Unit and townhouse bathroom renovations in Reservoir, Preston and Coburg

Reservoir, Preston and Coburg have thousands of units, from 1960s and 1970s brick blocks to newer townhouses and apartments along the main roads. Their bathrooms are usually small, often windowless, and sometimes shared with the laundry. A smart renovation can make them feel twice the size. This guide covers what is different about renovating in a unit, with ideas you can see at our Reservoir showroom.

Check with the owners corporation first

If your unit is part of an owners corporation, some work may need approval, especially anything involving shared plumbing, waterproofing over another unit, or noise and access during works. Before you start:

• Read the owners corporation rules and ask the manager what needs approval.
• Ask whether there are rules about working hours, rubbish removal and lift or stair use.
• Find out where the shared stack and wastes run, as moving fixtures may be limited.
• Upstairs units need particular care with waterproofing. Your builder or plumber should advise.

Keep the layout, upgrade everything else

Moving a toilet or shower in a unit is often difficult and expensive. Keeping the layout and putting the budget into better finishes usually gives the best result.

Make a small room feel bigger

• Larger, lighter tiles: 600x600mm or 600x1200mm porcelain in a pale marble look or stone look means fewer grout lines and more reflected light.
• One tile through floor and walls: using the same tile everywhere blurs the edges of the room.
• Floor to ceiling tiling: draws the eye up and makes a low ceiling feel taller.
• A frameless screen: a single fixed glass panel instead of a framed enclosure.

Space saving fittings

• Vanities: a slim space saver vanity or a wall hung vanity with drawers.
• Basins: a semi recessed basin reduces vanity depth, and a wall hung basin suits a tiny powder room.
• Storage: a shaving cabinet is the most useful storage in a small bathroom, and an LED shaving cabinet adds light as well.
• Toilets: a back to wall toilet hides the pipework and is easy to clean.
• Showers: a rail shower takes up little room and suits everyone.
• Towels: a slim heated towel rail helps towels dry in a windowless room.

Windowless bathrooms

Many units have an internal bathroom. Light coloured tiles, a gloss or satin wall finish, an LED mirror or cabinet and good extraction make a big difference. Ask your electrician about a quiet, properly ducted exhaust fan. See bathroom lighting and LED mirrors.

Combined bathroom and laundry

Some units hide the washing machine in the bathroom. A wall hung vanity next to a tiled laundry nook with a small laundry sink and a cupboard above keeps it tidy. Tile behind the machine so splashes are not a problem.

Townhouses

Newer townhouses in Preston, Coburg and Reservoir usually have two or three bathrooms on different floors. Using the same tile and tapware finish across all of them makes the home feel cohesive, and ordering everything together keeps the job simple. A powder room downstairs is a great place for a bolder feature tile.

Next steps

Bring a floor plan or photos to our Reservoir showroom. We offer a free measure across Preston, Coburg, Brunswick and Pascoe Vale and the rest of the north, and can quote installation by our qualified trades, or supply products only. For more ideas, see small bathroom ideas.

Common questions

Do I need owners corporation approval to renovate my unit bathroom?

It depends on your owners corporation rules and the work involved. Changes to shared plumbing, waterproofing or structure often need approval, so ask the manager before you start.

Can I move the toilet in a unit?

Sometimes, but it is often limited by where the shared waste pipes run. Keeping the layout is usually simpler and cheaper.

What makes a small windowless bathroom feel bigger?

Large, light coloured tiles, one tile through floor and walls, a frameless glass panel, a wall hung vanity and good lighting.

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.