Small Bathroom Renovation: Ideas, Costs and Expert Tips

Planning a small bathroom renovation (where most people go wrong)

In the hundreds of bathroom makeovers I've chronicled, the ones that go awry usually begin with a homeowner underestimating the scale. I'm not talking about the budget, though, yes, that as well. I'm talking about the scale.
Someone strolls into their little ensuite and thinks, We'll move the toilet. We'll rip out the bath. We'll shift the door. And that "I'd like to do a $10,000 refresh " turns into a "I need to budget $25,000 to restructure" job for a bathroom that's probably 3 square metres.
The better strategy? Make a list of what really grinds your gears. Is it the old tiles? Is it the vanity that eats up half the floor? Sometimes the layout is okay, it's the surface finish that's the real problem. If you keep your plumbing where it is, you'll save a fortune in plumbing rough-in costs.
Get three quotes from qualified trades before you sign a contract. Not two. Three. You'll be shocked at how wildly different they are.

Realistic cost expectations — from quick refresh to full gut

A cosmetic update, new tapware, new ceiling paint, recaulked grout, new vanity, is $3,000 to $8,000. You're keeping the layout, the tiles, the waterproofing. This is the sweet spot if your bathroom is in decent structural shape but it looks run down.
A partial renovation, replacing the vanity, toilet, tapware and possibly retiling around the shower, runs from $8,000 to $18,000. A big price point driver is tiling. A small bathroom still needs a waterproofer and a tiler and they charge by the job, not square metre.
A full strip-out, demolition, waterproofing, plumbing, power, floor to ceiling tiles, new everything. This is $15,000 to $30,000 for a compact space depending on location. Sydney and Melbourne are on the pricey side. Brisbane and Perth come in a bit lower.
The ensuite renovation cost is similar or a bit less. Ensuites are more compact so you're using fewer materials but the price of labour per square metre is generally higher for smaller bathrooms.

Layout changes that make the biggest difference in small spaces

Not all layout tweaks create the same impact. Some can truly make or break how you use a compact bathroom.
The best thing? Replacing the tub with a walk-in shower. A typical bathtub takes up about 1700mm x 750mm. Swap it for a frameless shower and the whole place feels bigger. It can be a transformation that makes a bathroom twice as big.
Swapping the swing direction of your door, or swapping it for a cavity door opens up your space along one whole wall. A door that swings inward in a 2.5m² bathroom is pretty useless.
Moving the location of the toilet can open up your view, but it can cost the plumber anywhere from $1500 to $3000 just to move the waste pipe. Sometimes this is worth doing. Other times, not so much.

The fixtures that actually fit (and the ones to skip)

This is where small bathroom renovation ideas really shine. Wall-hung vanities, which are generally available as either 600mm or 750mm PVC or plywood pieces, are a boon to tight bathrooms, as they free up floor space, even allowing a tiny space to look more spacious. And if your bathroom features an awkward corner, you can try a bathroom vanity in corner configuration; a unit like this makes use of dead space a rectangular unit could not.
Also, choose compact back-to-wall toilets, ideally those with concealed cisterns. A rimless back-to-wall set with a concealed cistern will take up a much smaller footprint than an exposed-cistern model. You can get a set as little as $185.
Finally, select frameless showers. Avoid large showerheads, such as oversized 300mm rain-shower heads, which are not suitable for a small bathroom; choose something with a 200mm face and good water flow rate. On the other hand, skip large freestanding baths, double vanities (just no) and large, bulky storage units, which will cut your small bathroom's space to almost nothing.

Finishing touches that punch above their weight

New taps, such as brushed nickel or matt black, can make an old bathroom look brand new for between $200 and $400. Choose a vanity for corner spaces if you need every centimetre, and browse bath sinks and vanities combos to simplify the decision. Large format tiles, either 600mm by 600mm for the floor or 300mm by 600mm for the wall, will make small rooms feel bigger because there are fewer grout lines and visual breaks to distract the eye. A frameless mirror will reflect light and create the appearance of depth. When used with LED lighting above the vanity, the room looks twice its size, and price. And remember storage. A recessed niche in the shower wall, a shaving cabinet above the basin or a hook behind the door can all be a great way to avoid your small ensuite from becoming cluttered. Remember that a small ensuite renovation hinges on how clever you are about small space storage.