Smart laundry colour schemes do more than look good—they brighten small spaces, hide day‑to‑day mess, and link your laundry with your kitchen and bathroom design. If you’re planning a Perth or WA renovation, this guide covers palettes that work in our light and climate, materials that last, compliant installation notes, costs, and real-world examples from Australian homes.
Primary focus: laundry colour schemes (and the US spelling: laundry color schemes), tailored for Australian homeowners considering custom cabinetry, kitchen renovations Perth, bathroom upgrades, or a full home joinery package.
Core colour insights for laundries
Most laundries are compact and work hard. The right palette makes them feel larger, cleaner and more connected to adjoining spaces like the kitchen, scullery or mudroom.
Reliable colour rules that work
- Use the 60–30–10 rule: 60% base (walls/cabinetry), 30% secondary (benchtop/floor), 10% accent (handles, tapware, décor).
- Light, low‑chroma neutrals with a warm undertone reduce glare under WA’s bright sun. Think soft warm whites, stone, oatmeal and light greige.
- Go two‑tone to anchor the room: darker lower cabinets, lighter uppers. It grounds the space and hides scuffs.
- Repeat one element from your kitchen design—cabinet profile, splashback tiles, or hardware finish—to unify your home.
Palette ideas (tested in Australian light)
- Coastal Hamptons: crisp white shaker cabinetry, pale grey benchtop, brushed nickel or chrome, white subway splashback, light oak-look flooring.
- Modern minimalist: flat-panel matte white or pale greige doors, porcelain benchtop in stone-look, finger-pull handles, soft-close drawers, black tapware.
- Scandi calm: warm white cabinetry, eucalyptus green or sage accent, blonde timber-look benchtop, white grout to keep it airy.
- Bold but balanced: charcoal lower cabinets, warm white uppers, terrazzo-look splashback tiles, brass hardware for a touch of luxe.
Case examples from Perth homes
Subiaco terrace: Our client wanted a Euro laundry behind bi‑folds. We paired warm white flat‑panel doors with an eucalyptus green niche and a thin 12mm porcelain benchtop. Polished nickel handles echoed their shaker kitchen next door. The space feels cohesive and bigger than its footprint.
Cottesloe family home: A Hamptons laundry with shaker cabinetry, VJ panels, matte white splashback tiles and a stone‑look porcelain top. The timber-look floor and brushed brass hardware deliver warmth, while integrated appliances and pull‑out hampers keep the zone clutter‑free.
Renovation process (Perth & WA)
- Measure and plan: confirm appliance sizes (most washers/dryers are ~600mm wide; allow ventilation for heat‑pump or condenser dryers). Decide on underbench vs stacked.
- Services and compliance: plan GPOs, lighting and plumbing to suit. Electrical work must meet AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules). Waterproofing in laundries typically follows AS 3740 where applicable.
- Design development: pick colour scheme, benchtop and splashback materials, cabinet profiles (e.g., shaker or contemporary flat‑panel), and storage (tall broom, pull‑out hampers, ventilated shelves).
- Pricing and approvals: finalise scope and timeline with your builder or cabinetmaker. Consider HIA or Master Builders contract templates for clarity.
- Fabrication and install: custom cabinetry WA lead times vary (typically 3–6 weeks fabrication after sign‑off), then site install, plumbing/electrical fit‑off and builder’s clean.
Tip: Keep your laundry palette consistent with adjacent rooms—Joyce Kitchens can carry the same profile and hardware through your kitchen, bathroom vanities and wardrobes for a whole‑home finish.
Materials and finishes that suit WA
Benchtops
- Porcelain / sintered stone: highly heat, scratch and UV resistant—excellent for sunny WA laundries. Thin profiles (12–20mm) give a modern look.
- High‑pressure laminate: budget‑friendly, huge colour range (timber looks, terrazzo, concrete). Use high‑quality edging and a drainer groove insert near the sink.
- Stainless steel: tough, hygienic and perfect around a laundry trough; pairs well with industrial or contemporary styles.
- Solid surface (acrylic): seamless joins and repairable; avoid placing hot items directly on the surface.
Splashbacks
- Glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles (subway, kit‑kat, square). Light grout keeps it airy; darker grout is practical for heavy use.
- Large‑format porcelain panels: minimal grout lines, ideal for a sleek, modern laundry.
- Acrylic or compact laminate panels: fast install; check heat and UV ratings near windows.
Cabinetry and hardware
- Door finishes: 2‑pack polyurethane (two‑pack), thermo‑laminate (vinyl wrap), premium melamine. All come in whites, greiges, eucalyptus and charcoal tones.
- Profiles: shaker for Hamptons/coastal; flat‑panel for modern/minimalist looks.
- Hardware: soft‑close drawers, finger‑pull rails, matte black or brass handles. Choose finishes that echo your kitchen.
Sinks, tapware and lighting
- Undermount or inset stainless steel laundry troughs (consider 45L capacity). Include a gooseneck mixer with pull‑out spray.
- Choose WELS‑rated tapware for water efficiency.
- LED task lighting under overheads for stain‑spotting; warm white ambience to flatter soft neutrals.
Porcelain vs laminate benchtops: which suits your scheme?
| Feature | Porcelain / Sintered Stone | High‑Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium stone/concrete/terrazzo looks with crisp thin edges | Vast colour/pattern range, realistic timber/stone decors |
| Heat & UV resistance | Excellent (great for sunny WA windows) | Good indoors; avoid hot pots and prolonged UV |
| Durability & care | Very hard, low maintenance; use cutting boards | Durable for the price; protect edges and use trivets |
| Installed cost (guide) | $$$–$$$$ (premium) | $–$$ (budget to mid) |
| Best for | Modern/minimalist schemes, heavy use, sun‑exposed benches | Value‑driven projects, warm Scandi/coastal looks |
Layouts and styles that complement your home
Common laundry layouts
- Single wall / Euro laundry: ideal behind doors; pair light cabinetry with stone‑look benchtop and a simple tile splashback.
- Galley: two runs of cabinetry; choose a light scheme to avoid a tunnel feel, with open shelving for airy storage.
- L‑shape or U‑shape: maximises bench space; two‑tone cabinetry (dark base, light uppers) keeps it balanced.
- Mudroom combo: add hooks, seating and shoe storage; use durable, mid‑tone colours that hide scuffs.
Style cues that tie to your kitchen
- Shaker kitchen next door? Continue shaker doors and a white or pale grey palette for a seamless Hamptons look.
- Contemporary home? Flat‑panel doors, finger‑pull rails, a porcelain benchtop, and matte black tapware read clean and modern.
- Scandi palette? Warm whites, sage accents, timber‑look laminate, and soft brass hardware feel calm and cohesive.
- Industrial edge? Stainless trough, charcoal cabinets, concrete‑look benchtop and darker grout lines.
What does a laundry renovation cost in Perth?
Every project is unique, but these ballpark figures help set expectations for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries in WA. Prices include GST and typical local labour rates.
- Cosmetic refresh (retain layout): $6,000–$12,000+ (new doors, benchtop, splashback, basic plumbing/electrical).
- Mid‑range custom (most common): $12,000–$25,000+ (custom cabinetry, premium laminate or porcelain top, new sink/tapware, lighting, tiling).
- High‑end bespoke: $25,000–$40,000+ (extensive custom joinery, porcelain/sintered stone surfaces, integrated appliances, mudroom fit‑out).
Line‑item guides (indicative):
- Custom cabinetry WA: from $1,000–$1,800 per linear metre (finish dependent).
- Benchtops: laminate $250–$450/m²; porcelain/sintered $850–$1,600/m² installed.
- Splashback: tiles $80–$180/m² plus labour; large‑format porcelain panels $400–$800/m² installed.
- Plumbing/electrical: typically $1,200–$3,500 depending on scope and AS/NZS compliance.
For an accurate quote and a colour consultation that ties in with your kitchen renovations Perth or wardrobe joinery, book a design visit with Joyce Kitchens.
Pre‑renovation colour planning checklist
- Confirm appliance sizes, door swings and stacking kit requirements
- Decide on a base neutral and one accent colour (sample in your actual light)
- Choose cabinet profile: shaker vs flat‑panel
- Select benchtop: porcelain/sintered vs laminate vs stainless
- Pick splashback tiles and grout colour
- Match hardware and tapware finishes to your kitchen/bathroom
- Plan task lighting and GPO positions to AS/NZS 3000
- Consider storage add‑ons: pull‑out hampers, broom cupboard, drying rail
Local notes for WA homeowners
- Sunlight and heat: WA homes get strong UV—choose UV‑stable finishes and porcelain/sintered tops near windows.
- Appliance power: most dryers are 10A; check circuit capacity and ventilation for condenser/heat‑pump units.
- Standards to consider: AS/NZS 3000 (electrical) and AS 3740 (wet area waterproofing where applicable). Use licensed trades and reputable contracts (HIA/Master Builders).
Helpful authorities (external):
Housing Industry Association (HIA),
Safe Work Australia,
WA Building and Energy.
FAQ
What are the best laundry colour schemes for small spaces?
Use light warm whites or soft greiges with an LRV above ~60, two‑tone cabinetry (darker base, lighter uppers) and glossy or satin tiles to bounce light. Keep flooring continuous with adjacent areas and repeat hardware from your kitchen for cohesion.
Should my laundry match my kitchen?
It doesn’t have to be identical, but echoing your kitchen’s cabinet profile (shaker or flat‑panel), hardware finish, or benchtop tone creates a whole‑home flow. Many clients repeat their splashback tiles or choose a complementary neutral to connect spaces.
What benchtop finishes suit laundries in WA after the engineered stone ban?
Choose porcelain/sintered stone for premium durability and UV resistance, high‑pressure laminate for value and colour range, stainless steel near the trough, or solid surface for seamless joins. These options avoid quartz-based engineered stone while delivering a quality finish.
How much does a Perth laundry renovation cost?
As a guide: $6k–$12k for a cosmetic refresh, $12k–$25k for mid‑range custom, and $25k–$40k+ for high‑end bespoke. Final price depends on cabinetry length, benchtop material, splashback choice, and plumbing/electrical scope.
What layout works for a European laundry in an apartment?
Opt for a single‑wall layout with stacked appliances, a shallow but sturdy benchtop, overhead storage, and strong task lighting. Keep colours light, add a feature niche, and choose soft‑close, finger‑pull doors for a clean, quiet close behind bi‑folds or sliders.