Bathrooms for older homes in Geelong West, Newtown and Belmont

Geelong West, Newtown, Manifold Heights, Herne Hill and Belmont are full of older homes with real character: weatherboard workers cottages, interwar bungalows, and solid postwar brick houses. Their bathrooms are often the least loved room in the house, small, cold and dated. The goal of a good renovation is a bathroom that works like a new one but still feels like it belongs. For local directions and services, see our pages for Geelong West, Hamlyn Heights and Bell Park and Newtown, Belmont and Highton.

What you are likely to find

• Timber subfloors: most cottages and bungalows have timber floors on stumps. Tiles need a stable, properly sheeted and waterproofed base, and old stumps may need attention first.
• Walls out of square: older walls are rarely perfectly straight, which shows up with very large tiles.
• A small room at the back: many bathrooms were added to the back of the house later, often next to the laundry.
• High ceilings: common in older cottages, which gives you room to play with tile height.

None of these are problems if you plan for them. Your builder or tiler should check the floor and walls before you finalise tile sizes.

Layouts that work in a small room

• Wall hung everything: a wall hung vanity and a wall hung toilet keep the floor visible, which makes the room feel larger.
• Slim vanities: a space saver vanity or a semi recessed basin saves depth where the door swings in.
• Shower over bath: a back to wall bath with a rail shower and a fixed glass panel keeps a bath for the kids in a modest room.
• Combining with the laundry: if the laundry is next door, it is sometimes worth borrowing space, or tiling both rooms in one job.

More ideas are in our small bathroom ideas guide.

Tiles that suit older homes

Cottages and workers cottages

Simple, classic tiles respect the age of the house. Subway tiles in white or cream laid in brick bond, a hexagon or penny round mosaic floor, and a half height tile line with paint above all look right. A soft green or blue gloss tile adds colour without feeling modern for the sake of it.

Interwar bungalows

Bungalow bathrooms suit terrazzo looks, patterned floor tiles and vertical 300x600mm wall tiles. See renovating a Californian bungalow bathroom; the same ideas apply in Geelong.

Postwar brick homes in Belmont and Bell Park

These homes suit a cleaner, mid century feel. Matt porcelain in 600x600mm, a terrazzo look floor, and a single colour feature wall are all good choices. The layout is often fine as is, which keeps plumbing costs down.

Vanities, tapware and baths

• Vanities: timber vanities and fluted fronts sit comfortably in older homes. Browse vanities and pair with a stone basin for a natural look.
• Tapware: cross handle wall taps and mixers in chrome, brushed nickel or brass suit period homes. See the tapware finishes guide.
• Baths: a compact freestanding bath can fit a surprisingly small room if the shower is separate. Check the length and the waste position first.
• Heating: older homes are cold. A heated towel rail helps towels dry and takes the chill off.

Respecting the house without copying the past

You do not need a museum piece. A good rule is to keep one or two traditional elements, such as a mosaic floor or cross handle taps, and let the rest be simple and modern. That balance suits the house, and it will still look right in ten years.

Next steps

Bring photos, rough measurements and any plans to our Geelong showroom, and take tile samples home to see them in your light. We offer a free measure and can quote installation by our qualified trades, or supply products only. For the full process, read our bathroom renovation guide for Geelong homes.

Common questions

Can you tile over a timber floor in an old cottage?

Yes, as long as the floor is stable and properly prepared with the right sheeting and waterproofing. Your builder or tiler should check the subfloor first.

What tile size suits an older bathroom with uneven walls?

Smaller formats such as subway tiles, 300x600mm wall tiles and mosaics are more forgiving on walls that are not perfectly straight.

Which tapware suits a period home?

Cross handle taps and mixers in chrome, brushed nickel or brass suit most older homes, and they come in matching basin, shower and bath sets.

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 and Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, or book a renovation consult, 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. See all the areas we serve.