Since this thread started I've moved house and renovated two more bathrooms and this "step" issue is definitely becoming a headache. You know, we are such slavish followers of trends, I just have to wonder at times how much we are becoming victims of them too. When I built my first house over 50 years ago, most homes were built on piers with timber flooring and concrete was only used in bathrooms and laundries, but the levels were adjusted so when tiles were laid in wet areas the transition was minimal. Floor tiles were also thinner than today's tiles, in most cases they were smaller tiles too and not these great slabs we use today that obviously need to be thicker for strength. Now we are building more slab on ground homes, no provision is being made for the thickness of floor tiles to ensure a more seamless transition between areas. My front entrance is tiled and has a 2cm "step" down to the lounge and family room areas and even that 2cm I find people constantly tripping over. I plan on removing these tiles and replacing the whole entry/kitchen/family area with vinyl planking. Carpet in the lounge room helps offset that step a little but I was told recently by people who have addressed this issue this way that putting an extra layer of underfelt within the doorway area works very well to help offset this problem. When I renovated the ensuite I now have this step issue but the tiles had been glued down with an unknown product of super strength that gave my bathroom guy a lot of grief trying to jackhammer up - took him 2 days to remove them and screed the floor to his standard - and he decided he could not do the main bathroom in a realistic time frame to meet the price he quoted me, he felt he could not even guarantee the standard of work he wanted to achieve so his suggestion was to tile over the existing tiles and when he got to the doorway he would add an extra part tile sloping to down to the floor level similar to what pucciplan described with his timber. He assured me he had done it with many other renovations, it was barely noticeable and would solve the issue much easier and cheaper for me and far less time consuming. In the meantime as I have carpet in the hallway we heard of the idea of using an extra layer of underlay and I've chosen this option. My laundry is right opposite the bathroom and those tiles will be replaced too. On close inspection of the original construction, we discovered no waste drain was put into the laundry, the tiles were drained towards the external door, which is apparantly acceptable .............EXCEPT, they then put a dam across the floor inside the doorway to stop rainwater coming in under the external door!!!! Now the laundry tiles will be laid over the top of the existing ones as well to allow for any possible accident needing drainage. Fortunately I've had no weather issues but we will put a rubber flap at the base of the door, just in case, and I will again do the extra layer of underlay under the carpet and hopefully will achieve a satisfactory result. At least the two doorways will match. Quite frankly though, I'm finding so many design issues these days, I really think the whole home building industry needs a thorough overhaul. I think as I age too, so many more issues are coming to light BUT they are obviously issues that could affect anyone of any age. I think we need to forget "trends" that don't consider the big picture of things and come back down to basic commonsense. HU - I'm really at a loss as to how your builder managed to get a 6.5cm step to the bathroom, that is absolutely ridiculous. The only thing I can think of is there may have been a slope issue for drainage, but surely it could still not have been that much, anything that much out should have been picked up when the building was inspected during construction. "Normal" is a good excuse for laziness or shoddy workmanship. I think from reading your posts, you are in an apartment?? You would then have slab floors?? Therefore I can't see the need for the step to be above 2cm. Definitely take this further - Fair Trading should be able to help you, the standard heights for steps varies according to location and use - it is a bit of a minefield to work out. Good luck. Amanda - how did all your renos go in the end? Sounds like you are still sane. :)

Large format tiles, such as your 700 x 400 choice look great in large rooms. However with smaller spaces, such as bathrooms in a unit then you really have to plan carefully with your tiler the relationship of the floor waste, the slope, and the grout lines. If your tiler starts setting out the tiles from your entrance hall you may find that there is only one off-centre grout line down the middle of your bathroom , or an awkward transition to make it work with the existing floor waste. A smaller square tile, such as 400 x 400 will be easier to work with, easier to set out, easier to work with slopes, and the position of the grout lines will be less crucial.

I think with clever design you can have both. Consider glazed doors, and glazing around the stairs. Why don't you get your architect to model both options in 3D so you can see the options? Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits

This amazing transformation involved extensive hardscaping and landscaping, which we broke up into two stages. Before: The first stage was the complete design and installation of all entry and front yard elements. We included a fire pit and outdoor entertaining area, so the space could be used during any season. Shaping and organic contouring of a lawn area and garden beds were completed to accommodate the established native trees and blend back out to the edge of the native bush. After: A crushed limestone path underwent a late design change to double as a BMX track complete with 'jumps for the kids. Finishing works included 1% red oxide asphalt defined by reinforced flush mount kerbing and an automated gated entry. Before: After: Before: After: Before: After: The second stage captured the side and rear yard areas with practical landscaping to suit the lifestyle of the client. Secondary access was established to these areas using a recycled bitumen which required blending against finishes from stage 1. We created potager garden area with raised garden beds made of limestone block construction and circular corten stee elements complemented crushed limestone walkways and garden paths. Vintage Jarrah railway sleepers was a feature in this area along with selective use of granite rock to break lines. Tank pads and bedding were treated to blue metal ballast below limestone retaining walls and stairs. A chicken run and enclosed herb garden were added using agricultural post and rail fencing methods dug in to protect the residents from foxes. All potager garden, front gardens and lawn were treated to automated reticulation offering low maintenance seasonal options. Post and wire fencing and a farm gate were installed along the front of the property in keeping with the rural location. Before: After: After: See Stage 1 here and stage 2 here!