Smarter laundry hanging can transform how you dry laundry clothes in WA’s climate—reducing clutter, protecting fabrics and speeding up drying without chewing through power. Whether you’re planning a new kitchen-laundry, a combined mudroom, or a compact apartment laundry, this guide shows how Joyce Kitchens designs integrated drying systems that look great and actually work.
Primary focus: laundry hanging. Also covered: laundry stand options, retractable lines, drying cabinets, benchtops, storage, ventilation, and how it all fits within a kitchen and laundry renovation.
Table of Contents
- Core laundry hanging insights
- Our Perth renovation process
- Materials and finishes
- Layouts and styles
- Costs in WA
- Quick WA case examples
- Practical checklist
- FAQ
Core laundry hanging insights for Australian homes
Perth’s warm, dry summers and cool, wetter winters mean you’ll likely need both outdoor and indoor drying. The best laundry hanging setups blend ceiling airers, retractable lines and discreet storage so your laundry stays functional in all seasons.
Smart, space-savvy ways to dry laundry clothes
- Ceiling-mounted airers: Pulley or crank systems raise washing into warm, unused air space—ideal above a benchtop or sink. Great for open-plan living areas where airflow is better.
- Retractable wall lines: Disappear when not in use; perfect for narrow scullery-style laundries or balconies.
- Drying cabinets: Gentle, enclosed airflow to dry delicates quickly without shrinking. Excellent for families or coastal WA where winter humidity lingers.
- Fold-down wall racks: Slimline frames for hangers; keep walkways clear.
- Moveable laundry stand: A foldable airer you can shift outside on dry days—choose aluminium or stainless steel for coastal durability.
- Heated rails and towel ladders: Low-wattage warmth cuts drying times in winter; add a timer for efficiency.
Definition: Ceiling airer — A rack that lifts to the ceiling via pulley or crank, using warm air to dry clothes while keeping floor space free.
Definition: Drying cabinet — A tall cabinet with gentle heated airflow for low-temperature drying of delicates, shoes and sports gear.
Key design tips that make laundry hanging effortless
- Place hanging directly above a benchtop folding station to catch drips, with an undermount sink and gooseneck, matte black tapware nearby.
- Allow 2,000–2,100 mm head clearance when a ceiling airer is lowered; ensure it raises to sit 300–400 mm from the ceiling so doors still open.
- Size for Australian appliances: many front loaders are 600 mm wide but up to 650–700 mm deep with hoses. Leave 20–30 mm ventilation clearance.
- Vent properly: duct dryers and exhaust fans to outside (not into roof space) to meet NCC ventilation intent; this protects cabinetry and paint.
- Integrate smart storage: pull-out hampers, soft-close drawers, ventilated shoe shelves and a broom cupboard so the room stays tidy even when laundry stand or racks are in use.
Our Perth renovation process (kitchen, laundry and wardrobes)
- In-home measure and briefing: We confirm appliance sizing, window heights, and ceiling structure for airers.
- Design concepts and 3D: Options for shaker kitchen or contemporary laundry aesthetics—Hamptons style, coastal or minimalist to match your home.
- Materials selection: Benchtops, splashback tiles, hardware, and drying systems (ceiling airer, drying cabinet, retractable line).
- Compliance and services: Coordinate electrical and ventilation per best practice. Refer to Australian Standards and industry guidance:
ABCB/NCC ventilation guidance and
Safe Work Australia materials advisory. - Fabrication: Custom cabinetry WA-made for the right clearances and fixings into studs/joists.
- Installation and handover: Handover care pack, maintenance tips and optional aftercare.
We can also work within HIA contract frameworks alongside your builder.
Materials and finishes for laundry durability
Your laundry sees water, heat and movement. Here’s how we specify finishes that last in Perth and regional WA.
Benchtops: understanding stone, laminate and alternatives
Engineered stone benchtop products with crystalline silica are being phased out nationally; many clients now choose sintered stone/porcelain slabs, natural stone, or high-pressure laminate. We’ll advise compliant, safe options that suit your budget and look.
Definition: Sintered/porcelain slab — A kiln-fired, non-porous surface that’s highly heat and UV resistant, often used as an engineered stone alternative.
Comparison: Porcelain/Sintered vs Laminate for Laundry Benchtops
| Property | Porcelain/Sintered (engineered stone alternative) | Laminate (HPL) |
|---|---|---|
| Expected cost (installed) | $600–$1,200 per m² | $180–$450 per m² |
| Water resistance | Excellent; non-porous | Very good; avoid standing water on joins |
| Heat resistance | Excellent; hot items less risky | Fair; use trivets |
| Impact/repair | Very hard; edge chipping possible; hard to repair | Durable; localised damage easier/cheaper to replace |
| Aesthetics | Stone/concrete looks; UV stable for bright laundries | Wide range of colours and timber looks |
| Lead time in WA | 1–4 weeks (fabrication dependent) | 1–2 weeks |
Cabinetry, hardware and splashbacks
- Custom cabinetry WA: Moisture-resistant boards with sealed edges near sinks and washer hoses.
- Hardware: Soft-close drawers and heavy-duty rails for pull-out hampers and drying racks.
- Splashback: Ceramic/porcelain tiles or compact laminate for easy wipe-down behind sinks.
- Tapware: Matte black tapware or chrome with quality ceramic cartridges; add a pull-out spray for pre-soaking.
Ventilation, lighting and power
- Exhaust fans ducted outside to help when drying indoors; consider humidity or PIR sensors.
- Task lighting over the benchtop; avoid placing ceiling airers directly under heat lamps.
- Electrical: Heated rails and drying cabinets must be installed by a licensed electrician; maintain clearances and RCD protection as per AS/NZS 3000.
Layouts and styles that blend with your kitchen renovation
We align laundry detailing with your kitchen renovations Perth project—so styles flow from butler’s pantry or scullery through to the laundry mudroom.
Popular WA layouts
- Single-wall compact apartment laundry: Stacked washer/dryer, retractable line inside a tall cabinet, and a narrow ceiling airer above a 600 mm deep bench.
- L-shaped family laundry: Ceiling airer over the benchtop, fold-down rack on the return wall, and a drying cabinet beside tall storage.
- Mudroom combo: Hooks, bench seat, pull-out hampers and a discrete ceiling airer that tucks above walkway height.
Style directions that work
- Hamptons style/shaker kitchen fronts with cup pulls and v-groove panelling for character homes.
- Contemporary kitchen lines: flat-panel doors, finger pulls and integrated washer-dryer for a clean look in open-plan living.
What does it cost in Perth/WA?
- Ceiling airer supply and install: $350–$1,500 depending on size and mechanism.
- Drying cabinet: $2,000–$5,000 installed.
- Fold-down wall racks/retractable lines: $120–$600.
- Heated towel/laundry rails (wired with timer): $450–$1,200.
- Full laundry renovation with integrated hanging: typically $15,000–$35,000+; targeted refresh from $6,000–$15,000.
