A Guide to Planning Your Dream Bathroom Renovation

One of the most exciting home improvement projects you can embark on is the time-honoured bathroom renovation. Not only does it give you a chance to spruce up your space, but it’s also an opportunity to add some serious value to your property.

Whether you’re keeping it simple with a tiling refresh or going all out and gutting your existing bathroom, planning out your renovation process can save you time, money and headaches.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with our guide to planning your dream bathroom renovation — no matter the scale of your project.

Sort out your specs

The size and scope of your renovation will determine a whole number of things — how long it will take, how much it will cost, if you’ll need professional help and more. To get some clarity on the overall scope of your project, there are a few things you should ask yourself:

- What’s your daily bathroom routine?
- How many people use this bathroom?
- What’s your budget?
- How much storage do you need?
- What do you like/not like about your current bathroom?

Different types of bathrooms

Being across the typical bathroom configurations found in Australia will help you research what you need in terms of materials and labour.

Powder room/half bathroom: Features a toilet and sink.
Quarter bathroom: A small room with a toilet or shower.
Three-quarter bathroom: A toilet and sink, plus separate shower or bath.
Full bathroom: Features a toilet, shower, bath and sink.
Ensuite or primary bathroom: Features a full or three-quarter bathroom.

Laying it out

Real talk — one of the biggest expenses in a bathroom renovation comes when you want to change the existing layout. Is it doable? Of course. However, your costs will increase when you have to refit your plumbing outlets. If you choose to leave your layout as-is, you can still create a very effective transformation — you can replace existing fixtures with new ones, as well as introduce fresh accessories, hardware, paint and tiling.

Gather Inspiration

As you can see, turning your dream bathroom renovation into a reality can require some compromise depending on the space you’re working with. Jumping online or flipping through the latest Architectural Digest or Adore Magazine is a great way to see what’s achievable in bathrooms that have a similar size or layout to yours.
This inspo stage is also a great time to start thinking about all the fun stuff — bathroom fixtures and accessories you like, any colour or general decor themes you’re keen on and so on.

DIY or pay for pros?

You may be tempted to get your hands dirty and dive headfirst into a DIY bathroom reno — they do it on The Block, so how hard can it be? Before you pick up the hammer and mix up the grout, have a think about the pros and cons of DIY versus hiring tradies.

Pros of DIY

Cost savings
Creative control
Flexible schedule

Cons of DIY

Time-consuming
Skill requirements
Safety issues
Quality of work
Lack of warranty

Pros of hiring a contractor

Professional expertise
Time savings
Warranty
Access to resources

Cons of hiring a contractor

Higher costs
Less control
Scheduling constraints
Potential communication issues

Essentially, it’s about weighing up your options based on the size and complexity of the job. If you decide to go down the road of hiring a contractor or tradies, be sure to do your research — check reviews, trust your gut and find a team you mesh well with.

Find all the right fixtures

Looking for a quick and inexpensive way to add some new life to your bathroom? The secret is in the details. At Yabby, we’ve curated a range of timeless bathroom taps, fixtures and accessories that will level up your space quicker than you can say “spa retreat”. We’re all about giving Aussie reno enthusiasts the products they need to level up their spaces without the designer price tag.

Not sure where to start? Grab a couple of Yabby samples and see which finishes strike inspiration.

SHOP SAMPLES