Free Bathroom Checklist PDF
Planning a bathroom renovation sounds fun — until you’re knee-deep in tile samples, arguing over tapware finishes, and wondering if you really need that heated towel rail. That’s why I created this Free Bathroom Checklist PDF — a simple, step-by-step guide that helps you plan your entire project without missing a thing.
This blog is the deep-dive version: your ultimate bathroom makeover checklist, packed with all the details, options, and insider tips I use as a designer. But if you want the printable version to take shopping (or hand to your builder), grab the Free Bathroom Checklist PDF right here. It’s the easiest way to keep everything organised while you plan your modern bathroom makeover.
Some links in this post are affiliate links — if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you get a discount for using the link.
1. Structural + Building Materials
- Villaboard / fibre cement sheeting (wet area wall lining)
- Plasterboard for ceilings
- Waterproof membrane (liquid or sheet system)
- Primer + sealers
- Screed mix for floors
- Cement sheeting for floor base (if required)
- Insulation (acoustic + thermal, optional but smart)
- Framing timber (if adjusting walls/niches)
- Moisture-resistant skirting/architraves
- Cornices (if needed after ceiling work)
2. Tiling Materials
- Floor tiles (slip-rated, wet-area safe)
- Wall tiles (plain + feature tiles)
- Mosaic tiles (optional for niches or feature walls)
- Tile trims / edging strips (metal or PVC)
- Grout (choose colour carefully)
- Tile adhesive / glue
- Tile spacers + levelling clips
- Silicone sealant (colour-matched if possible)
- Tile sealer (for porous natural stone)
- Extra 10% tile allowance for cuts/future repairs
3. Plumbing Fixtures
- Vanity unit (wall-hung or floor-standing)
- Basin (integrated, under-mount, semi-recessed, or vessel)
- Mixer tap (basin)
- Shower mixer + diverter (if using hand shower + overhead)
- Overhead shower (rainfall or slimline)
- Handheld shower on rail (practical must-have)
- Shower hose + holder
- Bathtub (freestanding, inset, back-to-wall, or clawfoot)
- Bath spout or bath mixer
- Toilet suite (back-to-wall, wall-faced, or wall-hung)
- Bidet seat or smart toilet (optional luxe)
- Floor waste (round, square, or linear channel — match finish to tapware)
- Bottle trap (for wall-hung basins, choose a neat finish)
- Laundry taps (if combined bathroom/laundry)
4. Tapware & Accessories (Match Finishes!)
- Basin mixer / tap set
- Shower mixers (1–2 depending on design)
- Bath spout / mixer
- Toilet flush plate (if wall-hung cistern)
- Towel rail / heated towel rail
- Hand towel ring or bar
- Toilet roll holder
- Robe hooks
- Soap dish / liquid soap dispenser
- Shelves or caddies (glass/metal/stone)
5. Storage Solutions
- Shaving cabinet (mirror cabinet)
- Wall mirror (backlit LED optional)
- Vanity with drawers or cupboards
- Built-in shower niche inserts (prefab stainless or tiled)
- Floating timber shelves
- Laundry hamper (hidden or freestanding)
6. Lighting + Electrical
- LED downlights (dimmable recommended)
- Vanity/mirror lights (wall-mounted or integrated)
- LED strip lighting (under vanity / niche backlighting)
- Exhaust fan + light combo
- Heat lamp (optional)
- Power points (GPOs)
- USB/USB-C charging outlets (for toothbrushes etc.)
- Underfloor heating system (luxury extra)
- Heated towel rail (hardwired or plug-in)
7. Painting + Finishes
- Mould-resistant ceiling paint
- Low-VOC wall paint (bathroom grade)
- Timber sealer (for shelves/stools if included)
- Wall panelling (VJ boards, decorative cladding — optional style choice)
8. Glazing + Doors
- Frameless shower screen (single panel, sliding, or pivot)
- Semi-frameless shower screen (budget option)
- Bath screen (if shower over bath)
- Waterproof door jambs
- Bathroom door (swing, cavity slider, or barn-style)
- Privacy lock / bathroom door handle
- Window glazing (frosted, louvred, or double-glazed for efficiency)
9. Heating, Cooling + Ventilation
- Exhaust fan (essential for moisture control)
- Ceiling fan with light (optional)
- Underfloor heating kit (tiles or stone floors only)
- Heated towel rail (again, worth repeating because it’s a game changer)
10. Styling + Décor (Don’t Skip!)
- Towels (matching sets, neutral or bold statement colours)
- Bath mat (anti-slip backing)
- Plants (ferns, monsteras, peace lilies, orchids, etc.)
- Timber stool or side table (for candles + wine 😉)
- Soap dispensers / ceramic dishes / trays
- Baskets for storage
- Candles, diffusers, or essential oils (eucalyptus = spa vibes)
✅ Pro tip: When shopping, group items by finish colour (e.g. matte black, brushed nickel, chrome). This avoids the dreaded “mismatch” look where tapware doesn’t align with towel rails or floor waste covers. If you’re still deciding which finish to commit to, my bathroom tapware guide goes through each one and where it does and doesn’t work.
Where I Shop
I’m often asked where I source the products I use and recommend. Here’s a little peek into some of my favourite suppliers! One thing worth knowing about the first one: anyone shopping through my Blue Space link gets a discount. The amount varies by product and there’s no code to type in — it comes through the link itself, so it’s worth saving somewhere while you’re still planning.
- The Blue Space – beautiful bathware & tapware, delivered Australia-wide
- Interior Secrets – Modern furniture at direct-to-consumer prices
- Lounge Lovers – Designer-look sofas and homewares without the designer price tag
- Ruggable – Machine-washable rugs that make spills stress-free
And that’s it — your complete guide to a modern bathroom makeover, from waterproofing and tiling right through to the final styling touches. The truth is, bathroom renovations only feel overwhelming when you don’t have a plan — and now you do. If the plan you’re missing is the layout rather than the shopping list, that’s a different job: my Fix My Floor Plan service works through a single room for $297, and it is worth sorting before you order a single tile. Working out where everything goes first is the whole point of a good bathroom floor plan.
If you’d like something you can print, tick off, and carry with you as you shop, make sure you download my Free Bathroom Checklist PDF. It includes every material, fixture, and finish you’ll need, plus extra space to add your own notes.
👉 Download your Free Bathroom Checklist PDF here and start planning with confidence.
Design Smarter, Not Harder
Sometimes all you need is the right guide to get started.
✨ Explore my digital tools — from renovation checklists to curated colour palettes. Each one is designed to help you avoid mistakes and save money.
And if you’re ready for personalised advice, start with a 90-minute consultation to bring your vision to life.
📩 See products & services
Still not sure what’s right for your own place?
That’s the part I do — and there are two ways in, depending on how much you need sorted.
Fix My Floor Plan — $297 a room. Send me your floor plan and a few photos. I’ll tell you what I’d change: where the furniture goes, what’s making the room feel awkward, and the practical next steps to fix it. Back with you in 5–7 business days, and there’s not a single meeting involved.
Or a Design Consultation — $550. Ninety minutes on your whole space: layout, colours, materials, joinery, storage, or just a second opinion before you commit to something expensive. Online, wherever you are in the world.
