Start with the laundry you need
Before choosing doors or a benchtop, write down what makes washing awkward now. Is there nowhere to leave a basket? Does the dryer block a cupboard? Are wet coats competing with clean washing? A short list of daily problems gives the project a useful brief.
Our home renovation guide puts a laundry project in the wider building sequence. For this room, distinguish a cosmetic refresh from a new layout. Keeping appliances and the tub in place can retain more of the existing services. Moving them may add plumbing, electrical, wall and floor work to the scope.
- Keep: useful appliances, a sound tub or storage that still fits your routine.
- Change: the layout, damaged finishes, awkward access or missing storage.
- Add: a place to sort, fold, hang or store cleaning equipment.
Small laundry renovation layouts
| Layout | What works well | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| One straight run | A continuous bench with storage above and appliances below. | Machine depth, tub position and enough clear floor to open doors. |
| Stacked appliances | Uses height to free a section of floor or bench. | An approved stacking arrangement, reachable controls and access for servicing. |
| Laundry cupboard | Keeps washing close to the household without a separate room. | Ventilation, noise, door openings and the appliance installation instructions. |
| Separate utility room | Can combine washing, drying, cleaning storage and outdoor access. | Keep the route through the room clear when baskets and appliance doors are out. |
A small room does not automatically need stacked machines. Side-by-side appliances may suit someone who wants a lower working height; a stack may suit a narrower wall. Compare the actual machines and the person using them. Our laundry dimensions guide separates appliance size from installation space.
Plan the room around the washing routine
Walk a load through the room before drawing cabinetry. Start at the hamper, move to the tub and washer, then to the dryer or outdoor line. Finish where you fold and put clothes into baskets. Keep frequently used products close to the task, with suitable secure storage for household chemicals.
For a household that dries most washing outside, a clear path to the back door may matter more than a long folding bench. For indoor drying, discuss moisture management and the dryer requirements with the relevant trades. A cupboard door does not remove the need for ventilation.
Planning example: in a narrow laundry with an exterior door at the far end, place the hamper beneath a usable section of bench instead of on the walkway. Check that opening the washer does not trap someone at the door. This is a layout exercise to try on your measured plan.
Choose appliances before fixing cabinetry
Collect the model number and installation sheet for every appliance you will keep or buy. The cabinet opening needs to account for the appliance body, hoses, taps, power connection, ventilation and door movement. A machine described as 600 mm wide is not a complete cabinet specification.
- Record width, depth and height from the model instructions.
- Draw front-loading doors, top-loading lids and cupboard doors fully open.
- Show where taps, drains and power points can be reached.
- Check how a machine will be removed without dismantling the room.
- Confirm the benchtop height against appliances and comfortable use.
Decide who supplies the tub, tap, appliances, cabinetry and benchtop. Keep product drawings with the project brief so everyone prices and installs the same items.
Renovating a laundry: the work sequence
Agree the layout and selections before strip-out. The builder and relevant trades can then identify service changes, moisture protection, ventilation and any council requirements for the proposed work. Existing wall or floor damage may only become visible after removal, so agree how discoveries will be photographed and priced.
The usual planning sequence is removal, necessary building repairs, service work, preparation of wall and floor finishes, cabinetry and benchtop installation, then final connections and finishing. The actual order depends on the products and trade access. Allow for drying or curing instructions before appliances are used.
Arrange a temporary washing option before work starts. If this room also provides access to the garden or stores cleaning equipment, decide where those activities will move during construction.
Build a useful laundry renovation brief
A price is useful when the scope behind it is clear. Ask each quotation to identify removal and disposal, repairs, service alterations, cabinetry, benchtop, fittings, finishes and installation. Separate owner-supplied items from contractor-supplied items and identify allowances that depend on a final selection.
| Bring to the discussion | Include these details |
|---|---|
| Photos and measurements | Every wall, the doorway, windows, service positions and the appliance models. |
| Priorities | The three problems you most want solved and the features you want to retain. |
| Budget and timing | Your overall budget, preferred timing and any work being done in adjoining rooms. |
| Scope questions | Who coordinates the trades, how variations are agreed and what completion includes. |
Use our guide to comparing renovation quotes to put different scopes side by side. If the laundry is part of a larger project, coordinate it with your renovation timeline.
Your questions
Can a small laundry still have a folding bench?
Often the layout can provide a useful bench above suitable front-loading appliances or beside a tub. Start with the appliance instructions, service access and the working height that suits you.
Should I move the laundry plumbing?
Move it when the new layout solves a worthwhile problem. Compare the benefit with the plumbing, electrical, wall and floor work required before committing to the change.
Can I keep my existing washer and dryer?
Yes, include their model details in the design brief. Confirm their condition, installation requirements and how they will be accessed and removed after the cabinetry is fitted.