Make every centimetre count. A well-designed broom cupboard—whether narrow, slim or a classic single door—keeps vacuums, mops and cleaning gear organised and out of sight in your kitchen, laundry, scullery or hallway. Here’s how Joyce Kitchens designs broom cupboard storage that suits Australian homes, appliances and renovation budgets.
What is a broom cupboard?
A broom cupboard (also called a utility or tall cleaning cabinet) is a full-height storage cabinet designed for long-handled items like brooms, mops, ironing boards and vacuums. In modern homes we tailor the interior to suit stick vacuums, charging docks and cleaning consumables.
Why choose a custom broom cupboard for your WA home
- Tailored to your appliances: Allow proper height for popular stick vacuums and floor steamers, plus a safe charging nook.
- Space efficiency: Fit a narrow or thin broom cupboard into leftover gaps for a seamless result during kitchen renovations Perth homeowners expect.
- Durability: Moisture-resilient materials that suit laundries, bathrooms and coastal WA conditions.
- Style match: From modern flat-panel to classic shaker kitchen doors for Hamptons-inspired spaces.
- Integrated solutions: Combine with a pantry cabinet, scullery, mudroom storage or laundry renovation to maximise flow.
Core design insights
Sizes and dimensions that work in Australia
- Typical width: 300–600 mm; a narrow or slim broom cupboard is commonly 300–450 mm.
- Depth: 550–600 mm to align with standard kitchen/laundry cabinetry and accommodate most stick vacs.
- Height: 2100–2400 mm (ceiling height allowing). Leave clear vertical space of 1250–1400 mm for long items.
- Toe-kick/kickboard: 100–150 mm for comfortable access and to match adjacent cabinetry.
Tip: If you need a small broom cupboard, prioritise a single vertical bay and add shallow shelves on one side for sprays and cloths.
Internal fittings and charging
- Adjustable shelves for cleaning products.
- Clip-in broom and mop holders, a rail for dustpans, and a fold-out ironing board if space allows.
- Docking shelf for stick vacuums with a compliant GPO installed by a licensed electrician (see compliance notes).
- Ventilation cut-outs or grille to help moisture and battery heat dissipate.
- Optional pull-out trays, Hafele or Blum hooks, and LED strip lighting with a door-activated switch.
Doors, access and styles
- 1 door broom cupboard: The most common, efficient for tight corridors and laundries.
- Hinges: Soft-close hinges for quieter use; consider 170° hinges for better access in tight spots.
- Handles: Finger-pull doors for a seamless modern look, or knob/pull handles for classic or Hamptons styles.
- Profiles: Flat-panel for contemporary designs; shaker kitchen doors to tie in with heritage homes.
Best locations in your home
- Laundry: The most practical location—close to sinks, detergents and bench space.
- Kitchen or scullery: Integrate next to a pantry cabinet for quick clean-ups.
- Hallway or mudroom: Combine with shoe drawers and coat hooks for everyday access.
- Bathroom: Useful for storing a compact steam mop and towels; use moisture-resistant materials.
Our renovation and custom cabinetry process
- In-home consult and measure across Greater Perth and select WA regions, capturing appliance sizes and clearances.
- Design and 3D renders to coordinate your broom cupboard with pantry, laundry or wardrobe layouts.
- Material and hardware selection from durable melamine to painted 2‑pack, with Blum soft-close hardware.
- Locally made custom cabinetry WA with precise manufacturing and quality control.
- Installation and finishing by experienced trades, coordinated with your electrician and plumber.
This integrated approach simplifies projects that span kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes, and ensures your white broom cupboard looks built-in, not “added on”.
Materials and finishes for broom cupboards
Cabinet carcass
- Moisture-resistant (MR) particleboard or MDF with quality melamine interior for easy cleaning.
- Plywood carcass as a premium option in very damp areas.
Door finishes and profiles
- Melamine doors for budget-friendly durability.
- 2‑pack polyurethane paint for a premium white broom cupboard with a smooth, repairable finish.
- Vinyl wrap and timber veneer options to match adjacent joinery.
- Profiles: Flat, V‑groove, or shaker for Hamptons/heritage looks.
Hardware and details
- Soft-close hinges and robust edge-banding to resist knocks.
- Handle choices from matte black pulls to integrated finger rails.
- Vent slots if housing batteries or damp mops.
Benchtops near your cupboard: Engineered stone vs laminate
Many broom cupboards sit beside a laundry or scullery bench. Here’s a quick comparison for that adjacent benchtop:
| Feature | Engineered stone benchtop* | Laminate benchtop |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (installed) | $$$ (higher) | $ (budget-friendly) |
| Heat/steam resistance | Good, but use trivets and avoid thermal shock | Moderate; avoid direct heat and pooling steam |
| Seams and edging | Minimal visible seams; polished edges | Post-formed or square edges; visible joins possible |
| Maintenance | Low; wipe with mild cleaners | Low; avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals |
| Look/feel | Stone-like appearance, high-end feel | Wide decor range; can mimic stone/timber affordably |
*Note: Australia has introduced restrictions affecting high-silica engineered stone products. Discuss current-compliant options (including low-silica, porcelain/sintered stone, or natural stone) with your designer and fabricator. See Safe Work Australia guidance for the latest updates.
Layouts and styles
Modern minimalist
Seamless, handleless doors with a thin broom cupboard at 300–350 mm wide, finger-pull rails, and LED strip lighting. Works with integrated appliances and flat-panel melamine.
Hamptons/Shaker
Shaker kitchen doors, matte white finishes, and classic cup pulls. A single broom cupboard next to a V‑groove pantry feels purpose-built, especially in coastal suburbs.
Compact apartment
Use a slim broom cupboard beside a built-in pantry cabinet with a shared plinth. Consider 170° hinges for better swing in tight corridors.
Costs in Perth and WA
- Custom 1 door broom cupboard (melamine interior, soft-close hinges, basic shelves): approximately $900–$2,200 supplied and installed.
- Premium finish (2‑pack, shaker profile, LED, docking GPO allowance, pull-outs): $2,500–$4,000+ depending on size and hardware.
- Electrical (licensed electrician for internal GPO/lighting): typically $150–$450 per point/switch, site dependent.
- Ventilation or louvre panel: from $80–$250.
- Related renovations: Laundry renovation $9k–$25k+; kitchen renovations Perth $25k–$60k+ depending on scope, appliances and benchtops.
Prices are indicative for Greater Perth and can vary with access, ceiling height, materials and program. Ask us for a fixed quotation after design.
Practical checklist: Your broom cupboard brief
- List items to store: stick vacuum, broom, mop, steam mop, ironing board, buckets.
- Measure tallest item and vacuum dock height; add 50–80 mm clearance.
- Choose location: laundry, kitchen/scullery, hallway or bathroom.
- Nominate style: flat or shaker; handle or finger-pull; white broom cupboard or woodgrain.
- Confirm door swing relative to adjacent walls/appliances.
- Request internal fittings: clips, rails, shelves, pull-out caddy, LED strip.
- Plan power and ventilation if charging a vacuum (licensed electrician required).
- Select materials fit for moisture: MR carcass, sealed edges, durable finish.
- Align plinth/toe-kick height and benchtop line with adjoining cabinetry.
Quick case examples in WA
Claremont laundry refresh
A slim broom cupboard at 400 mm wide with a dedicated charging shelf for a stick vacuum, MR carcass, 2‑pack white shaker door and matte black pull handle. Result: clutter-free zone and faster clean-ups.
Scarborough apartment combo
A thin single broom cupboard with a 450 mm shaker kitchen door integrated beside a pantry cabinet. We used soft-close hinges, a louvre vent panel and LED sensor lighting to improve visibility without sacrificing corridor space.
Compliance and Australian standards
- Cabinetry: Align with AS/NZS 4386 Domestic kitchen assemblies where applicable for structure and performance.
- Electrical: Any GPO or lighting inside a cupboard must be installed by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules). Provide ventilation if charging batteries.
- Wet areas: In laundries/bathrooms, follow AS 3740 for waterproofing requirements.
- Workplace safety and materials: For benchtops and fabrication, review current guidance from Safe Work Australia.
Useful references:
Ready to design yours?
From a narrow broom cupboard in an apartment to a full utility cabinet in a family laundry, Joyce Kitchens designs, manufactures and installs custom cabinetry across Perth and WA. Book a consult and we’ll create storage that looks great and works hard every day.
FAQ
What size should a broom cupboard be?
Most broom cupboards are 300–600 mm wide, 550–600 mm deep and 2100–2400 mm high. For a slim or narrow option, 300–450 mm works well. Leave 1250–1400 mm of clear height for long-handled items and a charging shelf if you have a stick vacuum.
Can I put a power point inside a broom cupboard to charge a stick vacuum?
Yes—have a licensed electrician install a GPO to AS/NZS 3000, and include ventilation so heat from chargers and batteries can dissipate. Position the outlet above a small docking shelf to keep cords tidy.
Is a broom cupboard better in the laundry, kitchen or pantry?
The laundry is most practical, but a kitchen or scullery location works if you want quick clean-ups near the living area. In small homes, a thin single broom cupboard beside a pantry cabinet can be ideal.
What’s the best material for a white broom cupboard near wet areas?
Choose moisture-resistant carcass materials (MR MDF or HMR particleboard) with quality edge-banding. For doors, durable melamine or 2‑pack polyurethane are excellent for a crisp white finish.
How much does a custom broom cupboard cost in Perth?
Expect roughly $900–$2,200 installed for a standard 1 door broom cupboard, and $2,500–$4,000+ for premium finishes, lighting and internal fittings. Electrical for internal GPOs is additional.
