The Complete Guide to Laundry Renovations in Perth

The laundry is often the most overlooked room in the house - tucked away, cramped, and purely functional. But a well-designed laundry can transform this essential space into an efficient, even enjoyable, part of your home.

Whether you're working with a dedicated laundry room or a compact European-style space, this guide covers everything you need to know about laundry renovations in Perth.

Why Renovate Your Laundry?

Before diving into the how, let's consider the why:

Functionality: Modern laundry design maximises efficiency, making washing, drying, folding, and storing clothes easier.

Value: An updated laundry adds real value to your home. Buyers notice - and appreciate - a well-designed utility space.

Storage: A renovated laundry provides storage for cleaning supplies, linen, and household items beyond just laundry needs.

Aesthetics: There's no reason your laundry can't be beautiful. Quality finishes make daily chores more pleasant.

Planning Your Layout

The best laundry layouts consider workflow. Typically, the process flows:

Dirty clothes collection
Sorting and pre-treatment
Washing
Drying
Folding and ironing
Storage

Design your space to support this flow:

Hampers or sorting bins near entry
Clear bench space next to machines
Dryer accessible from washer
Folding space near dryer
Storage for clean items

Essential Elements

Cabinetry

Custom cabinetry transforms laundry functionality. Consider:

Overhead cabinets:

Store detergents and cleaning supplies
Keep items away from children
Utilise wall space in small rooms
Choose soft-close hinges for longevity

Base cabinets:

House pull-out hampers
Provide additional storage
Create bench workspace
Conceal machines if desired

Tall storage:

Broom and mop storage
Vacuum cleaner housing
Bulk item storage
Linen closet alternative

Benchtop Space

Never underestimate the value of bench space in a laundry. You need somewhere to:

Fold clothes
Sort items
Pre-treat stains
Rest baskets

Ideal bench specifications:

Minimum 60cm depth
At least 90cm width
900mm height (standard)
Durable, water-resistant material

The Sink

A laundry sink remains essential for:

Hand washing
Soaking stained items
Cleaning shoes
Filling mop buckets
Pet washing

Popular options:

Drop-in bowls (budget-friendly)
Undermount (seamless look)
Butler sinks (classic appeal)
Stainless steel (practical)

Trough Placement

Position your trough thoughtfully:

Next to washing machine for easy transfer
Under a window if possible
With clear bench space on one side
Away from high-traffic areas

Storage Solutions

Pull-Out Hampers

Integrated hamper systems keep dirty clothes contained and sorted. Options include:

Single large hamper
Double sorter (lights/darks)
Triple sorter (whites/colours/delicates)
Tilt-out bins

Ironing Solutions

If you iron regularly:

Fold-down wall-mounted board
Pull-out ironing board drawer
Full-size board storage cabinet
Iron storage with heat shield

Drying Space

Perth's climate is perfect for line drying, but you still need indoor options:

Retractable ceiling airers
Pull-out drying racks
Wall-mounted folding racks
Over-door hangers

Appliance Considerations

Washer and Dryer Configuration

Side by side:

Traditional arrangement
Easy loading/unloading
Requires more floor space
Bench possible above

Stacked:

Space-efficient
May need step stool for top unit
Must be front loaders
Good for narrow spaces

Heat pump dryers:

No external venting required
Energy efficient
Higher purchase cost
Ideal for internal laundries

Machine Selection Tips

When choosing appliances:

Measure your space carefully
Account for door opening clearance
Consider noise levels
Check water and power connection locations
Plan for drainage

Perth-Specific Considerations

Our climate and lifestyle affect laundry design:

Hot summers:

Excellent for line drying
Dryer less essential
Good ventilation important
Sun-exposed windows need consideration

Outdoor connection:

Direct access to clothesline ideal
Consider a covered drying area
External door useful if space allows

Pets:

Pet washing station
Pet bed storage
Extra floor space
Durable flooring choices

Materials and Finishes

Cabinetry Finishes

Choose finishes that handle moisture and occasional mess:

Quality melamine with sealed edges
Polyurethane for premium look
Avoid high-gloss (shows marks)
Easy-wipe surfaces essential

Benchtops

Laundry benchtops face water, chemicals, and heavy baskets:

Laminate (affordable, durable)
Stone (premium, requires sealing)
Solid surface (seamless, repairable)
Stainless steel (industrial, indestructible)

Flooring

Practical flooring that handles water:

Tiles (traditional, many options)
Luxury vinyl (warm, waterproof)
Polished concrete (industrial)
Avoid carpet or timber

Budget Considerations

Laundry renovations can fit various budgets:

Budget refresh ($3,000-$6,000):

Replace cabinetry only
Keep existing plumbing locations
Update tapware and accessories
Paint walls

Mid-range renovation ($6,000-$12,000):

New cabinetry and benchtops
New sink and tapware
Updated flooring
Minor layout changes

Premium renovation ($12,000+):

Complete redesign
Custom cabinetry throughout
Premium finishes
Appliance upgrades
Structural changes if needed

Working with Constraints

Many Perth homes have challenging laundry spaces:

Small laundries:

Stack machines
Use vertical storage
Fold-down solutions
Every centimetre counts

Combined spaces:

Laundry/bathroom combos
Kitchen laundry cupboards
European laundries
Garage conversions

Odd shapes:

Custom cabinetry essential
Creative solutions needed
Turn weaknesses into features

The Renovation Process

Step 1: Measure and plan Record all dimensions, window positions, door swings, and plumbing locations.

Step 2: Design Work with a designer to maximise your space. Get 3D visualisations if possible.

Step 3: Select materials Choose cabinetry, benchtops, tiles, and finishes. Get samples.

Step 4: Order Allow lead time for custom cabinetry (typically 2-3 weeks).

Step 5: Trades Book plumber and electrician if needed.

Step 6: Installation Install in order: plumbing/electrical, cabinetry, benchtops, accessories.

Ready to Transform Your Laundry?

At Arc Interiors, we've helped countless Perth homeowners create laundries they actually enjoy using. Our custom flatpack cabinetry is designed to your exact specifications, maximising storage and functionality in any space.