Home Love budget bathrooms reveal! Wendy Moore builds a new spa-like bathroom and transforms another

In this chapter of my Home Love series, I’m sharing the brand new build of the bathroom in my investment property, plus the complete renovation of the old one – a room that began as a cramped, dated space and is now a fresh, beautifully resolved retreat for a future family. Bathrooms might be some of the smallest rooms in the home, but when it comes to value and lifestyle impact, they punch well above their weight. As interior designer Wendy Moore, many of you have followed my renovations on Selling Houses Australia, and you’ll know I believe every bathroom should feel functional, calm and a little bit indulgent, even in a budget renovation. This renovation of my own investment property was all about smart planning, thoughtful finishes and creating maximum impact without overspending. Here’s what I chose, and why. A bathroom rethink: from tight and tired to light and relaxed: the original bathroom was small, dark and showing its age. To bring it back to life, I started with a clear goal: make the space feel bigger, brighter and easier to use every day. That meant reworking the layout for better flow, improving storage and choosing finishes that feel calm but elevated. Large‑format tiles create the illusion of space and reduce grout lines, which keeps the room looking clean and seamless. A stone‑topped vanity (this one is the ADP Eli wall hung vanity from The Blue Space) adds a subtle luxury, helping the bathroom feel like a retreat rather than simply a utility zone. Before and after: a transformation to love. The shift from the old bathroom to the new one is one of my favourite transformations in this project. It’s a reminder that with meticulous planning and a cohesive vision, a dated room can become a highlight of the whole home. This renovation marks another step in the journey of preparing this property for a future family - functional, beautiful and ready for real life. The new bathroom: design details that deliver everyday practicality. Functionality is everything in a bathroom, especially in an investment property makeover, so I prioritised storage and easy‑clean surfaces. Lighting was another important consideration. Good lighting (mine is from Beacon Lighting) helps the space feel larger and improves how it’s used morning and night. Whether I’m designing for a family, tenants or my own home, clever lighting is a non‑negotiable. And while bathrooms often demand more technical updates, this one still follows the principles behind a renovation on a budget, despite being a new build: choose upgrades with long‑term value, skip what doesn’t serve the function, and select finishes that stand the test of time. I chose a suite of products from Caroma, including the Caroma Liano CleanFlush® toilet suite for its slimline profile and easy-to-clean lines. It’s the brushed brass touches that come via the Liano II range, also from Caroma, that elevate the look. It comprises Hand Towel Rail, Mid Tower Basin Mixer and even the mixers and cover plates. Stay tuned for the next part of the Home Love series, where I reveal the indoor–outdoor connection and how thoughtful design brings the entire home together. Follow @wendymooreedit on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest