Planning a compact bathroom, powder room or ensuite in Perth or across WA? This expert guide from Joyce Kitchens covers typical sizes, minimum clearances, practical layouts, material choices and renovation costs—so your small space looks great and functions brilliantly.
Core small bathroom dimensions in Australia
While the National Construction Code (NCC) doesn’t prescribe a “standard bathroom size”, Australian homes follow common planning ranges. Use the following as a practical starting point; then we’ll tailor your design for your household and home.
Typical room sizes
- Small family bathroom (shower or bath, vanity, toilet): 2.0–2.4 m long x 1.6–2.4 m wide. A very compact full bathroom can work at around 1.5 x 2.2 m with smart planning.
- Ensuite (shower, vanity, toilet): commonly 1.5–1.8 m wide x 2.0–2.6 m long. A comfortable ensuite is often 1.8 x 2.4 m.
- Powder room (WC) (toilet + small basin): from about 0.9–1.0 m wide x 1.4–1.8 m long.
Related reading: For space‑smart planning in bedrooms, see small ensuite designs with proven layouts and joinery tips.
Minimum functional clearances and bathroom specs
- Shower: 900 x 900 mm is a comfortable minimum; 800 x 800 mm can work in tight spaces; 1200 x 900 mm suits a walk-in (hobless) with frameless shower screen.
- Toilet set-out: allow ~760–900 mm overall width and ~600 mm clear space in front; centreline at least ~450 mm from side wall or obstruction is a common planning rule of thumb.
- Vanity: depth 450–500 mm for compact; 600 mm standard. Single vanity width 600–900 mm; double vanity 1200–1500 mm. Consider a wall-hung vanity to increase floor clearance.
- Bath: 1500–1700 mm length, 700–800 mm width. Short baths at ~1500 mm are excellent in smaller bathrooms.
- Circulation: aim for ~900 mm clear in front of major fixtures for comfortable movement in a small bathroom layout.
- Doorways: typical internal door 820 mm; sliding or pocket doors save space and improve bathroom width usability.
- Ceiling height: bathrooms commonly 2.4 m; the NCC allows 2.1 m minimum in sanitary compartments. Always confirm with your builder/designer for your home.
The term refers to the practical width, length and clearances needed to fit a shower, toilet and vanity (and sometimes a bath) into a compact footprint while meeting Australian building best practice and comfort.
Related reading: Want a premium aesthetic in a compact footprint? Explore small luxury modern bathroom finishes, lighting and layouts.
Bathroom length and width planning
For a narrow room (e.g., 1.5 m bathroom width), consider a linear three-in-a-row layout: vanity → toilet → shower. In wider rooms (1.8–2.4 m), a shower opposite a vanity often yields better circulation.
Compliance and waterproofing
- Wet area waterproofing in Australia follows AS 3740; use licensed waterproofers and plumbers.
- Electrical zones near baths/showers follow AS/NZS 3000. Always engage a licensed electrician for lighting and power point placement.
- For accessible design, refer to AS 1428.1 (larger circulation allowances than standard homes).
Helpful authorities: HIA, ABCB/NCC, Master Builders WA.
Smart small bathroom layouts and styles
Compact layouts that work
- Three-in-a-row (1.5–1.7 m wide): Wall-hung vanity near the door, toilet central, shower at the far end with a nib wall or clear glass screen. Consider a hobless shower to keep the floor continuous.
- Galley (1.8–2.0 m wide): Vanity opposite shower, toilet at the end. Use a pocket door so the swing doesn’t steal your aisle space.
- Bath-shower combo: If you must have a bath, a 1500 mm bath with a frameless panel saves width; pair it with a slim-depth vanity (450–500 mm).
- Ensuite privacy: Half-height nib wall or frosted glass for the toilet zone; add an in-wall cistern to reduce bathroom length requirement.
A walk-in shower built flush with the bathroom floor, improving accessibility and making the room feel larger. Requires correct falls and compliant waterproofing.
Storage-led style (that suits small bathrooms)
- Shaker-style vanity for timeless appeal (inspired by a shaker kitchen look) with soft-close drawers and internal organisers.
- Mirror cabinet recessed into the wall to add storage without increasing bathroom width.
- LED strip lighting under a wall-hung vanity for a floating effect, and over-niche lighting in the shower.
- Floor-to-ceiling tiles in light tones visually expand the space; matte black tapware or brushed nickel for contrast.
- Frameless shower screen and oversized tiles (600 x 600 or 600 x 1200) to reduce grout lines.
Real WA examples
Mount Lawley ensuite (1.6 x 2.1 m): We used a 900 x 900 hobless shower, an in-wall cistern and a 700 mm wall-hung vanity with engineered storage. The clear glass screen and full-height tiles made it feel like a much larger room.
Cottesloe family bathroom (2.4 x 2.7 m): A 1500 mm inset bath with a frameless panel, 1200 mm double-drawer vanity and a heated towel rail created a spa-like feel without changing the footprint.
Our Perth renovation process
- Measure & brief: We map your current small bathroom measurements, plumbing points and any structural constraints.
- Design & 3D: Space planning for optimal bathroom length, width and storage, plus elevations and selections.
- Selections: Tiles, tapware, vanity top and custom cabinetry WA-made in our local workshop.
- Build: Licensed trades, compliant waterproofing (AS 3740), plumbing and electrics (AS/NZS 3500 and AS/NZS 3000), and quality control.
- Aftercare: Hand-over packs and maintenance guidance.
Joyce Kitchens also designs and builds kitchen renovations Perth, laundry renovation projects and wardrobe design (including walk-in robes), for cohesive joinery across your home.
Materials and finishes for compact bathrooms
High-moisture performance is critical. We’ll guide you on benchtops, cabinetry, tiles and fittings that suit WA conditions and your budget.
Engineered stone containing crystalline silica is banned in Australia for new work. For the look and performance you want, consider porcelain/sintered stone, solid surface, compact laminate or natural stone with appropriate sealing.
Vanity benchtop comparison
| Benchtop Material | Best for | Moisture/Heat | Look & Feel | Typical Cost (Perth) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain / Sintered stone | Premium small bathrooms needing thin profiles and high durability | Excellent moisture and heat resistance | Large-format, stone or concrete looks with minimal joins | $$$ | Great for curved edges and integrated basins; needs specialist fabrication |
| High-pressure laminate | Value-led projects and rental properties | Good moisture resistance on well-sealed substrates | Wide range of colours and timber-look finishes | $ | Best paired with quality edge sealing; excellent bang-for-buck |
Cabinetry and fixtures
- Moisture-resistant cabinetry: Use MR board carcasses and sealed edges. Wall-hung units enhance floor cleaning and space feel.
- Tapware and hardware: Choose WELS-rated mixers; matte black tapware is popular, but brushed nickel resists fingerprints.
- Heating & ventilation: Exhaust fans sized for the room; optional underfloor heating improves comfort with stone-look tiles.
What does a small bathroom cost in Perth?
- Refresh (keep layout, new fixtures/tiles): approx $10,000–$18,000.
- Mid-range renovation (select re-plumbing, new waterproofing, custom vanity): approx $18,000–$28,000.
- Premium (full strip-out, layout changes, porcelain/sintered benchtops, feature tiles): $28,000–$45,000+.
Costs vary with access, plumbing moves, tile choice, and fixture quality. Ensuites are smaller but can cost similar per square metre due to waterproofing and trade time.
Practical measuring and planning checklist
- Measure existing bathroom width and length (to the plaster) and ceiling height.
- Note set-outs: plumbing, floor waste, window/door locations, and any nib walls or bulkheads.
- Decide essentials: shower size, toilet type (in-wall or close-coupled), single/double vanity.
- Consider a sliding or pocket door to free up circulation space.
- Plan lighting: overhead, task lighting at the mirror, and soft LED strip lighting.
- Choose finishes: tiles, grout, benchtop, and joinery colourway to match your kitchen or laundry for whole-home cohesion (think scullery or butler’s pantry styling carryover).
- Ventilation and heating: exhaust fan size, window venting, and optional underfloor heating or heated towel rail.
- Future-proofing: hobless shower, wider doorways, and non-slip tiles.
- Book a Joyce Kitchens consult for custom cabinetry and bathroom renovations Perth homeowners trust.
FAQ
What are standard small bathroom dimensions in Australia?
There’s no single standard, but a compact full bathroom typically fits within 2.0–2.4 m in length and 1.6–2.4 m in width. With careful planning, a full bathroom can work at roughly 1.5 x 2.2 m using a 900 x 900 mm shower, a slim-depth vanity and a space-saving toilet.
What is the minimum size for an ensuite?
A practical minimum ensuite with a shower, toilet and vanity starts around 1.5 x 2.0–2.2 m. For greater comfort and storage, aim for about 1.8 x 2.4 m, which allows a 1200 mm vanity and a 1000–1200 mm walk-in shower.
How wide is a standard bathroom?
In Australian homes, bathroom width commonly ranges from about 1.6 m to 2.4 m. Narrow rooms around 1.5–1.7 m wide benefit from a three-in-a-row layout, while rooms 1.8–2.4 m wide can support opposing fixtures with a comfortable 900 mm circulation zone.
What are typical bathroom dimensions for a family home?
A typical family bathroom is about 2.4 x 2.4 m to 2.4 x 3.0 m, allowing for a separate shower, a 1500–1700 mm bath, a 900–1200 mm vanity and a comfortable toilet zone. Powder rooms can be as small as 0.9–1.0 m wide by 1.4–1.8 m long.
What’s the best size bathroom for long-term value?
For resale and everyday comfort, a bathroom around 2.2–2.6 m long by 1.8–2.4 m wide works well. It supports a generous 1000–1200 mm shower, a 900–1200 mm vanity and good storage, which buyers in Perth and WA consistently value.
Ready to plan your small bathroom?
From ensuite measurements to cabinetry, tiles and lighting, Joyce Kitchens designs, manufactures and installs across Perth and WA. Book your in-home or showroom consult and let’s make every millimetre work.
