Ensuite and family bathroom upgrades in Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and Kew

Homes across Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Fairfield, Alphington and Kew often have more than one bathroom: a family bathroom used by everyone and an ensuite for the main bedroom. Renovating them together, or one after the other, raises a useful question: how do you make them feel related without making them identical? This guide covers layouts, products and finishes, with links to our showroom page for Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and Kew.

Give each room a job

The family bathroom needs durability, storage and easy cleaning. The ensuite can be calmer and more personal. Writing down who uses each room, and when, helps decide where to spend.

• Family bathroom: a bath for children, a hand shower, plenty of drawers and hard wearing matt floor tiles.
• Ensuite: a generous shower, a double or wide single vanity, good lighting and a feature finish.

Double vanities

A double vanity eases the morning rush. Allow enough width for two people to stand comfortably, often 1200mm or more, and check the plumbing positions for two wastes. Our vanity size guide explains common widths. Browse vanities from Otti, Aulic and ADP, and pair them with above counter basins or stone basins.

Freestanding baths

A freestanding bath is a popular centrepiece in a larger family bathroom or a generous ensuite. Check the access path, the floor structure for heavy stone baths, and space to clean around it. A floor mounted bath filler suits a bath in the middle of the room. Read the freestanding bath buying guide.

Making two bathrooms feel related

1. One tapware finish across both rooms, such as warm or cool brushed nickel or brushed gold.
2. A shared floor tile, with different wall or feature tiles in each room.
3. Repeat the vanity timber or colour, with a different size or style.
4. Same grout colour to keep the look consistent. See our grout guide.

Tiles for larger bathrooms

Large format 600x1200mm porcelain in a marble look or stone look gives a calm, seamless finish across a bigger floor. A mosaic feature behind the bath or in the shower niche adds texture.

Lighting and storage

An LED mirror or lit shaving cabinet gives even light at the vanity, and a heated towel rail from our accessories range adds comfort. Plan power points early with your electrician.

Showers in the ensuite

A walk in shower with a frameless screen makes an ensuite feel open. A twin shower with an overhead rose and a hand shower is popular, and a progressive or diverter mixer keeps controls simple. If you are tiling the shower floor in the same large tile as the room, plan a linear drain. Our article on shower rails and fixed showers compares the options.

Toilets and privacy

In an ensuite open to the bedroom, a separate toilet area or a half height wall adds privacy. Wall faced and back to wall toilet suites are easier to clean around, and in wall cisterns free up a little space.

Lighting the room

Layered lighting makes a renovated bathroom feel finished. Combine ceiling lights with an LED mirror for even light at the face, and consider a soft night light for ensuites. Choose a warm or neutral colour temperature and use it consistently.

Heritage homes

Older homes in Kew and Ivanhoe may have heritage features worth keeping. Classic shapes, subway or hexagon tiles and traditional style tapware can respect the house while adding modern comfort.

Measure, select, quote

We offer a free measure across these suburbs. Our Reservoir showroom is about 15 to 20 minutes from Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and Rosanna, about 20 minutes from Fairfield and Alphington, and typically 25 to 35 minutes from Kew. After selection, we quote products, plus installation by our qualified trades if you want it.

Common questions

How wide should a double vanity be?

Many double vanities are 1200mm or wider so two people can use them comfortably. Measure your space and check plumbing positions.

Should my ensuite match my main bathroom?

They do not need to match, but sharing a tapware finish, floor tile or grout colour makes them feel related.

Do you service Kew?

Yes. We offer a free measure in Kew, and our Reservoir showroom is typically 25 to 35 minutes away by car.

Close to Thornbury, Preston and Northcote

Our Reservoir showroom is minutes from the inner north. See our local pages for bathroom tiles and tapware near Thornbury, bathroom renovations near Preston and the tile shop near Northcote, or browse all areas we serve.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.