Laundry Renovation Ideas: Small Space, Big Impact

The Most Underrated Renovation

I always tell my clients the laundry is where you'll notice a good renovation every single day. After 25 years of renovating Gold Coast homes, my team and I have seen how much of a difference proper cabinetry, a decent benchtop, and a smart layout make -- especially for families living the outdoor lifestyle we have here.

The laundry is one of the hardest-working rooms in the house and one of the least considered in most renovations. On the Gold Coast, where sandy feet, beach towels, and humid weather generate constant laundry, a well-designed space makes a genuine difference to daily life.

A laundry renovation doesn't need to cost a fortune. Even a modest upgrade — better storage, a proper benchtop, improved layout — transforms the experience.

Layout Options

Dedicated Laundry Room

If you have a separate room (even a small one — 2m x 2m works), you can fit everything you need:

• Front-loading washer and dryer stacked or side by side
• Benchtop over the appliances for folding
• Overhead cabinetry for detergents and supplies
• Trough/laundry sink
• Linen cupboard or pull-out hamper system

European Laundry (Cupboard Laundry)

For apartments, townhouses, or homes where space is tight, a European laundry conceals everything behind bi-fold or sliding doors:

• Stacked washer/dryer in a cupboard recess
• Compact trough or undermount sink
• Shelving above for supplies
• Pull-out ironing board (optional but clever)
• Ventilation is critical — ensure adequate airflow behind closed doors

Typical size: 900mm-1200mm wide, 600mm deep.

Combined Laundry-Bathroom

Common in older Gold Coast units and smaller homes. The key is separation:

• Position the washer/dryer away from the shower zone
• Use a curtain, screen, or cabinetry to visually separate
• Ensure the dryer is vented or use a heat pump dryer (no external vent needed)
• Waterproof the entire room to wet area standards

Storage Solutions That Work

The difference between a frustrating laundry and a great one is storage.

Overhead Cabinetry

Install cabinets above the washer/dryer and benchtop. Use 600mm-deep cabinets (standard kitchen depth) for maximum storage. Include:

• A shelf at appliance-product height for daily-use items
• Closed cabinets for cleaning supplies (keep out of children's reach)
• Open shelving for baskets or decorative storage

Pull-Out Hamper Systems

Built into cabinetry, these replace the laundry basket on the floor:

• Single pull-out — one large hamper
• Double or triple sorter — separate whites, darks, and delicates at the point of collection
• Brands: Hafele, Blum, and Hideaway Bins all make laundry-specific pull-out systems

Drying Solutions

Gold Coast sun is the best dryer there is, but you still need indoor options for rainy days:

• Retractable clothesline inside or on the wall of a covered area
• Ceiling-mounted drying rack — pulley-operated, lifts clothes out of the way
• Pull-out drying rack — slides out from a drawer or cabinet
• Wall-mounted fold-down rack — compact when not in use

Benchtop and Sink

Benchtop

A benchtop for folding is the single most impactful addition to a laundry. Options:

• Laminate — budget-friendly, easy to clean, wide range of looks. $200-$500 installed.
• Engineered stone — premium look, durable. $600-$1,200 installed.
• Timber — warm aesthetic but needs sealing for moisture protection.
• Solid surface (Corian) — seamless integration with undermount sink. Mid-range cost.

Sink

• 45L trough — the standard for a reason. Deep enough for soaking, big enough for hand-washing.
• Undermount stainless — clean look, easy to wipe down the benchtop.
• Compact basin — for European laundries where space is limited.
• Skip the sink entirely? Some modern laundries omit the trough. We don't recommend it — you'll miss it.

Flooring

Laundry floors get wet. Choose accordingly:

• Porcelain tile — the best option. Waterproof, durable, easy to clean.
• Vinyl plank (luxury vinyl) — waterproof, softer underfoot, budget-friendly.
• Epoxy coating — seamless, easy to clean, industrial aesthetic.
• Avoid: timber, laminate, or carpet. They don't belong in a wet area.

Ensure the floor has a floor waste (drain) — it's a building code requirement for laundries in most Gold Coast homes and catches overflow from burst hoses or leaks.

Ventilation

Gold Coast humidity plus a running dryer equals moisture problems if you don't ventilate:

• Externally vented dryer — the exhaust must go outside, not into the ceiling cavity
• Heat pump dryer — doesn't need external venting and is more energy-efficient
• Openable window or louvre — cross-ventilation when the room is in use
• Exhaust fan — if there's no window, install one that vents to the exterior

Budget Ranges

ScopeTypical Range

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Refresh (new benchtop, splashback, paint)$2,000 - $5,000

European laundry cupboard fit-out$4,000 - $10,000

Full laundry renovation (small room)$8,000 - $18,000

Full laundry renovation (dedicated room)$12,000 - $25,000

Premium laundry with custom cabinetry$20,000 - $35,000

Quick Wins Under $1,000

If a full renovation isn't in the budget right now:

1. Add a shelf above the washer/dryer — instant storage for $100-$200

2. Install a fold-down wall rack — drying space that disappears when not needed

3. Replace the tapware — a new mixer tap freshens the look for $150-$400

4. Paint the walls and cabinets — a fresh coat of semi-gloss in a light colour brightens the space

5. Add a peel-and-stick splashback — a temporary upgrade that protects the wall

Book a free consultation to discuss your laundry renovation. Even a small room can work beautifully with the right design.