The Secret to a Laundry You’ll Actually Love Spending Time In
Let’s be honest, the laundry hasn’t always been the star of the home. For years, it’s been the ‘shut the door and forget it exists’ kind of space. But those days are long gone. These days, a well-designed laundry can be just as beautiful and functional as your kitchen or bathroom, and it absolutely should be.
Whether you’re building from scratch or giving your laundry a little love, here’s what to consider to make sure it works and wows.
Design by Kitchen Culture
Wait… Can You Love a Laundry?
Believe it or not ,yes, you absolutely can! We’ve seen it time and time again. Once you experience a laundry that’s well designed, with storage that actually makes sense and cabinetry or shelves that don’t require a yoga pose to reach, it becomes a space you want to be in. Washing, soaking, drying and folding all feel a lot less like chores when you’re surrounded by a space that just…works.
Start with Function First
A great laundry is more than just pretty tiles and clean lines – it’s about making your everyday life easier.
Plan it properly: Think about how you move through the space. Can you reach everything easily? Is there room to sort, fold, and hang?
Appliance placement matters: If space is tight, consider stacking your front loader washer and dryer or wall-mounting the dryer to reclaim your bench.
Sink and washer buddies: Placing the washing machine next to the sink can allow them to share plumbing, smart and efficient.
Top loaders vs front loaders: Top loaders are great for some families but be aware they limit your bench space. Front loaders allow you to extend benchtops right over the top, giving you more usable surface area.
Storage, Glorious Storage
In the laundry, clutter isn’t cute. The more you can hide away, the better.
Tall cabinets: Ideal for brooms, mops, vacuums and buckets.
Pull-out hampers: Add one for lights and one for darks, your future self will thank you.
Floating shelves: Great for everyday items and perfect for keeping cleaning products up high and out of reach of little hands.
Bench space matters: A clutter-free bench makes folding and sorting faster (and less painful).
Style Without Sacrificing Practicality
Just because it’s a laundry doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.
Repeat your palette: If your laundry is connected to your kitchen or flows via a butler’s pantry, we suggest keeping the finishes consistent. Using the same cabinetry, colours, or handles as your kitchen can create a sense of calm and flow through your home. The exception? Flooring.
Splashbacks & benchtops: A tiled splashback adds personality and protects your walls.
Tile choices: Laundries are the perfect place to go bold with your tile selections, it’s a smaller space, so you can afford to make a statement without blowing the budget.
Lighting: Don’t underestimate the power of great lighting. Go for overhead lighting for general brightness, and add task lighting under overhead cabinets so you can actually see what you’re doing when treating stains.
How Much Will It Cost?
Costs can vary depending on the size of your space, your wishlist, finishes and how much of the existing layout you’re keeping. As a general guide renovating your laundry can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on what you do.
At the lower end of the range, you might refresh the space with flat-pack cabinetry, a new benchtop, or some fresh tiles. Towards the higher end, you're looking at custom joinery, premium appliances, stone surfaces, and smart storage solutions that make the space feel as good as it functions.
Quick tip: if you’re working to a budget, keeping your plumbing and electrical in their original spots can save you thousands. But if a layout shuffle will make your life easier, sometimes it’s worth the investment. Just weigh it up early in the planning stage.
Premium Features (That Are Totally Worth It)
These are the little things that bring a big smile on laundry day:
Multiple laundry hampers
Built-in ironing board
Drying rail or pull-out drying racks
Extra-deep sink
Hanging rails
Multiple washers and dryers
Dog washing station
Mudroom joinery
If your budget allows, include them from the get-go. These thoughtful touches are what elevate your laundry from “meh” to magic.
The Bottom Line
Your laundry doesn’t have to be the forgotten room in your home. With the right planning and thoughtful design, it can become one of the hardest-working, and most satisfying spaces in your home.
You don’t need a huge footprint, just smart design. And once everything has its place (including the dirty washing), your laundry day might just become the most productive and surprisingly satisfying part of your week.
Ready to Design a Laundry You’ll Love?
Whether you’re building new, renovating, or just dreaming up your ideal space, we’re here to help make it happen. Our team can guide you through the design process, help you choose the right finishes, and make sure your laundry works as beautifully as it looks.
Get in touch to book a consultation, we’d love to chat all things laundry!
To book with one of our designers use link below. For virtual appointments, select any region to book!
