Make everyday living calmer—and your home look tidier—by integrating a hidden laundry that disappears behind beautiful cabinetry. As Perth’s custom cabinetry specialists, Joyce Kitchens designs and builds concealed laundries that work with your kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe layout, not against it.
How a hidden laundry works
We conceal laundry appliances behind cabinet doors sized to standard Australian appliances (most front loaders are ~600 mm wide; allow 20–30 mm side clearance and 75–100 mm behind for hoses). Doors can be pocket doors, bi-fold doors or a cavity slider to minimise door swing in tight spaces. Inside, you’ll find a durable benchtop, adjustable shelves, a compact or undermount sink, and task lighting.
Ventilation and compliance
- Ventilation: Heat‑pump dryers emit minimal moisture but still need airflow; vented dryers must be ducted. Allow grille vents or a 20–25 mm undercut to doors plus rear/upper venting.
- Waterproofing: Wet areas should follow AS 3740 guidance for internal waterproofing, especially near a trough or floor waste.
- Cabinetry performance: We build to the spirit of HIA best practice and relevant cabinetry performance standards (e.g. AS/NZS 4386).
- Power and plumbing: Check clearances for water connections, GPOs and RCD protection with your licensed trades.
Our renovation process (WA)
- In‑home measure and brief. We note appliance sizes, door options (pocket/bi-fold/cavity slider) and how laundry integrates with your kitchen, bathroom, scullery or butler’s pantry.
- Design and budget. 3D renders, storage planning (pull‑out hampers, soft‑close drawers, Blum hinges, adjustable shelves) and a transparent quote.
- Selections. Doors (shaker, V‑groove, flat), finishes (two‑pack polyurethane, melamine), benchtops (porcelain/sintered, laminate benchtops, compact laminate), splashback tiles and LED strip lighting.
- Approvals and scheduling. We coordinate with your builder or work under our project management aligned to Master Builders WA good practice.
- Local manufacture. Cabinets are made in WA for quality control and fast lead times.
- Installation. Our team fits cabinetry, doors, benchtops and hardware; licensed trades connect plumbing and electrical.
Materials and finishes that handle moisture
Perth’s coastal climate means humidity and heat. We recommend hard‑wearing finishes that are easy to wipe and resist steam and splashes.
Benchtops
- Porcelain/sintered stone: Heat, stain and UV resistant; excellent for laundries and near windows.
- Compact laminate: Super‑dense laminate that’s water‑resistant and cost‑effective.
- Laminate: Budget‑friendly with modern textures and profiles.
Note on “engineered stone benchtop”: From 2024–2025, engineered stone containing crystalline silica has been prohibited across Australia. We specify porcelain/sintered stone or natural stone alternatives to deliver the same premium look safely.
Cabinet doors and internals
- Two‑pack polyurethane on MR MDF: Premium look; suits a shaker kitchen door or sleek flat panels.
- Melamine or thermolaminate: Durable and easy‑care for family homes.
- Moisture‑resistant carcasses with ABS edging for longevity.
Hardware and accessories
- Soft‑close drawers and Blum hinges for smooth, quiet operation.
- Pull‑out wire baskets, pull‑out hampers and adjustable shelves to maximise vertical space.
- Integrated ironing board, fold‑down drying rack and task lighting.
Comparison: Porcelain/Sintered Stone vs Laminate (Laundry Benchtops)
| Feature | Porcelain/Sintered Stone | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Heat & UV resistance | Excellent; suitable near windows and dryers | Good, but avoid hot pans and prolonged heat |
| Water & stain resistance | Outstanding, highly non‑porous | Very good; edges must be sealed |
| Looks | Premium, stone or concrete effects | Wide range; excellent value finishes |
| Typical WA supply cost | $$$ (higher) | $ (budget‑friendly) |
| Maintenance | Low; no sealing required | Low; gentle cleaners only |
Layouts and styles that suit Aussie homes
Popular concealed configurations
- Hallway “European laundry”: Stacked washer/heat‑pump dryer behind bi-fold doors with a shallow bench and overheads.
- Kitchen‑integrated: Behind tall pantry‑style doors with finger‑pull doors for a clean look and matching splashback.
- Scullery or butler’s pantry combo: Laundry zone hidden in the prep area, keeping the main kitchen entertainment‑ready.
- Bathroom laundry: Compact trough and machines under a stone‑look top with mirrored storage.
Style notes
- Classic shaker with V‑groove panels keeps character homes cohesive.
- Sleek modern: Flat two‑pack or premium melamine, continuous rails and integrated appliances.
- Warm coastal: Light timber grains, white tiles, and matte black or brushed nickel tapware.
Local appliance sizing tips (Australia)
- Most front‑load washers and heat‑pump dryers: 600 mm W x 850 mm H x 600–650 mm D. Stacked height is typically 1700–1800 mm plus a small service gap.
- Allow a 70–100 mm rear services zone for hoses/ducting and a drip loop for water lines.
- Use anti‑vibration mats and correct levelling to reduce noise transfer into living areas.
Case examples (Perth)
South Perth apartment: We transformed a corridor cupboard into a European‑style hidden laundry with pocket doors, a compact porcelain benchtop, stacked washer/dryer, and motion‑activated LED strip lighting. Result: zero door swing into the hall and quiet operation.
Duncraig family home: In a kitchen renovation, we extended the scullery to include a concealed laundry with shaker two‑pack doors, pull‑out hampers and an undermount sink. The main kitchen remains entertainment‑ready while chores happen out of sight.
Costs and budgeting in Perth/WA
Every project varies, but these ballparks help planning:
- Hallway or kitchen “cupboard” laundry (cabinetry, doors, hardware, basic benchtop): $6,000–$12,000+
- Premium concealed laundry (pocket doors, porcelain/sintered top, upgraded lighting and accessories): $12,000–$22,000+
- Full laundry room redesign with joinery, benchtops, sink, lighting and trades: $15,000–$35,000+ (ex‑appliances)
Plumbing/electrical, waterproofing and ventilation solutions are additional. We’ll provide a fixed quotation after your design is finalised.
Practical planning checklist
- Confirm appliance models and dimensions (including stacking kit if used).
- Choose door type: pocket, bi‑fold, or cavity slider.
- Decide on benchtop: porcelain/sintered, compact laminate or laminate.
- Specify ventilation path (door undercut, grille, or ducting for vented dryers).
- Plan storage: pull‑out hampers, tall broom cupboard, adjustable shelves.
- Select sink and tap; consider an undermount sink for easier wiping.
- Set lighting: LED strip lighting with a door‑activated sensor.
- Confirm finish: two‑pack polyurethane, melamine or thermolaminate.
- Consider acoustic treatment for party walls/apartments.
- Allocate trades: plumbing, electrical, waterproofing to HIA best practice.
Ready to hide your laundry beautifully?
Visit Joyce Kitchens’ Perth showroom or book an in‑home design consult. Our team will tailor a hidden laundry to your space and style, from classic shaker kitchen looks to ultra‑modern integrated designs—manufactured in WA and installed by experts.
FAQ
What is a hidden laundry and how does it work?
A hidden laundry is a compact laundry concealed behind cabinet doors in a kitchen, bathroom, scullery or hallway. Appliances, hampers and storage sit within custom cabinetry, and doors (pocket, bi-fold or sliding) keep everything out of sight. Good ventilation, moisture‑resistant finishes and thoughtful storage make it practical and quiet.
Is a hidden laundry allowed in a kitchen in WA?
Yes—provided it’s designed correctly. You’ll need adequate ventilation (especially for dryers), waterproofing near wet areas in line with AS 3740 principles, and compliant power and plumbing by licensed trades. We design to best practice and coordinate with your builder or trades in Perth/WA.
How much does a hidden laundry cost in Perth?
As a guide, a simple cupboard‑style laundry is typically $6,000–$12,000+, a premium setup with pocket doors and porcelain tops $12,000–$22,000+, and a full laundry room with joinery and trades $15,000–$35,000+. Appliances and complex services are additional.
What doors are best to hide a laundry?
Pocket doors are ideal when you need the doors completely out of the way. Bi‑fold doors are compact and cost‑effective. A cavity slider works well where a wider opening is needed. We’ll recommend an option based on your corridor width, appliance depth and budget.
Do heat‑pump dryers need ventilation in a concealed laundry?
Heat‑pump dryers produce much less steam than vented units, but they still need airflow to prevent heat build‑up. We allow door undercuts and grille vents; for vented dryers, we plan a proper duct path to the exterior wherever possible.