The Most Underrated Renovation
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
| Scope | Typical Range |
| ------- | --------------- |
| 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.
