Upgrade your laundry with space-smart, durable laundry cabinets designed for Australian homes. From compact washer cabinets and a laundry cupboard with sink to full-height tall laundry cabinets and laundry overhead cupboards, Joyce Kitchens crafts WA-made solutions that work hard and look sharp. Whether you’re planning a sleek European-style nook or a family-sized utility room, our team designs, manufactures and installs custom cabinetry across Perth and wider WA.
This guide covers the essentials: measurements, ventilation, waterproofing, materials and finishes, popular layouts and styles, realistic costs in Perth, plus practical tips and FAQs. It’s written for homeowners comparing laundry cupboards, washing machine and dryer cupboards, laundry flat pack cabinets and fully tailored laundry cabinetry.
Key design insights for better laundry storage
Great laundries are practical first. Before choosing doors or colours, confirm the core details of your laundry unit and laundry area cabinets:
- Appliance sizes and clearances: Most Australian front-load washers and dryers are 600 mm wide; allow 10–20 mm side clearance and 650–700 mm cabinet depth for hoses and ventilation.
- Choose your configuration: side-by-side under a benchtop, or stacked in a dedicated washer dryer cabinet with a proper stacking kit.
- Services: Position water supply, waste, power points and dryer venting to suit your washing machine cabinet and laundry tub and cabinet.
- Zones: Sort, soak, wash, dry, fold and store. Plan for a laundry broom cupboard, hamper pull-outs, and laundry storage cupboards for linen and bulk items.
- Ventilation and moisture: Prioritise airflow for dryers and warm WA summers; select moisture-resistant cabinetry.
- Safety and compliance: Engage licensed trades. Refer to AS/NZS 3000 (electrical), AS/NZS 3500 (plumbing) and AS 3740 (wet area waterproofing).
Case-style examples (Perth)
Subiaco apartment (European laundry): 1,250 mm-wide niche behind bifolds. We stacked a 600 mm washer and heat-pump dryer in a washing machine dryer cabinet, added a laundry wall cabinet for detergents, and a 300 mm pull-out for ironing. Laminated benchtop, soft-close hardware, and LED strip under the shelf. Installed in two days; total cabinetry/benchtop budget approx. $4.5k–$6k ex. trades.
Canning Vale family home: 3.2 m galley with laundry cupboard with sink, 1.8 m folding bench over appliances, tall laundry cabinet for mops/vacuum, and four laundry overhead cupboards. Stone-look laminate benchtop, shaker-style doors to match the shaker kitchen. Approx. $11k–$15k cabinetry/benchtop, with licensed plumbing/electrical extra.
Our WA renovation process
- Consultation and measure: We review your appliances, storage wish-list and service locations.
- Design and quote: 3D drawings, materials and hardware selections (e.g., Blum/Hettich soft-close).
- Compliance planning: Coordination with licensed trades for AS/NZS 3000, 3500 and AS 3740 requirements.
- Manufacture in WA: Precision-cut, edged and assembled cabinetry sized to your home (no fillers where they’re not needed).
- Installation: Fit cabinets, benchtops, and splashback substrate; finalise door/drawer alignment.
- Handover: We check ventilation, clearances and service access in your washer cupboard or laundry machine cabinet.
Joyce Kitchens also manages complementary works as part of broader kitchen renovations Perth projects, including sculleries, mudrooms and butler’s pantry-style storage when the plan allows.
Materials, finishes and benchtops
Cabinet carcasses and doors
- Carcasses: White or coloured HMR melamine board with 1–2 mm ABS edging for moisture defence.
- Doors and drawer fronts: Melamine, thermo-laminate (vinyl wrap), 2-pack polyurethane, or timber veneer to match adjacent spaces.
- Hardware: Soft-close hinges/runners, pull-out hampers, wire baskets and corner solutions.
- Outdoor laundry cabinet: Consider powder-coated aluminium frames and compact laminate for weather resistance.
Benchtops and splashbacks
Benchtops wear most of the moisture and impact in a laundry. Two common choices are shown below.
| Feature | Engineered Stone | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Very hard, scratch and stain resistant; excellent for heavy use. | Good everyday durability; avoid cutting directly or high heat. |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent; sealed surfaces repel water. | Very good if edges are sealed; avoid prolonged pooling at joins. |
| Heat resistance | Better than laminate, but still avoid extreme heat and hot appliances directly. | Keep irons and dryers off the surface or use heat mats. |
| Looks | Premium, seamless appearance; complements a shaker kitchen or modern laundry. | Wide range of stone-look and timber-look designs at lower cost. |
| Indicative cost (Perth) | From mid to premium range depending on brand and thickness. | Budget to mid-range; excellent value per metre. |
Note: Australia has introduced restrictions on traditional quartz-based engineered stone. Talk to your designer about compliant alternatives such as low-silica reconstituted surfaces, porcelain/sintered slabs, solid surface or premium laminate while still using the term “engineered stone benchtop” as a style benchmark.
Splashbacks can be tiled, glass or acrylic. Tiles with epoxy grout are practical; glass/acrylic panels offer fast cleaning and a modern finish.
Layouts and styles that work in Australia
Popular configurations
- Side-by-side under bench: Great for folding space. Typically 900–920 mm bench height, 600 mm wide appliances.
- Stacked washer dryer cabinet: Save floor space; ensure 1,300–1,350 mm internal height and manufacturer-approved stacking kit.
- European laundry: Concealed cupboards for washing machines behind sliding or bifold doors with laundry wall cabinet above.
- Family utility room: Add a tall laundry cabinet (broom/vacuum), laundry storage cabinets, and a durable laundry basin cabinet.
Style notes
- Classic: Shaker doors, matte finishes, and cup pulls to match nearby cabinetry.
- Contemporary: Flat profiles, finger-pull rails, or push-to-open for a clean look.
- Coastal WA: Light-toned timber-look melamine, white benchtops, and brushed nickel hardware.
Dimensions and clearances (Australian context)
- Benchtop height: 900–920 mm typical.
- Cabinet depth: 600 mm carcass, 650–700 mm overall to allow hoses for appliances in a laundry machine cabinet.
- Overheads: 350–400 mm deep, mounted 500–600 mm above benchtop.
- Top-loaders: Need open space above (often 1,000–1,100 mm) — not ideal under fixed benchtops.
- Dryer ventilation: Respect manufacturer’s clearance, especially for condenser/heat-pump units.
Specialised storage
- Laundry vanity: Combine a larger sink with drawers for stain-removal and pet washing.
- Laundry flatpacks vs custom: Flat packs are ideal for simple walls; custom suits angled walls, nibs, and integrated washing machine cabinet ventilation panels.
- Outdoor laundry cabinet: Great for rentals or beach houses; specify weather-proof materials and sealed edges.
Costs, timelines and value
Every laundry is different, but these Perth ranges help with planning (cabinetry and benchtops only; licensed plumbing/electrical, splashbacks, flooring and building works are additional):
- Flat pack/laundry kit: From ~$1,500–$4,000 for modules, plus installation. Best for straight walls and standard sizes.
- Custom mid-range: ~$8,000–$15,000 for tailored laundry cabinetry, premium hardware and a quality laminate or porcelain/sintered benchtop.
- Premium custom: $15,000–$25,000+ with extensive laundry overhead cupboards, tall storage, and designer finishes.
Timelines: Design/quote 1–2 weeks, manufacture 3–6 weeks depending on finish, installation 1–3 days for typical spaces.
Practical laundry renovation checklist
- Confirm appliance types, sizes and stacking kits before final cabinet dimensions.
- Allocate a laundry broom cupboard and a pull-out hamper near the washer.
- Specify HMR carcasses and sealed edges for moisture resistance.
- Plan power points off the splash zone and at correct heights (AS/NZS 3000).
- Slope and waste to the tub and provide overflow measures (AS/NZS 3500).
- Use appropriate waterproofing to AS 3740 in splash zones and upper-storey laundries.
- Ventilate dryers; allow 650–700 mm cabinet depth in a washer cupboard.
- Consider heat mats under irons and benchtop protectors under benchtop dryers.
- Choose finishes that relate to your kitchen or robes for a cohesive home.
- For rentals/Airbnb, select hardwearing melamine and laminate for easy care.
For further guidance on Australian standards and building contracts, see the Housing Industry Association, Master Builders WA, and WA’s Building and Energy resources.
FAQ
What size should a washer dryer cabinet be in Australia?
Most front-load appliances are 600 mm wide. Allow 10–20 mm side clearance, 650–700 mm overall depth for hoses/venting, and 1,300–1,350 mm internal height for a stacked pair with a manufacturer-approved stacking kit. Provide service access at the back, a moisture-resistant base, and ventilation per the appliance manual.
Can I fit a top-loader under a benchtop or inside a washer cupboard?
Usually no. Top-loaders need lid clearance and free access above the machine, often 1,000–1,100 mm. If you must place one in cabinetry, design an open bay or a flip-up benchtop section and ensure water-resistant finishes with good drainage and ventilation.
Which benchtop is best for a laundry—laminate or engineered stone?
Laminate offers excellent value with many stone-look designs; avoid high heat and standing water at joins. Engineered stone (or compliant reconstituted/porcelain alternatives) is tougher and more water resistant, but costs more. In Australia, check current rules on quartz-based engineered stone and consider porcelain/sintered or solid-surface alternatives.
Do I need waterproofing in a laundry in WA?
Waterproofing and water-resistant construction are strongly recommended, especially around the tub and on upper floors. Your designer and licensed trades should follow the NCC and AS 3740 (wet areas), with plumbing to AS/NZS 3500 and electrical to AS/NZS 3000.
Are flat pack laundry cupboards a good option vs custom cabinets?
Yes for simple, straight walls and standard appliances—laundry flatpacks can be cost-effective and quick. Choose custom when you need perfect fits, integrated washing machine and dryer cupboards, tricky corners, ventilation panels, or a seamless look matching adjacent rooms.
Ready to plan your new laundry? Talk to Joyce Kitchens about laundry cabinets for sale and fully custom cabinetry made in WA. We’ll help you choose the right mix of practicality and style to suit your home.