18 bathroom renovation ideas to inspire your next project

Travelling further back in time was the secret to style success in this Art Deco bathroom which was a relic of the 1980s until Lauren Mahoney, creative director of Studio Trio, stepped onsite.

“I selected black and white, cream and green, to connect the leadlight, wall colours and outside leafy trees,” says Lauren of the palette, which includes green art deco floor tiles. “The vanity is a show stopper. I had this made by a furniture maker who specialises in traditional pieces.”

Creativity is a way of life for illustrator Alexandra Nea Graham, who renovated her 1950s cottage in the style of turn-of-the-century farmhouses. Wainscoting-style tiling in cream from Perini Tiles skirt the main bathroom and surrounding walls. Positioned above this is hand-painted silk chinoiserie wallpaper, which was custom made to measure via Etsy. The green tones are accentuated with vintage 1930 glass chandelier shades and green dado rail tiles, also from Etsy.

Green is a calming colour, perfect for ensuites that serve as an escape for busy parents. Sage green was the soothing shade of choice in this bathroom, designed by Naomi Nimmo, founder of Naomi Nimmo Collective. A wall of ‘Arch Green’ features tiles from Styled In Stone frame vistas of surrounding bushland. White wall and floor tiles balance the scheme while a skylight above the bathroom vanity adds ample natural light.

This ensuite is a spacious and stylish dream. The work of interior designer Kate Walker, who was hired by owners Georgia and Tom, it features a Victoria + Albert ‘Marlborough’ bath, custom marble floor mosaics and a vanity finished in Porter’s Paints Newport Blue. As a builder and founder of Cahill Building Group, Tom wanted to focus on classic style and craftmanship. Wall mouldings and custom cabinetry panels that were designed by KWD all contribute to the glamour and harmony.

Tessellated tiles aren’t the only heritage feature to get a fresh and modern take in this bathroom in Sydney’s Inner West. Vibrant swathes of Dulux Soft Fresco coat the door, setting the tone for the colour and charm to come. With nods to the Federation architecture of the home alongside modern twists, the room’s style doesn’t belong to any singular decade – an intentional move from interior designer Brett Mickan.

Transforming an outdated ensuite into a modern, light-filled retreat was the aim for this lavish makeover in Melbourne’s Bayside area. Designer Georgette Criticos of GIA Renovations first focused on optimising the layout, prioritising natural light and free-flowing movement. An old timber window was replaced with a white aluminium framed design to withstand moisture, and a skylight was installed directly above the angled bath, ushering in light and vignettes that the homeowners can now enjoy while soaking in the tub.

Warm, neutral earth tones are truly timeless and natural materials enhance their beauty. Kate Nixon design used Artedomus Sareva honed quartzite for the basins, alongside Brodware ‘City Stik’ tapware in Weathered Brass Organic. The dual basins are integrated into the vanity with stone-fronted fascias. If you’re looking for bathroom renovation ideas that make the most of a high quality material, then this is certainly one to consider instead of hiding the basins away.

It can be hard to balance form with function, especially in bathrooms primarily used by children (and the parents trying to wrangle them). Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors knows this all too well but she succeeded in matching clever design and layout with whimsical and wonderful details. The wainscoting-style tiling in ‘Masia Blanco’ square subways from National Tiles adds traditional charm and is also budget-savvy (less tiles = less costs).

The best bathroom renovation ideas should consider how to maximise floor space, especially when you’re working with a restrictive area. In this bathroom, a sliding pocket door saves space while the mirror – a custom creation by the joiners – conceals storage in the form of a recessed cabinet. This was made possible when Kate Bath, interior designer at Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms, increased the wall depth. A linen cupboard is finished in the same shade as the walls, further blending storage into its surrounds.

Bathroom renovation ideas that plan for the future should consider multi-generational living, which has risen in recent decades. This bathroom, by interior designer Krista Collard successfully caters to youthful whims and more mature needs. A playful Dado Quartz ‘Liberty’ ball-foot bath suits the homeowner’s grandchildren while a beautiful bench provides a place for the grown-ups to perch while showering.

It can be hard to introduce pattern when you’re working within a white-on-white colour palette. Here, the walls and floors are clad in white terrazzo tiles from The Tile Gallery, creating visual interest within the neutral scheme. Sustainability and environmental impact should be considered in bathroom renovation ideas and this build, by architect and certified Passive House designer Fang Cheah of Studiofang is one that looks to the future.

If you’re on the hunt for budget-friendly bathroom renovation ideas then look no further than Chloe Brookman’s recent reno. The co-founder and director of toy and homewares brand Olli Ella renovated two bathrooms in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for less than $7,000 each. She did this with a mix of thrifting (the bath was a Facebook marketplace find) and restricting feature tiles to key areas instead of full tiling, a major cost-saving move.

Mint, marble and a touch of black are a seriously chic colour combo. Most homeowners don’t consider painting their ceilings anything other than white but this bathroom makes a strong case for bright hues that draw the eye upwards. Sheila Smith of Missmith emphasised the high ceiling in her bathroom with Porter’s Paints Water Nymph but made sure to balance this out with plenty of bright white inclusions elsewhere.

Bold choices can be beneficial, as this spectacular ‘Luciana’ freestanding stone bath in Matte Black from Beautmont Tiles demonstreates. The Block fan favourites Kyal and Kara wanted a moody palette inspired by coastal Spanish resorts in this main bathroom. The black bath makes a striking style statement, complemented by large ‘Rock Salt’ tiles in Danish Smoke, which cover the walls and floor.

The attic in this Federation home was converted into a main suite decades ago but the ensuite was dark and dated. Andrew Waller, founder of interior design practice Mr Waller transformed it into a light-filled space thanks to a new dormer roofline and triangular windows. Neutral tones in high quality materials create a sense of serenity, especially the large Vanilla Cream honed marble tiles from RMS Marble, which flow seamlessly from the floor towards the ceiling.

There are two big bathroom renovation ideas to save from this Melbourne home, designed by Ben Callery Architects. The first is that white interiors don’t have to be boring and the second is that some of the best interiors simply act as a frame, allowing beautiful vistas to take centre stage. Here, Artedomus ‘Fiandre’ tiles in Urban White and a Kado ‘Lussi’ freestanding bath from Reece provide a neutral backdrop to the lush and leafy views beyond.

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner shares this ensuite bathroom with his wife, Adriana. Blue, white and black create a classic colour palette, while fluted oval stone basins and a fluted bath, both from ATS Tiles and Bathrooms, add texture and visual interest. The vanity is set against a tiled nib wall, with glass positioned above, instead of a wall. This glass surrounds two framed mirrors and provides the important purpose of allowing natural light from the skylight into the shower area.

A state forest surrounds this modern farmhouse. As such, the home, which was built by the homeowner’s son in-law, makes use of natural materials, especially timber. Baltic pine was used for the ceiling, as it has a lighter tone that makes it more suitable to higher areas. The vanity and mirror are made from salvaged wood. The bathroom is spacious, especially as it doesn’t house a bath – this was positioned on the deck, outside the bathroom.