Tips for Perth bathroom renovations

Perth can experience extreme summer and winter conditions, so plan accordingly before beginning your bathroom renovation.

Renovating a bathroom in Perth can be a tricky business, but it doesn't have to break your spirit - or bank balance. Here's how!

Bathroom renovations in Western Australian homes often require a different approach to those in other states. Karen Bryce, director of All Style Bathrooms, explains: "Perth can experience extremes when it comes to our summers and winters, so insulation in the ceiling is a must and a mounted blow heater is the most effective for warmth."

The way homes are constructed may also dictate whether it's practical to relocate fixtures and fittings in a bathroom in Perth. "Homes in Perth are mainly brick and tiles, so relocating plumbing in walls can also be more expensive due to chasing pipework, as opposed to Queensland, where a lot of the homes aren't brick and tiles," says Karen.

But in terms of design, Karen believes that Perth bathrooms follow the same trends as those in other capital cities. "I would say that the overall Perth look and feel for bathrooms is very much the same as in the rest of Australia," she says. "It's really all about creating space, clean lines, making it functional and easy to clean."

Achieving the right look is a matter of personal taste. Karen likes bathroom designs that maximise the feeling of space, with wall-hung vanities, good lighting and large floor-to-ceiling tiles in gloss or matt. Vanities with large drawers and Zeavola Tapware are her particular favourites.

If you're thinking of renovating a bathroom in Perth yourself - and cash is tight - Karen says that it doesn't have to cost a fortune to achieve a new look. Simply change your shower screen (clear glass will maximise the feeling of space), repaint the ceiling and walls, update lighting and taps, and finish with a fresh towel colour or new accessories - there are plenty of bathroom options.

Keep in mind that bathroom trends can date like any other trend in the home. Things will always improve and colours will come and go, so it's wise to use natural, earth-based colours that are more timeless; after all, you want your renovation to last a long time.

Karen also says it's definitely worth taking the time to source Perth bathroom designers and renovators who know what they're doing. "Bathrooms add a lot to your home's value, so it's important to use qualified and experienced people," she says. "Don't try and cut corners for the sake of a few dollars, as you get what you pay for when it comes to bathrooms!"

To update a bathroom in Perth or Western Australia, talk to All Style Bathrooms or find a designer in your area: