Transforming Spaces
Your bathroom, kitchen & laundry
Renovation Guide
So you’ve been daydreaming about your bathroom upgrade, scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram for inspo. Exciting!
A bathroom renovation is a major investment. It’s not just about deciding between relaxing tropical or chic coastal style. There are lots of tips and tricks to consider making sure you nail it.
We’ve broken down the process into these easy steps.
Step 1 Define your goals & budget
Step 2
Research & inspiration
Step 3 Create a design plan
Step 4 Product wish list
Step 5 Engage a tradie
Step 1
Define your goals & budget
What don’t you like about your bathroom?
What do you want to change?
Do you want a simple update or a full renovation?
What is your wish list item?
Our Tradelink experts usually give these price ranges as a guide:
$5,000 - $15,000
Low-cost bathrooms or facelifts. Simply updating your vanity and accessories and even your toilet could give the space a whole new look.
$15,000 - $30,000 $30,000+
Standard or premium bathrooms. You may wish to pull everything out and start from scratch, while keeping your layout much the same to manage costs.
The world is your oyster. Change the layout, extend the space, introduce new natural light, and choose top-of-the range décor and accessories.
Bathroom Budget Budget Actual
Vanity Basin
Basin Tapware
Bath
Bath Tapware
Shower head & tapware
Shower screen/enclosure
Toilet
Accessories (toilet roll holder, towel rail, shelves)
Remember to allow at least an extra 10% contingency if anything arises once you get to work.
Planning ahead is key! Engage your plumber early. They will have tips to help you design the bathroom of your dreams, whist being realistic on the budget. Remember, nothing ever goes to plan.
Timeless designs Step 2 Research & inspiration
Hamptons
Hamptons style is inspired by relaxed coastal living. Imagine light airy colour palettes, quality materials and an overall classy elegant design with a hint of vintage.
Minimalism
The minimalism style trend emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and functionality in design, striving to create spaces free from excess and clutter. With a focus on essential elements and a neutral colour palette, minimalism promotes a sense of calm and serenity in interior spaces.
Industrial
Industrial style trends draw inspiration from warehouses and factories, featuring raw materials like exposed brick, metal accents, and reclaimed wood to create a rugged yet sophisticated aesthetic. This design approach often embraces open spaces, utilitarian fixtures, and a neutral colour palette, evoking a sense of urban authenticity and industrial charm
Contemporary colour
Sand & Sea
Embody the Australian landscape with natural materials and colours that create a connected space from the outside..
Journey
Create an oasis of natural elements, diverse motifs and patterns, with colours that inspire a new journey.
Botanical
Walk into your own garden, as the earthy palette creates an experience of peace and tranquility.
Contemporary colour
Cocoon
Live a balanced and simple lifestyle with minimal and natural elements, creating the cosiest cocoon.
Allure
Indulge in the sophisticated and functional, and experience a lavish lifestyle in your own home with rich tones, warm timbers.
Land
This new narrative celebrates the elegance of natural materials like wood, stone and organic fibres.
dream space
Turn your dreams into reality with the interactive moodboard creation tool. With an extensive range of products to choose from, you can visualise your ultimate space with colour, shape and texture - mix and match different elements and have confidence when you finalise your product selections. or visit
Step 3 Create a design plan
Whether you’re using an existing floorplan or building from scratch, it pays to plan it out early. You may think that there’ll be plenty of room for a double vanity and a bath, but once you map it out on a grid, you’ll be able to see the space clearly and make realistic choices for your space.
Floor plan tips
Space Saving bathrooms
• A walk in shower with screen can open up a room
• Sliding doors create privacy without taking up floor space
• Maximise storage in with a vanity unit and mirrored cabinet
Large family bathroom
• Rail showers are easily adjustable to suit all ages and heights, and the removable handpiece makes cleaning nice and easy
• Rimless toilet suites are super hygienic and easy to clean
• Taps with rounded edges avoid injuries
• Back to Wall baths have the elegance of a freestanding bath but are easier to clean
Bathrooms for aging in place
• A comfort height toilet makes it easier to sit down and get up
• Walk in showers with a wider entry ensures future accessibility requirements are accounted for
• Add in some grab rails & a shower seat for ease and comfort
Bathroom Planner
Measure your bathroom dimensions and transfer it's dimensions on to the plan using the formula:
1 Small Square = 10cm2
10 Squares = 1m2
Remove perforated bathroom items and experiment with suitable configurations.
*Bathroom planner is to be used as a guide only. Please seek professional advice when finalising plans.
Step 4
Product wish list
The selections you make for your bathroom are pivotal elements that define its character. Whether prioritizing functionality or aesthetics, Tradelink offers options that allow you to strike a harmonious balance.
Tapware
Tapware significantly enhance a bathroom's functionality and style, providing ease of use, durability, and water efficiency while elevating the space's visual appeal.
BASIN MIXER
SHOWER/BATH MIXER
WALL MIXER SETS
THREE PIECE TAPS
Feel like three’s a crowd? Switching from a three-piece tapware set to a mixer will require a plumbing rejig.
Pair with a shower head or bath spout or choose one with a diverter to pair with both.
A wall mounted, all-in-one mixer and outlet, enhancing the feeling of space.
One outlet with separate hot and cold taps. Can come in both basin sets or wall sets.
Accessories
Tapware significantly enhance a bathroom's functionality and style, providing ease of use, durability, and water efficiency while elevating the space's visual appeal.
TOWEL RAILS
Available in single or double style and heated or non-heated. Double towel racks jut out further than single towel rails, so make sure they won’t get in the way.
ROBE HOOKS
These can also double as towel hooks if you’re limited for space. Make sure you consider the placement of your robe hooks to be close to the shower or bath.
TOILET ROLL HOLDERS
Don’t be tempted to cut corners here – choose one that is designed to securely hold your roll and is constructed well.
BOTTLE TRAPS
These are often overlooked but are an important bathroom accessory. Upgrade standard inclusions for something that matches your other accessories and completes the look.
Basins
Choosing a basin involves more than just considering its shape and colour. Depending on the vanity type and available space, an above-counter, inset, or semi-inset basin might be the best option.
COUNTER TOP BASIN
Positioned above the counter or vanity, these create a wonderful statement in your bathroom. This style of basin will need wall-mounted or tall/tower basin mixers.
UNDERMOUNT BASIN
INSET BASIN
This is a basin that is installed under a countertop for a very neat, classic look. You will need to work with your tradies to cut the exact shape out from your countertop. Undermount basins are usually only supported by stone or solid countertops, not laminate.
Similar to the undercounter, inset basins will be installed into the countertop. The key difference is the higher profile rim along the top. This style of basin is easier than the under-counter basin to change without causing issues for the countertop.
SEMI RECESSED BASIN
Semi-recessed basins are installed partly into the counter with part of the basin protruding to the front of the benchtop. Like the self-rimming and under-counter, a space will need to be cut out from the counter to the exact dimensions of the basin.
SEMI INSET BASIN
Semi inset basins are partially mounted into the counter with the majority visible at the top. This allows space for storage under the counter or vanity.
WALL HUNG BASIN
Vanities & Mirrors
These basins hang off the wall in your bathroom. This works well with minimalist style or smaller bathrooms. Just keep in mind, you will likely need additional structural support in the wall to hold the weight of the basin. They also work best if your wastewater goes to the wall, not the floor.
Vanities and mirrors are bathroom essentials that blend style and function. Our vanities provide ample storage and sleek countertops for a clutter-free space. Paired with our mirrors, they brighten and enlarge your bathroom, creating a stunning, practical oasis.
FLOATING/ WALL HUNG
FREESTANDING
These are secured to your wall and don’t touch the floor. They are modern and fresh and really open-up your space.
These can be supported by a kick board or mounted on legs. They usually give you the best storage space and can come in either a traditional or contemporary look.
CABINETS
Shaving cabinets on the wall may be a good addition above your vanity for style and practicality.
CORNER VANITIES
The perfect compromise for fitting a vanity into a very small bathroom. They still offer ample storage.
SPACE SAVING VANITIES
A space-saving vanity in your ensuite will maximise the functionality of the space, and improves storage efficiency, making small spaces more organised and spacious.
MOULDED TOP VANITY
They come in a range of stylish materials and designs. The most popular is reliable polymarble acrylic, followed by stone and ceramic moulded tops.
Showers
Showers are a key feature in any bathroom, offering both relaxation and rejuvenation. With various options such as rail showers, twin showers, and overhead rainfall showers, you can customise your experience to suit your preferences.
OVERHEAD/ RAIN SHOWER
RAIL SHOWERS
HAND SHOWER
These make your shower experience feel like you’re bathing in summer rain. The water falls directly from above (no angle), providing a luxurious and immersive experience. With this type of shower, we say the bigger the shower rose, the better!
Ideal for families, rail showers are easily adjustable for both height and angle. This is also an ideal option for people whose abilities may mean they need a lower shower height. These are also great helper in cleaning your shower!
Hand showers can be installed either at a fixed height or on a rail. The shower head is on a hose and can be detached, making it easy to clean the shower. Hand showers tend to be more affordable than fixed shower heads and are usually more water efficient.
WALL MOUNTED SHOWER
Wall mounted showers can come in a large range of sizes so are not always compact. You can use gooseneck arms to give you more height or horizontal arms being anywhere from 300 – 450mm long reach and heads being from 180400mm wide.
TWIN SHOWER
FRAMELESS SHOWER SCREEN
FRAMED SHOWER SCREEN
ONE PIECE
Bathroom Grates
More of an older style, these are a straight down small point in the middle of your shower floor.
These give you the flexibility to switch between an overhead shower and a hand shower. It’s the best of both worlds.
Having no visible frames makes these a very clean, sleek and expensive-looking option – without actually being expensive. They create space and simplicity against a tiled wall.
Framed shower screens are an enclosure with different door options to contain water best suited for tiled floors or shower base applications, rather than the framless option which provides an open shower like a wet room.
A shower system which consists of screen, base and acrylic walls. This is more commonly used when replacing an existing system.
These fit long drains and can go along walls or can even separate wet and dry areas in your bathroom.
Inserting your tile into your grate makes for a seamless look. Linear and point drains can have tile inserts.
Baths
Baths offer a perfect blend of relaxation and luxury, transforming any bathroom into a serene retreat. Whether you prefer a classic clawfoot tub or a sleek, modern design, a well-chosen bath provides an inviting space to unwind.
INSET BATH
It's required that an inset bath is “checked” into the wall and the wall and tiles finish over the inset lip/ edge of the bath in order for the water to flow back in. This installation is most common for showers over bath.
ISLAND BATH
Also inbuilt, an island bath is like an inset bath with a flat edge and no tile lip. It is dropped into a tiled hob with a gap all the around between the walls.
FREESTANDING BATH
BACK-TO-WALL BATH
Freestanding baths make excellent centrepieces for your bathroom. This style of bath requires a fairly generous bathroom size and you will likely need freestanding taps. Freestanding baths can be positioned on the floor or selected models can be raised on feet
Blending the best of inset and freestanding baths, back-to-wall baths sit neatly against the wall with the sides exposed. It is a good option if you like the look of a freestanding bath but lack the space.
Toilets
The space available in your bathroom and the style of your home will determine the type of toilet you need. Whether it be close-coupled, wall hung or back-to-wall pan with a hidden cistern, Tradelink can find one to suit your needs.
BACK TO WALL
CLOSE COUPLED
BACK TO WALL PAN WITH CONCEALED CISTERN
WALL HUNG PAN WITH CONCEALED CISTERN
These toilets sit flush to the wall, concealing the inlet and waste pipes. This makes cleaning around the toilet much easier.
The cistern sits against the wall and bolts to the pan.
The clean lines and concealed pipework give a neat and uncluttered look to the bathroom.
The concealed cistern is a great space saver and is perfect for small bathrooms or ensuites.
Only the toilet pan is visible, and the cistern is concealed behind the wall. Perfect for small bathrooms.
Wall-hung toilets have space underneath giving an ultraminimalist or modern appearance.
Assisted Living
The space available in your bathroom and the style of your home will determine the type of toilet you need. Whether it be close-coupled, wall hung or back-to-wall pan with a hidden cistern, Tradelink can find one to suit your needs.
CARE HANDLES
GRAB RAILS
Care handles are easier to operate for those with limited dexterity or strength compared to traditional handles.
Place support rails near the toilet, bathtub, and shower to assist with stability and balance.
SHOWER SEAT
COMFORT/ EASY HEIGHT
Shower seats provide increased safety, comfort, and convenience, especially for individuals with mobility issues, by reducing the risk of slips and falls and allowing for a more relaxed and stable showering experience
Toilets with a higher pan offer the best support for those with restricted movement and puts less pressure on joints and the lower back. Standard pan heights range from approximately 400-420 mm, while taller pans range from 440505 mm high.
Kitchen & Laundry
Kitchens and laundries are essential to the home, serving as functional spaces that enhance daily living. The kitchen, the heart of the home, is where meals are prepared and connections are made, fostering warmth and togetherness. Meanwhile, the laundry room ensures cleanliness and order, supporting the household's hygiene and comfort.
Tapware
MIXERS
PULL-OUT/ PULL-DOWN SPRAY
GOOSE NECK SPOUT
RIGHT ANGLE SPOUT
THREE-WAY FILTER TAPS
Whilst kitchen tapware still comes in the traditional three-piece style, mixers are by far the more favoured design for kitchens. Single-handle mixers can be turned on without using hands – just push with your arm if your hands are full - and they don’t require as much force to turn on and off.
Perfect for the master chef in the home, pull-out/pull-down sprays are an extendable hose that you can pull out from the spout to increase the tap’s reach. This allows you to angle the spray, making it perfect for cleaning pots and pans and cleaning veggies.
If you’re after a more classic, elegant look, the goose-neck spout with its long, curved design exudes sophistication.
For kitchens with a contemporary, edgy design, right-angle spouts are the perfect fit. They create a bold statement.
With this system, a three-in-one mixer tap gives you the option of choosing when you want to filter your water through a second mixer. One side of the mixer delivers unfiltered hot and ambient water, while the other side delivers cold filtered water. The filter is installed under your sink.
Sinks
TOPMOUNT
Easy to install and therefore the most popular style. Topmount sinks are installed on top of the bench with the rim sitting on the benchtop to hold it in place. If you’re choosing a laminate benchtop, this is your only sink installation option.
UNDERMOUNT
These are installed directly under the counter, which creates a more streamlined look. Undermount sinks can only be used with a stone benchtop. The stone needs to be cut out to the exact size and clips are used under the sink to hold it in place. This is a contemporary style and is great for maximising bench space.
FLUSHMOUNT
This is a compromise between topmount and undermount. The sink is installed from the top and slots into a precise cavity so a rim is not required. Like the undermount, it has a more streamlined look but can only be achieved with a stone benchtop
FARMHOUSE OR BUTLER'S SINK
This style is set into the benchtop at the front so there is no bench space separating it from the user. This is more comfortable to use for longer periods. This style of sink is typically a lot deeper, making it perfect for washing large pots or trays.
Step 5 Engage a tradie
Tradie terminology
What does it all mean? At Tradelink, we’re here to help you understand the different terminologies you might hear when speaking with your tradie..
FIT OFF
Is the installation of various fixtures to an inwall plumbing system. This can include showerheads, basins, toilets, and more.
FIT OFF
TRAP TYPE: S-TRAP OR P-TRAP
Refers to the waste pipe that exits a toilet suite. An S-Trap has a waste pipe that is connected through the floor, and the P-Trap connects directly through the wall.
ROUGH IN
Involves the installation of plumbing (waste and water pipes) in the walls and floor of a bathroom.
RETROFIT
Replacing a product without changing the entire layout of a space. For example, replacing a toilet or basin, without tearing up anything else in the space.
TILE LIP
A tile lip is a small raised tile edge usually raised to prevent water leakage (for instance on entry to a shower).
LOCK UP
Reaching lock up is an exciting milestone. This means all your doors and windows are secured and you can lock up the house!
SET OUT
Set outs are completed before the rough in is done. This is where the plumber checks that all the fittings are in the correct position
ROUGH IN
S-TRAP
P-TRAP
while allowing for the thickness of the plaster and tiles that will later be used. For example, P trap set out measurement is the distance from the floor to the centre of the waste, S-Trap set out is the measurement from centre of waste to the wall.
FIRST FIX
Similar to Rough in, first fix involes the installation of plumbing (waste and water pipes) in the walls and floor of a bathroom.
SECOND FIX
Similar to Fit off, this involves all the work after the plastering of a finished house. This includes fitting shower heads, basins, toilets and more.
WELS
Water Efficiency Labelling Standards indicates how many litres are used per flush for toilets, or litre per minute for all other outlets.
Tradie recommendations
BUSINESS NAME CONTACT NAME NUMBER
S-TRAP SET OUT
P-TRAP SET OUT
BATHROOM
TOILET/S
ACCESSORIES
KITCHEN
TAPWARE
SINKS
APPLIANCES
LAUNDRY
TAPWARE
SINKS
APPLIANCES
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