Powder room design guide

By the Baroco team, Mount Waverley · Updated October 2026

01Plan the room around the door swing first

Start by marking where the door will open. In a powder room under 2 square metres, an inward-swinging door can make the room feel smaller and may hit the toilet or basin. If possible, set the door to swing outward or use a cavity slider. If the door must swing inward, place the toilet on the wall opposite the swing or along the same wall as the latch.

Keep at least 900 mm clear in front of the toilet pan and about 700 mm in front of the basin. These are practical minimums for comfortable use. If you can, allow a little more so guests are not squeezing past a vanity to reach the toilet. Mark these clearances on the floor with tape before you finalise the layout.

• Measure the rough-in distance from the wall to the centre of the waste pipe before buying a toilet.
• Check wall studs if planning a wall-hung pan; you may need a false wall or reinforcement.
• Confirm the door handle and towel rail will not clash when the door is open.

02Choose a compact toilet that fits the plumbing

A wall-hung toilet with an in-wall cistern saves floor space and makes cleaning easier. It requires a licensed plumber to install the carrier frame and connect drainage, and the wall needs enough depth for the cistern. A back-to-wall or close-coupled toilet with a short projection is simpler, but the cistern takes up some room. Measure the rough-in distance before choosing; Melbourne homes often have older drainage positions.

Moving a toilet pan more than a short distance usually means the plumber will need to alter the waste and water points. That work must be done by a licensed plumber and may involve opening the floor. Any waterproofing disturbed during this work should be reinstated to AS 3740 before tiling.

• Wall-hung pan: needs a 90 mm wall cavity or a false wall.
• Short projection close-coupled: look for a pan projection under 650 mm.
• Rimless bowls are easier to keep clean and are worth considering.

03Pick a basin and tapware with a small footprint

A wall-mounted basin with a slim profile keeps floor space clear and works well in a room with just a toilet. A compact vanity, around 450 mm to 600 mm wide, gives a little storage but can crowd the room if the door swings inward. If you choose a vanity, make sure the door and drawer fronts open without hitting the toilet or towel rail.

Tapware should be scaled to the basin. A tall mixer can splash in a shallow basin; a low-profile basin mixer or wall-mounted spout is usually better. Wall-mounted spouts must be set into the wall by a plumber before waterproofing and tiling. Keep a 150 mm gap between the basin edge and any side wall so you can clean around it.

• A mirror cabinet is a practical storage option when floor space is limited.
• Specify a basin overflow if your drain setup allows it.
• Use a single-lever mixer for easier guest use.

04Use one strong finish instead of many

A powder room is a good place for a bold tile or a dramatic basin because the room is small and guests only use it briefly. Choose one wall, such as behind the basin or toilet, for a patterned tile or a dark colour, and keep the other walls plain. This avoids visual clutter and helps the room feel larger.

For floors, use a matte or anti-slip tile rated for wet areas. A large-format tile with minimal grout lines is easier to clean and can make a small room look calmer. If you want contrast, use a darker floor with lighter walls, or a coloured vanity front with white walls.

• Limit statement tiles to one feature area.
• Keep the ceiling light coloured to avoid making the room feel closed in.
• Use a semi-gloss paint on walls outside the wet area for easy wiping.

05Get lighting and ventilation right for guests

A powder room needs enough light for hand washing and a quick check in the mirror. An LED wall light on either side of the mirror or an overhead light with a high colour rendering index (CRI 90+) gives the most accurate skin tones. Avoid relying on only a dim downlight. All electrical work, including new lights and exhaust fans, must be done by a licensed electrician.

Ventilation is not optional. If the room has no openable window, the Building Code requires mechanical exhaust to outside. A small inline or ceiling fan with a run-on timer is simple and effective. Have the electrician wire the fan to the light switch or a separate switch so it runs after the room is used.

• Choose an exhaust fan that runs for at least five minutes after the light turns off.
• Position the mirror so it doesn't reflect the toilet when the door is open.
• Install a standard GPO unless you specifically need a shaver socket.

06Plan for guests and get the sequence right

Guests will use the powder room for short visits, so keep the door lock simple and the floor clear. A small shelf for a phone or handbag is useful, as is a single towel ring or hook within reach of the basin. If space allows, a tiny open shelf above the toilet can hold spare toilet paper without closing the room in.

The renovation sequence matters. Have a plumber set out drainage and water points early, then electricians run cables, then waterproofing goes in before tiling. If you are buying fixtures yourself, check lead times and confirm rough-in dimensions with your plumber before the walls are closed. After waterproofing, ask the installer to do a flood test before tiling starts.

If you want to compare compact toilets, basins and tapware in person, Baroco Interior Innovations at 21/105-111 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley displays a range of options including TOTO wall-hung toilets and Washlet seats. Call 0426 520 859 before visiting to check what is on show, as opening hours are not published on the website. You can buy products for your own installer or have the Baroco team manage the full renovation.