Looking to add a laundry sink with scrub board (also called a laundry sink with washboard) to your renovation? Here’s how Perth and WA homeowners can select the right size, material and layout—plus the real-world costs and process to get it installed properly.
What is a laundry sink with scrub board?
A laundry sink with scrub board integrates a textured ribbed surface beside or within the bowl. It’s designed for hand-washing delicates, pre-treating stains, rinsing sports gear and doing those messy chores that you don’t want in the kitchen sink.
A molded, ribbed surface (stainless, composite or fireclay) that helps agitate fabric when hand-washing. It’s commonly integrated into a trough-style laundry sink.
Why WA homeowners love them: 6 benefits
- Cleaner clothes pre-treatment: Quickly work stain remover into school uniforms or footy kits before a machine cycle.
- Protects your kitchen: Keep paint brushes, muddy boots and pet baths away from your engineered stone benchtop or timber island.
- Space efficient: Modern troughs fit standard 600 mm cabinets and pair with soft-close drawers and pull-out hampers below.
- Durable: 304 or 316 stainless is ideal for coastal WA; fireclay and composite sinks offer sturdy alternatives.
- Better workflow: Position beside your washer for a simple pre-soak → wash → hang routine.
- Value add: A practical, well-designed laundry is a strong resale signal in Perth’s family suburbs.
Plumbing must comply with AS/NZS 3500. Cabinetry should be built to AS/NZS 4386. Hire licensed trades and follow guidance from bodies like the HIA and Master Builders WA.
Useful resources: HIA, Master Builders WA, WELS water ratings.
The Joyce Kitchens renovation process (Perth and WA)
- Discovery and measure: We visit your home to measure, check service points, and assess ventilation, door swings and appliance clearances.
- Design and specification: We create a laundry plan with your scrub board sink, storage, custom cabinetry WA, and finishing schedule (tapware, splashback, benchtop, lighting).
- Selections: Choose hardware (Blum or Häfele), door profiles (Shaker, flat, finger-pull, handleless), and benchtops (laminate, porcelain).
- Quote and approvals: Transparent pricing with allowances for plumbing, electrical and any wall/floor rectification.
- Fabrication: Your cabinetry is made with moisture-resistant board and premium hardware. Sinks, taps and benchtops are scheduled.
- Installation: Licensed trades install per AS/NZS. We fine-tune doors and drawers, seal benchtops and test all fixtures.
- Aftercare: Guidance on maintenance for stainless, fireclay or composite sinks and your chosen finishes.
Materials and finishes
Sinks: best choices for a laundry with washboard
- Stainless steel (304/316): Tough, food-safe and ideal for coastal areas. A brushed finish hides scuffs. Choose deeper bowls (280–320 mm) for soaking.
- Fireclay: Classic look, great for Hamptons/Shaker styles. Heavy and requires careful bench support.
- Composite (granite/stone): Durable with a matte feel; check heat tolerance and manufacturer care instructions.
Undermount sinks sit below the benchtop for a flush wipe-down edge. Top-mount (drop-in) sinks offer simpler installation and can be ideal with laminate benchtops.
Tapware and accessories
- Gooseneck mixer with pull-out spray: Versatile for rinsing the scrub board and filling buckets.
- WELS rating: Check the star rating to balance water efficiency and flow for rinsing. See the WELS database.
- Optional: Flip waste, basket strainers, and a side rinse outlet for pet washing.
Benchtops: WA considerations
Benchtops cop moisture and abrasion in laundries. Consider these popular options:
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy/transition context) | High-Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look and feel | Stone-like appearance; wide patterns. Note national regulatory changes affecting new use. | Huge design range including stone-look, timber-look and solid colours. |
| Moisture resistance | Good once installed and sealed correctly. | Very good if edges are sealed and sinks are top-mounted. |
| Typical price (supply & install) | Varies by supplier and current regulations; speak with your designer. | Generally most budget-friendly of all benchtops. |
| Alternatives | Consider sintered stone/porcelain or solid surface products. | Pair with feature splashback tiles for a premium finish. |
Note: Australia has introduced a national prohibition on new engineered stone use. Availability and rules vary—ask our team about compliant alternatives like porcelain (sintered stone) and solid surface. For guidance, consult professional bodies such as the HIA.
Cabinetry and doors
- Carcasses: Moisture-resistant MDF or plywood with ABS edging. Built to AS/NZS 4386.
- Doors and panels: Melamine, vinyl wrap or 2-pack polyurethane in Shaker or flat profiles for Hamptons or contemporary looks.
- Hardware: Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners; Hafele pull-outs for laundry baskets and cleaning caddies.
Layouts and styles that work in laundries
Popular layouts
- Galley laundry: Washer/dryer on one side, scrub board sink and folding bench on the other.
- L-shaped: Ideal for corner rooms; add a tall cabinet for brooms and a slide-out hamper.
- U-shaped: Maximum storage; consider a hanging rail above the sink for drip-dry items.
- European laundry: In-apartment concealed laundry; opt for compact troughs and acoustic doors.
Style ideas
- Hamptons/Shaker: Fireclay sink, Shaker doors, brushed nickel tapware to match your Shaker kitchen or butler’s pantry.
- Coastal contemporary: 316 stainless scrub board sink, matte white handleless doors and pale timber-look laminate benchtop.
- Modern minimal: Undermount composite sink, porcelain benchtop, seamless finger-pull rails.
Appliance note (Australia): Many front-load washers are 600 mm wide x 600–650 mm deep; allow ventilation and door clearances. Benchtop height typically 900 mm; consider 920–940 mm if tall or if raising machines on plinths.
Costs and budget ranges in Perth
- Scrub board sinks: $350–$1,100+ depending on material, bowl size and brand.
- Tapware: Quality mixers with pull-out spray $250–$700; plumbing install $250–$600 (licensed plumber).
- Benchtops: Laminate $220–$450 per m² installed; porcelain/sintered stone $800–$1,500 per m² installed.
- Cabinetry: $900–$1,800 per linear metre for custom cabinets with soft-close drawers and moisture-resistant materials.
- Full laundry renovation (Perth): From $6,500–$15,000 for compact spaces; $15,000–$30,000+ for larger rooms with premium finishes.
Every site is different—plumbing relocations, tiling, electrical and ventilation can shift pricing. We’ll tailor a fixed, transparent quote after measure and design.
Short WA case examples
Floreat family laundry
A busy household needed stain pre-treatment without using the kitchen. We specified a 700 mm stainless trough with integrated scrub board, laminate benchtop and Blum soft-close drawers. The new layout streamlined pre-soak to machine wash and improved storage.
South Perth apartment
A European laundry behind bifolds was upgraded with a compact composite sink with washboard, heat-resistant porcelain benchtop, and handleless white cabinetry. Noise-reducing rubber feet and acoustic seals completed the transformation.
Laundry planning checklist
- Choose your sink size: 600 mm cabinet minimum for most troughs; confirm bowl depth (280–320 mm).
- Decide on mount type: undermount for stone/porcelain; top-mount for laminate.
- Tapware with pull-out spray and appropriate WELS rating.
- Protect against moisture: sealed edges, silicone around sink, adequate ventilation.
- Storage: pull-out hampers, broom cupboard, ironing board niche, overheads for chemicals.
- Benchtop selection: laminate (value) or porcelain (premium, heat-resistant).
- Allow for washer/dryer clearances and service access.
- Confirm compliance: AS/NZS 3500 plumbing; AS/NZS 4386 cabinetry; licensed trades.
Related design services
Joyce Kitchens designs and installs kitchen renovations Perth, laundry renovation Perth, bathroom vanities, wardrobes and walk-in robe fit-outs, scullery and butler’s pantry additions, and alfresco kitchens. Our team delivers custom solutions—from custom cabinetry WA to splashback, lighting and appliance integration—that align with your style and budget.
FAQ
What is a laundry sink with scrub board and is it worth it?
A laundry sink with scrub board includes a ribbed surface for hand-washing and stain pre-treatment. It’s worth it if you regularly treat uniforms, sports gear or delicates, or want to keep messy tasks out of the kitchen.
What size cabinet do I need for a laundry sink with washboard?
Most scrub board troughs fit a 600 mm-wide cabinet, though larger models may need 700–800 mm. Allow bowl depth of 280–320 mm, plus space for tapware and waste. For laminate tops, top-mount installation is usually recommended.
Which sink materials suit WA conditions best?
304 or 316 stainless steel is hard-wearing and ideal for coastal areas. Fireclay suits Hamptons/Shaker looks but needs sturdy support. Composite/granite sinks are durable with a matte feel—check heat and cleaning guidance.
Can I retrofit a scrub board sink into my existing laundry?
Often yes. We assess cabinet width, benchtop cut-out, plumbing alignment and splashback height. If the benchtop isn’t suitable for undermounting, a top-mount trough is a practical retrofit choice.
How much does a laundry with scrub board cost in Perth?
Allow around $6,500–$15,000 for compact laundries and $15,000–$30,000+ for larger, premium spaces. The sink itself is commonly $350–$1,100+, with tapware $250–$700 and benchtops and cabinetry varying by material.