Small Bathroom Renovation Ideas: Budget-Friendly Upgrades That Work

What Makes a Small Bathroom Renovation Work in a Tight Space

The first, most important question you need to answer is: will you keep the existing plumbing in place, or will you change its location? I always advise homeowners to leave plumbing exactly where it is. Moving plumbing, even by 300 to 500 millimetres, could add $1,000 to $1,500 or more to your plumber's bill. Your licensed plumber will charge between $80 to $120 per hour, and moving a toilet waste pipe or water supply pipe is not a quick task.
A small bathroom renovation can still work by swapping old fixtures for new ones without moving the plumbing. I have seen a small bathroom that looks completely different just by changing the vanity, toilet, tapware, and tiles without changing the pipe positions. The new space looks new, functions better, and costs stay within the budget.

Layout Options That Actually Fit

In small bathroom design ideas, the most important factor is your bathroom size and layout. A 2.5 square metre bathroom is typically big enough for a shower, a single vanity, and a toilet, and not much more.
Here is a practical tip: a wall hung vanity frees up floor space beneath it, and that alone makes a bathroom look larger. A 600 millimetre wall hung PVC vanity is a good choice, and PVC board is waterproof throughout. You can find these vanities for well under $500 each. If space is very tight, a 400 to 500 millimetre wide bathroom vanity is even smaller and perfect.
And your shower screen size matters, too. A frameless shower screen is a good choice, as it takes up less space and you can see right through to the floor even when you are standing outside of it.

Materials and Finishes Worth Considering

This is an area of small bathroom renovation ideas that can get very exciting for homeowners, and it is for good reason. The choice of materials will have an impact on how much does a bathroom renovation cost, and also whether the finished space feels larger or smaller.
I recommend using 300 by 600 millimetre tiles or bigger, and large format tiles in a light colour such as white, grey, or light beige. Fewer grout lines make it look more streamlined and easier to clean.
Note that the National Construction Code says that shower walls must be waterproofed to a minimum height of 1800 millimetres above the floor substrate (NCC 2022, ABCB Housing Provisions, Part 10.2). This is mandatory, and it is not an area you want to skimp on. A professional waterproofer can charge from $50 to $80 a square metre, and this is a wise investment that protects the other things you are investing in. When it comes to tapware, Matt Black and Brushed Nickel are the top two finishes in Australia currently. Both create a great contrast to light tiles in a modern setting at a relatively low cost.

Storage Solutions for Compact Spaces

Storage is a big challenge in a small bathroom. You need somewhere to store toiletries, cleaners, and towels but you need to do this without using too much floor space.
A wall hung vanity with soft closing drawers from Lukka or CETO will give you real storage in a small footprint. The smallest wall hung vanities from these brands start at 400mm width for those looking for vanity for small bathroom but still have drawers or door storage options. Small bathroom vanities for small bathrooms are actually far more advanced than you think, so you do not need to compromise on quality.
A wall mounted LED shaving cabinet is another great option. A shaving cabinet above the vanity will give you a mirror, some built in lights, as well as hidden storage in one unit.

Budget Breakdown and Where to Save

Small bathroom renovation cost in Australia varies significantly depending on where you live. Sydney and Melbourne have higher renovation costs to begin with, with a basic bathroom costing around $10,500 to $11,500. Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide tend to sit slightly cheaper than this, and regional areas have even lower labour costs in general.
Here is some advice for where to save: keep the existing plumbing layout and the layout in general as this can save you thousands of dollars alone. Choose a PVC vanity over a plywood or MDF vanities because PVC is waterproof and a cheaper option. Look for a single large colour tile on all walls and the floor and then choose a feature tile to highlight a specific area, for example in a shower niche. A wall hung bathroom vanity for small bathroom 600mm will give you the best ratio of storage per centimetre of vanity.
Where you should not save on costs: waterproofing and plumbing. This is not something that should be compromised on. Each plumbing trade and each waterproofing trade are licensed in every state and territory of Australia and any damage as a result of not doing this correctly can cost far more than the cost of the original renovation.

References

National Construction Code 2022, ABCB Housing Provisions, Part 10.2 Wet Areas