Small Laundry Ideas: 10 Space-Saving Tips for Australian Homes

Short on space? A small laundry can still be stylish, organised and easy to use. It just takes clever storage and a layout that works as hard as you do.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, it’s the perfect time to design your new laundry too. Matching cabinetry, benchtops and handles creates a seamless look from one room to the next.

Whether you’re working with a narrow room or a laundry in a cupboard, these small laundry ideas will help you make the most of every centimetre.

1. Plan Your Appliance Layout First

In a small laundry, your washer and dryer set the starting point for everything else. Their position is usually guided by your existing plumbing, so decide on this first and design your cabinetry around it.

Positioning your appliances side by side creates room for a benchtop above, which is ideal if you have the width. If floor space is tight, stacking your washer and dryer frees up valuable room for storage.

2. Hide It Away with a Laundry in a Cupboard

No dedicated laundry room? A laundry in a cupboard is one of the smartest small laundry ideas for apartments, townhouses and open-plan homes. Your appliances, sink and storage sit neatly behind doors, ready to disappear when you’re done.

Bi-fold doors are a popular choice, as they open wide without taking up much floor space. Stacking your washer and dryer with a stacking kit makes the most of the cupboard’s height, leaving room for shelving or storage alongside.

3. Maximise Your Bench Space

Even a small benchtop makes laundry day easier. A benchtop above side-by-side appliances gives you a generous station for folding and sorting.

Choose a moisture-resistant benchtop of sufficient depth and length for the way you use the space. If your laundry includes a sink, extending the benchtop around it keeps everything within easy reach.

4. Think Vertically with Your Storage

When floor space is limited, look up. Wall cupboards above your benchtop or appliances add valuable storage without crowding the room.

If space permits, tall cabinetry is perfect for brooms, mops and the vacuum. A cupboard beneath the sink keeps detergents and cleaning products out of sight, while a few open shelves create a spot for styling and everyday essentials.

5. Make a Narrow Laundry Work Harder

Narrow laundries are common in Australian homes, but they can be just as functional as larger spaces. Keep your appliances, benchtop and storage along one wall to create a clear walkway through the room.

Using the full height of the wall adds storage without making the space feel tight. Doors that slide or fold, rather than swing open, also help keep the room easy to move around in.

6. Find a Home for Your Ironing Board

The ironing board is one of the bulkiest items in any laundry. Rather than leaning it against a wall, plan a dedicated spot for it within your cabinetry.

A tall cupboard with space for your ironing board and iron keeps them tucked away but easy to grab when you need them.

7. Include Internal Accessories

Internal accessories are the hidden heroes of a small laundry. Our laundry hampers make light work of sorting clothes, while wire pull-outs keep detergents and cleaning products organised and easy to find.

They help you make the most of every cupboard – a must when space is tight.

8. Add a Hanging Rail

A hanging rail beneath your wall cupboards is a practical, space-saving way to drip-dry or air-dry clothes. Make sure you leave enough space between the benchtop and the rail so your clothes can hang freely.

9. Choose a Light, Neutral Palette

Bright whites, soft greys, timbers and panel-look joinery help create the illusion of space, making a small laundry feel lighter and more open. Pair them with simple handles for a clean, streamlined finish.

10. Match Your Laundry to Your Kitchen

If you’re renovating your kitchen, designing your new laundry at the same time is a smart move. Using the same cabinetry, benchtops and handles creates a cohesive look throughout your home.

Even if your laundry is away from the kitchen, carrying the same palette through gives your spaces a sense of connection.

Inspired to create your dream laundry room with Kinsman? Start your journey today!

Book your in-home, in-store or virtual design consultation HERE.

For more inspiration and ideas download our latest catalogue HERE.

Small Laundry Inspiration from The Block 2026

Looking for real-life ideas? This year’s contestants on The Block showed just how much style and storage can fit into a well-designed laundry. See every Kinsman laundry from The Block 2026 for inspiration you can bring into your own home.

Small Laundry FAQs

What’s the best layout for a small laundry?

It depends on your space and plumbing. Side-by-side appliances give you more bench space, while stacked appliances free up floor space for storage. In a narrow laundry, keeping everything along one wall creates a clear walkway.

Can you put a laundry in a cupboard?

Yes. A laundry in a cupboard is a great solution when you don’t have a dedicated room. Stacked appliances, shelving and storage can all fit behind bi-fold doors that close to hide everything away.

Should I stack my washer and dryer?

Stacking is ideal when floor space is limited, as it makes the most of your laundry’s height. If you have the width, placing them side by side gives you a benchtop above for folding.

How do I make a small laundry feel bigger?

A light, neutral palette, wall cupboards that keep clutter off benchtops and plenty of hidden storage will all help a small laundry feel more open.