Stylish Bathroom Renovation Trends for Auckland Homes

These are design directions rather than measured statistics, and each should be judged against your own bathroom. The table lists the main ones and what to check before choosing them.

Tiles are treated as a design feature rather than just a surface, and bolder patterns are a clear direction in new bathroom designs.

• Geometric tiles such as hexagons and chevrons create striking feature walls or subtle borders and floors.
• Mosaic tiles add detail around mirrors and shower walls and reflect light.
• In a small bathroom, lighter tones with subtle patterns keep the room feeling open.

Whatever you choose, tiling must sit on a properly waterproofed surface, which is covered in our guide to renovating bathroom tiles.

They often do, because the lack of a bulky frame lets light travel through the room and makes it feel more open. They are also simpler to wipe down than a framed enclosure with many seals.

• Clear glass keeps sightlines open.
• Fewer frames and seals means fewer crevices where grime collects.
• Built-in shelving and a larger showerhead can be added to suit your taste.

A walk-in design depends on good floor fall and waterproofing, so plan it with your installer.

A freestanding bath can make a bathroom feel like a retreat, but it needs space and the right plumbing position to work well.

• It suits larger bathrooms where it can sit as a centrepiece.
• In smaller rooms, compact designs can work if the layout is planned around them.
• Check floor strength and plumbing before you commit to a model.

Efficient fixtures are an easy upgrade during a bathroom renovation, because the plumbing is already being worked on.

• Water-saving taps, showerheads and dual-flush toilets use less water.
• LED lighting uses less energy and lasts longer than older bulbs.
• Choose durable materials that you will not need to replace soon.

Comfort and convenience features are a growing direction, but they are worth it only where you will use them every day.

• Heated floors add comfort on cold mornings and can be controlled with a smart thermostat.
• Digital shower controls let you set temperature and flow.
• Touchless taps are convenient and easy to keep clean.

Plan wiring and plumbing for any of these at the start, when walls and floors are already open.

Neutral palettes stay current because they are easy to update with accessories, and lighter colours make a small bathroom feel larger.

• Soft whites, greys, beiges and taupe create a calm look.
• Add personality with an accent such as matte black or brushed gold fittings.
• Keep the permanent finishes neutral and put the bolder choices in items that are cheap to change.

Our cost calculator shows a typical bathroom renovation takes 2–4 weeks, and the price depends mainly on the scope of the work.

• Waterproofing and tiling, including any pattern or feature wall.
• Fixtures and fittings, from the shower and bath to taps and vanity.
• Any plumbing or layout changes, which cost more than keeping everything in place.

Use our cost calculator for a typical price range, and read our step-by-step bathroom renovation guide before you start.

A few checks protect the finished bathroom and keep the project on track.

• Work out whether any plumbing or structural changes need consent, and check the guidance below.
• Make sure waterproofing is done properly, because a leak behind the tiles is the costliest bathroom mistake.
• Ask for an itemised written quote.

Sources and further reading: building.govt.nz: apply for a building consent · building.govt.nz: check if you need a building consent

Related guides: small bathroom renovation ideas · how to revamp your bathroom · bathroom waterproofing and consent · Bathroom Renovation Services