Making the Most of a Small Ensuite Space
Most en-suites are under 3 square metres. In a room that size, every centimetre counts. Your choices on layout and fixtures have a bigger impact than in a main bathroom.
First, choose your shower. A frameless wet room panel saves space and opens up the room. A walk-in tray with one glass screen also works and avoids a bulky frame. The shape of your room and the location of the door will determine it.
Wall-hung toilets and compact basins free floor space and simplify cleaning. Seeing more floor makes your ensuite feel bigger.
Tiling and colour choices matter. Use larger format tiles with fewer grout lines for a cleaner look. Choose lighter tones to reflect more light and make a compact room feel open.
The key is to get all of this planned before anything is ordered. A bathroom renovation gives you more room to work with, whereas an ensuite needs tighter planning because there’s less margin for anything that doesn’t earn its place.
Mike recently completed a full renovation of both our family bathroom and ensuite. The quality of work is excellent and he pays meticulous attention to detail. He was very knowledgeable with great advice on what to choose and goes the extra mile to source items. He tidies up really nicely each evening. Looks like a hotel bathroom!
Katie G (Google)
Adding an Ensuite Where One Doesn’t Exist
If your home lacks an ensuite, you can usually add one if there’s enough bedroom space and plumbing access.
The 1960s and 70s semis across Nailsea Park, Youngwood, and the Bucklands Drive estates were built without en-suites. Many homeowners in these properties now want one added to the main bedroom. The layout of these houses typically places the main bathroom between the bedrooms, which often means the plumbing is close enough to make an ensuite viable without major pipework.
How much space do you need? You can fit a functional ensuite, with shower, toilet, and basin, into as little as 1.5 to 2 square metres, about the size of a built-in wardrobe. You will lose some bedroom space, but you will gain a private bathroom that adds real value to the room.
Plumbing runs are important. The closer the new ensuite is to existing waste and water lines, the easier and cheaper the job will be. If the main bathroom shares a wall, connecting is usually straightforward.
Build a stud wall to divide the bedroom and ensuite. I always add soundproofing so you won’t hear every flush.
Drainage and ventilation. Waste pipes need an adequate fall to drain properly, and the room needs an extractor fan to handle moisture. Both are planned at the first-fix stage before any finishing work begins.
What to Expect During an Ensuite Renovation
Knowing the schedule lets you plan for disruptions, especially when work is right next to your bedroom.
Strip-out comes first. The old suite, tiles, and flooring are removed. If you’re creating a new ensuite, this is when the partition wall goes up, and the space takes shape.
First-fix plumbing. Water supply and waste pipes are run to the new positions. This is the noisiest part of the job, but it’s done early and doesn’t last long.
Floor and wall preparation. Surfaces are levelled, made good, and prepared for tiling. Any stud walls are boarded and skimmed.
Waterproofing. Shower areas and junctions are tanked before any tiles go on. This protects the bedroom wall on the other side from moisture.
Tile the walls first, then the floor. In small en-suites, make accurate cuts and clean edges for a sharp finish.
Second-fix plumbing and fixtures. The toilet, basin, shower, taps, and valves are connected and tested. Mirrors, towel rails, and accessories go in last.
Finishing and snagging. A final check of every detail — sealant lines, grout, function, and finish. Nothing gets left until it’s right.
I handle every stage myself: no subcontractors, no schedule gaps, no waiting for others.
Most ensuite renovations take about 1 to 2 weeks from start to finish. The hands-on work is typically done within a few days, but the drying time between stages (adhesive, grout, sealant) can mean the job often spans the full period.