Laundries are arguably the most used room in any family home, yet they’re often the last space homeowners think about when planning a renovation. If yours is cramped, cluttered, or just plain uninspiring, you’re in good company. Thoughtful laundry design can completely change how that room feels to use every single day.
At Designer Living Kitchens, we’ve been designing custom laundries across the Central Coast, Gold Coast, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and surrounding regions for more than 25 years. Here’s what that experience has taught us.
Why Your Laundry Deserves More Attention
A poorly designed laundry makes every wash day harder than it needs to be. No bench space means folding clothes on the bed. Poor storage means detergents, soaking buckets, and ironing boards end up wherever they’ll fit. Inadequate lighting makes the whole room feel grim.
Good laundry design solves all of that. A well-planned space gives you room to sort, wash, dry, and fold without the usual chaos. With the right layout and cabinetry, even a compact laundry can become genuinely functional.
Getting the Layout Right
Where your appliances sit in relation to your bench space and storage makes a big difference to how the room flows.
Top-loading washing machines need clear overhead space, which limits the cabinetry you can position above them. Front-loaders, on the other hand, can sit beneath a continuous benchtop, giving you a full work surface running the length of the room. If space allows, positioning your washer and dryer side by side is the most practical arrangement.
Bench height matters too. A standard bench at around 900mm suits most people, but if you’re tall or find bending uncomfortable, it’s worth discussing a custom height with your designer.
Storage That Works as Hard as You Do
The single biggest complaint we hear about existing laundries is not enough storage, and it’s a straightforward problem to fix with the right cabinetry.
Upper cabinets keep everyday products within reach while keeping benchtops clear. Lower cabinets with pull-out drawers are ideal for linen, cleaning supplies, and bulky items. A tall pantry-style cabinet handles those awkward items like ironing boards, brooms, and mops that always seem to end up leaning against a wall.
If your laundry doubles as a mudroom, consider adding hooks, a shoe rack, and a drop zone for bags and sports gear. Custom joinery makes it easy to combine all of these functions in a single, cohesive space.
Choosing the Right Materials
Laundries are wet areas, so material choice matters. Moisture-resistant cabinet finishes, quality hardware, and durable benchtop surfaces are essential rather than optional.
At Designer Living Kitchens, we work with trusted suppliers including Polytec and Laminex, whose products are built to handle the demands of Australian homes. Quality hinges and drawer runners from brands like Hettich ensure your cabinetry continues to operate smoothly for years after installation. The Housing Industry Association recommends using certified materials in wet areas to protect both the cabinetry and the structure of your home.
Small Laundries Can Still Be Great
Don’t let a compact space put you off investing in good design. Some of the most satisfying laundry renovations we’ve completed have been in tight spaces where every centimetre counted.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry maximises storage without expanding the footprint. A fold-down ironing board mounted to the wall frees up floor space when not in use. Sliding doors instead of hinged ones can make a real difference in a narrow room.
If you’re working with a smaller space, speaking with an experienced laundry design specialist early in the process means you get the most out of every square metre.
Ready to Rethink Your Laundry?
A well-designed laundry is one of those upgrades that improves daily life in a way that’s hard to put a number on. Less clutter, more bench space, and a room that actually works for your household makes a genuine difference every single week.
Designer Living Kitchens designs and builds custom laundries from six showroom locations across Tuggerah, Warners Bay, Laurieton, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Ashmore on the Gold Coast. Call us today on (02) 5525 0800 to arrange a free, obligation-free consultation, or visit your nearest showroom to see our range in person.
