A small laundry doesn't have to mean overflowing baskets, cluttered benchtops and nowhere to put the cleaning products. With the right layout, cabinetry and storage, even a compact laundry can become one of the hardest-working rooms in your home.
And in Canberra, the laundry really does work hard. There's bulky winter bedding, muddy kit from Saturday sport, and months of indoor drying when frost and fog keep washing off the line. Many Canberra homes, particularly older ex-government houses in Belconnen, Woden Valley and Tuggeranong, also have laundries that were never designed for today's appliances.
The short answer: a small laundry renovation in Canberra typically costs from around $15,000 for a straightforward refresh to $30,000 for a full redesign with custom joinery and relocated plumbing or electrical, including GST. Most take 2 to 4 weeks from demolition to handover.
Here are the ideas we use most to make every centimetre count.
1. Start with a layout that suits how you use the room
Before choosing cabinetry or appliances, think about how you actually use your laundry. Do you need room to sort clothes? Somewhere to fold? Space for cleaning products, towels or bulk household supplies?
Depending on the shape of your room, you might consider:
Single-wall layout: appliances, storage and sink along one wall to keep floor space clear.
Galley layout: cabinetry along two opposite walls, where there's enough clearance to move comfortably.
European laundry: appliances and storage concealed behind doors in a hallway cupboard or compact utility space, ideal for townhouses and apartments.
L-shaped layout: makes use of a corner while keeping the centre of the room open.
Many older Canberra laundries also open straight onto the backyard. If yours does, plan it as a drop zone too, with hooks for coats, a spot for boots and a bench for school bags.
If your laundry is particularly narrow, keeping the main appliances and plumbing where they are can help simplify the renovation and keep costs down.
2. Make the most of vertical storage
When floor space is limited, your walls become your best asset. Rather than relying on a couple of cupboards under the sink, take your cabinetry all the way up.
Floor-to-ceiling joinery for brooms, mops, the vacuum and the ironing board
Overhead cabinetry above the washing machine for items you don't use every day
Floating shelves for frequently used products
Wall-mounted drying racks
Slim pull-out storage for narrow gaps
Custom cabinetry is especially valuable in a small laundry because it can be designed around existing windows, doors and plumbing, rather than forcing standard sizes into an awkward space.
3. Stack your washer and dryer
If your washing machine and dryer sit side by side, stacking them can free up valuable floor space for extra cabinetry, a bigger sink or a dedicated folding area.
Before you make the switch, check that your appliances can be stacked and that the right installation kit is available. You'll also need to plan for power, plumbing, ventilation and safe clearances.
If you're replacing your dryer, a heat pump dryer is worth considering for a compact or enclosed laundry. It doesn't need to be vented outside like a traditional vented dryer and uses considerably less electricity, which adds up over a long Canberra winter of indoor drying. Always check the manufacturer's clearance and airflow requirements.
4. Choose cabinetry that works harder
In a compact laundry, every cupboard should have a job. Deep cupboards can seem practical, but small items quickly get lost at the back.
Instead, combine drawers, pull-outs and cupboards designed around what you actually store. Popular laundry storage solutions include:
Integrated pull-out hampers for sorting lights and darks
Built-in sorting stations
Deep drawers for detergents and cleaning supplies
Narrow pull-out cupboards for bottles
Adjustable shelving that changes with your household
A concealed compartment for the ironing board
Laundry joinery gets opened and closed many times a day, so we choose materials and hardware built for heavy daily use. A good laundry renovation isn't just about more storage. It's about making everything easier to reach.
5. Create a practical folding and sorting bench
One of the most useful features in any laundry is a clear benchtop. Even a short run of bench space makes sorting and folding much easier.
If your machines sit side by side, a continuous benchtop over the top creates a work surface without using extra floor space, as long as the appliance specifications allow it. For very compact laundries, a fold-down bench may be worth exploring.
We offer stone, laminate and solid surface benchtops. Each is durable and moisture-resistant, so it comes down to your budget, the look you want and how much wear the bench will get.
6. Plan for Canberra's winter drying
Canberra's climate makes drying washing a real challenge from late autumn to early spring. Frosty, foggy mornings mean clothes can hang on the line all day and still come in damp.
Build indoor drying into the design from the start:
A wall-mounted or retractable drying rack that folds away when not in use
A hanging rail beneath overhead cabinetry for shirts and delicates
An exhaust fan ducted outside to remove moisture
Keeping any window clear so you can air the room on milder days
Good ventilation matters. Drying clothes indoors adds a lot of moisture to the air, and in a closed-up Canberra home in winter that can quickly lead to condensation and mould.
7. Use light colours and clever lighting
Small laundries feel even smaller when they're dark. A light palette, such as white or soft neutral cabinetry, pale tiles and a light benchtop, reflects light and keeps the room feeling open. You can add warmth with timber-look finishes, textured tiles or brushed hardware.
For splashbacks, options range from classic subway tiles to large-format porcelain, which has fewer grout lines and is easy to wipe down.
Lighting is just as important. Under-cabinet strip lighting brightens the benchtop, while well-placed ceiling lights make the whole room usable. If you have a window, avoid blocking it with bulky cabinetry.
8. Choose a sink that suits your space
A large laundry trough isn't always necessary. A compact inset or undermount sink can handle handwashing and soaking without taking over the bench, and gives a more streamlined finish.
Think about what you use the sink for. If you regularly soak sports uniforms or wash muddy boots, a deeper sink is still worth the space.
9. Use awkward corners, and check what's behind the walls
Small laundries often have unusual dimensions, especially in older Canberra homes. A narrow gap beside the washing machine, an unused corner or a space between cabinetry and the wall can often fit a slim pull-out, open shelves or a storage niche. Small details like these add up.
Older homes can also hide outdated plumbing and wiring. Ex-government homes in Belconnen, Woden Valley and Tuggeranong often need plumbing and electrical updates, so we check this at your consultation. Our quotes are all-inclusive, but bringing existing plumbing that isn't up to code into line is quoted separately, so we'll flag it upfront.
10. Renovate your laundry and bathroom together
If you're already planning a bathroom renovation, it's worth doing the laundry at the same time. Combined projects are popular with our Canberra clients and are often more cost-effective, because trades, plumbing and materials can be coordinated together.
A combined bathroom and laundry renovation typically takes around 4 to 6 weeks, managed by one project manager. You'll also get a consistent look throughout your home, with matching cabinetry, tiles and tapware. Explore our bathroom renovations or browse our project gallery for combined bathroom and laundry ideas.
Common questions about small laundry renovations in Canberra
How much does a small laundry renovation cost in Canberra?
With The Bathroom Co, a laundry renovation typically costs $15,000 to $30,000: around $15,000 for a straightforward refresh of a compact space, up to $30,000 for a full redesign with premium finishes, custom joinery and relocated plumbing or electrical. Prices include GST, and you'll receive an all-inclusive fixed-price quote with no hidden fees.
How long does a laundry renovation take?
Most laundry renovations take 2 to 4 weeks from demolition to handover. A combined bathroom and laundry renovation usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. Your project manager will give you a specific timeline at the proposal stage.
How can I make a small laundry feel bigger?
Start with a practical layout, light colours and cabinetry that uses the full wall height. Stacking compatible appliances, keeping benchtops clear and choosing streamlined finishes also help.
Is custom cabinetry worth it for a small laundry?
Usually, yes. Custom joinery makes use of spaces that standard cupboards can't fit, and can be designed around exactly what your household needs to store.
Do I need approval to renovate a laundry in the ACT?
Usually not, if the existing footprint stays the same. Structural changes, relocating plumbing or extending the room may need approval. We manage any permits and inspections for you.
Can you renovate a European laundry?
Yes. We design compact European-style laundries in hallway cupboards, along with narrow galley laundries and larger dedicated laundry rooms.
Ready to make more of your laundry?
The Bathroom Co is a locally owned Canberra business that has been designing and building laundry renovations in Canberra and bathrooms since 1994. We work across every ACT suburb, plus Queanbeyan and the surrounding region.
Every project includes a free in-home consultation, a custom design, a fixed-price quote, a dedicated project manager and a 10-year workmanship warranty, four years longer than the industry standard.
Whether you're working with a hallway European laundry or an older laundry that needs a complete rethink, we'll help you design a space that makes everyday life easier.
Book your free in-home design and quote. Contact The Bathroom Co online, call 0418 628 693 or email hello@thebathroomco.com.au.
