A square bathroom can be incredibly efficient and beautiful when it’s planned well. Whether you’re working with a small square bathroom layout in an inner-city Perth apartment or a larger family bathroom in the suburbs, the trick is smart zoning, custom cabinetry and materials that suit WA conditions. Here’s our expert guide for Australian homeowners considering bathroom, kitchen, laundry or wardrobe design and renovation.
What is a square bathroom?
A square bathroom is a room where the length and width are roughly equal (for example, 2.2 m x 2.2 m or 3 m x 3 m). The geometry is balanced, but every fixture competes for the same central circulation zone—so planning matters.
A wet room is a bathroom where the shower area is level with the floor and the room is fully waterproofed (membrane, graded screed and appropriate falls) so water can drain without a raised hob.
Core design strategies for a square bathroom
Zoning first, fittings second
- Divide the space into wet and dry zones. Keep the walk path between door and vanity/toilet dry where possible.
- Place the shower on one wall (or behind a nib wall) and the vanity opposite or adjacent; this minimises splash and keeps the centre clear.
- In a small square bathroom layout (under 2.4 m x 2.4 m), opt for a walk-in shower with a frameless screen and a wall-hung vanity to open up floor area.
Doors, circulation and clearances
- Use a cavity slider to avoid door swing conflicts.
- Target a 900 mm clear turning circle in the centre. In small spaces, 800 mm can work if balanced with wall-hung fixtures.
- Typical WA vanity depths are 460–500 mm for tight rooms; toilets usually require a 600 mm projection and 800 mm width clearance.
Storage that doesn’t steal space
- Recessed shaving cabinets and mirrored wall cupboards keep the counter clear.
- Custom cabinetry WA-made allows millimetre-perfect solutions: soft-close drawers, under-vanity pull-outs, niche shelving over back-to-wall toilets.
- LED strip lighting under a floating vanity visually enlarges the room and functions as a night light.
Wet room vs contained shower
- Wet room: Maximum openness, easier cleaning, great for small square bathrooms. Requires precise falls, linear drain and full AS 3740-compliant waterproofing.
- Contained shower: A frameless or semi-frameless screen controls overspray; a 1000 x 1000 mm square or 1200 x 900 mm rectangle fits most squares nicely.
A high-performance grout that resists staining and mould better than cement-based grout—ideal for showers and wet rooms.
Bathroom renovation process in Perth/WA
- Consult and measure: We assess your square bathroom layout, services and structure.
- Design and selections: 3D renders, plan set, and specification of tiles, benchtops, tapware and custom cabinetry. We also advise on styles from Hamptons/shaker to contemporary.
- Compliance: Waterproofing to AS 3740, tiling to AS 3958, plumbing to AS/NZS 3500, and electrical to AS/NZS 3000 (RCDs, IP ratings). We only use WaterMark-certified products and WELS-rated tapware.
- Quote and HIA contract: Transparent scope, timeline and allowances. Consider a HIA contract for clarity.
- Demolition and trade sequencing: Strip-out, first-fix plumbing/electrical, membrane, screed/falls, tiling, second-fix, glazing and silicone.
- Cabinetry and benchtops: Perth cabinet makers craft and install custom vanities, shaving cabinets and shelving for a perfect fit.
- Handover: Final clean, compliance docs and care guides.
We’re members and supporters of industry best practice, including Master Builders WA and the National Construction Code via the ABCB.
Materials and finishes that suit WA homes
Benchtops and vanities
For bathroom vanities, heat is less of an issue than in kitchens, but water resistance and maintenance matter.
Ultra-dense porcelain panels that are stain, heat and UV resistant—excellent for vanity tops and splashbacks. Often chosen as an alternative to engineered stone.
Note on engineered stone: Traditional engineered stone benchtops (quartz) have been subject to regulatory changes across Australia. Talk to our team about compliant alternatives such as porcelain slab, solid surface and high-pressure laminate that replicate the marble-look quartz aesthetic without the risks.
Vanity Benchtops: Porcelain Slab vs High-Pressure Laminate
| Feature | Porcelain Slab | High-Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Water & stain resistance | Excellent, very low porosity | Good; avoid prolonged pooling at seams |
| Heat/UV resistance | Outstanding (suitable for bright WA bathrooms) | Moderate; can fade or bubble under extreme heat |
| Seam visibility | Large formats minimise seams | Seams visible at joins and edges |
| Maintenance | Low; non‑porous, easy clean | Low; avoid abrasive pads |
| Cost guide (Perth, supply & install) | $$$ (typically higher) | $ (budget-friendly) |
| Aesthetic range | Stone, terrazzo and concrete looks | Extensive colours; timber and stone decors |
Tiles, grout and slip resistance
- Floor tiles: 300 x 300 mm with R10–R11 slip rating in showers are popular; 600 x 600 mm with appropriate falls in larger rooms.
- Wall tiles: 300 x 600 mm or 600 x 1200 mm keep grout lines minimal and suit the clean geometry of a square room.
- Upgrade to epoxy grout in the shower zone to reduce mould.
Tapware and water efficiency
- WELS 4–5 star basin mixers and 3-star showers balance comfort and savings in WA’s climate.
- Matte black, brushed nickel or chrome tapware pairs with both Hamptons and contemporary looks.
Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. Higher stars mean lower water use without sacrificing performance.
Layouts and styles for square bathrooms
Small square bathroom layout ideas (approx. 2 m–2.4 m square)
- Option A: 1000 x 900 mm walk-in shower with a single frameless panel, 750–900 mm wall-hung vanity on adjacent wall, back-to-wall toilet opposite the vanity. Recessed niche and medicine cabinet for storage.
- Option B: 900 x 900 mm corner shower, 600–750 mm compact vanity with above-counter basin, cavity slider entry. Great for ensuites and apartment renovations in Perth.
Family square bathroom (around 3 m x 3 m)
- 1200 x 900 mm shower with tiled seat, 1500–1700 mm freestanding or inset bath tucked along one wall, double-bowl vanity and tall linen cabinet.
- Consider a heated towel rail and underfloor heating for winter comfort.
Adding a new room instead of reworking the old one? See cost to add a bathroom for pricing and process.
Styles that build cohesion across the home
- Hamptons/Shaker: Shaker-profile doors, soft-close drawers, marble-look porcelain top, white subway splashback and brushed nickel tapware. Ties in beautifully with a shaker kitchen or laundry redesign.
- Contemporary coastal: Wall-hung timber-look vanity, terrazzo-look floor tiles, matte black tapware, frameless shower screen and a clean engineered stone aesthetic achieved with porcelain.
Tie your layout together with tiling ideas for small bathrooms that add height, flow and easy maintenance.
Quick WA case examples
- Cottesloe apartment (2.1 m square): We swapped a hinged door for a cavity slider, installed a 900 mm walk-in shower and a 750 mm floating vanity with LED underglow. Result: 25% more usable floor area and faster drying.
- Joondalup family ensuite (3 m square): Added a double vanity with custom cabinetry WA-made, a tiled shower seat and a nib wall to hide the toilet. The square bathroom feels serene and organised.
What does a square bathroom renovation cost in Perth/WA?
- Cosmetic refresh: $12,000–$18,000 (swap vanity, tapware, minor tiling, painting, shower screen).
- Mid-range renovation: $18,000–$28,000 (new tiles, waterproofing, custom vanity, quality screen, fixtures, lighting).
- Premium transformation: $28,000–$45,000+ (wet room, porcelain slab, underfloor heating, feature tiling, designer fittings).
Pricing varies with plumbing relocation, tile format, membrane upgrades and whether you bundle other rooms (kitchen renovations Perth, laundry redesign, built-in robes) for economies of scale.
Square bathroom planning checklist
- Confirm room size and door position; consider a cavity slider.
- Choose wet room vs framed or frameless shower.
- Select a wall-hung or floor-mounted vanity; decide on top (porcelain or laminate).
- Plan storage: recessed shaving cabinet, vanity drawers, tall linen.
- Specify drains and falls; add a shower niche and/or bench.
- Check compliance: AS 3740 waterproofing, AS/NZS 3500 plumbing, AS/NZS 3000 electrical.
- Pick tiles, grout, tapware and lighting (task + ambient).
- Consider WELS star ratings and WaterMark certification.
- Lock in timeline and HIA contract; allow for lead times on custom cabinetry.
Why Joyce Kitchens for your square bathroom
- Perth cabinet maker expertise: We build custom cabinetry that fits square rooms perfectly—no wasted millimetres.
- End-to-end delivery: Design, selections, trades and project management across bathroom, kitchen, laundry and wardrobes.
- Showrooms and service: Visit our Perth showrooms to see vanities, benchtops and storage solutions in person.
Ready to reimagine your square bathroom? Speak to the Joyce Kitchens team for a design that’s beautiful, compliant and easy to live with.
FAQ
What is the best layout for a small square bathroom?
Keep the centre clear, use a cavity slider, choose a wall-hung vanity (600–900 mm) and a walk-in or 900 x 900 mm corner shower with a frameless screen. Recess storage (shaving cabinet, shower niche) to reduce bulk.
How do I make a square bathroom look bigger?
Float the vanity, run large-format wall tiles vertically, use light, low-contrast colours, add LED under-vanity lighting and choose a frameless screen. Mirrors and recessed cabinets add depth without clutter.
Is a wet room a good idea for a square bathroom?
Yes—especially in smaller rooms. Wet rooms maximise openness and are easy to clean, provided waterproofing is to AS 3740 and floor falls are correct with a linear drain.
What does a square bathroom renovation cost in Perth?
As a guide: $12k–$18k for cosmetic updates, $18k–$28k for mid-range, and $28k–$45k+ for premium wet rooms and porcelain tops. Plumbing moves, tile formats and custom cabinetry affect price.
What benchtop should I choose for my vanity?
Porcelain slab is ultra-durable and low maintenance, ideal for bright WA bathrooms. High-pressure laminate is budget-friendly with great decors. Both outperform many paints and timbers for water resistance.
