7 Laundry Design Ideas Trending in Melbourne Homes (2026)
The laundry used to be the room nobody cared about. Not anymore. More Melbourne homeowners are treating it as a proper part of the home, and a well-planned laundry renovation in Melbourne can save time every single week.
Whether you have a tiny cupboard or a full-sized room, here are seven laundry design ideas that are trending right now.
1. The European Laundry
The European laundry tucks the washer, dryer and a small trough behind bifold or pocket doors, so the whole space disappears when you close them. It's one of the best small laundry ideas for Melbourne apartments, townhouses and renovated period homes where every square metre counts.
Things to plan early: a solid floor for the heavy front loader, good airflow behind closed doors, and a power and plumbing layout that suits stacked appliances.
2. Mudroom Laundry Combo
The mudroom laundry is taking off in Australian family homes. It combines the laundry with space for school bags, coats and shoes near the back door. Custom laundry cabinets can include a bench seat, hooks, pigeonholes and shoe drawers alongside the washing zone, which keeps clutter out of the main living areas.
3. Concealed and Tall Storage
Clutter-free is the goal. Tall utility cupboards can hold an ironing board, mop, vacuum and cleaning products, while pull-out drawers and baskets keep detergent and everyday items within reach. Good laundry storage ideas make the room feel calm and much bigger than it really is.
4. A Proper Folding Bench
A flat, clear benchtop is the most useful feature in any laundry. A folding bench about 600 mm deep gives you room to sort, fold and treat stains. Leave a gap underneath for a basket so clean washing goes straight down rather than piling up in the hallway.
On materials: with engineered stone now banned in Australia, popular laundry benchtop choices include laminate, porcelain, natural stone and sealed timber. Laminate is a particularly good-value option for a hard-working room like this.
5. Stacked Washer and Dryer (or a Raised Front Loader)
Stacking a dryer on top of the washer frees up an entire wall for cabinetry and bench space. If you have room, raising a front loader off the floor means less bending and a handy drawer underneath for baskets.
With more households choosing a heat pump dryer for lower running costs, tell your designer which dryer you're buying before the cabinetry is drawn. Heat pump models are often deeper than vented ones, and a vented dryer needs a proper duct to the outside.
6. Built-In Sorting Hampers and Drying Rails
Pull-out hampers behind a cabinet door let you separate whites, darks and towels as you go. Add a fold-down or pull-out drying rail for shirts and delicates, and wash day gets noticeably easier. In a double-storey home, a laundry chute can also save you countless trips up and down the stairs, although it needs to suit your floor structure.
7. The Statement Laundry
A laundry doesn't have to look purely practical. Colour is a big trend right now: deep green, soft sage, warm timber tones and matte black hardware all work well. Add a feature splashback, good lighting and a stylish timber or brushed-metal drying rail, and the room becomes a space you actually enjoy walking into.
Is Your Laundry Big Enough? Quick Guide
- Compact (European style): around 1.5 to 2 square metres can hold a stacked washer and dryer plus overhead storage.
- Standard laundry: enough room for a side-by-side washer and dryer, a trough and a folding bench.
- Large or mudroom laundry: space for appliances, tall storage, a bench seat and a utility sink.
Measure your appliances first, then design around them. Many laundry headaches start with cabinetry that was drawn before anyone checked what would fit.
Why Choose Custom Laundry Cabinets?
Standard off-the-shelf units rarely fit awkward Melbourne laundries, whether it's a skinny hallway cupboard or an older home with odd walls. Custom laundry cabinets in Melbourne let you choose exact dimensions, drawer layouts, finishes and hardware so every centimetre earns its place. Popular finishes include melamine for budget-friendly durability, laminate for colour variety and timber veneer for warmth.
Ready to Upgrade Your Laundry?
The team at Revelation Cabinets can help you plan a laundry that suits your space, budget and daily routine. Get in touch today to book your consultation and take the first step towards a laundry renovation that makes wash day easier.
