SMALL BATHROOM? SMART PRODUCT SELECTIONS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
We learnt pretty quickly with our first apartment renovation that they’re a bit different to the rest… they have a funny way of humbling you.
You walk in full of big ideas, only to realise you’ll probably have to throw out plans of moving the kitchen “over there” or shifting the bathroom “over here” when reality taps you on the shoulder and says, "Cute idea, but the plumbing stays."
Because in apartment living, you’re often working with existing waste points, slab restrictions and layouts that simply don’t want to budge.
So what do you do when the plumbing can’t move?
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters probably aren’t going to help much here… but we’d definitely call Reece.
The Reece showroom was where we found solutions for our kitchen and bathrooms — clever pieces that helped us create beautiful small spaces without completely reworking the apartment’s footprint.
Here’s what we chose for each room in The Petite Pad.
The KitcheN
The kitchen footprint in this apartment was compact from the beginning, and relocating plumbing would've added unnecessary complexity and cost... if it was even possible at all. So instead of trying to reinvent the layout, we focused on making every centimetre work harder.
That's where the right product selections made all the difference.
First up, we chose the Memo Freya Extended Single Bowl Sink in Granite White because, in a small kitchen, every centimetre needs to earn its place. This sink feels generous enough for everyday life without sacrificing precious bench space.
We paired it with the Sussex Oria Sink Mixer Pull Out Spray in Brushed Nickel, which is one of those products that's so handy you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The pull-out spray gives you much more flexibility in a compact kitchen, whether you're filling a pot on the bench, washing veggies or cleaning the sink afterwards. It's a small detail, but one that makes everyday life that little bit easier — and that's exactly what good design should do.
We also love how soft and warm the brushed nickel finish feels against all the natural textures and timber tones in the kitchen. Nothing too shiny. Nothing too stark. Just beautiful, understated details that help the whole space feel beautifully considered.
The Main Bathroom
Bathrooms are usually where apartment-renovation reality hits hardest.
In this bathroom, we couldn't move a thing. We were working with a tiny footprint, existing plumbing and a very strange structural ramp in an already teeny shower. In other words… we had a challenge on our hands!
So instead of fighting the space, we focused on making it feel as open, beautiful and functional as possible.
The first piece we fell in love with in the Reece showroom was the Omvivo Venice 450 Basin and Pedestal. It has this gorgeous sculptural quality that instantly softens the room, bringing a sense of character and old-world charm that balances all the hardworking practical stuff a bathroom needs.
We paired it with the Sussex Oria Wall Basin Set in Brushed Nickel. Wall-mounted tapware is one of our go-to tricks in smaller bathrooms because it frees up precious space around the basin, reduces visual clutter and creates a cleaner, more streamlined look.
To keep things feeling cohesive, we carried the same brushed nickel finish through to the shower with the Kado Era Gooseneck Shower Arm & Rose and Sussex Oria Wall Top Assembly. It's a simple design move, but repeating finishes throughout a space helps everything feel calmer, more considered and beautifully connected.
Then came the hardworking heroes that apartment living demands.
The ISSY Z1 Oval Mirror with Shaving Cabinet gave us much-needed hidden storage without sacrificing style. The Roca The Gap Round Close Coupled Back to Wall Rimless Overheight Back Inlet Toilet is tucked away in the corner, and the Milli Marq Edit accessories — including the toilet roll holder, robe hook and shower shelf — added the practical finishing touches every bathroom needs.
Together, they're a hardworking little army of products that solved the challenges of the space while still looking beautiful. And that's exactly what great apartment design is all about.
The Ensuite
The ensuite might be small, but we really wanted it to feel special.
Just like the main bathroom, we worked within the existing plumbing layout rather than forcing major structural changes. Which meant every single selection had to work hard — not just functionally, but visually too.
The hero of the space is the Adorn Wall Hung Vanity in Limed Oak. Floating vanities are a great option in smaller bathrooms because exposing more floor space instantly makes the room feel bigger and more open.
Above it, we paired the Omvivo Villa Thin Edge Round Basin with the Sussex Oria Wall Basin Set. The soft curves of the basin bring a beautiful softness to the room, balancing the harder lines elsewhere in the space, while the wall-mounted tapware keeps everything feeling clean, streamlined and uncluttered.
In the shower, we chose the Sussex Pure Twin Rail Shower, which brings all of the functionality without any of the space overwhelm — something that's super important when every centimetre counts.
This time, we used the Roca The Gap Back-to-Wall Rimless Toilet and finished with the Hideaway+ Rectangle Button Plate in Brushed Nickel. It's one of those behind-the-scenes products that rarely gets the spotlight, but it makes a huge difference to how a room feels. By hiding the cistern away, the whole bathroom feels cleaner, less bulky and far more spacious.
Because when you're renovating an apartment, it's often these clever, space-saving solutions that have the biggest impact. The ones you barely notice are usually the ones working hardest.
The Big Lesson? Work With What You’ve Got
This apartment reno reminded us that good design isn’t always about moving everything around.
Sometimes it’s about knowing when not to.
In kitchens and bathrooms, existing plumbing can feel like a major limitation, but with the right Reece products, it becomes a starting point for smarter decisions. By working with the plumbing instead of against it, we saved money, reduced complexity and focused on the details that made the spaces feel bigger, more beautiful and more functional.
Because great design isn’t about having unlimited options.
It’s about making smart choices with the space you’ve got.
