Transform a compact space into a serene, high-end retreat. This expert guide from Joyce Kitchens covers small luxury modern bathroom planning, layouts, compliant materials, WA-friendly finishes and real-world costs—plus how our Perth team designs bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and wardrobes that work together across your home.
Core insights for small contemporary bathrooms
- Prioritise a walk-in shower with a frameless shower screen to open up sightlines and reduce visual clutter.
- Choose a floating vanity with integrated storage, soft-close drawers and handleless cabinetry for a clean, modern profile.
- Layer task and ambient light. LED strip lighting under vanities, niches and mirror cabinets lifts the luxury feel without crowding the ceiling.
- Use large-format porcelain tiles with slip rating P4 in wet zones to minimise grout lines and make the room feel larger.
- Ventilation is non-negotiable—select a quiet, high-capacity exhaust suited to WA humidity and follow AS/NZS 3000 for electrical in wet areas.
- WELS rating: Australia’s water-efficiency label for taps, showers and toilets. Higher stars = lower water use.
- IP rating: Ingress Protection for lights/fans in wet zones (e.g., IP44 above a shower).
- Waterproofing membrane: A liquid-applied barrier required by AS 3740 to protect walls and floors in wet areas.
While this guide focuses on bathrooms, many clients want a cohesive look across the home. Matching finishes from your bathroom to a shaker kitchen, laundry or wardrobe—think satin brass PVD tapware, sintered stone, or a soft white 2‑pack finish—builds a consistent, high-end feel.
Our renovation and design process
1) Consult and measure
We start with an in-home measure or plan review. We assess plumbing positions, ceiling heights, ventilation paths, and door swing—pocket doors often free up vital floor area in small contemporary bathroom designs.
2) Concept and layout options
We present two to three small modern luxury bathroom design concepts with mood boards and a preliminary specification (vanity, tiles, lighting, fittings). If you’re renovating more than one room, we align selections with your kitchen renovations Perth or wardrobe fit-outs.
3) Selections and technical detailing
- Finalise tiles, slab surfaces (sintered/porcelain or solid surface), tapware, lighting and custom cabinetry WA details.
- Detail waterproofing per AS 3740 and electrical per AS/NZS 3000, including zone-safe lighting and GPO positions.
4) Build and installation
- Demolition, first fix plumbing/electrical, membranes, tiling, cabinetry, benchtops, glazing, second fix, silicone and sealers.
- Quality checks: fall to floor wastes, grout finishing, silicone joints, WELS-labelled fittings, ventilation performance.
5) Handover and care
We provide care guides for porcelain tiles, sintered slabs, 2‑pack polyurethane, and PVD tapware, plus maintenance tips to keep luxury bathrooms small in scale looking impeccable long term.
In Australia, wet-area works must meet the National Construction Code, AS 3740 (waterproofing) and AS/NZS 3000 (electrical). Consider engaging a HIA or Master Builders WA member contractor for peace of mind.
Materials and finishes that last
Vanity tops and surfaces
Sintered/porcelain slab and solid surface are leading options for moisture, heat and UV stability in small contemporary bathrooms. Timber accents are beautiful—use quality veneer or solid timber with marine-grade sealers and regular maintenance.
Comparison: Sintered/Porcelain Slab vs Laminate (for compact vanities)
| Feature | Sintered/Porcelain Slab | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture/heat resistance | Excellent; non-porous, heat and UV stable | Good for moisture; sensitive to heat/steam at joints |
| Seams and edges | Mitred edges possible, minimal joins | Visible edges/post-formed; joins at cut-outs |
| Look/feel | Luxurious stone/terrazzo/cement looks | Vast range; improving realism |
| Maintenance | Low; wipe clean, high stain resistance | Low; avoid standing water at seams |
| Typical Perth supply/fit (600–1,200 mm) | $$$–$$$$ | $–$$ |
| Compliance | Compliant and silica-safe | Compliant |
Engineered stone benchtop products containing crystalline silica have been prohibited across Australia from 2024. If you previously considered an engineered stone benchtop, choose compliant alternatives such as sintered/porcelain slab or solid surface instead.
Cabinetry and storage
- Cabinet carcasses: moisture-resistant MR MDF or plywood.
- Fronts: 2‑pack polyurethane, thermofoil, or timber veneer. Shaker-style vanity fronts can echo a shaker kitchen if you want a classic-luxe thread through the home.
- Hardware: soft-close drawers, pull-out hampers, power points inside shaving cabinets, and LED strip lighting on sensors.
Tiles and grout
- Floor: porcelain with P4 slip rating in showers; rectified edges for tight grout joints.
- Walls: large format (e.g., 600×1,200 mm) to elongate sightlines in small contemporary bathrooms.
- Grout: premium, stain-resistant with a penetrating sealer—especially in lighter colours.
Tapware and fittings
- PVD finishes (brushed nickel, satin brass, gunmetal) are durable and on trend.
- Choose WELS 4–5 star tapware and 3 star showers to balance comfort with water savings.
- Back-to-wall or wall-hung toilets save space and simplify cleaning.
Lighting and ventilation
- Downlights on dimmers + mirror lighting + under-vanity LED for layering.
- Exhaust fan sized to room volume; consider humidity sensors and quiet motors.
For bright, private powder rooms, explore small toilet ideas with window—glazing, ventilation and layout tips.
A low, tiled wall (often 900–1,200 mm high) beside a shower or toilet. It hides plumbing, adds a shelf, and separates zones without closing the room.
Layouts and styles that maximise space
Smart small bathroom layouts
- One-wall layout: Basin, WC and shower on one wall to control plumbing costs.
- Walk-in shower + floating vanity: Best balance of function and openness.
- Compact bath-shower combo: Choose a low, straight-edged bath and a panel screen; ideal for families.
- Mirror cabinets: Recessed where possible for slim depth and extra storage.
- Pocket or outward-swing doors: Prevent clashes in tiny rooms.
Style directions
- Modern-luxe: Stone-look porcelain, satin brass tapware, fluted glass, warm LED.
- Scandi coastal: Light oak veneer, white 2‑pack, matt white tapware, microcement-look tiles.
- Classic contemporary: Soft grey shaker fronts, marble-look sintered slab, chrome tapware—ties beautifully to a shaker kitchen.
WA case examples
Subiaco apartment (3.2 m²): We replaced a shower-over-bath with a walk-in shower, added a 900 mm floating vanity with integrated bins, and used 600×1,200 mm porcelain tiles. Result: a brighter space that feels 30% larger by measurement of usable floor area and sightline depth.
Fremantle cottage (4.1 m²): Classic-luxe scheme with shaker vanity fronts, satin brass PVD tapware and a nib wall to house a recessed toilet cistern. Ventilation upgraded to a quiet, humidity-sensing fan to preserve timber accents.
Perth costs and budget planning
Indicative ranges for a small luxury modern bathroom in Perth (3–5 m²). Actual pricing varies with structure, selections and access:
- Cosmetic refresh: $8,000–$18,000 (retain plumbing positions; new vanity, screen, tapware, repaint, minor tiling)
- Mid-range renovation: $25,000–$35,000 (new waterproofing, full tiling, custom vanity, quality fittings, lighting)
- Premium/luxury renovation: $35,000–$60,000+ (sintered slab, fluted glass, heated floor, niches, bespoke joinery)
- Structural/plumbing changes: Add $5,000–$20,000 depending on relocations and remedial works
Typical allowances (guide)
- Custom floating vanity with 2‑pack fronts: $2,200–$6,500
- Sintered/porcelain vanity top (600–1,200 mm): $1,200–$3,500
- Tiles supplied: $50–$160+ per m² (porcelain)
- Frameless shower screen: $900–$1,800
- Tapware set (basin + shower + accessories): $1,000–$3,500
- Waterproofing labour/materials: $900–$1,800
- Electrical and lighting: $1,200–$3,000
Tip: Align bathroom selections with your kitchen or laundry for bulk purchasing and a cohesive palette. Joyce Kitchens coordinates bathroom renovations Perth alongside kitchen renovations Perth, wardrobes and laundries for better value and a consistent specification.
Small bathroom luxury checklist
- Floating vanity with soft-close drawers and integrated power
- Frameless walk-in shower and recessed niche
- Large-format porcelain tiles, slip rated in the shower
- LED mirror and under-vanity lighting on sensors
- Sintered/porcelain or solid-surface vanity top (silica-safe)
- Quiet, humidity-sensing exhaust with ducting to exterior
- WELS-rated fittings and a wall-hung or back-to-wall toilet
- Quality waterproofing to AS 3740 with certified installers
Useful authorities and resources in Australia:
Why Joyce Kitchens
Since 1994 we’ve designed and built custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust—bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and wardrobes. Our designers optimise compact spaces with intelligent storage, premium materials and compliant detailing. Visit our Perth showroom or book an in-home consultation.
To achieve cohesion across your home, see small renovations for end-to-end design and project management in WA.
FAQ
How much does a small luxury modern bathroom cost in Perth?
Expect $25,000–$35,000 for a well-specified renovation and $35,000–$60,000+ for premium finishes, with cosmetic refreshes from $8,000–$18,000. Moving plumbing, changing layouts or correcting structural issues will add to these ranges.
What tile size works best in a small contemporary bathroom?
Use 600×600 mm or 600×1,200 mm porcelain on walls to reduce grout lines and visually expand the room. Choose P4 slip-rated tiles in showers and consider rectified edges for tighter joints.
Is engineered stone still allowed in Australian bathrooms?
No. Engineered stone products containing crystalline silica are prohibited in Australia from 2024. Select compliant, silica-safe alternatives such as sintered/porcelain slab or solid surface for vanity tops and ledges.
Can I use timber or veneer in a small bathroom without issues?
Yes—use moisture-resistant substrates (MR MDF or plywood), quality veneer or solid timber with marine-grade sealers, and ensure strong ventilation to control humidity. Wipe up standing water promptly.
