Transform your toilet or powder room with Joyce Kitchens’ Perth-based designers. From smart space planning to durable materials and compliant plumbing, this guide covers practical toilet renovation ideas for Australian homes—plus costs, timing and a step-by-step process.
Core Toilet Makeover Insights
Whether you call it a toilet makeover or a restroom makeover, the aim is the same: maximise comfort, hygiene and storage in a compact footprint—without blowing the budget. Here are the wins our Perth clients love.
Quick wins that lift value and hygiene
- Upgrade to a rimless toilet suite with an in-wall or concealed cistern for easier cleaning and a crisp, modern look.
- Choose water-efficient tapware and suites with 4–5 star WELS ratings to cut water bills in WA.
- Install wall-hung vanities or compact custom cabinetry for more floor exposure and better visual space.
- Use LED strip lighting under shelving or mirrors to add ambience without glare.
- Select hard-wearing porcelain floor tiles with P3–P4 slip resistance for safety.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Overlooking ventilation—ensure an extraction fan is sized to the room volume and ducted correctly.
- Picking the wrong swing for the door—consider cavity sliders to avoid tight clearance around the pan.
- Not planning storage—narrow wall cabinets, recessed niches and soft-close drawers make a big difference.
- Ignoring set-out constraints—S-trap and P-trap connections limit how far fixtures can move without new drainage.
Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme rates fixtures (taps, toilets, showers) for water use. Higher stars = more efficient.
Our Perth Toilet Renovation Process
Joyce Kitchens has delivered custom cabinetry and wet-area upgrades across Perth for decades—alongside our kitchen renovations Perth, laundry renovation and wardrobe fit-outs. Here’s how we handle a toilet or powder room refresh:
1) Design consultation and measure
- We assess room size, door swing, ventilation, natural light and drainage set-out.
- Style direction: Hamptons-inspired shaker fronts, coastal, contemporary, or minimal designer looks.
- Selections shortlist: tiles, vanity, benchtop, basin, mixer, mirror cabinet, lighting and accessories.
2) Compliance-first plan
- Plumbing and drainage to AS/NZS 3500 and waterproofing to AS 3740 where applicable.
- NCC/BCA and WA Building & Energy requirements checked; licensed trades engaged.
- If moving the pan or adding an in-wall cistern, we confirm wall cavity depth and structural considerations.
3) Detailed quotation and schedule
- Transparent itemisation: fixtures, custom cabinetry WA-made, tiling, electrical, painting and removal.
- Lead times for vanities, porcelain slabs and tapware are factored into the program.
4) Build and quality assurance
- Protection of adjacent areas; demolition and responsible waste removal.
- Plumbing rough-in, electrical, sheeting and waterproofing (if required), tiling and fit-off.
- Final QA: fall to waste, silicone, grout, WELS fixtures installed correctly, soft-close hardware adjusted.
Extending beyond a WC? Dive into bathroom renovations for small bathrooms covering layouts, materials and WA costs.
Materials and Finishes That Work in WA
Powder rooms and toilets demand durable, easy-clean finishes that also look the part. Below are proven choices for Perth homes.
Tiles and walls
- Porcelain tiles on floors and feature walls for stain resistance and longevity.
- Ceramic subway or kit-kat tiles as a subtle splashback behind the basin.
- For walls not tiled, use mould-resistant paint; consider VJ panelling sealed above skirting level.
Fixtures and fittings
- Rimless back-to-wall pans in vitreous china are easier to clean.
- In-wall cisterns save space and simplify cleaning; ensure service access via the flush plate.
- Wall-hung or semi-recessed basins with compact projection (330–420 mm) work well in narrow rooms.
- Mixers with WELS 5-star flow; consider matte black, brushed nickel or classic chrome finishes.
A pan without the traditional rim; water jets circulate around the bowl for a cleaner flush and fewer dirt traps.
Vanities, benchtops and storage
For powder rooms, the vanity top matters for everyday cleaning and long-term wear—especially if you use hot hair tools. Below is a comparison often requested by Perth homeowners.
| Benchtop Option | Heat & Stain Resistance | Look & Edge Profiles | Maintenance | Typical Cost (vanity-sized) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered Stone (quartz) | Good stain resistance; avoid direct high heat and thermal shock. | Premium stone look, consistent pattern; pencil/arris edges common. | Low-porosity; wipe spills promptly. | $$–$$$ |
| Laminate | Moderate; use trivets for hot tools, protect edges from moisture. | Wide decor range (timber, concrete looks); square edge popular. | Very low maintenance; avoid standing water at joins. | $ |
Compliance note (Australia): From 1 July 2024, high-silica engineered stone restrictions apply nationally. Many clients choose porcelain slab, sintered stone or solid surface as alternatives. Our team will guide you to compliant, safe options for your toilet or bathroom renovation.
P-trap exits through the wall; S-trap exits through the floor. Your trap type often dictates pan selection and how easily the toilet can be moved.
Need more inspiration for compact WCs? See our very small toilet room ideas for layouts, lighting and storage that actually work.
Layouts and Styles for Small Spaces
Smart layouts
- Wall-hung pan + in-wall cistern maximises knee-room.
- Offset corner basin or narrow wall-hung vanity (300–400 mm deep) for tight door clearances.
- Recessed mirror cabinets for hidden storage without crowding.
Style directions that pair with your kitchen or laundry
- Hamptons powder room: shaker-style cabinet fronts, brushed nickel hardware, soft white and pale grey palette to echo a shaker kitchen nearby.
- Contemporary coastal: light timber-look laminates, matte white basin, porcelain feature tile and LED strip lighting.
- Minimal luxe: wall-hung vanity in two-pack satin, finger-pull handles, large-format porcelain and a statement arch mirror.
If your kitchen features an engineered stone benchtop, island bench, glass splashback or two-pack cabinetry, we can coordinate finishes so the powder room complements the broader renovation—ideal when we’re delivering kitchen, bathroom and laundry works together.
Costs and Timelines in Perth
Budgets vary with scope, access, and selections. Typical Perth ranges (incl. GST, guide only):
- Cosmetic refresh (pan, seat, tapware, paint, minor tiling): $2,500 – $5,000
- Mid-range makeover (new rimless pan, wall-hung vanity with laminate top, tiles to half-height, lighting): $6,000 – $12,000
- Premium powder room (in-wall cistern, porcelain slab or solid-surface top, full-height tiling, custom cabinetry): $12,000 – $20,000+
Typical timeline
- Design and selections: 1–2 weeks
- Lead times for cabinetry/benchtops/fixtures: 2–6 weeks
- On-site works: 4–8 working days, depending on tiling and waterproofing needs
What drives cost
- Moving the toilet set-out or adding an in-wall cistern (carpentry, plumbing and access panel work)
- Full-height tiling vs. feature wall only
- Custom cabinetry, two-pack finishes, Blum hardware and soft-close drawers
- Premium fixtures and specialty porcelain slabs
WA Case Studies
Claremont powder room, 1.2 m × 1.6 m
- Brief: Hotel-style look to match a contemporary galley kitchen with glass splashback and LED strip lighting.
- Solution: Wall-hung vanity in two-pack satin white, compact under-mount basin, concealed cistern and large-format porcelain tile feature.
- Outcome: Increased knee-room, 30% more storage, easy-clean finishes; completed in 7 working days.
Baldivis family toilet makeover
- Brief: Durable and kid-friendly with water-wise fixtures.
- Solution: Back-to-wall rimless pan (WELS 4-star), laminate benchtop, moisture-resistant cabinetry and hard-wearing floor tiles.
- Outcome: Fuss-free cleaning, lower water use and a cohesive look with their new laundry renovation.
Practical Pre-Reno Checklist
- Measure room, door swing and pan set-out (note P-trap or S-trap).
- Decide on pan type (back-to-wall, wall-hung) and cistern (exposed or in-wall).
- Select a vanity width and projection that preserves clearance.
- Pick tiles and benchtop: consider heat resistance for hair tools and easy cleaning.
- Confirm ventilation and lighting upgrades (consider sensor lighting).
- Choose WELS-rated fixtures and a mirror cabinet for storage.
- Lock in a schedule that minimises downtime for the household.
Why Joyce Kitchens
- Perth specialists in custom cabinetry WA-wide—for kitchen renovations Perth, bathroom and laundry projects, and wardrobe design.
- Quality materials and hardware (e.g., Blum soft-close, melamine internals, two-pack or laminate fronts) tailored to budget.
- Integrated design across your home—align your powder room style with a shaker kitchen, butler’s pantry or modern laundry.
- Compliance-first delivery with licensed trades and transparent timelines.
Ready to start your toilet makeover? Talk to the Joyce Kitchens team for design, pricing and a smooth build.
Helpful Australian Resources
FAQ
How much does a toilet makeover cost in Perth?
As a guide, a cosmetic refresh can start from $2,500–$5,000, mid-range $6,000–$12,000 and premium $12,000–$20,000+. Moving plumbing, choosing an in-wall cistern and full-height tiling increase cost. We provide a fixed-scope quotation after design.
Do I need waterproofing in a toilet?
A standalone toilet without a shower may not require full wet-area waterproofing under AS 3740, but splash zones (around basins) and floor/wall junctions still need appropriate sealing. If your toilet is combined with a bathroom or you’re tiling floor-to-ceiling, we specify waterproofing to the relevant AS/NZS standards.
Can I move the toilet to a different wall?
Often yes, but costs depend on whether you have a P-trap or S-trap, slab or timber floor, and access below or behind. Significant set-out changes may require new drainage, core drilling and wall modifications. We assess feasibility on site and design for AS/NZS 3500 compliance.
What benchtop is best for a powder room vanity?
Laminate is budget-friendly and looks great; protect edges from moisture and heat. Porcelain or solid surface offers excellent durability and heat resistance. Engineered stone has historically been popular, but current Australian rules restrict many high-silica products—our designers will guide you to compliant alternatives.
How long does a toilet makeover take?
Allow 1–2 weeks for design and selections, 2–6 weeks for supply lead times, and 4–8 working days on site. Adding in-wall cisterns, full-height tiling or structural changes may extend the schedule.
