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Creating our dream D.I.Y. bathroom
Our main bathroom was dated, small and had all the original features from when the house was built. We set out to design a bathroom from scratch as part of our full house renovation. From working out how to fit a bathtub, shower and vanity in a small space to selecting all the products and finishes to create a light, bright and clean look. We completed almost every aspect of the bathroom renovation ourselves over a couple months. The only trade we employed was a plumber who roughed in the new plumbing. What was once a dated, pink bathroom is now a light and bright space.
Details below on how we completed our dream D.I.Y. bathroom renovation and what we used:
Before Photos:
Details on how we completed our dream D.I.Y. bathroom renovation and what we used:
We started by demolishing the whole bathroom: removing the tiles and linoleum flooring, removing the plasterboard and villaboard walls, dismantling the old vanity and sink, removing the glass shower screen divider and removing the old corner spa bath.
Once the corner spa bath was removed, we had to cut the slab for new plumbing wastes for both the new bathtub and the floor waste for the bathroom.
Cut the slab to create a new waste location for the shower (previously where the old vanity was located).
Once all the floor plumbing was done, we installed a Tile Over Shower Tray (Bellessi Tile Over Shower Tray from Bunnings) and Aluminium Angle (Metal Mate Aluminium Angle from Bunnings) in the doorway. We then screeded the whole bathroom floor ensuring that the screed bed falls towards the floor waste.
- Tile Over Shower Tray: (Bellessi Tile Over Shower Tray from Bunnings)
- Doorway Trim Angle: (Metal Mate Aluminium Angle from Bunnings)
- Plumbing PVC fittings assorted from Bunnings
- Sand and cement for screed from Bunnings
- Tile Glue (used under screed bedding) - Davco from Bunnings
We installed additional studs in the wall for the shower screen mounting locations and studs for the pre-formed shower niche. We then called a plumber in to run new lines within the wall cavity and on the floor for the new bathroom layout.
- Pre-formed shower niche: Mondella 365 x 320 x 90mm Shower Niche
We then lined the walls with James Hardie Villaboard from Bunnings.
Test fitted the vanity for the height of the sink as well as width clearance between the bathtub spout and shower screen.
We applied gyprock in the joints and used mesh tape on the joints. Then we filled the screw holes and tape joints with gyprock. We followed a Bunnings YouTube how-to tutorial and continued it all the way around the room on all the villaboard lined walls.
- Gyprock, mesh tape and screws used were all from Bunnings.
We used Gripset Betta Easy Seal Bond Breaker on the wall joints and shower base joints and around the plumbing outlets.
We applied a primer to the whole room and applied Gripset Betta Under Tile Waterproofing Membrane.
Tiling was a tricky process but we learned a lot from our previous ensuite bathroom renovation. It also beneficial that we used the same exact tiles for both bathrooms. This time around we know how to perfectly cut each tile without breaking and wasting too many. The White Gloss wall tiles were easy to cut with a tile cutter (DTA 1000mm tile cutter from Bunnings) however the large format floor tiles were difficult and did not cut perfectly. So instead, we used a diamond blade and angle grinder to make each individual cut for the thicker floor tiles. Once the tiling was done, we grouted all tiled walls (details of the grout used below).
Tiling Details:
White Matte Kit Kat Mosaic Tiles: Facebook Marketplace
Wall Tiles: Bunnings - Duratile 300 x 600 mm White Gloss
Floor Tiles: Bunnings - Bellazza 600 x 600 mm Crema Tile
Tile Levelling Clips & Tile Spacers: Bunnings
White Grout: Bunnings - Davco
Grey Floor Grout: Bunnings - Dunlop
To tile around and inside the niche, we used the Gold L Shape Angle Tile Trim to box in the niche. It was much easier to install a trim piece than to cut a mitred edge on the tiles.
For the un-tiled wall to the left, we lined it with Gyprock Aquachek and decided to create a wainscot feature wall to add some character to the room instead of having all 4 walls with floor to ceiling tile. We didn't want the bathroom to feel boxed-in and it also allowed us to add a traditional element/interest to an otherwise modern bathroom. We installed new cornices around the bathroom, new window architraves, door architraves and bathroom door (all the same moulding as what was used for rest of the house).
Plasterboard - Aquachek Plasterboard from Bunnings
Joint and Hole Filler - Gyprock Ultra-Top Topping Compound from Bunnings
Timber moulding from Bunnings
Undercoat Primer - British Paints 4 in 1 from Bunnings
Wall Paint - Dulux Vivid White Low Sheen from Bunnings
Ceiling Paint: Dulux White Ceiling +PLUS Kitchen and Bathroom
Caulking - Selleys No More Gaps Bathroom and Kitchen Gap Filler from Bunnings
Home stretch! We installed all the tapware, frameless shower screens, bathtub, vanity, mirror and other bathroom accessories over a weekend and had everything siliconed and ready to use the following week. We opted for all brass fittings and finishes so that all the metal finishes looked cohesive in the space.
Bathroom details:
Frameless Shower Screen: Frameless Direct
Brass shower hardware: Frameless Direct
Vanity and Vanity Top: IKEA
Round Sink: Bunnings
Sink Mixer Tap: Reece
Mirror: IKEA
Freestanding Bath: Reece
Floor-mounted Bath Spout: Reece
Macrame Plant Hanger: Denn Lane
Sheer Roller Blind: DIY Blinds
Wainscot Panelling: Bunnings
Wainscot panelling paint: Dulux from Bunnings
Ceiling paint: Dulux from Bunnings
Window and Door Architrave Moulding: Bunnings
Exhaust Fan: Arlec - Bunnings
Towel Rail: InStyle Bathware
Floor waste grates: Reece
Shower seal strip: Bunnings
Shower floor channel: Bunnings
Completed D.I.Y. Bathroom:
