after dark with clever illumination

Shayden and Georgia Whipps (moochstyle.com) redesigned their laundry with Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Spiced Oak and Macaroon

Form and function

Create a good-looking and practical space with our 12 tips to a better laundry

With all the time we spend washing, scrubbing, ironing and folding, a hardworking and good-looking space in which to do it really isn’t too much to ask for. From planning tips to must-haves for your shopping list, we’ve rounded up the top 12 features of a laundry you’ll love to spend time in. 1Think location The planning and placement of your laundry within the home are really important. If it’s too close to bedrooms or entertaining areas, the noise of your appliances may limit the hours you can use them. “Station it near the rear or back-entry mudroom, or if you’re living in a small apartment, consider integrating the laundry into a bathroom or kitchen away from living areas,” says Alisa Fraser of interior design duo Alisa & Lysandra. Where possible, outdoor access directly to the clothesline is ideal.

Design a laundry

2Get the lay of the land Keep the floor plan streamlined and simple. “A galley layout is our go-to design for a laundry,” suggests interior designer Sarah Jobse of Oak & Orange. “Position your washer/dryer, laundry tub and cupboards or drawers all in a row. If room permits, add in bench space above your cupboards or drawers and don’t forget a generous broom cupboard tall enough to fit the ironing board.”

3Shop around Pick your appliances – or measure your existing ones. “This should be one of the first steps when designing your laundry so cabinetry can be built to fit around it,” says Alisa. “Plus, if you opt for concealed appliances, you’ll need to allow for adequate ventilation and an exhaust fan.” Front-loading washers and heatpump dryers tend to be more energyefficient, although they often carry a higher price tag, so it pays to do your appliance research before investing. 

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1 Bedford Furniture 900mm 2 door tall high moisture resistant split cabinet in White, $381, I/N: 0083641. 2 Heller WELS 3-star, 96-35L/min 2000W 7kg front load washer/3.5kg clothes dryer combo, $789*, I/N: 0205898. 3 Esatto WELS 4-star, 89L/min 9kg front load washing machine, $634*, I/N: 0206697. 4 Teka energy star rating 6-star, 131kW 7kg heat pump clothes dryer, $834*, I/N: 0165085. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered through a MarketLink Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. *Delivery charges may apply.

“Above all else, function is most important when designing a laundry layout. It’s a very hands-on, practical room, and adequate storage and work space is key to a successful design”

Sarah Jobse Oak & Orange Planning a laundry? Ask at the Special Orders Desk about appliance and tap and mixer installation

4Plan your storage Clever storage is the key to keeping chaos under control. “Prioritise space for big items such as brooms, vacuums and the ironing board,” says Alisa Fraser, who also recommends overhead storage options for keeping cleaning agents out of reach in family homes. “And don’t forget to incorporate drawers for small items.”

5Build it in “We love in-built laundry hampers,” says Sarah Jobse, who suggests a deep, multisectioned drawer – preferably close to the washing machine. Keep a collapsible or stackable laundry basket in each bedroom so, when not in use, it’s easy to store it out of sight.

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1 Flatpax ‘Utility’ 450mm 3 drawer cupboard, $250, I/N: 2666208. 2 Flatpax ‘Utility’ 900mm 2 door wall cupboard, $168, I/N: 2666204. 3 Hills foldable bamboo laundry basket in Striped, $29.95, I/N: 0217254. 4 Hafele 2 x 33L laundry carrier in White, $394, I/N: 0206878†. 5 Bedford 666mm front loading washing machine stand in White, $173, I/N: 2660666. 6Tap into quality In a hardworking space, it’s best to buy once and buy well. “Choosing the right tapware should be based on quality, design, functionality and cost,” says Alisa. “In terms of function, consider pull-out taps for total efficiency when the sink is full and for awkward items like buckets and brushes.”

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6 Shaw & Mason WELS 3-star 9L/min 600mm chrome plated laundry arm, $34.31, I/N: 5001622. 7 Caroma ‘Luna’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/ min lever laundry tap set, $299, I/N: 0180865†. 8 Methven ‘Gaston’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/min pull down sink mixer, $308, I/N: 5003400.

Shaw & Mason WELS 4-star, 7.5L/ min laundry set in Black, $62.95, I/N: 0086940

Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile 300mm cabinet door in Vivid Basil, $79.91, I/N: 0077100†

Dorf ‘Vixen’ WELS 4-star, 7.5L/min retractable sink mixer in White, $337, I/N: 5003372†

7Make brave choices “The laundry is a room where you can be bold and have a little fun,” suggests Sarah. Whether it’s a cabinetry or paint colour you haven’t been game to use yet, or black tapware that may not work in the kitchen, this is the place to give it a go.

8Put on a floor show Go for something hardy, water resistant and slip proof underfoot. “A matt finish or slight textured tile is a great option for this,” says Alisa.

“Patterned floor tiles are very popular at present,” suggests Sarah. “You can have more confidence in going bold in the laundry as it’s not a key room like the kitchen.” While tiles are one of the best options, they’re not the only one. Vinyl (sheet, planks or tiles) is watertight and hardy enough to take a beating – great if your laundry doubles as a mudroom. Hybrid flooring gives the look of timber or laminate, but with a waterproof core that can survive splashes.

HanWood Home 1230mm x 179mm x 5mm waterproof hybrid flooring in Vega Oak, $63.36/pack of 12 (2.64sqm, $24/sqm), I/N: 0135651 Johnson Tiles 45cm x 45cm matt ceramic floor tiles in Desert Storm, $34.36/pack of 6 (1.21sqm, $28.40/ sqm), I/N: 0044506†

Winton ‘Ideal Series’ 457mm x 457mm self stick vinyl tile in Travertine Stone, $96/pack of 16 (3.34sqm, $28.74/ sqm), I/N: 6600047

9Consider scale Don’t skimp on size when it comes to your laundry sink – you’ll want to be able to handwash bulky items, fill a bucket and have ample room for soaking dirty laundry. “It should be larger and deeper than what you have in the kitchen, so a 45-litre tub is a good size,” says Sarah. If bench space is really tight, opt for a skinny version, or an under-mounted sink that can also save a little room.

10Splash out Combine practicality with aesthetics on the splashback. From glass and VJ panels to tiles of all shapes and sizes, the possibilities are endless. As a laundry splashback is generally quite small, it’s a chance to blow the budget on a finish you love.

Everhard ‘Excellence’ 42L squareline utility sink, $424, I/N: 0191736†

Abey ‘Leichardt’ skinny mini inset laundry tub, $624, I/N: 5110255

Easycraft ‘EasyCLAD’ 2745mm x 1200mm x 9.5mm semi-exterior wet area VJ primed wall lining, $288, I/N: 0330037†‡

Decor8 ‘Arabesque’ 308mm x 278mm x 8mm marble mosaic tile in Dos Nero, $42.35/ sheet, I/N: 6661833†

Essential Glass 6mm clear glass colour splashback in Mudpack Three-Quarter, $439/sqm, I/N: 5103609† 11Get the hang of it Not everything is dryer-friendly, so it’s a good idea to incorporate some indoor 12Lighten up Layer general, task and ambient lighting for the best effect. “Think track lighting on the ceiling, drying options. It could be as simple add task lighting through integrated LED as a single hanging rail mounted under strips underneath cabinetry, and a small overhead cabinetry. A drying cabinet is illuminated wall sconce to make the space another option, sitting discreetly on the feel more inviting, brighter and to create wall when not in use, while a retractable a pleasing atmosphere,” says Alisa. All micro clothesline rolls neatly out of the wet zones have special regulations for way. “There are some great inventive electrical fittings, so always call on options, such as pulldown drying racks,” a licensed sparkie to do the work. ◆ adds Sarah. Handy DIYers could even make their own (see Read it!).

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Flatpax ‘Utility’ 900mm drying cabinets, $193 each, I/N: 2666212, and 600mm 1 door broom cupboard, $346, I/N: 2666211.

Philips ‘Hue’ 2m base with plug bluetooth smart light strip, $135, I/N: 0241480

Read it!

Find out how to make a retro clothes airer: bunnings.com.au/diy-hanging-drying-rack

9 Sunfresh medium twin line retractable clothesline in White, $36, I/N: 4510186. 10 Hills ‘Premium’ 12m extendable airer, $45, I/N: 0013623. 11 Sunfresh metal skirt hangers, $4/pack of 4, I/N: 0043645. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Brilliant ‘Metta’ interior wall light in Antique Brass, $22.90, I/N: 0014351 (globe sold separately)