Tiles for tiles, flooring, and bathroomware.
Tip #3 — Balancing Budget and Quality
If you’re working to a budget, decide where to spend and where to save. For example, investing in waterproofing and tiling is non-negotiable, but you might opt for more affordable mirrors or towel rails without compromising the overall look or vibe you’re aiming for.
Melbourne Bathroom Renovations That We’re Proud Of
Preston
A bold bathroom with custom stone sinks (custom-shaped by stonemasons with plumbing designed to suit) and curved tiled walls. Certainly a challenging build, but a unique and stunning finish. We were stoked with how this turned out, as was our client.
Check out their testimonial here.
View the Preston project here.
Kendall
A pink-tiled bathroom where meticulous planning allowed a square waste to be laid seamlessly into hexagonal tiles.
Thornbury
Beautiful full floor-to-ceiling terrazzo tiles and a challenging but gorgeous angled wall.
Project reveal coming soon!
Get a sneak peek of the work-in-progress here.
Bathroom Renovations FAQs
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On average, 5–10 weeks depending on scale, scope, and site conditions. Sometimes less, sometimes more.
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Plans, finishes, fixture lists, and a clear vision of your style.
We recommend creating a Pinterest board to save images and Canva for creating annotated, downloadable moodboards.
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Yes — updated bathrooms are one of the top ways to increase property value.
Get Started on Your Dream Bathroom Today
Still have questions about bathroom renovations? We’d love to help.
Ready to get started on your Melbourne bathroom renovation?