Laundry Design Ideas Australia: Small Laundry Layouts, Materials, Costs and WA Tips

What makes great laundry design?

Great laundry design is equal parts workflow, durability and storage. Whether you’re planning a full laundry renovation or a modest refresh, focus on:

• Clear zones: sort, wash, dry, fold, store, and clean.
• Bench space over machines: at least 600–700 mm deep for folding and baskets.
• Ventilation: especially important for heat pump dryers and compact European laundries.
• Moisture resistance: cabinetry, benchtops and splashbacks must handle humidity.
• Right-sized appliances: most front loaders are 600 mm wide; allow door clearance and service space.
• Smart storage: tall broom cupboard, pull-out hampers, soft-close drawers, and adjustable shelving.

Our renovation and design process

Joyce Kitchens delivers end‑to‑end laundry renovations across Perth—integrated with kitchen renovations, bathroom updates and custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust.

1. In‑home consult and measure – We assess existing services, ventilation, clearances and storage.
2. Concept and layout – Multiple options to optimise your laundry layout and daily workflow.
3. Selections – Benchtops, doors, splashback, hardware, sinks and laundry tapware (including pull‑out spouts).
4. Detailed drawings and 3D – See how your small laundry designs or mudroom-laundry will function.
5. Production – Precision-built cabinetry (AS/NZS 4386 guidance for domestic joinery quality) with soft-close drawers and quality hardware.
6. Installation and trades – Licensed trades for plumbing and electrical to Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3500 plumbing; AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules).
7. Aftercare – Advice on care, maintenance and warranty.

For WA regulatory guidance, see industry bodies like the HIA and Master Builders WA, and consumer resources via WA Building and Energy.

Materials and finishes that last in WA

Your laundry works with heat, steam and spills—so materials matter. Here’s how common options stack up.

Benchtops

• Laminate – Budget‑friendly, huge colour range, good water resistance; protect edges from steam and avoid direct heat.
• Engineered stone – Durable and premium look; check current regulations in WA and nationally regarding high‑silica engineered stone. Consider low‑silica options or alternatives.
• Porcelain / sintered stone – Excellent heat, stain and water resistance; great for laundry trough surrounds.
• Stainless steel – Ultra‑durable, hygienic and water‑proof; ideal for utility laundries or washing machine room ideas with heavy use.
• Timber – Warm look; requires sealing and ongoing care to handle moisture.

Quick comparison: Engineered Stone vs Laminate (for laundries)

Cabinetry and doors

• Moisture‑resistant board (MR) carcasses with ABS edging.
• Door finishes: vinyl wrap, 2‑pack polyurethane, or melamine for durability.
• Hardware: soft‑close drawers, Blum hinges, pull‑out hampers, and wire baskets.
• Styles: from modern flat‑panel and handleless to classic Shaker (pairs well with Hamptons coastal schemes).

Sinks, tapware and splashbacks

• Sinks: 30–45 L troughs; topmount is forgiving, undermount suits engineered/porcelain tops.
• Tapware: Gooseneck or pull‑out spray for filling buckets and pet baths. Specify quality mixers in wet zones.
• Splashbacks: Tiled, glass, or acrylic panels. Extend behind washer/dryer to protect walls.

Lighting, power and ventilation

• Task lighting: LED strip lighting under overheads for sorting/folding.
• Power: plan dedicated GPOs for each appliance and bench‑height outlets for steam stations.
• Ventilation: exhaust fans or window cross‑flow; heat pump dryers still need good airflow to manage humidity.

Layouts and styles: from small laundries to statement spaces

Whether you’re planning a room laundry, a compact European cupboard, or a laundry‑mudroom combo, the right plan elevates daily life. Here are proven laundry design ideas and layouts for Australian homes.

Small laundry ideas and layouts

• Stacked machines to free bench space; use the official stacking kit.
• Slide‑out hampers for sorting whites/darks, tucked beneath the benchtop.
• Overhead cabinets with a hanging rail for drip‑drying shirts.
• Bi‑fold, pocket or sliding doors for tiny laundry ideas where swing space is tight.
• Shallow pantry‑style storage for detergents and cleaning products with child‑safe latches.
• Combo washer‑dryer as a last resort in ultra‑compact spaces.

These compact laundry room ideas suit townhouses and apartments and are popular small laundry ideas Australia‑wide.

Modern laundry room ideas (style)

• Shaker doors in soft whites or coastal blues for a Hamptons feel to match a Shaker kitchen.
• Contemporary flat‑panel with finger‑pull or handleless profiles for a sleek, easy‑clean look.
• Textured melamine cabinets with a porcelain benchtop and tiled splashback.
• Open shelves for laundry decor ideas: wicker baskets, jars and greenery.
• Integrated mudroom: add seating, shoe drawers and coat hooks for family traffic.

Real WA examples

Case 1 – Subiaco terrace (tiny footprint): We converted a 1.6 m nook into a European laundry with stacked machines, 600‑mm deep bench, and overheads with a rail. Porcelain benchtop, acrylic splashback, LED strip lighting—now a concealed, silent workhorse.

Case 2 – Joondalup family home (mudroom‑laundry): Reclaimed corridor space to create a combined laundry laundry room and mudroom. Shaker doors, soft‑close drawers, pull‑out hampers, and a 45 L undermount sink. Durable laminate tops kept costs in check with a premium look.

Need more laundry inspiration? Ask us for our latest laundry design photos and small laundry cupboard ideas completed in Perth suburbs.

Laundry renovation costs in Perth/WA

Every project is unique, but typical ranges for laundry reno ideas in WA are:

• Cosmetic refresh (new cabinet doors, handles, tapware, simple splashback): $5,000–$12,000
• Mid‑range renovation (custom cabinetry, new benchtop, sink/tap, partial replumb/rewire, tiled splashback): $12,000–$25,000
• Premium transformation (re‑layout, porcelain or engineered stone benchtop alternatives, extensive storage, tiling, ventilation upgrades): $25,000–$45,000+

Factors that move the needle: appliance selection, benchtop choice, tiling area, moving services, and joinery complexity. For accurate budgeting, we’ll provide a fixed‑scope quote after measure and design.

Practical pre‑reno checklist

• Confirm appliance sizes (most front loaders ~600 mm W; allow door swing and service space).
• Decide stacked vs side‑by‑side and whether you want a full‑depth bench over machines.
• List storage needs: brooms/mops, vacuum, ironing board, pet gear, bulk detergents.
• Choose sink size and mounting (topmount vs undermount) and a pull‑out mixer if desired.
• Select benchtop material with moisture and heat in mind; review WA regulations for engineered stone.
• Plan ventilation (window or fan) and lighting (add LED strips under overheads).
• Confirm splashback material and height behind wet and heat zones.
• Agree on style: Shaker vs modern flat‑panel; colour and handle profile.
• Book licensed electrician/plumber to comply with AS/NZS standards.
• Ask for a timeline and installation sequence to minimise downtime.

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