9 minute read
HIDDEN DEPTHS
With a deep sink and pull-out mixer tap, this small space can handle big messes
SLIDING DOORS REVEAL A COMPACT DIY LAUNDRY THAT PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT
Words SHELLEY TUSTIN
Lack of space is a common prompt for a laundry reno but, in the case of this unit, the issue was too much space. “You could have had four machines in there!” says homeowner Ben. “It was the sort of room you’d have for a big family.” For a two-bedroom apartment this was too much of a good thing, so the laundry was reconfigured into a cupboard tucked behind sliding doors.
Choosing Kaboodle Kitchen cabinetry was a no-brainer – the same finishes are in the enlarged kitchen/dining area, giving a sense of cohesion, plus Ben was comfortable putting it together with help from friends. “We’re the type of guys who will YouTube it until we work it out!” he says. Ben further flexed his DIY muscles, taking on the tiling, plastering and painting, to create a space that’s as good-looking as it is functional.
ABOVE Custom sliding doors hide the workspace and form a striking feature
The maximum amount of storage was top priority when designing the space. Stacking containers help keep shelves organised
Must haves
“For me, a laundry is not a big deal,” says Ben. “I wanted a space where I could clean my footy boots!” But with an eye on the practicalities – and potential future needs – he added a few more items to the list. A washing machine and a deep sink, teamed with a gooseneck mixer, were musthaves, along with bulked-up storage. A dryer, however, didn’t make the cut. “I like the feeling of my clothes when they’ve been drying in the sun, and there’s a laundromat down the road in case of an emergency,” explains Ben.
Colour cues
With navy-toned charcoal cabinets – Kaboodle Kitchen ‘Modern’ profile in Poppy Seed – and black accents in the Kaboodle ‘Plaza’ cabinet pulls and a steel-framed shelving unit, the moody colour scheme is bang on trend, while also matching the style of the home. Ben chose lowmaintenance marble-look laminate to give the benchtop a sense of luxury without overcapitalising.
A Kaboodle Kitchen pantry provides ample storage and keeps clutter organised
Sense of order
When you’re dealing with a small but functional zone, good storage is important. This was front of mind when Ben designed the layout using Kaboodle Kitchen’s online 3D planner. Cabinets above and below the sink, plus a large cupboard and an industrial-style, steel-framed Kaboodle shelf unit, give plenty of stash space. Inside the cupboard, there’s lots of room for linens and miscellaneous bits and bobs, all neatly contained in lidded tubs.
Out of sight
A laundry cupboard is a fantastic space-saver when you can’t have – or don’t want – a dedicated room. Ben’s new laundry is tucked at one end of the kitchen and dining area, but you wouldn’t know it was there, with everything hidden behind neat white doors. The three-panel sliding door (custom-made to fit) is on three tracks, so it can slide to one side or the other, or stack in the middle, so every part of the laundry is accessible.
LEFT Kaboodle Kitchen ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Poppy Seed; 600mm steel frame wall shelf in Black, $229.41, I/N: 0125929; ‘Plaza’ 96mm kitchen handles in Matte Black, $8.28 each, I/N: 0175953†; and benchtop, for similar try single edge customisable benchtop in Calcutta Gloss, $291.77/m, I/N: 8910017†. Storage tubs, for similar try Inabox ‘Home’ storage tubs with lids in Grey, $16/19L, I/N: 0131395; and $7.48/5L, I/N: 0131392. All other products, stylist’s own. PREVIOUS PAGE Sink mixer, for similar try Mondella ‘Resonance’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/min pin lever vege spray sink mixer, $165, I/N: 0220599 (suitable for mains pressure only). Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Always engage licensed trades to carry out plumbing and hardwired electrical work.
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Find more compact laundry inspiration: bunnings.co.nz/create-
a-stylish-cupboard-laundry
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1 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 5 shelf storage unit in Oak & Black, $199, I/N: 0332534, 3 shelf half storage unit, $129, I/N: 0332539, and 2 drawer and 1 shelf half storage unit, $179, I/N: 0332540. 2 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 2 drawer and 4 shelf storage unit in Oak & Black, $269, I/N: 0332536. 3 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 2 drawer and hanging rail storage unit in Oak & Black, $215, I/N: 0332535. 4 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 5 shelf storage unit in Oak & Black, $199, I/N: 0332534. 5 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 3 shelf and hanging rail storage unit in Oak & Black, $185, I/N: 0332533, and freestanding end component with mirror and shelf in Oak & Black, $135, I/N: 0332537.
Store and Order!
It’s no secret that the key to a tidy home or workplace comes in the form of smart storage solutions, but to keep it neat, you need something that can grow (or shrink) with you and your needs over time. The new Flexi Storage Studio range does just that!
CLUTTER-CLEARING
Creating a dedicated place for your belongings will help you to achieve and maintain a tidy space, whether it’s for clothes or kitchenware, or the latest stock to arrive in your store. The Flexi Storage Studio range provides a solution for every zone, with 580mm- deep hanging rails (designed to fit standard coat hangers), open shelves and drawers to tuck away excess items.
VERSATILITY
The new Flexi Storage Studio range has been thoughtfully designed as a series of modular units, from bedside tables to wardrobes and bookshelves, that can be used on their own or connected to create a custom storage solution that suits your lifestyle. There are 10 units covering every storage style, including open shelves, drawers, hanging rails and even mirrors. The chic, minimalist designs are strong and sturdy, so they can be used anywhere within the home or workplace.
TIMELESS STYLE
With sleek silhouettes, timber tones and durable black powder-coated metal frames, the Flexi Storage Studio range will complement any interior style. The neutral palette and understated shapes have a timeless look, so you don’t need to worry about replacing or upgrading your storage as trends change.
MIX AND MATCH
The open shelves can be utilised to display your favourite decorative items to inject colour and character into your home or workspace. The freestanding five-shelf, four-shelf and three-shelf half units are ideal for setting your creative side free, whether you want to colour-code your book collection or perfect an Instagram-worthy vignette, while the two-drawer and four-shelf, two-drawer and one-shelf half, and three-shelf and hanging rail units provide the best of both worlds. And, as a bonus, the new range seamlessly coordinates with the Flexi Storage Clever Cubes and Decorative Shelving.
1 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 4 shelf shelving unit in Oak & Black, $110, I/N: 0342623. 2 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 2 drawer and 4 shelf storage unit in Oak & Black, $269, I/N: 0332536. 3 Flexi Storage ‘Studio’ freestanding 1 drawer and 1 shelf side table in Oak & Black, $89, I/N: 0332538. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Batt for the nation
Make your home a cosy haven of warmth this winter with Earthwool® glasswool insulation
Be kind to the earth by choosing insulation made using recycled glass bottles
Slash your heating bills with revolutionary insulation for walls, ceilings, roofs and under the floor. Earthwool® glasswool insulation, available from Bunnings, can help maintain warm temperatures inside your home and banish indoor chills this winter.
YOUR HOME, YOUR SANCTUARY
Besides keeping you wonderfully toasty, Earthwool® glasswool insulation has sound-absorbing qualities to help make time spent indoors more tranquil. It's also completely non-combustible, for extra peace of mind. And when the weather warms up, your insulation will continue to work its magic by keeping your home cool and comfy inside.
HELP SAVE THE PLANET
With updates to the New Zealand Building Code regarding energy efficiency (H1) requirements for insulating new homes, insulation now needs to have a higher R-value; as the R-value goes up, so does the insulation’s effectiveness as a thermal barrier. The goal of these updates is to help combat climate change by reducing the energy used for heating by up to 40 per cent. Equally, if you’re adding an extension, planning a garage conversion or loft, now’s the chance to insulate, and make these spaces as snug and energy efficient as possible.
KEEP UP WITH CHANGING RULES
Six new climate zones have been introduced as part of the Building Code changes, but ceiling construction R-value will need to achieve at least R6.6 in all zones. A new single-layer R7.0 ceiling insulation is being developed by Earthwool® glasswool. As the changes become mandatory on November 3, there’s still time to future-proof your new build now to avoid costly modifications later this year.
FIND THE PERFECT SOLUTION
Eco-friendly Earthwool® glasswool insulation has so many benefits, and you can mix and match different products in the range to maximise energy efficiency. Made using recycled glass bottles, it is tightly compressed into its packaging to make transport and handling a breeze. Plus, if you’re the person installing it, you will love the ECOSE® Technology binder, which makes the product super-soft and much less itchy.
1 Earthwool® glasswool R2.6 1160mm x 580mm x 90mm acoustic wall insulation batt, $106/9.4sqm, I/N: 0224634; Earthwool® glasswool R2.8 1160mm x 580mm x 90mm acoustic wall insulation batt, $122.50/6.73sqm, I/N: 0224644. 2 Earthwool® glasswool R3.6 1160mm x 430mm x 175mm ceiling insulation batt, $66.74/8.5sqm, I/N: 0283029; Earthwool® glasswool R4.1 1160mm x 430mm x 195mm ceiling insulation batt, $70.05/7.5sqm, I/N: 0290605.
