Plan a practical, good-looking dryer cabinet (also called a dryer cupboard) that manages heat and moisture, suits your appliances, and lifts the value of your Perth home.
Why a purpose-built dryer cabinet?
A well-designed dryer cabinet hides clutter, reduces noise, and protects your cabinetry from steam and heat. It also lets you integrate storage—think pull-out hampers, soft-close drawers, and an appliance tower—while keeping your laundry cohesive with the rest of your home, from a shaker kitchen to a handleless scullery.
Joyce Kitchens designs and installs custom cabinetry across WA, including laundry renovations Perth homeowners trust to match their engineered stone benchtop, splashback, and finishes used in the kitchen, bathroom and built-in wardrobes.
Core insights: ventilation, safety and sizing
1) Ventilation and moisture management
Dryers produce heat and moisture. If these are trapped in a closed cupboard, you risk condensation, mould and early cabinet failure. The solution is planning for airflow and drainage from the start.
- Provide intake and exhaust air paths (e.g., a vent or louvre low and high in the cabinet door or side panel).
- Allow for a through-wall vent or duct to exterior for vented models where practical.
- Specify moisture-resistant substrates and sealed edges to handle occasional steam.
- Follow your appliance manual and the NCC (National Construction Code) condensation guidance.
Rule of thumb: many installers allow two passive vents (high and low) with a combined free area in the 100–200 cm² range, but always check the manufacturer’s requirements for your specific dryer model.
Definition: Condenser vs heat pump vs vented dryer
- Vented: expels hot, moist air to outside; needs ducting and good airflow.
- Condenser: collects moisture as water; still warms the room/cupboard.
- Heat pump: most efficient and cooler to run; still needs ventilation to avoid humidity build-up.
2) Clearances and cabinet dimensions (Australia)
- Typical appliance sizes: many front-load washers/dryers are ~600 mm wide, 850 mm high, 600–700 mm deep (heat pump units can be deeper). Always confirm your model.
- Internal cabinet depth: 650–720 mm is common to allow hoses/ducts without crimping.
- Clearances: Allow 20–25 mm side and rear clearance, and 60–100 mm above, unless your manual states otherwise.
- Electrics: most dryers use a 10A, 240V GPO. A dedicated circuit is best practice; engage a licensed electrician.
3) Stacking, wall-mounting, and doors
- Stacking washer/dryer: use manufacturer-approved stacking kits, ensure cabinet strength and consider an anti-vibration mat.
- Wall-mounting a dryer: common for vented units; ensure fixing into studs or structural panel and suitable clearances.
- Doors: pocket, bi-fold or wide-opening hinged doors prevent heat build-up and make loading easier. Soft-close hinges increase longevity.
Definition: Moisture-resistant MDF (MR MDF)
A high-density fibreboard with moisture-resistant resin. Ideal for painted or two-pack doors in laundries when edges and surfaces are sealed correctly.
Local WA/Australian considerations
- Summer heat: Perth’s hot days can raise laundry temperatures; ventilation prevents the cabinet acting like an oven.
- Water hardness: consider filtration to reduce scale in heat-pump units.
- Compliance: use qualified trades; see the HIA and Master Builders WA guidelines for working with licensed professionals.
Useful references:
Housing Industry Association (HIA),
Master Builders WA,
NCC at the ABCB.
Our renovation & design process
- In-home measure & brief: We check appliance specs, service points, ventilation options and desired storage.
- Concept & layout: Options for stacking, appliance towers, compact European laundry designs, or combined scullery-laundry zones.
- Material selections: Doors, carcasses, benchtops, splashback tiles, and hardware (soft-close, pull-out hampers, LED task lighting).
- Detailed drawings: Clearances, GPO positions, vent locations, and door swing/plinth details.
- Manufacture & install: Custom cabinetry WA made, professionally installed and sealed for longevity.
Real WA examples
Subiaco apartment – compact European laundry: A pocket-door dryer cupboard with a heat pump dryer stacked above a 7 kg washer. We specified high/low door vents, MR MDF two-pack doors in a finger-pull profile, and a 20 mm engineered stone benchtop. Result: quiet operation and zero condensation issues.
Applecross family laundry: Appliance tower beside a large trough and tall linen cupboard. The vented dryer ducted externally through the side wall; cabinet internals in moisture-resistant melamine with ABS edge-banding. Durable and family-proof.
Materials & finishes for WA laundries
Doors & carcasses
- Moisture-resistant melamine carcasses with ABS edges—tough and economical.
- MR MDF doors in two-pack polyurethane for a painted look (e.g., classic shaker style) with sealed edges.
- Plywood carcasses for premium durability and screw-holding where wall-mounting is required.
Benchtops: engineered stone vs laminate
| Feature | Engineered Stone Benchtop | Laminate Benchtop |
|---|---|---|
| Water & stain resistance | Excellent when properly sealed and installed | Very good; avoid prolonged edge exposure to water |
| Heat tolerance | Good for laundry use; use trivets for very hot items | Moderate; avoid hot appliances resting for long periods |
| Look & feel | Premium, consistent finishes to match kitchen renovations Perth homes love | Wide range of budget-friendly décors |
| Repairability | Hard to repair chips; professional service needed | Minor chips can be less noticeable; full replacement is inexpensive |
| Typical installed cost (WA) | $450–$800+ per linear metre (20 mm) | $150–$350 per linear metre |
Hardware & extras
- Soft-close hinges and drawer runners for longevity.
- Pull-out laundry hampers and cleaning caddies.
- LED task lighting under overheads.
- Quality seals and silicone detailing around a deep undermount sink or laundry trough.
Popular layouts & styles
Compact European laundry (behind doors)
- Stacked washer/dryer in a 900–1000 mm wide appliance tower.
- Pocket or bi-fold doors with discreet ventilation grills.
- Shallow overheads for detergents; benchtop for folding.
Family laundry with appliance tower
- Side-by-side machines under a 900–950 mm high benchtop.
- Tall linen cupboard plus a dedicated dryer cupboard with ducting.
- Durable melamine internals, two-pack or laminate doors to match kitchen and pantry storage.
Design language
- Shaker doors for a timeless look.
- Handleless or finger-pull profiles for a clean, contemporary feel.
- Colourways coordinated with your kitchen, bathroom joinery and wardrobe fitouts.
Costs: what to budget in Perth
- Custom dryer cabinet (cabinetry only): $1,200–$3,000+ depending on size, doors and hardware.
- Full laundry cabinetry (small to mid-size): $5,000–$12,000+ including benchtops and storage.
- Trades (electrical, plumbing, venting): $400–$1,500+ depending on scope.
- Heat pump/condensing dryer premium: typically higher appliance cost but lower running costs.
