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28 guides · read before you renovate

Answers to the questions we hear every week.

Practical guides on bathroom renovations, toilets and TOTO, tiles, showers, lighting, kitchens and laundries, written for Melbourne homes.

Accessible and Ageing-in-Place Bathroom DesignBathrooms · 4 min readAccessible and Ageing-in-Place Bathroom Design

An accessible bathroom removes barriers without looking clinical. Focus on a step-free shower, reinforced walls for grab rails, a comfortable toilet…

Bathroom Lighting Guide: Layers, Mirrors and IP RatingsBathrooms · 4 min readBathroom Lighting Guide: Layers, Mirrors and IP Ratings

Good bathroom lighting combines three layers: ambient light for overall brightness, task light at the mirror and vanity for grooming, and accent or…

Bathroom renovation checklist: what to decide before you startBathrooms · 4 min readBathroom renovation checklist: what to decide before you start

Before you start a bathroom renovation, decide the layout first because moving plumbing is costly and drives the rest of the project. Set a realistic…

What Affects the Cost of a Bathroom Renovation in Melbourne?Bathrooms · 4 min readWhat Affects the Cost of a Bathroom Renovation in Melbourne?

The main cost drivers are the size of the room, whether you change the layout or move plumbing, the condition of the substrate and required…

Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to AvoidBathrooms · 5 min readBathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Most bathroom renovation mistakes come from focusing on looks before function. Undersized ventilation, inconsistent floor falls, slippery tiles, poor…

How a Bathroom Renovation Works, Step by StepBathrooms · 4 min readHow a Bathroom Renovation Works, Step by Step

A bathroom renovation moves through defined stages: measure and design, product selection, strip-out, plumbing rough-in, waterproofing, tiling and…

How long does a bathroom renovation take?Bathrooms · 3 min readHow long does a bathroom renovation take?

A bathroom renovation timeline is driven by the scope, product lead times, and whether you change the layout. A straightforward refresh with standard…

Bathroom Ventilation and Mould: How to Keep a Bathroom DryBathrooms · 5 min readBathroom Ventilation and Mould: How to Keep a Bathroom Dry

A dry bathroom starts with a ducted exhaust fan that vents moist air outside, not into the roof space. Run the fan during every shower and for at…

Bathroom waterproofing explained for Melbourne homeownersBathrooms · 4 min readBathroom waterproofing explained for Melbourne homeowners

Waterproofing is the essential layer that stops water from soaking into your home's structure. In Australia it must be done by a licensed…

How to Choose a Kitchen Sink: Undermount, Granite Composite or StainlessKitchens & laundries · 3 min readHow to Choose a Kitchen Sink: Undermount, Granite Composite or Stainless

Start with how you use the sink and the benchtop material you already have or plan to install. Undermount sinks suit solid benchtops and make wiping…

How to Choose Bathroom Tiles: Size, Finish and Slip ResistanceBathrooms · 4 min readHow to Choose Bathroom Tiles: Size, Finish and Slip Resistance

Choose porcelain over ceramic for bathroom floors because it is denser and more water-resistant. For wet areas, select a matt finish tile with a slip…

Choosing tapware finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, matte black and brassBathrooms · 4 min readChoosing tapware finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, matte black and brass

Chrome is the most forgiving for water spots and everyday cleaning. Brushed nickel hides marks better than chrome but needs a gentle wipe to keep its…

Ensuite Renovation Ideas for Melbourne HomesBathrooms · 4 min readEnsuite Renovation Ideas for Melbourne Homes

For a small Melbourne ensuite, start with a layout that keeps the shower and toilet zone separate from the vanity where possible, choose wall-hung…

Freestanding vs Built-in Baths: What Melbourne Homeowners Should KnowBathrooms · 3 min readFreestanding vs Built-in Baths: What Melbourne Homeowners Should Know

Freestanding baths make a strong visual statement and suit larger bathrooms with floor space to spare, while built-in baths are more practical for…

In-Wall Cisterns Explained: How Concealed Toilets WorkToilets & TOTO · 5 min readIn-Wall Cisterns Explained: How Concealed Toilets Work

An in-wall cistern hides the toilet tank inside the wall or a false wall, leaving only the bowl and flush plate visible. It works the same as a…

Induction vs gas cooktops: how to chooseKitchens & laundries · 3 min readInduction vs gas cooktops: how to choose

Induction gives you fast, precise heat and a cooktop that stays cool to the touch, but it needs magnetic cookware and a dedicated electrical circuit.…

Kitchen Renovation Planning Guide for Melbourne HomesKitchens & laundries · 4 min readKitchen Renovation Planning Guide for Melbourne Homes

Start by mapping how you cook and move between the sink, cooktop and fridge. Lock in the work zone layout, storage and benchtop material before…

Powder room design guideBathrooms · 4 min readPowder room design guide

A well-planned powder room pairs a compact toilet and basin with good ventilation and clear floor space around the door swing. Wall-hung or…

Shower Screen Types: Frameless, Semi-Frameless and Fluted GlassBathrooms · 5 min readShower Screen Types: Frameless, Semi-Frameless and Fluted Glass

Frameless screens use thicker glass and minimal hardware for a clean look. Semi-frameless models have framed sections around some edges, often…

Small bathroom design ideas that actually workBathrooms · 6 min readSmall bathroom design ideas that actually work

A small bathroom works best when you keep the floor clear, use wall-hung fixtures, and choose finishes that reduce visual clutter. Focus the layout…

Small Laundry Ideas: Making a Compact Laundry WorkKitchens & laundries · 4 min readSmall Laundry Ideas: Making a Compact Laundry Work

A compact laundry works when you plan the layout around stacked machines, one wet wall and a slim trough before choosing finishes. Group plumbing and…

TOTO Tornado Flush and CeFiONtect ExplainedToilets & TOTO · 4 min readTOTO Tornado Flush and CeFiONtect Explained

Tornado Flush is TOTO's rimless bowl rinse system that uses two angled water jets to create a swirling flow across the entire bowl, washing waste…

TOTO Washlet Buying Guide: What to Check Before You BuyToilets & TOTO · 6 min readTOTO Washlet Buying Guide: What to Check Before You Buy

A TOTO Washlet replaces your toilet seat with an integrated warm-water wash, heated seat, and warm air dryer. Before buying, check that you have a…

How to choose a bathroom vanityBathrooms · 4 min readHow to choose a bathroom vanity

Start by deciding between a wall-hung or floorstanding vanity, then set a width and depth that suits your room and storage needs. Choose drawers over…

Walk-in showers: drainage, screens and tilesBathrooms · 3 min readWalk-in showers: drainage, screens and tiles

A walk-in shower needs a correctly positioned waste, an even fall in the screed, and a slip-rated floor tile to be safe and practical. Linear drains…

Walk-in wardrobe planning guideKitchens & laundries · 4 min readWalk-in wardrobe planning guide

For a walk-in wardrobe, allow at least 1800mm by 1800mm for a single-sided layout, or 2400mm width for hanging on both sides. Set double hanging rods…

Wall-hung vs floor-mounted toilets: which suits your bathroom?Toilets & TOTO · 4 min readWall-hung vs floor-mounted toilets: which suits your bathroom?

Wall-hung toilets sit off the floor and hide the cistern inside the wall, which makes them easier to clean and good for tight spaces, but they need a…

Washlet vs bidet vs bidet spray: which is right for you?Toilets & TOTO · 5 min readWashlet vs bidet vs bidet spray: which is right for you?

A washlet is an electronic seat that replaces your toilet seat and needs a nearby power point, while a traditional bidet is a separate fixture that…

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