Bathroom design in Murrumbeena
Good bathrooms are decided on paper first. Bathroom design is where the room gets measured, the plumbing and structure are checked for what they allow, and fixtures, finishes, lighting and ventilation are chosen together, before a quote is written or a tile comes off the wall. For homes in Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Hughesdale and Malvern East, it is the first trade on the board.
Four stages that happen before demolition
Design covers the opening four stages of the 12-stage renovation process. Each one feeds the next.
STAGE 01
Consultation
We talk through how the room is used, who uses it, what isn’t working now and the budget range you have in mind.
STAGE 02
Assessment
An on-site look at measurements, ceiling height, window and door positions, existing drainage and signs of water damage around the shower and floor.
STAGE 03
Design
Layout options drawn to the measured room, with tiles, fixtures, vanity and storage selected together so every piece fits and suits the rest.
STAGE 04
Quote
The agreed design becomes the scope, so the quote reflects the bathroom you’ve actually chosen rather than loose allowances.
Reference photo: feature wall tiles, wall-mounted basin and freestanding bath.
What gets decided at design stage
Layout options
Whether the shower, bath, toilet and vanity stay put or move. Swapping a bath for a walk-in shower, adding a second basin or rehanging a door can change how a room works more than any finish. For more starting points, read Bathroom Layout Ideas and Planning Tips.
Plumbing position constraints
Waste pipes need fall, and toilet and floor waste positions depend on what sits under the floor. Moving them is often possible but adds work, so the design shows which changes are simple and which carry cost.
Fixtures and materials
Tapware, basins, screens, tile sizes and grout colours chosen as a set. Large-format tiles, feature walls and full-height tiling affect both the look and the labour. Built-in storage can be planned with Custom Cabinetry.
Lighting and ventilation
Downlight positions, mirror lighting, heating and an exhaust fan suited to the room, planned early so the electrical rough-in lands in the right place before walls are waterproofed and tiled.
How design decisions shape the quote
Every item on the design sheet becomes a line of work for a trade. That’s why the design comes before the quote, not after it. The choices that move the number most are usually:
- Keeping plumbing where it is, or relocating the toilet, shower or basin
- Tile size, pattern and how far tiles run up the walls
- Wall-hung or floor-standing vanity, and any custom joinery
- Shower niches, screen type and shower floor detail
- Fixture range, from everyday to luxury bathroom finishes
- Added lighting, heating and ventilation
What to bring to your consultation
☐ Photos of the current bathroom, including the shower corner and floor
☐ Saved images of bathrooms you like
☐ A budget range you’re comfortable with
☐ A list of what frustrates you about the room now
☐ Timing constraints, such as it being the only bathroom in the house
Ready? Request a free quote, describe the room in your message and have photos ready for the consultation.
Do I need a design if I'm keeping the same layout?
Yes, though it’s a lighter job. Even a like-for-like renovation needs tiles, fixtures, vanity size, niche position and lighting confirmed so every trade builds to the same plan.
Can the toilet or shower be moved?
Often, depending on the floor construction and where the waste can run. The assessment establishes what’s practical before you commit to a layout.
What if my wish list is bigger than my budget?
That’s what the design stage is for. It shows where the cost sits, often in plumbing moves and tiling extent, and gives you alternatives that keep the look you want.
Do you design compact bathrooms?
Yes. Tight rooms benefit most from careful planning. See Small Bathroom Renovations for space-saving layouts, storage and fittings.
Does the design carry through to the build?
Yes. Design leads straight into the quote and then a full bathroom renovation, so the plan you approve is the plan the trades work from.
Start with a design consultation
Tell us about the room and what you want from it. Planning the bathroom first gives every trade that follows a clear set of instructions.
Related services
Full Bathroom Renovations
Luxury Bathrooms
Small Bathroom Renovations
Custom Cabinetry
Looking for ideas first? Browse bathroom projects or the bathroom guides.