After the kitchen, the laundry is the most used part of the home, so it needs to be ultra functional. Often in small, existing spaces, it’s important to plan your laundry design well, to get the best function and aesthetically pleasing results.
Layouts & Styles
The first place to start when considering the ultimate guide to laundry design is layout and style. Laundry layouts focus on maximising space for function and storage.
Galley Laundry
Galley Laundry
A galley laundry layout consists of two parallel walls with appliances and storage on either side, creating a compact and efficient work corridor. This design maximises function in smaller spaces by offering organised storage and clear separation between different laundry tasks.
L-Shape Laundry
L-Shape Laundry
An L-shaped laundry layout features two adjacent walls of cabinetry and appliances, forming a functional and efficient corner design. This layout maximises space, offering ample storage and benchtop space while maintaining an open, easy-flowing environment for tasks like washing, folding, and ironing.
U-Shape Laundry
U-Shape Laundry
A U-shaped laundry layout features three walls of cabinets and appliances, creating an efficient, enclosed workspace for sorting, washing, and folding. This design offers plenty of benchtop space and storage, making it ideal for larger laundry loads and keeping the area organised and clutter-free.
Small Laundry
Small Laundry
Small laundries focus on maximising every bit of space through smart storage solutions, compact tubs, and efficient layouts. Clever design elements like hanging rails over tubs, overhead cabinets, and stacked appliances help keep the area functional and organised.
Hidden Laundry
Hidden Laundry
Laundries, while necessary, are not an area of the home ideal to share with visitors. Depending on the layout of your home, you may be able to build cabinetry into an area, like a kitchen, to create an entry to the laundry that is hidden away, appearing as another cabinet.
European Laundry
European Laundry
European laundries feature appliances that are hidden away in cabinetry, optimising space in smaller homes. These designs prioritize efficiency and practicality, with a focus on clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and clever storage solutions.
Laundry Design Ideas
With the priority of a laundry being function, there are products, features, and design aspects to consider. Planning these in advance will help create a space that works perfectly for you and your family.
Hanging Rails
Simple, yet so effective. Add a hanging rail into your laundry design for easy drying, or added function when ironing. In addition, rails can be concealed behind upper cabinetry, so you don’t have to compromise on your laundry design.
Pull Out Shelves
Blum’s Pull-Out Shelf Lock is a discreet and space-saving mechanism that securely holds the open pull-out shelf in place. Adding function and versatility to any space, it’s the ultimate in convenience.
Mud Room Combo
As laundries most commonly have an external door, there’s a great opportunity to incorporate a mud room into your space. Perfect for storing shoes, placing school bags, and hanging hats, plus add a bench seat!
Hampers
Laundry hampers are key in every laundry design, and are best integrated into cabinetry. This can either be with a hamper unit, where the baskets are removable, or a standard drawer for a more cost effective option.
Benchtops
Laundries are handworking spaces within the home. The most common laundry benchtop we recommend is a laminate benchtop. Ultra hardwearing and cost efficient, they’re the perfect fit for these tucked away but well used rooms. Plus, with design and product innovations, laminate benchtops now come in a range of colours, styles, and profiles that rival their solid surface counterparts.
Storage
Storage is key in every laundry design. Laundries are often the space to house the big and bulky, but necessary items such as brooms, vacuum cleaners, mops and buckets. Make sure your plan for cabinets allows enough space to fit these in.
Washing Machine & Dryer Placement
Depending on your space, you have the option of where to locate your washing machine and dryer.
Under Bench
Most common is side by side, underneath the benchtop. This allows for easy transfer of clothes from one to the other, and maximises bench space.
Mounted Dryer
Wall mounting the dryer, and keeping the washing machine under the benchtop is another way to maximise benchtop space, and a good choice if you’re tight on space.
Stacked Appliances
The third option is to stack the washing machine and dryer. This loses bench space, but is easy to access both appliances. The appliances can either be stacked one on top of the other, or be separated with a panel or pull out shelf.
What About Your Laundry?
Our experienced designers are well versed in laundry interior design, and will help you create a place that is both beautiful and functional.
