Small Bathroom Remodel Tips: How to Get It Right on the Sunshine Coast

From Cramped to Custom – Reimagining Your Small Bathroom

A small bathroom remodel can transform one of the most hardworking spaces in your home—turning a cramped, outdated room into a stylish, functional retreat that feels twice its size.

If you've ever found yourself frustrated by a vanity that swallows floor space, or a layout that makes morning routines feel like a dance around the toilet, you're not alone. Small bathrooms present a unique design challenge, but they also offer an incredible opportunity for clever, custom solutions that make every centimetre count.

On the Sunshine Coast, where natural light is a design priority, a well-planned bathroom remodel can improve both your daily routine and your home's value. Whether updating a compact ensuite in Buddina or a family bathroom in Buderim, the key is thoughtful planning and quality craftsmanship.

This guide walks you through ten practical tips for your small bathroom—from smart storage and space-enhancing materials to the details (like ventilation and lighting) that separate a good remodel from an exceptional one. We'll also explore when DIY makes sense and when professional expertise is essential for a seamless result.

At G&M Craftsman Cabinets, we help Sunshine Coast homeowners maximise compact spaces without compromising on style. Our proven 6-step process ensures every detail is considered, so your small bathroom remodel delivers both immediate impact and lasting quality.

Our Top Tips for a Successful Small Bathroom Remodel

Maximising Layout and Planning Your Budget

Every successful small bathroom remodel starts with two fundamental pillars: a smart layout that makes every millimetre count, and a realistic budget.

Tip 1: Smart Layout & Custom Joinery

In a small bathroom, layout is everything. A smart redesign can completely transform how the space functions—and feels—even when the footprint stays the same.

Floating vanities are game-changers in compact bathrooms. They provide essential storage while exposing the floor beneath, creating an immediate sense of openness and making cleaning easier. Wall-mounted cabinets and recessed shaving cabinets offer storage without jutting into your precious floor space.

The real secret? Think vertically. The empty wall above the toilet is prime real estate for slim shelving or a tall cabinet. Awkward corners can become clever storage nooks with the right custom joinery.

At G&M Craftsman Cabinets, we specialise in custom bathroom storage designed for your space. Our handcrafted bathroom vanities are built for beauty and function, featuring clever internal organisation with premium hardware from Blum and Häfele that ensures smooth operation for years.

Tip 2: Realistic Budgeting

Understanding the financial side of a small bathroom remodel is just as important as choosing the right tiles. Costs vary widely based on scope and materials, with labour typically accounting for roughly 45% of your total investment.

What influences costs most? The quality of materials, whether you're moving plumbing or electrical (avoid it if you can), your choice of fixtures, and the complexity of any custom work. We always recommend building in a 10-20% contingency fund for unexpected issues, especially in older homes. It's not pessimistic; it's practical planning.

Where to save versus splurge? Keep your existing plumbing layout if possible. Choose quality mid-range fixtures that balance durability with affordability. Then, splurge on one or two high-impact elements—perhaps a stunning Silestone benchtop or custom handles—that lift the entire space. For more strategies, see our guide on a small bathroom remodel on a budget.

Creating Illusions of Space with Materials and Colour

Making a small bathroom feel larger isn't magic—it's strategic design. The right materials and colours can transform how spacious your bathroom feels.

Tip 3: Use Light & Mirrors

Light colours are your most powerful ally. White, soft blues, and gentle greens immediately open up a space by reflecting light. A gloss finish on tiles or cabinetry amplifies this effect.

Then there are mirrors—the ultimate space-expanding tool. A large mirror can make walls seem to disappear, adding instant depth. Position a mirror opposite a window, and you've just doubled your natural light while making the room feel twice its size.

Tip 4: Choose Space-Enhancing Materials

The materials you select for your small bathroom remodel actively contribute to how expansive the space feels.

Large-format tiles create fewer grout lines, which means less visual clutter and a more seamless appearance. For benchtops, durable materials like Silestone are resilient against the Sunshine Coast's humidity and require minimal maintenance.

Here's a sophisticated alternative to traditional tiles: V-groove panelling. Its vertical lines draw the eye upward, making ceilings appear higher while adding texture and a contemporary edge. Our handcrafted bathroom vanities are designed to complement these material choices, ensuring every element works together for a polished finish.

Lifting Your Small Bathroom Remodel with High-Impact Fixtures

The fixtures you choose can make or break a small bathroom. It's about finding pieces that are both compact and high-quality.

Tip 5: Select Compact, Quality Fixtures

In a small bathroom remodel, space-saving fixtures are essential. Wall-mounted taps free up valuable benchtop real estate, allowing for a smaller basin. Compact toilets, especially wall-mounted models, open up floor space and make cleaning significantly easier.

When selecting a toilet, consider water efficiency. Today's high-efficiency models use significantly less water than older ones, benefiting both the environment and your utility bills. In Australia, look for models with a high rating under the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) scheme to ensure excellent performance and water savings.

Tip 6: Unify with Cohesive Hardware

Here's where true craftsmanship shows. The smallest details often make the biggest impact. Cohesive hardware and finishes create a polished, intentional look that speaks volumes about quality. Matching cabinet pulls, tapware, and towel rails can lift the entire space.

At G&M Craftsman Cabinets, we use only premium hardware from trusted providers including Furnware Dorset, Blum, Titus Plus, Kethy, Häfele, and Hettich. These brands are renowned for their durability and sophisticated aesthetic, ensuring your custom joinery performs beautifully for decades. For more on this, explore our guide on updating your bathrooms with bespoke cabinetry.

Tip 7: Decide Between DIY and a Professional Team

The allure of a DIY small bathroom remodel is understandable, but it's worth understanding the risks. Demolition is harder than it looks, and homeowners often find unexpected plumbing or structural issues. Plumbing and electrical work are complex and potentially hazardous if you're not a licensed professional.

There's also the risk of not meeting local building codes, which can result in fines or having to start again. Even simple tasks become time-consuming without experience, leading to stress and a finish that's less than perfect.

This is where professional expertise truly shines. While labour costs are a significant investment, they bring invaluable benefits. Professionals offer efficiency, precision, and safety, executing complex work correctly the first time. Our experience helps you sidestep common pitfalls and expensive mistakes, ultimately saving you money and stress.

Our proven 6-step process includes expert trade coordination, managing all elements so everything comes together seamlessly. This means faster completion with less stress for you. We guarantee workmanship that complies with all regulations, providing peace of mind that your investment is protected.

For a small bathroom remodel, especially one involving custom joinery, engaging a reputable house renovation contractor like G&M Craftsman Cabinets ensures a flawless, high-end finish.

Integrating Smart Lighting and Ventilation

These two elements are often overlooked, but in a small space, proper lighting and ventilation are absolutely critical.

Tip 8: Layer Your Lighting

A single overhead light won't cut it. Layered lighting transforms a small bathroom, creating both functionality and atmosphere.

Task lighting around the vanity is non-negotiable. Sconces or an illuminated mirror provide even, shadow-free light for daily routines. Ambient lighting from recessed fixtures provides overall illumination, while accent lighting—like LED strips beneath floating vanities—adds a touch of luxury and visual depth.

We can integrate lighting seamlessly into our custom cabinetry for a sophisticated finish.

Tip 9: Prioritise Ventilation

Here on the humid Sunshine Coast, proper ventilation isn't optional—it's essential. A quality exhaust fan prevents moisture build-up, the primary culprit behind mould, mildew, and musty odours.

A properly sized, quiet fan vented to the outside makes an enormous difference in maintaining a healthy environment. It also protects your new finishes and custom cabinetry from moisture damage. We always factor ventilation into our design process from the start.

Tip 10: Add a Touch of Luxury to Your Small Bathroom Remodel

Just because your bathroom is compact doesn't mean it can't feel indulgent. A small bathroom remodel is the perfect opportunity to incorporate high-end touches where a little splurge delivers maximum impact.

Heated flooring is surprisingly affordable for a small area and provides incredible comfort. Pocket doors or sliding doors are space-savers that add a sleek, contemporary edge. Integrated charging stations hidden inside custom drawers keep your electric toothbrush charged and out of sight, maintaining a clutter-free aesthetic.

A statement tile feature on one wall or in a shower niche adds personality without overwhelming the space. We specialise in custom bathroom joinery that incorporates these thoughtful luxuries, changing your bathroom from merely functional into a true sanctuary.

We're the Sunshine Coast's Trusted Cabinet Makers

Your small bathroom remodel is an investment in your daily comfort and your home's value. The difference between a good remodel and an exceptional one comes down to thoughtful planning, smart design, and the expertise to bring it all together seamlessly.

From maximising every centimetre with custom floating vanities to creating an illusion of space with strategic lighting, each decision shapes how your bathroom functions and feels. The right materials and finishes don't just look beautiful—they stand up to our humid Sunshine Coast climate.

At G&M Craftsman Cabinets, we've spent decades perfecting custom joinery for Sunshine Coast homes. Our proven 6-step process ensures nothing is left to chance, from initial consultation to installation. We manage all trades and use premium hardware from trusted brands like Blum, Häfele, and Hettich to guarantee a finish that's both beautiful and built to last.

Ready to find what's possible in your small bathroom?

Book a design consultation with our team and let's explore how custom joinery can transform your space.

Contact us to discuss your project and share your vision—we'd love to hear what you're hoping to create.

Take a moment to view our bathroom projects and see the quality and attention to detail we bring to every home.