Renovation tips for Melbourne bathrooms

Flexibility is the key when planning a Melbourne bathroom renovation, to ensure year-long comfort. Make sure you consider the strong seasonal changes experienced in Melbourne when planning your next bathroom renovation.

There are many factors to consider before renovating your bathroom. According to Shirley Cooper, senior designer at Hunter and Richards, Melbourne bathrooms should be specifically designed for the city, taking into account the strong change of seasons Melburnians experience. "Bathroom designs in Victoria thrive on flexibility," Shirley says.

"We like to open up our bathrooms to internal courtyards in summer, while closing them down in winter and taking advantage of slab heating and heated towel rails. Natural light is another major factor to be considered. Don't be deceived that the bathroom is less important than other rooms when planning renovations, as the bathroom is the 'pamper' room, after all."

Shirley says the best advice she can give on designing a bathroom in Melbourne is to contact an accredited designer to assist in the initial concept stages. "So often we see clients come in with a design that they have paid for, or worse have designed themselves," she says. "It's important to personalise your bathroom, but sometimes the smallest planning difference can make the biggest impact.

For bathroom renovations in Melbourne, make sure you allow room in your budget for the design. After all, the bathroom is visited as often as the kitchen or living room. "A bad design coupled with an expensive tap fitting no longer suffices," says Shirley. "Demand more from the design, not from the fittings. Well-designed spaces can accommodate the cheapest fittings and look equally amazing."

So, rather than focusing on the latest fittings or finishes available at trendy Melbourne bathroom stores, Shirley recommends that your bathroom design should be tailored to your individual needs. "Concentrate on how you use the space," she says. "Everybody conducts their routine differently and the bathroom design needs to reflect this. You should be able to remove the fittings and have the design hold its integrity."

For those on a budget, there are ways to give your bathroom a facelift without having to mortgage your home. Shirley suggests taking advantage of products such as tile and laminate paint. "Often it is a colour scheme rather than the design that you tire of quickly," she says. "This, along with accessories, allows you to change the aesthetic without any major joinery or renovation works."

If you're thinking of renovating your bathroom in Melbourne - or anywhere in Australia - make sure you get some professional advice from a qualified bathroom designer: