Designing a tiny WC or toilet room is one of the quickest ways to elevate your home, improve day-to-day living and impress guests. Whether you’re updating a separate WC, a powder room, or integrating a toilet into a small bathroom, the Joyce Kitchens Perth team specialises in custom cabinetry, small toilet room design and compact layouts that maximise every millimetre. Below you’ll find practical, buildable solutions that work for WA homes, from layouts and material choices to costs and a renovation checklist.
Very small toilet room ideas that really work (and look brilliant)
Below are compact, buildable ideas for a very small toilet room (think 750–900 mm wide), also perfect if you searched for small toilet ideas, tiny WC ideas, small WC ideas, WC room ideas, decorating small toilet room or small toilet ideas decorating:
- Wall-hung pan + concealed cistern: Lifts the bowl off the floor to create more visible floor area and easier cleaning. A concealed cistern sits in a 90–120 mm service wall or a shallow joinery “nib” cupboard.
- Compact corner basin or 300–400 mm deep vanity: Go for a slim wall-hung vanity with a finger-pull or shadowline edge to avoid protruding handles.
- Mirror cabinet to the ceiling: A shallow mirror shaving cabinet provides storage for spare rolls and cleaning products while bouncing light around.
- Cavity slider or outswing door: A pocket door reclaims up to 0.5 m² of swing space. If that’s not possible, change the hinge so the door swings out.
- Light colours with texture: Use satin-white wall tiles, VJ lining, or half-height wainscoting and paint above in a warm off-white for height and contrast.
- Big tiles, fewer grout lines: Large-format porcelain on walls and floors visually enlarges the space and reduces cleaning.
- Continuous floor line: Run the bathroom or laundry floor tile into the WC for flow; add a discreet linear floor waste if desired.
- Task + feature lighting: LED strip under the vanity (night light), wall sconce, and a bright downlight on dimmer. Soft, indirect light makes a small room feel calm.
- Vertical emphasis: Full-height doors, tall mirror, or vertical finger tiles draw the eye up in rooms under 2 m long.
- Smart storage: Custom cubby above the toilet, slim pull-out beside the vanity, or a shallow overhead cabinet matched to your shaker kitchen or contemporary joinery.
- Ventilation that works: In windowless WCs, use a quiet, ducted exhaust to roof or eave to meet NCC performance requirements (see WA notes below).
- Continuity with your kitchen and laundry: Repeat finishes—matt black tapware, brushed nickel or brushed brass, similar door profiles—so your renovation reads as one bespoke project.
A compact room—often off the entry or living area—with a toilet and basin for guests. In Australian homes it’s commonly a separate WC or a very small bathroom without a shower.
A toilet cistern hidden within a wall cavity or joinery. It saves space, reduces visual clutter and can improve acoustics.
A door that slides into a wall cavity, freeing up valuable floor area in tight rooms like a small WC.
Our WA renovation process (step by step)
Joyce Kitchens delivers custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust across kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes and small toilet rooms. Here’s how we typically run a small toilet room design and renovation in Perth:
- Measure and brief: We laser-measure, note services, and capture your wish list and style—Hamptons, coastal, Scandi, shaker, or streamlined contemporary.
- Concept and selections: Space plan with 3D visuals, choose tiles, vanity top, tapware, paint, handles, and lighting. Where possible, we align with your kitchen renovations Perth palette for cohesion.
- Compliance review: We coordinate with licensed trades for plumbing (AS/NZS 3500), waterproofing (AS 3740), and electrical (AS/NZS 3000). Ventilation is sized and ducted to meet NCC requirements.
- Demolition and prep: Protect adjacent areas; remove fixtures; make-good framing for a concealed cistern or cavity slider if included.
- Rough-in: Plumber and electrician set services; we prepare substrates for waterproofing.
- Waterproofing and tiling: Membranes applied to compliant zones; lay floor and wall tiles with fall to waste if specified.
- Cabinetry and benchtops: Install wall-hung vanity with soft-close drawers (e.g., Blum hardware), mirror cabinets and shelving.
- Fit-off: Toilet, tapware, lighting, accessories (paper holder, hand towel ring/rail).
- Detailing and clean: Caulking, paint touch-ups, clean, and client walkthrough.
Authority notes: For guidance, see the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders WA. Always use licensed trades and follow the NCC and applicable Australian Standards.
Housing Industry Association (HIA) |
Master Builders WA |
WA Building and Energy
For the bigger picture, this how to redo a bathroom guide details each stage from measure to fit-off in Australian homes.
Materials and finishes for tiny WCs
Small rooms benefit from durable, low-maintenance surfaces. Here’s how we specify finishes for toilet room design and small WC design that match your home and budget.
Vanity tops and splashbacks
Due to Australia’s 2024 ban on high-silica engineered stone fabrication, we recommend porcelain/sintered stone or high-pressure laminate for vanities. If you have existing engineered stone benchtop elsewhere, we’ll suggest visually similar, compliant alternatives.
| Surface | Best for a Small Toilet/Powder Room |
|---|---|
| Porcelain / Sintered stone (e.g., Dekton, Neolith) |
Pros: Thin 8–12 mm profiles, heat/UV/scratch resistant, elegant look; seamless with large-format porcelain wall tiles. Cons: Higher cost; needs experienced fabricators. Typical WA supply & install: $900–$1,800 for a compact vanity top. |
| High-pressure laminate (e.g., Laminex, Formica) |
Pros: Most cost-effective, huge colour range including stone-look; easy to clean. Cons: Not as heat/scratch resistant as porcelain; visible joins on shaped tops. Typical WA supply & install: $350–$900 for a compact vanity top. |
Cabinetry
- Doors: Shaker profile for Hamptons/coastal; flat panel in matt or 2-pac for contemporary. Moisture-resistant board where appropriate.
- Hardware: Soft-close hinges and runners; tip-on or finger-pull for minimal projection in tight rooms.
- Colours: Whites, pale greys, warm oak, or deep navy/green for a bold powder room statement.
Tiles and wall linings
- Porcelain tiles: Low-porosity, excellent for floors and wet-zone walls; terrazzo-look or subtle limestone-look works well in small spaces.
- Feature tile: Vertical kit-kat/finger tiles or a single mosaic panel behind the vanity.
- VJ lining/wainscoting: Use moisture-resistant profiles with semi-gloss paint for easy wipe-down.
Tapware and sanitaryware
- Wall mixers free up basin space; short-spout options reduce splashing in 300–350 mm deep basins.
- Finishes: Chrome for timeless, brushed nickel or matt black for contemporary, brushed brass for coastal/Hamptons warmth.
- Toilet suites: Wall-hung or back-to-wall pan with rimless flushing for hygiene and easy cleaning.
Lighting and ventilation
- Layered lighting: One bright downlight on dimmer + warm sconce or LED strip beneath vanity or mirror.
- Ventilation: Duct exhaust to outside (not into roof space). Aim for low-noise fans; ensure a door undercut for make-up air.
Layouts and styles to match your home
Layout strategies for very small spaces
- Linear layout (800–900 mm wide): Wall-hung pan on the back wall, slim 300–350 mm deep vanity beside the door, mirror cabinet above. Cavity slider preferred.
- Corner basin layout: Ideal for 750–800 mm widths; places a tiny basin near the door with clear access to the pan.
- Nib-wall storage: Build a shallow service wall (for a concealed cistern) with an inset niche or cabinet above the flush plate.
Note: Clearances must meet the NCC and plumbing/electrical standards. We’ll confirm onsite measurements and detailing with licensed trades.
Styling a tiny WC
- Hamptons/Coastal: Shaker doors, brushed nickel tapware, light oak accents, scalloped sconce, beadboard or VJ lining. Complements a shaker kitchen and coastal laundry renovation.
- Scandi/Minimal: Flat matt panels, oak-look laminate, white porcelain top, wall mixer, and linear LED. Works with contemporary kitchen joinery.
- Modern Luxe: Deep colour paint above half-height tile, brass tapware, fluted glass sconce, porcelain vanity top.
Two WA project snapshots
- Mount Hawthorn villa (900 x 1800 mm WC): Wall-hung pan with concealed cistern, 350 mm deep oak-look vanity, vertical finger tiles, dimmable downlight + sconce. Result: More floor space, hotel feel.
- Fremantle terrace (800 x 1500 mm WC): Corner basin, cavity slider, full-height mirror cabinet, large-format limestone-look tiles. Result: Brighter space and 25% more storage.
If your WC sits within a compact bathroom, see bathroom renovations for small bathrooms for coordinated layouts and finishes.
What does a very small toilet room renovation cost in Perth?
- Cosmetic refresh: New toilet, tapware, paint, mirror, minor electrical = $2,500–$5,500.
- Mid-range update: New wall-hung vanity/mirror cabinet, tiling to half height, quality tapware, new toilet, lighting, exhaust = $7,500–$14,000.
- Premium makeover: Concealed cistern, cavity slider, full-height porcelain tiles, custom joinery, feature lighting = $14,000–$25,000+.
Pricing varies with access, tile selection, plumbing changes, and whether works combine with a kitchen renovation, laundry renovation or bathroom renovation Perth project. We’ll provide a fixed, itemised proposal after design sign-off.
Small WC renovation checklist (WA-ready)
- Measure the room (width, length, ceiling height) and door swing.
- Decide on wall-hung vs back-to-wall toilet; consider a concealed cistern.
- Choose a slim vanity or corner basin; confirm GPOs and task lighting.
- Plan ventilation: ducted exhaust to outside; confirm switch/dimmer locations.
- Select tiles and finishes: floor, wall feature, paint, tapware finish.
- Confirm compliance: waterproofing zones (AS 3740), plumbing (AS/NZS 3500), electrical (AS/NZS 3000), NCC ventilation.
- Consider a cavity slider or outswing door to gain space.
- Specify storage: mirror cabinet, over-toilet niche/cubby, spare-roll nook.
- Allow for accessories: paper holder, hand towel, robe hook, shelves.
- Book licensed trades and lock in lead times for tiles, tapware and joinery.
Ready to turn your small toilet room ideas into a beautiful, functional space? Joyce Kitchens designs and builds custom cabinetry and joinery across Perth and greater WA—kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes—so your whole-home look stays consistent.
FAQ
What is considered a very small toilet room in Australia?
In practice, anything around 750–900 mm wide is a very small toilet room. You still need adequate clearances per the NCC and relevant Australian Standards, so careful layout, wall-hung fixtures and a cavity slider can make these spaces work comfortably.
Do I need a floor waste in a small WC?
Not always. Separate WCs are often classified as not requiring a floor waste unless designated as a wet area or combined with a shower. However, many WA homeowners add a discrete floor waste for peace of mind against overflows. Waterproofing should follow AS 3740.
How do I ventilate a tiny toilet room without a window?
Use a quiet, ducted ceiling exhaust fan that vents to the exterior (not into roof space). Provide a door undercut for make-up air and consider a timer or humidity sensor. Your electrician will wire to AS/NZS 3000 and confirm NCC ventilation performance.
Are sliding or pocket doors suitable for very small WCs?
Yes—cavity sliders free up valuable floor area and improve access. They’re ideal where inward door swings clash with the toilet or vanity. We specify quality tracks and soft-close hardware for quiet operation and privacy.
How much does a very small toilet room renovation cost in Perth?
As a guide: $2,500–$5,500 for a cosmetic refresh, $7,500–$14,000 for a mid-range update, and $14,000–$25,000+ for a premium makeover with concealed cistern, cavity slider and full-height porcelain tiling. We’ll quote precisely after design and site measure.
