Planning a sink with washing machine combo (also searched as “sink clothes washer” or “sink laundry machine”)? Here’s the Perth and wider WA guide to layouts, cabinetry, benchtops and costs—so your new kitchen, scullery or laundry is compliant, quiet and built to last.
Why combine a sink with a washing machine?
Pairing a sink with a front-load washing machine under the same benchtop is a smart use of space—perfect for compact kitchens, a scullery, or a European laundry hidden behind cabinetry. It keeps water, drainage and task zones together, improves workflow, and can reduce plumbing runs for renovations.
- Space-saving for apartments, villas and townhouses
- Ideal in kitchens with a butler’s pantry or combined scullery-laundry
- Cleaner workflow for rinsing, pre-soaking and stain treatment at the sink
- Achieves a cohesive look with custom cabinetry WA and integrated appliances
Planning & compliance in WA
In Australia, laundry and kitchen work must comply with relevant standards. Joyce Kitchens coordinates with licensed trades to ensure your design meets the National Construction Code (NCC) and key Australian Standards.
Key technical considerations
- Plumbing to AS/NZS 3500 for water supply, waste and venting
- Electrical to AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) by a licensed electrician
- Water efficiency via WELS-rated tapware and appliances
- Appropriate ventilation, moisture management and splash protection behind the sink
- Noise control: anti-vibration pads, solid plinths and proper levelling
A compact laundry concealed in a cupboard or behind sliding/bifold doors—often within a kitchen or hallway—with a front-load washer, sometimes a dryer, sink and storage.
Appliance sizing & clearances
- Front-load washers in AU are typically 600–700 mm wide, 560–650 mm deep, ~850 mm high
- Allow 10–20 mm each side for air circulation and installation tolerance
- Reserve a 50–75 mm service void behind the machine for hoses and power
- Benchtop height of 900–920 mm generally suits under-bench front-loaders
- Top-loaders require open bench space above and are usually not suited under-bench
The vertical pipe and water-seal (P- or S-trap) connection that receives the washing machine’s drain hose, preventing sewer odours entering the room.
For best-practice risk management, we recommend flood-safe hoses, an accessible isolation tap and, in multi-residential or where feasible, a floor waste to help manage overflow events. Your designer and plumber will confirm what’s required for your class of building.
Helpful Australian resources:
HIA,
Master Builders WA,
WELS water ratings.
Our renovation process (Joyce Kitchens, Perth)
- Design consultation: We discuss lifestyle, storage, appliance list and style preferences (Shaker kitchen, Hamptons, modern minimalist).
- Measure & layout: We plan safe service zones, noise isolation and task flow—galley, L-shape, U-shape or scullery-laundry combinations.
- Selections: Sinks, tapware, benchtops (porcelain/sintered stone, laminate, solid timber), splashbacks, soft-close drawers and door profiles.
- Compliance design: We detail plumbing/electrical points to AS/NZS standards and prepare documentation for licensed trades.
- Fabrication: Precision-made custom cabinetry in WA, built for Perth conditions and appliance loads.
- Installation & handover: Clean, efficient install; certified plumbing/electrical; care guide and aftercare support.
A high-heat, high-pressure engineered surface with excellent scratch, stain and heat resistance, often used as a modern benchtop alternative.
Short WA case examples
Mount Lawley, WA: A European laundry inside a Shaker-style kitchen. We installed a deep single-bowl stainless sink, pull-out spray mixer, porcelain benchtop and front-loader behind a pocket door. Result: silent spin cycles and clutter-free benchtops.
Scarborough, WA: Compact scullery-laundry off a galley kitchen. We added overhead ventilation, drip-dry rail, LED task lighting and a stain-treatment zone beside the undermount sink. The client gained 1.2 m of extra pantry storage by integrating the washer under-bench.
Materials & finishes for a sink + washer setup
Sinks & tapware
- Stainless steel sink (1.0–1.2 mm): durable, hygienic, ideal for soaking; available in undermount or top-mount
- Granite composite: quieter, scratch-resistant; check heat tolerances and warranty terms
- Tapware: Gooseneck or pull-out spray mixer (4–5 star WELS) simplifies pre-wash and bucket filling
- Consider a drainer or an accessories ledge for baskets and boards
Benchtops: porcelain/sintered stone vs laminate
With heat, moisture and vibration at play, choose a benchtop that resists movement and daily wear.
| Feature | Porcelain / Sintered Stone | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Heat & stain resistance | Excellent; can handle hot pots (check brand limits) | Good day-to-day; avoid direct heat/hot pans |
| Impact resistance | High, but edges need careful handling | Moderate; can chip if hit at corners |
| Maintenance | Low; non-porous, easy clean | Low; avoid abrasive cleaners |
| Cost (installed, Perth) | $$$ (premium) | $–$$ (budget to mid) |
| Seam/join visibility | Minimal with professional fabrication | Visible joins in long runs |
Note for WA homeowners: Engineered stone products containing crystalline silica have been subject to regulatory changes and bans in Australia. Ask our team about safe alternatives such as porcelain and low-silica surfaces. See WorkSafe/industry guidance via Master Builders WA.
Cabinetry & storage
- Moisture-resistant board for cabinet carcasses at sink zones
- Vinyl wrap, 2-pack polyurethane or premium melamine doors with soft-close hinges
- Pull-out baskets, tilt-out hampers, and detergent drawers beside the sink
- Acoustic panels or a solid side-gable to reduce machine noise in open-plan spaces
Other finishes
- Easy-clean glass splashback or porcelain panels behind sink
- LED task lighting under wall cabinets for stain spotting
- Flooring with water resistance: hybrid vinyl, quality tiles or sealed engineered timber
Layouts & styles that work in Perth homes
Kitchen with integrated laundry
- Galley kitchen: Place the washer and sink on the utility side; cooking zone opposite
- L-shape with island: Hide the washer behind pocket or bifold doors near the sink
- U-shape: Keep noisy appliances away from living areas with a solid return panel
- Scullery or butler’s pantry: The ideal place for a concealed sink + washer station
Style ideas
- Shaker kitchen / Hamptons: Deep fireclay-look sink with brushed-nickel tapware
- Modern minimalist: Undermount sink, porcelain benchtop, handleless drawers
- Family-friendly: Top-mount sink with drainer, durable laminate benchtops
Typical Perth costs
Every project is unique, but these ballparks help with early planning:
- Compact European laundry add-in: $6,000–$12,000+
- Full laundry renovation: $8,000–$25,000+
- Kitchen + concealed laundry upgrade: $14,000–$35,000+ depending on scope
- Custom cabinetry: ~$1,200–$2,500 per linear metre (finish dependent)
- Benchtops: Porcelain/sintered stone from $650–$1,400 per m; laminate from $180–$450 per m
- Sink & tapware: Sink $200–$1,200; mixer $150–$800
- Plumbing & electrical (licensed): Often $1,500–$4,000+ combined depending on relocation and compliance work
- Front-load washer (AU): ~$600–$2,000+
Allow contingency for rectification in older homes (levelling, waterproofing, upgraded GPOs, or replacing valves). Always use licensed trades and keep compliance certificates for insurance. Guidance from HIA is useful when planning contracts and warranties.
Pre-renovation checklist: sink with washing machine
- Confirm front-load washer dimensions and service clearances
- Choose sink size (deep single vs double) and mount type (undermount/top-mount)
- Select benchtop and splashback materials suited to heat and moisture
- Plan plumbing points: hot/cold, isolation valves, standpipe and trap to AS/NZS 3500
- Plan power: a dedicated, accessible GPO for the washer to AS/NZS 3000
- Consider ventilation, door type (bifold/pocket), and acoustic treatment
- Specify storage: detergents, stain kits, baskets, drip-dry rail
- Confirm waterproofing/splash protection and flooring suitability
- Book licensed trades and retain certificates of compliance
- Ask about WELS ratings and water-saving options
Speak with a Perth designer
Joyce Kitchens has designed thousands of kitchen renovations Perth wide, plus bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes. If you’re considering a sink with washing machine combo—or a full shaker kitchen or modern scullery—our team in WA can design, build and install a solution that looks superb and works even better.
FAQ
Can I put a washing machine next to a kitchen sink in Australia?
Yes—when designed and installed correctly by licensed trades. You’ll need compliant plumbing to AS/NZS 3500, electrical work to AS/NZS 3000, adequate ventilation, a proper standpipe and trap for the drain hose, and accessible isolation taps. We also recommend flood-safe hoses, a service void behind the appliance, and keeping the GPO out of the under-sink cavity. In multi-residential settings, a floor waste may be advisable; always check building rules, strata requirements and insurance conditions.
What size cabinet do I need for a front-load washer under a benchtop?
Most Australian front-loaders fit a 600–700 mm wide cavity with 10–20 mm clearance each side, 600–650 mm depth plus 50–75 mm for hoses, and 870–900 mm height to clear an ~850 mm machine and levelling feet. Your benchtop height of 900–920 mm typically works well. Include a solid base, anti-vibration pads and a service void for plumbing and power.
Which sink works best with a sink–laundry machine combo?
A deep single bowl (around 400–500 mm wide) with a drainer suits soaking and stain work; double bowls are great if you also handwash. Stainless steel is robust and hygienic; granite composite is quieter and scratch resistant. Pair with a gooseneck or pull-out spray mixer (4–5 star WELS), basket waste and overflow. Choose undermount for a sleek look or top-mount for easier retrofit and a defined lip against splashes.
How much does a combined kitchen-laundry renovation cost in Perth?
As a guide, a compact European laundry add-in can start from about $6,000–$12,000, while a more comprehensive kitchen plus concealed laundry upgrade can range from $14,000–$35,000+ depending on cabinetry, benchtops (e.g., porcelain vs laminate), services relocation and appliance choices. Site conditions and compliance requirements influence final pricing.
Do I need waterproofing or a floor waste in a European laundry?
Requirements vary by building class and design. The NCC and AS 3740 set minimums for wet areas; laundries typically need water-resistant finishes and splash protection, with full waterproofing and a floor waste recommended in higher-risk or multi-residential settings. Your designer, builder and licensed plumber will clarify what’s mandatory for your project and location.