Your laundry works hard every day, yet in many established Melbourne homes, it is dated, cramped or simply never planned well. Quality laundry renovations start with planning, because the layout you choose now is what makes the room last. Get the planning right, and the space stays useful for years.
This guide comes from our team at The Kitchen Design Centre, where laundry renovation services sit alongside our wider home renovation work across Melbourne. Use it to plan a laundry that works the way you do.
What a laundry renovation includes
A laundry renovation covers more than new cabinets. The full scope includes laundry cabinetry, a benchtop, a laundry sink or trough, a splashback, storage, appliance allowances, plumbing and electrical, and flooring.
Of these, moving plumbing or electrical points is the biggest driver of cost. A proper quote should itemise each of these so you can compare quotes honestly.
As registered builders, Michael Simpson and Peter Schelfhout advise upfront which works need a licensed plumber or electrician. They also flag any permits, so nothing surprises you later.
How should you lay out a laundry?
A good laundry design follows how you use the room, rather than where the pipes already sit. Plan the layout around the working sequence of drop, sort, wash, dry, fold and put away.
Most laundries take one of three forms.
- An internal laundry sits inside the home, often off the kitchen or a back entry.
- A European laundry tucks the machines behind cupboard doors.
- A separate laundry room gives you the most space to work in.
Many laundries fail on the details, like a dryer that blocks the bench or no landing space beside the washing machine. Good natural lighting matters too, so plan for a window where you can.
At your in-home Project Consultation, a TKDC designer assesses how you actually move through the space before proposing a layout. Our designers bring more than 60 years of combined experience to that judgement.
Making the most of a compact laundry
A small laundry can still work hard if you plan it carefully. In a compact laundry area, the goal is to free up floor space and keep surfaces clear.
A few moves make a real difference in a narrow space.
- Hang a sliding or cavity door to reclaim the swing space a hinged door wastes.
- Run cabinetry full height to the ceiling to use the room’s height.
- Stack the dryer above the washer instead of placing them side by side.
- Set a slimline trough into the bench so you keep a usable work surface.
If your laundry forms part of a kitchen or larger renovation, you see the design presented in 3D before any build starts. That way, you confirm a tight layout works, so every centimetre is committed with confidence.
How much bench space and storage does a laundry need?
Aim for at least one stretch of clear bench space for sorting and folding. Beyond that, the right storage solutions depend on what you keep in the room.
A cluttered laundry usually means too little closed storage. Keep everyday items behind closed doors, and save open shelving for the few things you reach for daily.
Plan dedicated spots for the items that tend to cause mess.
- Integrated hampers or pull-out laundry baskets keep dirty washing sorted and out of sight.
- Tall cabinets give brooms, the mop and the vacuum a proper home.
- Pull-out or drop-down drying racks handle wet items without taking floor space.
- A slim slot for the ironing board keeps it upright and easy to reach.
We make this storage in our own Melbourne factory, custom-measured to the millimetre for your room. So every cabinet fits the space exactly, with no gaps or filler panels.
Which materials best handle moisture and wear?
A laundry takes water, detergent and the odd splash of bleach every week. Choose surfaces that shrug all of that off, across the benchtop, splashback, flooring, cabinetry finishes and hardware.
Some surfaces simply cope better with constant moisture.
- An engineered stone or laminate benchtop resists water marks and daily wear.
- Tile suits the splashback and floor, since it handles water and wipes clean easily.
- Moisture-resistant cabinetry finishes and quality hardware keep doors and drawers working over time.
Cheaper surfaces are where homeowners regret cutting costs. Budget benchtops in DIY laundry makeovers can swell at the edges, and thin finishes peel where water sits.
Our qualified cabinet makers select and build with materials proven to last in wet, hard-working rooms. That is why the finish still holds up years on.
What affects the cost of a laundry renovation?
The biggest driver of your laundry renovation cost is whether the plumbing moves. From there, a few clear things shape the figure.
These are the main things to budget for.
- Moving the sink, washer or drainage points adds extra trades, so it lifts the cost the most.
- Room size sets how much cabinetry, benchtop and flooring you need.
- Your choice of materials and appliances can swing the figure either way.
- Stripping out the old laundry adds demolition and removal to the budget.
We have been building laundries since 1994, so our Project Costing is based on real projects. Rather than a fixed price, your figure is shaped around your scope and finishes. You receive your Project Costing at your in-home Project Consultation.
Is a custom laundry worth it over flat-pack?
Both flat-pack and custom can give you a tidy laundry, but they differ in fit, finish and how long they last. In a small or awkward room, that difference matters most.
Flat-pack cabinetry comes in fixed sizes, so it rarely fills a room exactly, and the gaps are bridged with filler panels. Custom cabinetry is measured and made for your exact space, which means it fits wall to wall with a cleaner finish.
That fit is what our bespoke cabinetry is built for, with no fillers or modular compromises. Every cabinet is made to suit your room, so you get better use of the space. It also lasts longer, because nothing is forced to fit.
See your laundry take shape in our showroom
The easiest way to start is to drop in to one of our showrooms in Blackburn, Essendon or Eltham. No appointment is needed. Come in to see the displays, handle the finishes and meet one of our Showroom Assistants. They are your first point of contact, here to talk through your project, explain the consultation options and point you to the right next step.
We are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, so there is time to look around. For most laundry enquiries, the best place to begin is a Discovery Call, a quick phone chat about your plans. From there, you can book a Video Project Consultation, a Showroom Tour or an in-home Project Consultation. Pick whatever suits you, and we will take it from there.
