Planning a laundry utility sink cabinet that actually works hard in a compact space is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home. Whether you need a slimline laundry tub in a European‑style cupboard, a durable laundry sink with cabinet for a family home, or a laundry sink and vanity combo for a dual‑use room, our Perth design team shares practical advice on sizes, layouts, materials, and costs.
At Joyce Kitchens, we design and manufacture custom cabinetry in WA for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes. This guide is tailored for Australian conditions and regulations, with examples from recent projects in Perth.
Core insights: picking the right laundry sink unit
The “right” laundry utility sink cabinet balances bowl size, storage, durability and easy cleaning. Start here:
- Size the tub to your tasks: a small laundry tub (35–40L) suits apartments; a 45–50L laundry trough and cabinet is the family all‑rounder; oversized bowls (60L) suit pet washing and tradie gear.
- Cabinet width: slimline laundry tub cabinets can be 450–500mm wide; standard laundry room sink cabinets are 600mm; 750–900mm gives room for drawers beside the bowl.
- Depth and height: 500–600mm deep, 900–920mm high benchtop is ergonomic for most users in Australia.
- Mounting: top‑mount stainless bowls are versatile; undermount sinks suit a premium laundry benchtop with sink in engineered stone or porcelain.
- Storage first: choose a laundry sink unit with integrated door bins for detergents, a pull‑out for pegs, and soft‑close drawers for micro‑organisation.
- Moisture matters: specify HMR (high‑moisture resistant) board for carcasses, sealed edges, and ventilation to manage WA’s coastal humidity.
Australian sizing shortcuts
- Common laundry tub unit sizes: 35–50L bowl, 450–600mm wide cabinet; standard washer width in AU: 600–650mm (allow 25–50mm clearance and ventilation).
- Waste and taps: most laundries use a 50mm waste and standard mixer tap hole; wall taps can free up benchtop space.
- Appliance clearances: allow full door swing for front loaders and space for a pull‑out hamper or broom cupboard.
Our renovation process (Perth & WA)
Joyce Kitchens manages the complete journey—from concept to installation—for kitchen renovations Perth wide, plus bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes.
- In‑home or showroom consult (Applecross or Joondalup): we measure, assess plumbing/electrical points and discuss how you use your laundry.
- Design & layout: CAD drawings, elevations and selections for your laundry sink unit, storage, appliance fit and ventilation.
- Materials & hardware selection: choose benchtops, doors and fittings (e.g., soft‑close drawers, Blum hardware, LED task lighting).
- Quote & timeline: transparent pricing with allowances for licensed trades under AS/NZS standards where applicable.
- Manufacture in WA: custom cabinetry WA‑made for a perfect fit, including tricky nooks and compact laundry layouts.
- Installation & handover: coordinated delivery, install and finishing; we can work with your builder or our preferred trades.
Regulatory note: Plumbing work in WA must be done by a licensed plumber (AS/NZS 3500 series). See WA Building and Energy for guidance and consumer advice.
References:
WA Building and Energy ·
HIA ·
Master Builders WA
Materials & finishes that last in laundries
Laundries cop water, heat and abrasion. Choose finishes that handle moisture and busy family life.
Benchtops
- Engineered stone benchtop (e.g., quartz/Caesarstone): durable and heat‑resistant to typical laundry temperatures; great for undermount sinks.
- High‑pressure laminate: cost‑effective, broad colours, now available with water‑resistant cores; pair with a top‑mount sink.
- Porcelain or sintered stone: excellent chemical and UV resistance; ideal near external doors and bright Perth light.
| Feature | Engineered Stone | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture resistance | Excellent; seams sealed | Good; specify water‑resistant core and sealed edges |
| Heat/chemical resistance | Very good for laundry temps and detergents | Good; avoid placing hot irons directly |
| Sink compatibility | Undermount or top‑mount | Top‑mount recommended |
| Cost (installed, WA) | $$$ | $$ |
| Look/feel | Premium, seamless joins | Wide colour range, budget‑friendly |
Cabinet doors & carcasses
- Carcasses: HMR particleboard or moisture‑resistant plywood carcass, ABS‑edged and sealed.
- Doors: Melamine for value; two‑pack paint or vinyl wrap doors for a shaker kitchen look that carries nicely into laundry design.
- Hardware: Soft‑close drawers, quality runners and hinges (e.g., Blum), and integrated handles or handleless cabinetry for a modern look.
- Splashbacks: Tiled, glass or a stone splashback to simplify cleaning around the laundry trough and cabinet.
Layouts & styles for compact laundries
Layouts that work
- Single‑wall compact laundry: Stack or side‑by‑side washer/dryer with a compact laundry tub and overheads. Great for apartments.
- L‑shape: Adds folding space and a broom cabinet. A slimline laundry tub near the return keeps plumbing efficient.
- European laundry (behind doors): Bi‑fold or sliding doors with a small utility sink with cabinet, pull‑out hamper and space‑saving shelves.
- Combined powder + laundry: A laundry sink and vanity combo can save space; pick a cohesive tapware finish.
Style cues
- Classic shaker: Two‑pack shaker fronts, engineered stone benchtop, chrome tapware—ties into a shaker kitchen next door.
- Coastal Perth: White melamine, light oak accents, handleless lines, and a compact laundry tub for a clean, airy feel.
- Modern utility: Matte black mixer, stone‑look laminate, and LED task lighting for a fuss‑free workspace.
Real WA examples
Mt Hawthorn terrace: We fitted a 500mm slimline laundry tub in a 1.8m European laundry with a folding bench over a front‑loader, overhead drying rail and pull‑out storage. Result: a tidy compact laundry that hides behind bifold doors.
Baldivis family home: A 900mm laundry room sink cabinet with a 50L trough, deep drawers for school uniforms, and a hardwearing quartz benchtop. Pets get a quick wash; parents get storage that holds up to daily life.
Popular configurations we build
- Small laundry sink with cabinet (450–600mm) with bin pull‑out
- Laundry benchtop with sink and under‑bench appliance space
- Laundry trough and cabinet with vertical broom/storage tower
- Compact laundry tub beside a tall cupboard for ironing board
- Under‑mount bowl in stone with drainer grooves for a premium look
Costs: what to budget in WA
Indicative Perth/WA pricing (cabinetry made‑to‑measure; final costs vary by design, materials and site conditions):
- Small laundry sink unit (cabinet + top + bowl): $1,200–$3,500
- Mid‑range compact laundry (2–3m run, storage + benchtop): $6,000–$12,000
- Premium laundry (stone, custom joinery, lighting): $12,000–$18,000+
- Plumbing (licensed, WA): $450–$1,200+ depending on relocations
- Benchtops: laminate $120–$350/m²; engineered stone $600–$1,200/m²; porcelain $900–$1,600/m²
- Tapware & sink: mixers $150–$650; stainless bowls $180–$800; premium basins $600–$1,500+
Note: Allow for ventilation, GPOs and appliance clearances per manufacturer specs. All plumbing to AS/NZS 3500; cabinetry to AS/NZS 4386 guidelines where applicable.
Practical checklist: get your laundry sink cabinet right
- Measure wall‑to‑wall width, ceiling height and door swing
- Confirm washer/dryer sizes and ventilation needs
- Choose bowl size (35–40L small, 45–50L standard, 60L+ utility)
- Pick mounting: top‑mount (laminate) or undermount (stone/porcelain)
- Specify HMR carcasses, sealed edges, and silicone sealing
- Add storage: pull‑outs, soft‑close drawers, overhead drying rail
- Plan services: waste location, mixer height, GPOs, lighting
- Select finishes to match kitchen/bathroom for a whole‑home look
- Book licensed trades and confirm install access/parking
Ready to design your laundry sink unit? Book a free consult with Joyce Kitchens—Perth’s trusted name in custom cabinetry WA for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes.
FAQ
What size laundry utility sink cabinet should I choose for a small laundry?
For tight spaces, a 450–500mm slimline laundry tub with a 35–40L bowl works well. Standard cabinets are 600mm wide with 45–50L bowls. Depth is typically 500–600mm and benchtop height 900–920mm. If you have pets or heavy soaking, consider a larger 50–60L trough and add pull‑out storage to compensate.
Is engineered stone or laminate better for a laundry benchtop with sink?
Both work. Engineered stone offers premium durability and allows an undermount sink; laminate is budget‑friendly and pairs best with a top‑mount sink. In busy family laundries, high‑pressure laminate with water‑resistant core is excellent value; for a seamless, easy‑wipe finish, engineered stone or porcelain is the upgrade.
Can I combine a laundry sink and vanity in one room?
Yes. In combined powder rooms and compact laundries, a laundry sink and vanity combo maximises space. Use a durable benchtop, select cohesive tapware, and plan for good ventilation. Keep plumbing on one wall to reduce costs and ensure licensed trades complete the work to AS/NZS 3500.
Do I need a licensed plumber to install a laundry trough and cabinet in WA?
Yes. Any plumbing alterations in WA must be done by a licensed plumber and may require notification. This protects your warranty and ensures compliance with AS/NZS 3500 and local regulations. Check WA Building and Energy for guidance.
How much does a custom small laundry sink with cabinet cost in Perth?
Expect around $1,200–$3,500 for a compact laundry sink unit (cabinet, benchtop and bowl), depending on materials and hardware. A fuller compact laundry with storage typically ranges $6,000–$12,000, with premium finishes $12,000–$18,000+.
