The Times Australia
The Times House and garden

.

Top Tips for Renovating Your Bathroom

  • Written by The Times


Extra time spent in our homes during lockdowns has highlighted a new wish list for many homeowners. Recent data suggests that there has been a significant surge in renovations expenditure throughout 2021, with medium sized renovation projects such as kitchens and bathrooms anticipated to continue to grow well in 2022.

A bathroom plays a vital role in your daily life, therefore it’s important that it’s functional but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on style and design.  When renovating a bathroom there many things to consider, including whether it’s a family bathroom or an ensuite, the size of the room, and whether you can change the layout or just the furniture and accessories. 

Group Head of Design and Innovation, Andy Grigor, from leading designers and manufacturers of showers and taps, Methven, shares his expert tips to consider when updating your bathroom. 

Replace your vanity

Removing your old vanity and replacing it with a new one will instantly make your bathroom feel like it’s had a full renovation. A wall mounted floating vanity will also open up the feel of a small bathroom space by adding more floor area. However, if your budget doesn’t allow for a purchase of a new vanity, then look to ways to repurpose your old one or even an existing piece of furniture. Keep in mind the size of the area and the plumbing needs. 

Update your shower and tapware 

By simply replacing your tapware and shower you will transform the feeling of your bathroom. Showers and tapware can define the theme of your bathroom. Combined with functionality, choosing a shower and tapware that looks stunning will convert your bathroom into a room you can’t wait to use. The basin mixer is typically the hero of your tapware collection. Once you are happy with this choice, select your shower and bathroom accessories with complimentary shapes to complete your bathroom and create a cohesive look. Choosing versatile tapware such as Methven’s Waipori Basin Mixer can suit a number of different styles from Minimalist through to Modern.

“When choosing bathroom fixtures and fittings think about what you want from your fixtures, and your wider bathroom design. Consider how you want your finished bathroom to look and feel. How will it fit in with the rest of your home? Design styles include Australian Modern influenced by the outdoors, with a focus on the natural colour palette and timber.  The Minimalist bathroom style is quite striking and showcases stylised geometry and a simplified colour palette with texture and a play of light and shade, such as Methven’s Easy Click range. It’s the perfect sanctuary from a busy world. The New Scandi embodies playful layering of timber tones and a simple warm colour palette to create a tranquil space, and works perfectly with Australia’s love of relaxed coastal,” says Andy. 

Tiles Can Make a Big Difference 

“You can renew your bathroom and give a sense of a complete upgrade, just by re-grouting your tiles. If your tiles are still in good condition, they may simply need to be re-grouted in order to make them seem brand new again and brighten your bathroom, as discolouration can show the bathroom’s age,” Andy advises. 

Layout Matters

Often, when undertaking renovations, we tend to reconfigure the entire layout of a room. Whilst changing the locations of certain features like a tub can transform a small bathroom, others can be unnecessary and not cost-effective. 

 “I wouldn’t recommend changing the location of the faucet. Relocating will result in more work and a higher cost. Instead, try including decorative accents that add a touch of personal flair such us plants or décor, or alternatively try adding a mirror to enhance the room and make it feel lighter and more spacious” says Andy. 

Methven products are available through Bunnings Warehouse, Reece and plumbing stores and showrooms nation-wide. For more information, please got to www.methven.com

Times Magazine

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

The Times Features

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...