How much does a luxury bathroom renovation cost in Australia?

A luxury bathroom is a haven, and for the most part, our experience of them is confined to holidays when staying in boutique and lavish hotels. However, it is not beyond the realms of possibility to create one in your own home with some careful planning and curated choices. Some of these bathroom ideas will come at a cost but others won’t and the prospect of a luxury bathroom might be more realistic than you thought. In this guide, we'll cover how much a luxury bathroom renovation typically costs, what contributes to that cost and some tips on how you can create your very own luxury bathroom.

On average, a luxury bathroom renovation can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 or more. This differs from the average bathroom renovation cost which usually sits somewhere between $8,000 - $20,000.

There's plenty that goes into this amount:

Initial design and planning of your luxury bathroom

The initial design and planning stage with an architect or interior designer can add to the cost. This stage involves creating a layout, selecting materials for the bathroom, and planning the overall style of the bathroom. This stage will typically equate to around 5-10% of your budget, so if your total budget is $50,000, then you can estimate that this stage will cost in the region of $2,500 to $5,000.

Selecting high-quality materials

Luxury materials such as natural stone tiles, high-end fixtures, bespoke cabinetry, and labour costs will make up the most significant percentage of your overall spend. Expect around 25-35% of your budget to be spent on materials, so for a $50,000 renovation project, budget around $15,000 - $20,000. 

Factoring in labour costs

Skilled labour is a major expense in any renovation. This includes plumbers, electricians, tilers, and carpenters. The complexity and quality of the work, especially in a luxury renovation, require experienced professionals, who often command higher rates. Expect to pay around $20,000 - $25,000 for labour. This will take up around 30-40% of your budget. Quotes for labour will often be given on a square metre basis, so the total labour costs will be somewhat driven by the size of your bathroom.

Custom design elements and technology

Any custom-built elements, such as a custom bathroom vanity unit, unique shower enclosures such as a luxury framed shower screen, or custom lighting solutions, will add to the cost. Modern luxury bathrooms also often include advanced technology such as underfloor heating, automated lighting, sound systems, and smart showers. These advanced features require additional expertise and materials and can significantly add to the total cost.

Structural changes

If the renovation involves altering the structure of the space, such as removing walls, changing the layout, or adding new windows, this will increase the cost due to the complexity and additional labour required.

Permits and compliance 

Ensuring that the renovation complies with local building codes and obtaining the necessary permits can add to the overall cost. This is especially true if the bathroom renovation involves significant changes to plumbing or electrical systems.

Project Management and unforeseen costs

Managing a renovation project, especially a luxury one, can incur extra costs. Also, unforeseen issues like hidden water damage, mould, or outdated wiring can arise during renovation, leading to additional expenses. Try to budget an extra 10-15% to ensure you have enough to cover any extra expenses that crop up. 

There are some things that all master bathrooms have no matter what the budget or style. A toilet, basin, taps, shower, storage etc. However, the main difference between the two is the different design, fittings and furnishing choices you’ll make that elevate the overall style of the bathroom.

When you opt for a luxury bathroom you raise your design aesthetic to a level of elegance. Style almost has equal importance with functionality in a luxury bathroom, whereas a traditional bathroom will be more focused to serve the practical needs of the household.

Below we've listed the design elements to include in your luxury bathroom design and explained why they are crucial to creating the bathroom of your dreams.

Related article: 9 luxurious bathrooms in Australia to inspire you

The first element you must have for your luxury bathroom is space. This is one of those non-negotiables and possibly the biggest challenge to meet for a renovation or design. Luxury means large when it comes to bathrooms so every square foot that you can squeeze out will count towards your goal of luxuriousness.

Your bathroom should feel open and free with the bathroom walls as distant on the horizon as possible. There are techniques you can use, like floating vanities and toilets, manipulation of light, large mirrors etc that you can use to accentuate this further but at the end of the day, nothing beats real space.

From here it's all about using the space well. However, it's important to note that even small bathrooms can be transformed into luxurious spaces. Through clever design, the right choice of materials, and the use of space-enhancing techniques, a compact bathroom can exude luxury and comfort.

Another element of luxury bathroom renovations is the textures used throughout the bathroom. The finishes and textures you choose can make a huge difference to the detail, depth and design credentials of your bathroom, all of which make important contributions with lofty ambitions in mind.

For example, a textured wall is a great contrast to the shinier elements you might choose for the bathroom. Texture is one of the many ways you can attract the eye, enhancing the entire design of your bathroom.

There's something about marble that exudes luxuriousness. Its natural, timeless beauty has captivated people for centuries and is one that effortlessly brings a feel of quality in its purest form.

Places you can use marble include:

• Sinks
• Walls
• Countertops
• Floor and wall tiles.

If you decide to go with marble elements speak with your designer about how it can fit into the renovations planned for the bathroom as they do require careful planning and attention to detail.

Mirrors are another way of layering focal points in a bathroom. You want to create an atmosphere where the individual is almost overwhelmed by the incredible features within. A mirror is a great way to do this, not just as a statement piece in its own right but because it’ll have a doubling effect on everything around through reflection.

The more, unique, dramatic and ornate the mirror you choose the more likely you’ll be to maximise its impact. Antique mirrors, wonderfully restored, work tremendously in this respect as well as designer-inspired modern mirror choices.

A bathroom not only has to look luxurious but feel luxurious as well to be truly authentic. A great way to do this is to keep things warm and toasty.

There are many bathroom heating and ventilation solutions to help you achieve this and one of the best with respect to luxury bathrooms is heated flooring.

No one likes the feeling of stepping out onto cold tiles after a hot shower or bath. Heated flooring will ensure this doesn’t happen so you’re not taken away from that pampered feeling that you’ve worked so hard to achieve through your clever bathroom design ideas. You can also consider heated towel rails for an extra touch of warmth.

The fixtures and fittings are important from a functional and stylistic perspective. There are some beautiful classical designs available that, because of their timeless quality, just feel luxurious which is why you see them so frequently in high-end hotels and apartments.

If this doesn’t suit the aesthetic you’re after, concentrate on the type of finish in the style you’re after. Brushed gold, brass, gun metal are just some examples that can act as a premium point of difference for your bathroom.

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It seems obvious but one cannot understate the importance of a bathtub and shower as part of a luxurious modern bathroom renovation. High quality choices here will encapsulate and lift the atmosphere you’ve created to that of a memorable experience.

For tubs, a freestanding bath is a choice you can trust to deliver on that feeling of a dream bathroom. Its spacious design allows you to fully immerse and relax after a long day and its independent quality adds a touch of class.

Shower heads are particularly important with respect to luxurious modern bathroom design. Having multiple options, like hand shower heads and a rain shower is perfect as they give individuals customisable choices so they can select the showering experience that best suits them.

Related article: How to pick the best shower head in Australia

From space to material, texture and warmth - the most successful luxury bathroom renovations are ones that treat and dazzle all the senses. Hopefully, this guide has given you some idea of luxury bathroom renovation costs and some easy-to-follow tips on how to create a luxury bathroom, or transform an existing bathroom into a luxury space.

Explore luxury bathroom products for your renovation project on ArchiPro