Complete bathroom renovations in St Kilda, from plan to final tile

A full strip-out-to-finish renovation for the tight, odd-shaped bathrooms found in St Kilda apartments, terraces and Art Deco flats. The layout is resolved first, the wall is built in layers, and the finished face is chosen to suit the room.

Reference elevation: shower, bath and vanity resolved along one room

SCOPE SUMMARY

What a complete renovation covers

Plan

Strip-out, layout and fixture positions, informed by Bathroom Design.

Section

Wall and floor preparation with Waterproofing to wet areas.

Elevation

Bathroom Tiling, shower screen, vanity, tapware and fit-off.

OVERVIEW

One room, rebuilt as a whole

A complete renovation is different from swapping a vanity or regrouting a shower. Everything comes out back to the structure, so the room can be reconsidered: where the shower sits, whether a bath still earns its space, how the door swings and where storage can be recessed.

That matters in St Kilda, St Kilda East, Elwood, Balaclava and the surrounding bayside suburbs, where many bathrooms are narrow galleys or awkward corners inside older buildings. A layout that works on paper first saves compromises later. If your room is especially compact, see Small Bathroom Renovations; for a bedroom-attached room, see Ensuite Renovations.

SHEET A–C — PROCESS

Plan, section, elevation, fit-off

The order of work stays the same whatever the finish. Planning a renovation yourself? The Bathroom Renovation Checklist is a useful companion.

Plan the layout

Fixture positions, shower entry, bath or no bath, niches and lighting are decided before demolition, working with existing plumbing and walls where practical.

Strip out and prepare

Old tiles, fixtures and linings are removed so the substrate, falls and services can be seen and corrected.

Waterproof the wet areas

The layer you won’t see and the one that matters most. More in the Bathroom Waterproofing Guide.

Tile, then fit off

Floor and wall tiling set out around the fixtures, followed by the vanity, shower screen, tapware, toilet and accessories.

SHEET C — ELEVATION

Choosing the finished face

Materials are chosen once the layout is fixed, so every decision suits the room’s size and light.

— Tiles: larger formats mean fewer grout lines; smaller mosaics suit sloped shower floors. See the Bathroom Tiles Guide.

— Vanities: wall-hung units keep floor visible in narrow rooms. Explore Vanity Installation.

— Showers: a fixed glass panel can replace a full enclosure. Compare Walk-In Showers and Shower Renovations.

— Upgrades: stone tops, feature tiling and premium tapware are covered under Luxury Bathroom Renovations.

Material reference: square wall tile in sage and off-white

QUESTIONS

Complete renovation FAQ

How much does a complete bathroom renovation cost?

It depends on room size, layout changes, plumbing moves and finishes. The Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide explains the main factors, and a free quote gives you figures for your own room.

How long will the bathroom be out of action?

Timing varies with scope, curing stages and product lead times. Bathroom Renovation Timelines walks through each stage.

Can the shower or toilet be moved?

Often, though apartments and older buildings can limit drainage routes. This is assessed during planning; see the Bathroom Layouts Guide for common options.

Do you renovate bathrooms outside St Kilda?

Yes, including St Kilda East, St Kilda West, Elwood, Balaclava, Windsor, Prahran, Albert Park and Middle Park. See Service Areas.

Start with the plan

Send a few photos of the existing room and a note on what isn’t working. Browse Projects for reference ideas, or contact us with a general question.