HOW TO RENOVATE A BATHROOM
Bathroom renovations are an absolute blast - they may be a small space to work with, but they can pack a punch in terms of transformation. However, bathroom renovations can also test your project management skills, design flair, and patience!
The main bathroom at Three Birds House 16, Erin’s Urban Farmhouse with walk in shower and rainforest shower head.
Picture this: a group of specialist trades working in a compact space, each needing to complete specific tasks like waterproofing, electrical work, and tiling in just the right order. Miss a step, and you could end up losing time, money, and potentially the bathroom of your dreams. But fear not! We're here to guide you through the entire process of a bathroom renovation, from your initial bathroom remodel ideas to the final touches of styling.
Ready to learn the process? It looks like this:
Planning: Designing Your Dream Bathroom
Don't pass go until you've nailed down your plan. This is where dreams start to take shape.Demolition Derby: Out with the Old
It's time to say goodbye to the outdated and make way for the fabulous new.Construction Time: Let’s GO, Baby!
The fun begins now! Watch as your dream bathroom starts to come to life.Fit-off: You’re Nearly There!
Trades are back to install the fixtures and fittings you carefully selected. Almost there!Styling: Your New Bathroom Sanctuary
This final step is crucial. Perfect styling can elevate your bathroom to pure perfection.
STEP 1: DESIGN YOUR DREAM BATHROOM
First things first, planning is key to a successful bathroom renovation. Start by collecting inspiration images and creating a vision board to explore colours, layouts and designs for your dream bathroom. Having a vision board is very important because it will keep you on track towards your end goal and help you select everything you need from floor tiles to the style of your shower head and everything else you need to bring your vision to life.
Sketch out the layout, adding measurements to ensure it's to scale. You can do this with a pencil and paper or use an online tool like the Reece Imagin3D planner. Once you’re clear on exactly how much space to have to work with, you’ll have a better idea of which fixtures and fittings you can fit and where they will go.
Take a moment to think about the WOW moment you want when you walk into your bathroom. Whether it's an arched shower screen, a freestanding bath, or a statement mirror, decide on your focal point upfront because other elements will need to complement it. A double vanity can add a luxurious touch and provide extra function and convenience, especially in shared bathrooms.
Choose your tiles but don’t buy them just yet! There are SO many factors to consider when selecting the tiles for your bathroom including the slip rating, the material the tile is made of, the colour shape and size. Then you’ll need to decide if you want a feature wall? Will you have any niches or ledges? Will you tile the whole wall or just halfway (this can be a great cost-saving option!)? What colour grout do you want? Talk to your tiler to ensure your dream tiles are suitable for your project, confirm the quantity you require and find out the lead time for ordering and delivery.
Lovely lighting is so important in a bathroom. Believe us, you won’t want to be applying makeup in the dark or trying to relax in a bath under spotlights! So, now it’s time to create an electrical plan that includes the positioning for your downlights, any wall or pendant lights you might want, and the positioning of powerpoints for appliances. Do you want heated towel rails or underfloor heating? Don’t forget to include these in this plan too! Now’s the time to check in with your electrician to ensure it can be achieved safely and to code.
Now’s the time to finalise the products you’d like to use in your bathroom renovation and there are many factors to consider. Select a bathroom vanity that maximises storage and complements the overall colour scheme you’ve chosen in your vision board. Consider upgrading to a rainfall shower head and adding a handheld shower head for a spa-like shower experience. A free-standing bath or a spa bath can elevate the luxury of your bathroom, but consider the cost and size implications before investing in one.
Once you’re 100% confident your product selections fit in the space, list your fittings and fixtures in your brief you’ll share with your builder, plumber, tiler, and electrician. Once these products are locked in and purchased, there’s little room for changes!
STEP 2: DEMOLITION DERBY! OUT WITH THE OLD
Now you have a solid plan in place for your bathroom renovation, it’s time to get down and dirty. Before you begin it’s important to have the walls checked by a professional to determine if there’s asbestos present. If so, it will need to be safely removed by a licensed asbestos specialist.
Once you have the all-clear, your builder will start demolition by removing old fixtures, tiles, and anything else that needs to go. You might be surprised about how much waste comes out of a small bathroom!
STEP 3: IT’S CONSTRUCTION TIME, BABY!
Now the real magic begins! Your builder will start framing up your new bathroom, adding new walls and niches and installing windows and skylights. If you need the floor dropped to ensure a level entry from the adjoining room, specify this upfront to avoid any surprises later.
Organise a meeting with your plumber and tiler onsite to walk them through your plans in person. Go through every fixture, fitting, and tile layout to ensure there’s no room for assumptions. This way, the result will be just as you’ve imagined!
Next, they’ll set to work ‘roughing in’. This is when your plumber and sparky will put the plumbing, pipes, and electrical wires behind the walls before the wall lining goes up. It’s crucial to be onsite at this stage to ensure everything’s in the right place and at the right height. Once the walls are up, making changes becomes more challenging and costly.
After that, the water-resistant wall linings will be installed, followed by the crucial step of waterproofing the wet areas. This is not a DIY step – bring in the professionals! If your waterproofing fails down the track, you’ll have to remove tiles and maybe even the wall lining to find the source of the problem – messy and expensive! Don’t rush this step; get it right the first time.
Your tiler will screed the floor (that’s the sand and cement bed required before tiling) and then tile your floors and walls. They’ll need to know the exact dimensions of your shower and screen to get your desired layout and the fall to the drain working perfectly. Consider the slip rating of the tiles on the shower floor to prevent slipping when it gets soapy and wet.
If you’re having a glass screen, now’s the time to get your glazier out to measure up and confirm your selection of wall and door hinges, if you’re using them.
And now, it’s painting time!
STEP 4: IT’S FIT-OFF TIME! (THE END IS IN SIGHT)
Your plumber and electrician will be back on-site to install all the tapware, shower heads, vanity, towel rails and lighting. We LOVE this phase because it’s when you can really see your vision coming together and the end is in sight!
But don’t get so wrapped up in the beauty of your new bathroom that you forget to get the certificates certifying the work of all your trades! Pop these somewhere safe along with the warranties for all your fixtures and fittings.
It’s cleaning time! You can do this yourself or pay for a professional ‘builder’s clean’. Either way, you’ll want to have the tiles, grout, bath, and windows deep cleaned to remove all the dust and dirt so you can enjoy a sparkling clean new bathroom.
Once it’s clean, you’ll get your tiler, builder, or a caulking specialist back to silicone all the joints.
STEP 5: STYLING YOUR NEW BATHROOM SANCTUARY
Now for the cherry on top of your dream bathroom renovation, the styling!
Bathrooms are super functional spaces, so they must be efficient BUT we always go one step further. We believe bathrooms should be both practical and visually stunning. While your choice of tiles, fixtures, and fittings significantly influences the overall look, don’t underestimate the power of simple styling to make a difference.
The best part? Styling bathrooms, ensuites and powder rooms can actually be quite simple. In fact, it's so easy that you could complete it all in a single day if you set your mind to it.
Bathroom styling begins with the vanity and our number one tip for styling this piece of furniture is to put EVERYTHING away except for one or two pretty items. Yep, start by totally clearing the countertop. Nothing kills a styling moment faster than a cluttered surface, so your toothbrushes, styling wand and your daughter’s Sol De Janeiro collection has to go! That’s what bathroom storage is for… to hide things away.
There are exceptions to every rule, though, and something that shouldn’t be hidden is soap! With so many pretty options out there, you should be able to find a dispenser that suits your style. Feel free to partner it with a matching hand moisturiser. Our other favourite styling items for bathrooms are gorgeous scented candles, flowers or greenery and some plush new towels to hang on hooks or towel rails.
Need more guidance? We’ll teach you how to style your bathroom beautifully in Three Birds Styling School.
BATHROOM RENOVATIONS FAQS
With over 25,000 students asking questions 24/7 in our Three Birds Reno School Community, we don’t think there’s a bathroom renovation question we haven’t heard! These are some of the most frequent:
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
The timeline for a bathroom renovation can vary greatly depending on the scope of the project, the availability of materials and the coordination of trades. On average, a bathroom renovation can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks. Here's a rough breakdown of what your timeline could look like if you’re renovating only a bathroom:
Design and Planning: 1-2 weeks
Demolition: 1 week
Construction (including framing, plumbing, and electrical work): 2-3 weeks
Fit-Off: 1 week
Styling and Final Touches: A few days to a week
HOW MUCH DOES A BATHROOM RENOVATION COST?
The cost of a bathroom renovation can vary greatly depending on the scope of the project. Factors such as the size of the bathroom, the quality of materials and the extent of the work required all play a role. Including a tile floor and a tiled shower can significantly contribute to the overall cost estimate, especially if you choose to tile the entire bathroom to the ceiling.
As a guideline, you can expect to spend in the region of:
$8,000 - $15,000 for a budget or cosmetic renovation of a smaller bathroom using budget materials and fittings.
$15,000 - $35,000 for an average-sized mid-range bathroom renovation using mid-range materials and fittings.
$35,000+ for a high-end, premium or luxury bathroom renovation using top-of-the-range materials and fittings.
We’ve taken a deep dive into a realistic budget for renovating a bathroom in Australia in 2024 and we share the real-life reno costs of some of our Three Birds Reno School students. Take a look!
HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY ON MY BATHROOM RENOVATION?
If you're looking to save money on your bathroom space, you can cut hundreds (if not thousands!) off your bathroom reno budget with some savvy shopping. Sometimes your bathroom renovation timeline doesn’t align with the sales but with the Three Birds Dream Discount Card, you can save every day on every purchase for your home. Check out the savings you could make on tiles, fixtures and fittings for your bathroom renovation!
How Do I Choose the Right Tiles for My Bathroom?
When choosing tiles for your bathroom, consider the following:
Style and Colour: Choose tiles that complement your overall design vision.
Durability: Ensure the tiles are suitable for wet areas and high traffic.
Size: Larger tiles can make a small bathroom feel bigger, while smaller tiles can add texture and interest.
Maintenance: Consider how easy the tiles are to clean and maintain. This goes for choosing grout too!
How Can I Make My Bathroom Feel Bigger?
To make a small bathroom feel bigger, try these tips:
Use Light Colours: Light colours on walls and tiles can make the space feel more open.
Opt for Large Tiles: Larger tiles create fewer grout lines, giving the illusion of a bigger space.
Install a Large Mirror: Mirrors can reflect light and make the room appear larger.
Maximise Natural Light: Use windows or skylights to bring in natural light.
Choose a Floating Vanity: A floating vanity creates more visible floor space, making the room feel bigger.
What should I do if I find asbestos during demolition?
If asbestos is discovered during demolition, it's crucial to stop work immediately and hire a licensed asbestos removal specialist to handle its safe removal. Asbestos is hazardous and requires professional handling.
Can I install underfloor heating in my bathroom?
Yes, underfloor heating can be installed in a bathroom and we know you’ll love stepping onto warm tiles on a cold winter’s morning. You might be surprised how cost-effective under-floor heating can be so if you’re considering it for your bathroom, be sure to include it in the initial design and make sure your dream team of trades are aware as it may affect the floor heights. Some of our cleaver Reno School students have installed their own underfloor heating but, if you’re not experienced, we recommend having it installed by a qualified electrician to ensure it meets safety standards.
How do I ensure my bathroom is properly ventilated AND HAS NATURAL LIGHT?
Proper ventilation is critical in any bathroom to prevent mould and mildew. We try to include natural ventilation in our bathrooms wherever possible by installing windows that can be opened for airflow and we love to include skylights in our bathroom plans, like the one we installed above the shower in Bonnie’s ensuite. There’s nothing better than standing in the shower at night and looking up to the stars and a skylight that opens is great for ventilation too. You’ll also need mechanical ventilation and we recommend asking your builder or electrician to recommend an exhaust fan that is appropriately sized for your bathroom to efficiently remove steam and condensation.
What permits are required for a bathroom renovation?
If you’re only renovating a bathroom and no other rooms in the house, you may not need to obtain a permit from your local Council - but it’s better to be safe than sorry and it only takes a quick phone call to check!
If you’re simply replacing fixtures, like swapping out old taps, showerheads, or vanities re-tiling, painting or installing new fittings like shelves or mirrors, chances are you won’t need a permit. But if you’re making structural changes, like knocking down walls and adding windows, relocating plumbing works, adding electrical works and waterproofing your bathroom, you may find you do need permission.
I’M A RENOVATION ROOKIE! CAN YOU HELP ME RENOVATE MY BATHROOM?
Sure can! We created the ultimate online renovation course for this very reason. We can teach you how to design, renovate or build your dream home in Three Birds Reno School. You’ll gain the confidence you need to tackle your renovation project with confidence without making costly mistakes. And the best part? You don’t have to go it alone. When you join Reno School you’ll join our world-class community of over 25,000 fellow renovators to help support you on your journey. Want to hear more? Click the button below to check it out.
DO I NEED TO DO RENO SCHOOL IF I’M ONLY RENOVATING A BATHROOM?
If you’re ONLY renovating a bathroom and no other rooms in your house then you’re going to love Bathroom Bootcamp! This online course will help you fast-track your knowledge and boost your confidence to get you ready to renovate your bathroom in as little as 48 hours. You’ll learn how to create your dream bathroom without the budget blowouts or the stress of not knowing if you've made the right decisions.
Find out more about Bathroom Bootcamp here.
WATCH A REAL-LIFE BATHROOM RENOVATION
In this video, we’ll walk you through one of our bathroom renovations so you can see the process step-by-step in a real-life bathroom space. This project was a main bathroom renovation in a family home in Sydney and our vision was to create a light and airy Mediterranean-inspired design.
