Design a compact, concealed laundry that works as hard as it looks. Joyce Kitchens creates small European laundries across Perth and WA that blend clever storage, practical layouts and premium finishes to suit busy Australian households.
In tight nooks, compact DIY laundry cabinets can add vertical storage without crowding circulation—see our step‑by‑step guide for shallow cupboards, slide‑out hampers and over‑appliance shelving.
What is a small European laundry?
A “European laundry” is a laundry concealed within a cupboard, hallway niche or behind doors—often in the kitchen, bathroom, or a corridor. It keeps washing machines, dryers and a laundry trough out of sight while offering day-to-day convenience in compact homes, units and townhouses.
At Joyce Kitchens, we tailor euro laundry ideas for Perth apartments and WA family homes. Whether you prefer a shaker kitchen feel or sleek handleless cabinetry, we design a European style laundry that matches your interiors and delivers smart storage.
Core design insights for tight spaces
- Go vertical: stack a 600 mm washer and dryer, with overhead cabinets for detergents and a pull-out basket.
- Plan for services: allow 60–80 mm behind appliances for plumbing, electrical and ventilation; confirm cavity depth (min ~650 mm for most front-loaders).
- Benchtop smarts: a shallow benchtop over front-loaders provides folding space; consider a compact under-mount sink or small laundry trough.
- Doors that disappear: pocket, sliding or bi-fold European laundry doors minimise obstruction in corridors and scullery spaces.
- Hardware matters: soft-close drawers and quality Blum hardware keep daily use quiet and durable.
- Moisture management: integrate ventilation grilles or a discreet extract fan; choose water-resistant cabinetry interiors and a wipeable splashback.
- Consistent style: continue your kitchen’s splashback, VJ panelling or subway tiles for a cohesive look across kitchen renovations Perth homes love.
- Storage gains: mix open shelves for baskets with closed custom cabinetry WA for chemicals—higher shelves add child safety.
- Integration: conceal a compact ironing board, hanging rail and pull-out hampers for truly smart storage.
Our renovation process in WA
- Consultation and measure: On-site measure and brief (appliance sizes, ventilation, power points, drainage and waterproofing).
- Design and 3D visuals: Bespoke layout options, door strategies and euro laundry ideas that fit your space and budget.
- Selections: Cabinet finishes (melamine, 2 pac paint, vinyl wrap), benchtop (porcelain/sintered, solid surface, laminate), handles or handleless, splashback, and integrated appliances if desired.
- Compliance planning: Coordinate locations of GPOs, plumbing and ventilation. Refer to AS/NZS 3000 (electrical), AS 3740 (waterproofing), and AS/NZS 4386 (domestic kitchen/laundry joinery).
- Manufacture: Precision local joinery built to suit your cavity and appliance tolerances.
- Installation and handover: Licensed trades for plumbing/electrical; final fit, alignment and care instructions.
Useful Australian resources: Housing Industry Association (HIA), Master Builders WA, and Energy Rating for appliance guidance.
Materials and finishes
Your European laundry cupboard needs to look great and withstand moisture. Popular options across Perth include:
- Cabinet doors: Durable melamine for value, painted 2 pac for premium colour-matched finishes, or vinyl wrap for a smooth profile—ideal for modern or shaker fronts.
- Benchtops: Porcelain/sintered stone for heat, stain and water resistance; or budget-friendly water-resistant laminate. Ask about natural stone or solid-surface options too.
- Interiors: Moisture-resistant board, sealed kickboards, and edge-banding to protect against drips.
- Hardware: Soft-close hinges and slides, pull-out hampers, and adjustable shelving.
Note on engineered stone benchtops: Australia has implemented a national prohibition on high-silica engineered stone. Joyce Kitchens specifies compliant alternatives such as porcelain/sintered stone, solid surface and natural stone, and can advise on current WA regulations.
Benchtop comparison
Choosing the right benchtop is essential in a small European laundry where space and durability matter.
| Porcelain / Sintered Stone | Laminate (Water-Resistant) |
|---|---|
| Very high heat and stain resistance; excellent over appliances and near dryers. | Good day-to-day performance; avoid hot pans and protect from steam bursts. |
| Low porosity; easy to clean; premium look similar to stone benchtops Perth homeowners love. | Wide decor range at a lower cost; modern textures and edges available. |
| Higher material and fabrication cost; very durable long-term. | Best value; cost-effective for investment properties and rentals. |
| Seams can be minimised; good for slim profiles. | Visible joins on longer runs; thicker look typical. |
| Long lead times at peak periods; specialist install required. | Fast manufacture and install; simple maintenance and easy replacement. |
Layouts and styles
Popular small European laundry layouts
- Bi-fold cupboard laundry: A 1,200–1,500 mm wide recess with bi-fold European laundry doors and a benchtop over a front-loader, overhead cabinets and a rail for shirts.
- Pocket-door tall unit: Full-height doors slide back into the cabinet while open—perfect for narrow hallways to keep the corridor clear.
- Sliding-door corridor laundry: Minimal door projection; great for apartment niches with limited swing space.
- Under-stair Euro laundry: Custom joinery maximises stepped cavities; pair a compact laundry trough with deep drawers for cleaning gear.
Styling cues to match your home
- Shaker profiles: Blend your shaker kitchen look into the laundry; choose classic whites, soft greys or pastels with matte black or brass pulls.
- Modern handleless: Flat, handleless cabinetry with finger pulls or push-to-open for the cleanest European style laundry finish.
- Material echoes: Continue the kitchen’s splashback tiles, benchtop tones and appliances for a unified renovation across spaces.
- Utility elegance: Add a slim pull-out pantry-style broom cupboard beside appliances for vertical storage symmetry.
Costs in Perth and WA
Budget ranges vary with size, finishes and appliance choices. As a guide for Perth and greater WA:
- Essentials (compact, melamine, laminate): $6,500–$9,500 for custom cabinetry, benchtop, splashback, basic lighting and install (ex. appliances).
- Mid-range (2 pac, porcelain/sintered stone): $9,500–$14,000 including upgraded hardware, more storage and integrated rail systems.
- Premium (feature joinery, integrated solutions): $14,000–$25,000 with premium finishes, pocket doors, ventilation system and bespoke accessories.
Allow for licensed trades (plumbing/electrical), potential waterproofing to AS 3740 and minor building works. Appliance costs vary—check Energy Rating labels for running-cost savings over time.
Quick WA case examples
Case 1: Fremantle townhouse
We converted a 1,300 mm corridor recess into a European laundry cupboard. A front-loader and heat-pump dryer stack, porcelain benchtop, overhead cabinets and bi-fold doors deliver a quiet, concealed solution with soft-close hardware—styling to match a coastal shaker kitchen.
Case 2: Joondalup apartment
A 1,100 mm pocket-door unit hides a compact washer under a laminate bench with a micro under-mount sink. Ventilation grilles, LED task lighting and adjustable shelves create a practical, budget-friendly upgrade with a modern handleless look.
Practical checklist for your European laundry
- Measure cavity: width, height, depth and door swing or track space.
- Confirm appliance sizes: most AU washers/dryers are 600 mm wide; check depth and stacking kits.
- Plan services: water, waste, GPO locations (AS/NZS 3000), ventilation path.
- Choose door system: hinged, sliding, bi-fold or pocket doors.
- Select finishes: melamine/2 pac/vinyl wrap; laminate or porcelain benchtop; splashback material.
- Storage mix: overhead cabinets, pull-outs, hampers, rails, baskets.
- Moisture strategy: drip tray, water-stop, ventilation grille or fan, sealed edges.
- Compliance: consider AS 3740 waterproofing in wet-adjacent areas; use licensed trades.
- Style match: coordinate colours and profiles with your kitchen renovations Perth scheme.
- Timeline: design, manufacture and installation windows—plan around appliance delivery.
FAQ
What does “European laundry” mean in Australia?
A European laundry is a concealed laundry set within a cupboard or behind doors—often in a kitchen, bathroom or hallway—so appliances and the trough are hidden while remaining practical and accessible.
How much does a small European laundry cost in Perth?
As a guide, expect around $6,500–$14,000 for compact custom cabinetry, doors, benchtop, basic ventilation and licensed installation (excluding appliances). Premium pocket-door or porcelain solutions with more storage typically run $14,000–$25,000.
What doors work best for a European laundry cupboard?
Bi-fold, sliding and pocket doors are popular because they minimise obstruction in tight spaces. Hinged doors suit wider alcoves. Choose quality soft-close hardware and include ventilation grilles or gaps to manage moisture.
Can I stack a washer and dryer in a 1,200 mm-wide recess?
Yes. Most front loaders and heat-pump dryers are 600 mm wide, so a 1,200 mm cavity fits a stack with side clearances. Check depth (often 600–680 mm) and allow 60–80 mm behind for hoses, power and ventilation.
Do I need waterproofing and ventilation?
Good practice is to include a drip tray or water-stop and ensure waterproof, wipeable finishes. Ventilation (grilles or a fan) manages moisture. Place GPOs to suit AS/NZS 3000 and consider AS 3740 waterproofing where appropriate.
Ready to plan your small European laundry? Talk to Joyce Kitchens about custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust—beautifully integrated solutions to suit your home, from euro laundry ideas to full kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobe designs.
Compact spaces benefit from light, low‑contrast small laundry colour schemes that visually expand the cabinet run; consider soft whites, pale timbergrains and matte hardware to reduce visual clutter.
