Presentation at the Sydney Home Show, 2026

The average bathroom renovation in Australia costs around $26,000. It is also the room in the house that has to work for the most people, in the most different ways. At the Sydney Home Show, Robyn Hawke, an Accredited Kitchen and Bathroom Designer and member of the Design Institute of Australia, presented “Designing Your Dream Bathroom: What Actually Works (and What Costs You Later)”. Robyn is the principal of Inspired Spaces, a Castle Hill, Sydney interior design firm established in 2005, and has more than 20 years of experience designing kitchens and bathrooms.

The Presentation Covers:

Designing a bathroom for every age and ability, not just today’s household
Step-free showers, clear floor space and reinforced walls for future grab rails
Layout, plumbing and ventilation decisions that save money, and the ones that don’t
Tiles, tapware, baths and storage that look good and are easy to live with
Cheap upfront can be the most expensive decision you make. A bathroom designed well the first time costs less to own, run and adapt over its whole life.

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Bathroom Design Questions

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
The average bathroom renovation in Australia costs around $26,000. At that price, the layout, fixtures and finishes need to be planned carefully, because mistakes are expensive to fix once the work is done.

Why design a bathroom for every age and ability?
Australia is projected to have more people aged 65 and over than under 18 by 2030, according to the 2020 Intergenerational Report. More families are multigenerational or blended, and many people are staying in their homes longer because moving is too expensive. A bathroom that works for a child, a teenager and an older family member avoids a second renovation later.

What makes a bathroom accessible?
The presentation recommends:

A step-free (hobless) shower on the entry level
1,200 x 900 mm of clear space in front of the toilet
A handheld shower on a slide bar, adjustable between 900 and 1,800 mm
Door openings of 820 mm and hallways at least 1,000 mm wide
Reinforced walls in the shower, bath and toilet, so grab rails can be added later

Does NSW require accessible bathroom design?
The Livable Housing Design requirements in the National Construction Code 2022 have not been adopted in NSW yet. Designing for accessibility now is still worthwhile, because it is far cheaper to plan for than to retrofit.

Is keeping the plumbing where it is always cheaper?
Keeping fixtures in their current positions can reduce costs. But if it limits access or functionality, it is a false economy. A bathroom needs room to move, use a mobility aid and assist someone when needed.

What are the best tiles for a bathroom floor?
Robyn recommends porcelain tiles on bathroom floors, and treats this as non-negotiable. Large format, rectified tiles on walls mean less grout and easier cleaning. Satin or matt finishes are a practical choice over gloss.

Are freestanding baths a good idea?
Freestanding baths can look beautiful, but bathing children, assisting someone and getting in and out can be difficult. Consider who will use the bath before choosing one.