Deakin: bathroom renovation

Bathroom Renovation in Deakin, Canberra | Painting, Tiling and Waterproofing Project

This bathroom renovation project Deakin Canberra transformed a dated, cramped bathroom into a modern, durable and stylish wet area tailored for everyday use. From initial strip-out to final polishing, our team focused on lasting performance, waterproofing integrity and a fresh contemporary look that maximises space and light.

Small Bathroom Renovations Canberra: Project overview

Before any works began, the bathroom was carefully assessed to determine the full scope of repairs and upgrades required. During this pre-construction review we inspected the substrate, waterproofing risk points, plumbing layout, ventilation and existing finishes, and discussed design and budget preferences with the client. With the client’s input and our site findings we agreed the project would deliver the following scope of works:

• full strip-out of existing fixtures and tiles
• professional waterproofing of walls and floor
• replacement of plumbing and waste outlets
• new patterned floor tiling
• frameless glass shower installation
• contemporary sanitaryware and moisture-resistant paint to walls and ceilings.

what we did in this Bathroom Renovations Canberra

• Strip-out and demolition: removal of old shower, tiles, vanity and fixtures to expose a solid substrate for waterproofing.
• Substrate preparation: mechanical keying and patching to ensure a stable base for membranes and tile adhesives.
• Waterproofing : two-stage waterproof membrane applied to shower hob, shower walls and floor perimeter to Australian standards.
• Plumbing upgrades : replacement of corroded pipes, repositioning of shower waste, and installation of new shutoffs and fixtures.
• Tiling : classic black-and-white patterned ceramic tiles on the floor for visual impact and neutral white ceramic on walls for brightness.
• Joinery and fixtures : installation of a compact vanity, modern toilet suite and frameless glass shower screen to open up the room.
• Painting and finishing : mould-resistant paint on ceilings and upper walls, silicone sealing and final cleanup.

Design and materials choices in this bathroom renovation project

We chose a bold patterned floor tile to add visual depth to the small bathroom while keeping the walls simple with large white tiles to reflect light and make the room feel brighter. The floor tiles are rated for wet areas, durable and easy to clean; they were fixed with flexible adhesive and correct grout joints to prevent future cracking. Grout colour was picked to suit the pattern and hide everyday wear, and all tile edges and thresholds were installed with tight tolerances for a neat finish.

A frameless glass shower was used to keep sightlines open and make the space feel larger — it’s also easier to clean than framed screens. Polished chrome fittings and a rain-style shower head plus a handheld were selected for reliable performance and flexible use without crowding the room. Overall the choices focus on practical durability and maintenance while improving the bathroom’s appearance and usability.

Key challenges in bathroom renovation project Deakin Canberra and our solutions

One challenge on this bathroom renovation project Deakin Canberra was working within a very small footprint while meeting modern accessibility and plumbing clearances. We resolved this by selecting a compact vanity, relocating services to reduce protrusions, and using a frameless shower to improve circulation. Time-sensitive curing of waterproofing and adhesives was managed with staged scheduling and moisture monitoring to keep the project on track.

Project timeline and handover

Below is an operational schedule for each stage of the project. The timings are estimated based on a typical small bathroom renovation in Deakin and may vary by ±1–2 days depending on material availability or site conditions.

• Strip-out / demolition of existing fixtures and tiles : 1 day
• Substrate preparation (cleaning, local repairs) : 0.5–1 day
• Waterproofing (primer + membrane application + curing time) : 2–3 days
• Plumbing rough-in and pressure testing: 1–2 days
• Tiling (floor & wall layout and adhesive installation) : 2–3 days
• Grouting and final grout clean-up : 1 day
• Installation of frameless shower, toilet, basin and fittings : 1 day
• Painting (moisture-resistant paint) and final touch-ups: 0.5–1 day
• Final tests (flood/pressure test), cleaning and handover : 0.5–1 day

📸Scroll the gallery to compare the before/after photos from this job:

📍 Ready to refresh your bathroom ?

This bathroom renovation project Deakin Canberra delivered a technically robust and visually striking result . If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade in Deakin or across Canberra and would like a detailed quote for a bathroom renovation project Deakin Canberra, get in touch with us today. We specialise in small bathroom renovations and full bathroom renovations across Canberra: check our service pages for more information and to view other completed projects.