Bathroom Renovations South Yarra
South Yarra Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in South Yarra and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your South Yarra Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in South Yarra for over 20 years. Established in early 2002, our family-run business is proud to provide friendly, fast, fair, and efficient home renovation services throughout metropolitan Melbourne.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Powder room & laundry into a small bathroom
“We are delighted with our new bathroom. Tony made the entire process very easy for us, which is what you want when renovating. Nothing was too much trouble and he was very patient with all our questions and provided great advice on the design and installation. The workmanship was of high quality and the quote was highly competitive. Highly recommend Tony and his team!”
Bathroom renovations: stressless and wonderful
“Thank you, Tony and your team, for a stressless and wonderful bathroom renovation. Our 4-year-old townhouse bathroom and ensuite showers had serious leakage issues, with water leaking into the walls and between floors. The builder was happy to silicone the problem as a solution. The only options were to replace the showers, or a full renovation for both rooms. We chose the latter. Tony provided a competitive quote. Despite the inevitable out-of-square bathroom issues, the job was completed without stress, on-time and in budget, and the finish was fabulous. And square. We are now looking at a kitchen update. Tony, find some time. Highly recommend Tony and the team.”
Wow! Now that's a bathroom
“In such difficult times we were so grateful that we picked Tony and his crew to renovate our bathroom. His knowledge of the industry and his attention to detail is second to none. Tony was always easy to contact and happy to discuss any issues. The standard of workmanship was outstanding. We love our new bathroom!”
Renovating Bathrooms in South Yarra Homes
South Yarra has a huge range of homes, from Victorian terraces and grand period houses in leafy streets off Toorak Road and Domain Road to interwar flats and modern apartment towers near Chapel Street. Bathrooms in the period homes were mostly added or reworked later, often upstairs or in a rear wing, while many older flats still have small original bathrooms with a shower over the bath.
That shapes most of our South Yarra bathroom renovations: rebuilding bathrooms in older homes with proper waterproofing over timber floors, adding ensuites to main bedrooms, reworking compact apartment bathrooms with walk-in showers and smarter storage, and improving ventilation. Interior bathroom work rarely needs a planning permit, but we coordinate with owners corporations in apartments and check heritage controls with the City of Stonnington east of Punt Road or the City of Melbourne west of it.
South Yarra at a Glance
- Postcode
- South Yarra VIC 3141
- Council
- City of Stonnington / City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 3 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian terraces and villas
- Grand period homes
- Interwar and Art Deco flats
- Modern apartments
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,960,000
- Median unit price$515,000
- House rent$900 a week
- Unit rent$630 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in a South Yarra Bathroom
Permits
Which Council Applies
South Yarra is split by Punt Road. Homes to the east are in the City of Stonnington, and homes to the west, around Domain Road and Fawkner Park, are in the City of Melbourne. Each council has its own heritage overlays and processes, so we confirm which planning scheme applies to your address before anything else.
Access
Walk-Up Flats With No Lift
Many of South Yarra’s interwar flats were built on the subdivided gardens of older mansions in the 1920s and 1930s, often two or three storeys with no lift. Old tiles go down the stairs and new materials come up by hand, so we plan smaller loads, protect the common stairwell and agree times with the owners corporation.
Design
Art Deco Bathrooms Worth Keeping
Some South Yarra flats from the 1930s still have original tiles, terrazzo or built-in features. Owners sometimes want to keep the character while replacing failed waterproofing and plumbing underneath. We discuss what can be salvaged or matched before demolition starts, so the new bathroom still suits the building.
Waterproofing
Upstairs Bathrooms in Period Homes
In double-storey terraces and larger period homes, bathrooms were often added upstairs over timber floors. A leak there damages ornate plaster ceilings below. We check the joists, waterproof to the Australian Standard and plan the shower and floor waste carefully so the ceiling underneath stays protected.
Heritage
Heritage Overlays on Both Sides
On the City of Melbourne side, west of Punt Road, a large area is in the South Yarra Precinct (HO6). East of it, Stonnington has precincts such as the Toorak Road precinct (HO150) and individually listed houses. Inside work generally isn’t affected, but a new window or skylight visible from the street may need a planning permit.
Apartments
Apartment Towers Near the Station
Newer apartment buildings around South Yarra station and Chapel Street have strict owners corporation rules on work hours, noise, lift bookings and waterproofing sign-off. Services are usually in fixed positions in the slab. We coordinate approvals with the building manager and plan the layout around the existing drains.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in South Yarra
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your South Yarra home.
- 1Tell us about your project
Two quick steps. It takes about two minutes.
- 2We call you back
Tony will be in touch within one business day to talk through your ideas.
- 3Free on-site consultation
We visit, measure up and listen to how you want the space to work.
- 4Fixed-price quote
A detailed, itemised quote. What we quote is what you pay.
No obligation, no pressure
Family-run since 2002. Your estimate is free and your details are never shared with third parties.
Your Bathroom Renovations in South Yarra
Waterproofing
Applied by licensed trades to the Australian Standard for wet areas, and checked before a single tile goes down.
Tiling & Feature Walls
Floor and wall tiling, niches and feature walls, set out carefully so cuts and grout lines look right.
Vanities & Storage
Wall-hung or floor-standing vanities, mirror cabinets and recessed shelving that make the most of the space.
Showers & Baths
Walk-in showers, frameless screens, freestanding or built-in baths, chosen to suit your layout and routine.
Plumbing & Tapware
Licensed plumbers handle rough-in, drainage and fit-off, with tapware and toilets installed to manufacturer specs.
Lighting & Ventilation
LED lighting, heated towel rails and an exhaust fan ducted outside to keep moisture and mould under control.
Your South Yarra Bathroom in 5 Steps
Meet & Greet
We get to know you and your specific needs. And you find out more about us to make sure we are a good fit.
Consult & Design
We ask lots of questions to understand your ideal outcome for your project. We discuss layout, budget, colours and more.
Quote
A comprehensive quotation outlining all the details, costs and timelines to complete your project.
Construct & Manage
Time to get to work with all our suppliers and trades to construct your project and deliver it as promised.
Deliver
We strive to deliver your project on time and on budget. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Bathroom Renovations In and Around South Yarra
South Yarra (3141) is about 3 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in South Yarra and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Is my South Yarra home in the City of Stonnington or the City of Melbourne?
It depends on which side of Punt Road you are. East of Punt Road is the City of Stonnington, and west of it, including the streets around Domain Road, Fawkner Park and The Alfred, is the City of Melbourne. The council decides any planning permits, so we confirm this for your address at the start.
Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in South Yarra?
Usually not a planning permit for work inside the house or apartment. If the work changes the outside of a building in a Heritage Overlay, such as a new window, the relevant council may require one. Apartments also need owners corporation approval, and a building permit is generally only needed for structural changes.
Can you renovate the bathroom in my Art Deco flat?
Yes. In South Yarra’s 1930s flats we often replace hidden waterproofing and old pipes while keeping the feel of the original room through tile choice, colours and fittings. Walk-up blocks need careful planning for carrying materials up the stairs, and we arrange this with your owners corporation.
Can an ensuite be added to a South Yarra terrace?
Often, yes. Common options are converting a small upstairs bedroom or part of a large main bedroom, or including an ensuite in a rear extension. The main checks are drainage routes and the joists under the new floor, and in a heritage area any external change such as a new window.
How long does a bathroom renovation take in South Yarra?
Bathroom renovations usually take 2 to 4 weeks. Apartments can take a little longer if the building limits work hours or noisy work, and older homes may need extra time if the floor or pipes need repair. The timeline is set out with your fixed-price quote.
What do tenants expect from a bathroom in a South Yarra terrace or flat?
Renters in South Yarra’s terraces and period flats generally expect a good shower, somewhere to store things and a room that dries out properly. A common issue is a single bathroom at the back of a terrace with an old bath, low water pressure and a weak exhaust. In interwar flats, original tiles may be cracked or loose. Fix pressure, waterproofing and ventilation first, and keep the design simple and hard-wearing.
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
No matter the project, our team has the right solution. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let's get your renovation underway.