Looking to streamline your laundry with a practical, built-in solution? A well-designed laundry basket shelf (also called a laundry basket holder or a laundry hamper with shelves) keeps sorting simple, hides clutter, and protects baskets from wear. Below, you’ll find proven layouts, WA-ready materials, costs, and a homeowner checklist—plus answers to the most common renovation questions.
What is a Laundry Basket Shelf?
A laundry basket shelf is a custom cabinetry feature that houses one or more baskets on fixed or pull-out shelves, often beneath a benchtop or inside a tall cabinet. It’s ideal for sorting colours, whites and towels, or for holding a laundry basket with shelves in compact European laundries.
Why Your Laundry Needs a Basket Shelf
- Declutters floors and walkways for safer, faster wash cycles.
- Improves sorting (add labels or colour-coded baskets).
- Protects baskets and cabinetry from scuffs with durable edging.
- Increases usable bench space for folding and stain treatment.
- Integrates with soft-close drawers, hanging rails and overhead cabinets.
In Perth homes, we often integrate basket shelves alongside a sink cabinet, pull-out bins, and a tall broom/linen cupboard. Ventilated doors or open cubbies help moisture escape—key if you run a condenser or heat pump dryer.
Our Renovation Process (Perth & WA)
- Measure & brief: We confirm appliance sizes (front loader vs top loader, dryer stacking depth), door swings and circulation space.
- Design concepts: 3D layouts for U-shape, galley or single-wall laundries, plus a laundry hamper with shelves tailored to your basket sizes.
- Materials & hardware: Moisture-resistant cabinetry, soft-close runners, Blum hardware, LED task lighting and ventilation planning.
- Compliance: Cabinetry designed to AS/NZS 4386 principles (domestic cabinet assemblies). We also recommend selecting WELS-rated tapware for water efficiency.
- Build & install: Custom cabinetry WA-made, scribed to imperfect walls, with careful sealing at splashbacks and wet areas.
Note on materials: Australia has introduced a ban on high-silica engineered stone. If you’re replacing an engineered stone benchtop or planning new work, consider porcelain/sintered surfaces or laminate. See guidance from Safe Work Australia (engineered stone ban).
Materials & Finishes That Work in WA Laundries
Humidity, heat from dryers and coastal air can be harsh on finishes. Choose materials that resist swelling and delamination.
Cabinetry
- Moisture-resistant board: MR MDF or MR particleboard with quality melamine for carcasses.
- Door finishes: Durable melamine, two-pack finish, or thermolaminate (check heat resistance near dryers or sunny windows).
- Hardware: Soft-close drawers, concealed hinges and pull-out frames from reputable brands (e.g., Blum hardware).
Benchtops
- Porcelain/Sintered stone: High heat and UV resistance; ideal near irons and sunny windows.
- Laminate benchtop: Budget-friendly, huge decor range, great for rentals and secondary laundries.
- Natural timber (sealed): Warm look, but needs diligent sealing and care in wet zones.
Ventilation & Moisture Control
- Allow airflow around basket shelves; consider perforated panels or open cubbies.
- Duct dryers externally where possible; heat pump dryers reduce moisture load.
- Seal edges and mitres; specify water-resistant adhesives.
Layouts & Styles
Popular Layouts
- Single-wall: Best for narrow rooms; fit a laundry basket with shelves under-bench next to washer.
- Galley: Basket shelves opposite appliances for easy sorting and folding.
- U-shape or L-shape: Add a tall cabinet with 2–3 pull-out hampers (lights/darks/towels) and a hanging rail.
- European laundry (cupboard): Use slim pull-out laundry basket holder frames and fold-down ironing boards.
Style Ideas
- Shaker kitchen style, adapted to laundry: V-groove panels, matte finishes, and classic handles to match adjacent kitchen or scullery.
- Handleless cabinetry: Finger-pull or push-to-open for a streamlined look in apartments.
- Coastal Perth palette: Whites, pale timbers, and light-grey splashbacks for easy coordination.
If you’re renovating multiple spaces—kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobes—keep handles, paint tones and benchtop textures consistent to build resale value and a cohesive flow. Many clients also match the laundry to a nearby butler’s pantry.
Costs in WA
- Entry (small European laundry): $2,500–$5,500 for cabinet carcasses, a basic laundry basket shelf, laminate top and standard splashback.
- Mid-range (typical Perth home): $6,000–$12,000 with multiple pull-outs, soft-close drawers, porcelain or premium laminate benchtop, LED lighting.
- Premium: $12,000–$20,000+ with tall hamper towers, integrated drying cupboard, sintered benchtop, custom joinery and ventilation system.
Appliances, plumbing and electrical are additional. Always use licensed trades and consult recognised industry bodies such as HIA and Master Builders WA for guidance.
Benchtop Comparison: Sintered/Porcelain vs Laminate
| Property | Porcelain / Sintered Surface | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Heat & UV Resistance | Excellent; suitable for irons and sunny windows | Good, but avoid direct high heat; use trivets |
| Moisture Performance | Outstanding; non-porous, ideal for laundries | Very good if edges are sealed; avoid pooling water |
| Aesthetics | Stone, concrete and marble looks with crisp edges | Vast decor range including timber and stone prints |
| Maintenance | Low; stain resistant | Low; avoid harsh abrasives |
| Budget | $$$ (premium) | $ (cost-effective) |
Note: Historically popular engineered stone benchtops containing crystalline silica are being phased out in Australia—seek alternatives like porcelain/sintered or laminate and refer to Safe Work Australia guidance above.
Practical Planning Checklist
- ☐ Confirm basket sizes (width x depth x height); allow finger clearance and airflow.
- ☐ Decide fixed shelf vs pull-out frame for each laundry basket holder.
- ☐ Check appliance dimensions incl. hoses/vents; allow service access.
- ☐ Specify moisture-resistant board and edge sealing near wet areas.
- ☐ Plan power points for irons, steam stations and heat-pump dryers.
- ☐ Include a hanging rail and a fold-down or pull-out ironing board if space allows.
- ☐ Choose WELS 4–5 star tapware and a deep sink for soaking.
- ☐ Provide ventilation (ducted dryer or louvre doors) around hamper shelves.
- ☐ Coordinate finishes with your kitchen or scullery for a unified look.
Two Short Australian Case Examples
Fremantle Cottage, WA
A narrow, 1.6 m-wide laundry gained a single-wall layout with a 1,200 mm bench, two under-bench basket shelves (whites/colours) and overhead cabinets. Handleless cabinetry in warm white melamine, soft-close hardware and a compact porcelain top delivered a crisp, coastal look.
Joondalup Family Home
A mid-range renovation added a tall cabinet with three pull-out hampers (lights/darks/towels), a hanging rail and LED task lighting. The client coordinated Shaker-style doors with their nearby kitchen, using V-groove panels and a durable laminate benchtop.
FAQ
What size should each laundry basket shelf be?
Measure your baskets, then add 10–20 mm clearance on width and height for easy pull-out and airflow. Typical internal shelf widths range from 350–450 mm for individual baskets, or 700–900 mm for double bays.
Is a pull-out laundry basket holder better than a fixed shelf?
Pull-outs offer easier access in tight spaces and European laundries. Fixed shelves are cost-effective and work well when you have clear side access. Many WA homes mix both—fixed for bulk storage and pull-out for daily sorting.
What materials are best for a humid Perth laundry?
Moisture-resistant board with quality melamine, sealed edges, and either laminate or porcelain/sintered benchtops. Avoid unsealed cut edges and ensure ventilation near dryers and hampers.
Can I add a laundry basket shelf to a small or European laundry?
Yes. Use slim pull-out frames (circa 300–400 mm wide), stack baskets vertically, and consider louvred or ventilated doors. A hanging rail above the bench adds drying capacity without taking floor space.
How much does a laundry basket shelf cost in WA?
As part of a renovation, allow roughly $350–$900 per shelf or pull-out bay, depending on size, hardware and finish. Complete laundry upgrades typically range from $2,500 to $20,000+ depending on scope.
Need tailored advice? Speak with the Joyce Kitchens team about custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust—across kitchen renovations Perth, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes.
