The Client’s Vision
Our clients wanted to transform their apartment’s only bathroom into a modern, practical and family-friendly space, while working within a carefully considered budget.
With a young baby and another baby on the way, functionality was a major priority. The bathroom needed to provide the convenience of an everyday shower while also incorporating a bath that could be easily used for bathing their children.
As the apartment has only one bathroom, every part of the available space needed to work efficiently. The clients also wanted to incorporate a functional laundry area with a stacked washing machine and dryer and additional shelving, without making the bathroom feel overcrowded.
Working Within the Client’s Budget
Rather than completely stripping out the bathroom and replacing everything, we carefully considered where the clients’ $20,000–$25,000 budget would have the greatest impact.
The existing vanity and adjoining wall were suitable to remain, allowing us to carefully work around these areas rather than replacing them unnecessarily.
By retaining these existing elements, we were able to reduce unnecessary costs and direct more of the budget towards reconfiguring the layout, creating the new bath and shower area and incorporating the laundry.
This allowed us to retain what was already working while focusing the renovation budget on the areas that would make the biggest difference to the functionality of the space.
Creating a More Open & Functional Layout
To make better use of the available room, we removed an existing wall and constructed a new wall in a different position.
Reconfiguring this section opened up the bathroom and created the additional space required for the new bath and shower area, while still allowing the existing vanity and adjoining wall to remain.
A freestanding bath was incorporated within the shower zone, providing the family with the convenience of an everyday shower while also giving them a practical bath for their children.
With a young baby and another on the way, this combination allowed their only bathroom to meet the family’s needs now while also considering how the space will be used as their children grow.
Incorporating the Laundry
Another important part of the renovation was integrating a practical laundry into the new bathroom layout.
We created a dedicated area to accommodate a stacked washing machine and dryer, together with open shelving above for additional storage and everyday laundry items.
By incorporating the laundry into the overall design, we were able to add another important function to the room while maintaining an open and practical layout.
Overcoming Existing Conditions
As demolition progressed, we uncovered an existing solid concrete shower hob that needed to be removed to achieve the new layout.
The concrete hob was carefully demolished and removed, with a new hob constructed to suit the revised bathroom configuration.
The existing concrete floor also required preparation and levelling to provide a suitable foundation before waterproofing and tiling could proceed.
These works were an important part of adapting the existing apartment bathroom to its new layout and ensuring everything beneath the finished surfaces was properly prepared.
Completing the Renovation
With the new layout established, Lion Property Solutions coordinated the required plumbing, electrical works, carpentry, plastering, floor preparation, waterproofing, tiling and final fit-off.
The completed bathroom incorporates the freestanding bath and shower combination, shower fittings and screen, retained vanity, integrated laundry area, stacked washing machine and dryer provision, open shelving, along with the remaining fixtures and finishes.
Careful attention was given throughout the project to working around the retained areas and bringing the existing and new elements together as one cohesive space.
The Result
The completed Caulfield North bathroom demonstrates how a significant transformation can be achieved without necessarily removing and replacing everything within the room.
By understanding the clients’ priorities and budget from the beginning, we were able to make considered decisions about what was worth retaining and where their investment would have the greatest impact.
Reconfiguring the wall opened up the room and allowed us to introduce the combined bath and shower area, giving the parents the convenience of an everyday shower together with a practical bath for their children.
The integrated laundry brings the washing machine, dryer and storage together neatly within the same space, making much better use of the apartment’s available footprint.
For this young and growing family, the renovation wasn’t simply about giving the bathroom a new look. It was about making smart decisions around their budget, retaining what still worked and creating a bathroom that is more practical and adaptable to the way their family lives today — and for the years ahead.
Making the Most of Every Space — and Every Budget
A successful renovation isn’t always about replacing everything. It’s about knowing what to keep, what to change and where your budget will make the biggest difference.
For this Caulfield North apartment, we worked around what was worth retaining and transformed what mattered most — creating a bathroom and laundry that makes better use of the available space and is ready for the needs of a growing family.
Planning your own bathroom renovation? Get in touch with Lion Property Solutions and let’s create a space that works for your home, your family and your budget.
