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The featured flat-pack laundry transformation worked because it changed the room’s layout before adding storage. A wall moved toward the adjoining dining room, recovering enough floor area for an ironing station, broom cupboard and compact mud-room zone. Flat-pack cabinets then flanked the washing machine, a single benchtop bridged the cabinets and tub, shelves used the wall above the tub, and a fold-down rack replaced an awkward freestanding rack. The result was a utility room designed around the work that happens there, not simply a row of new doors.
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The project is documented by Better Homes and Gardens Australia (13 March 2020). Its most transferable lessons are planning circulation first, preserving access to plumbing and appliances, using vertical storage, and finding a second use for offcuts. Exact prices, dimensions and a universal timeline were not reported, so treat the details below as a planning framework rather than a fixed specification.
What the laundry looked like before and after
Before: a cupboard-like room
The original laundry was described as more like a cupboard than an efficient room. A tight footprint made it difficult to store cleaning tools, create a useful work surface or keep drying equipment available without getting in the way. The problem was spatial: replacing one cabinet with another would not have reclaimed enough usable room.
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After: several jobs in one footprint
The renovation moved a wall toward the adjacent dining room to recover otherwise dead space. That extra area allowed the laundry to support several functions at once:
- Flat-pack Kaboodle Kitchen cabinets on both sides of the washing machine.
- A continuous benchtop running across the cabinet run and over the tub.
- A fold-down drying rack in place of a rack that was inconvenient to store.
- Open shelves above the tub for products used frequently.
- An ironing station and broom cupboard.
- A small mud-room position for shoes and coats, made from bench offcuts.
This is a layout change combined with cabinetry and accessory decisions. The cabinets matter, but they only work because the wall, work surface and storage zones were planned together.
The makeover article does not publish a project cost, saving percentage or standard renovation duration. Do not use an online estimate as the price of this particular transformation.
Why moving the wall made the biggest difference
In a compact laundry, every extra function competes for the same floor area. Moving the wall created room for a bench where clothes can be sorted or folded, a place to hang garments while ironing, and storage for a broom and other tall tools. It also improved the relationship between the laundry and the dining-room side of the house instead of treating the laundry as an isolated cupboard.
Wall work is the point at which a cosmetic refresh becomes a substantial redesign. Before demolition, obtain a builder’s advice if you cannot establish whether the wall is load-bearing. The Australian feature specifically advises this check; a partition that appears simple may still carry structural loads or contain services.
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Check wet-area and demolition risks before ordering cabinets
Confirm the wall and services
- Identify the wall proposed for relocation and have its structural status checked when uncertain.
- Map water, waste, electrical and ventilation routes before fixing a new cabinet plan. The washing machine, dryer, tub and power points must still be reachable after the bench is installed.
- Measure the finished opening, not just the existing cabinet width. Include skirting, door swings, taps, hoses, drains and the clearance needed to pull an appliance forward.
Test suspect wall linings
If older wet-area wall linings might contain asbestos and you are unsure, the guide recommends professional testing before demolition. Do not cut, sand or remove suspect sheets on the assumption that a small laundry is low risk.
Use wet-area materials and licensed trades where required
For the rebuild described in the feature, water-resistant plasterboard was recommended in the laundry. The floor and areas around sinks and tap penetrations also needed waterproofing. Some Australian states require a licensed waterproofer; requirements vary by location, so check the current rules where you live before work starts. These measures protect the substrate behind paint and cabinetry; a moisture-resistant finish alone is not a substitute for compliant waterproofing.
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Leave service access first
The featured layout leaves space for the washing machine next to the tub so plumbing remains accessible. Keep that principle when adapting the idea: draw the appliance, tub and all connections at their real sizes, then place cabinets around them. A neat elevation is not useful if a shut-off valve, drain trap or power point cannot be reached.
Bridge the zone with one work surface
A continuous laundry benchtop over the cabinets and tub creates one uninterrupted place for sorting, folding and temporary storage. It also visually joins separate modules, making a small room feel less fragmented. Check that the tub remains usable, that the top is supported at every span, and that moisture cannot enter exposed edges or wall joints.
Flat-pack laundry cabinets can provide concealed storage without requiring every unit to be custom-built. Select modules only after recording the appliance and plumbing measurements; catalogue dimensions and current availability change, and the historical feature does not establish a particular model, price or compatibility with every washer.
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Support a floating ironing bench correctly
The project used aluminium angle fixed to the wall to support a floating ironing-station bench. That is a project detail, not a universal load specification. The wall substrate, fasteners, bench material and expected load must be assessed together. Do not copy the fixing pattern without confirming that it is suitable for your wall.
Use vertical space for daily storage and drying
Shelves above the tub
Shelves over the tub keep frequently used detergent, stain-treatment and cleaning items within reach without consuming floor area. Position them so containers can be lifted out safely and do not interfere with the tap handles, lid or splash zone. Reserve higher shelves for lighter, less frequently handled items.
Fold-down drying rack
A fold-down rack stores flat against the wall when empty and opens only when clothes need to dry. In the featured room it replaced a rack that was awkward to store. Confirm the rack’s fixing points hit solid structure, check its open projection against door and walkway clearances, and avoid placing it where wet garments drip onto an electrical outlet.
Concealed and tall storage
Use closed cabinets for items that make the room look cluttered, such as spare cloths or bulk supplies. A broom cupboard needs enough uninterrupted height for the longest tool and a base that tolerates damp cleaning equipment. Plan ventilation and a way to contain leaks rather than sealing wet items into an unventilated box.
Turn leftover material into a mud-room function
The transformation reused benchtop offcuts to make a place for shoes and coats near the entry. This is a useful way to gain a second function without buying another full cabinet run. Size the offcut around the available wall, provide secure support, and protect cut edges from water. Hooks, a low shoe shelf or a wipeable surface can be added only after confirming that the entry path remains clear.
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Repurposing works best when the primary bench is cut after the appliance and tub positions are fixed. Keep a record of every usable offcut and its finished edges; a narrow piece may suit a shelf or ledge, while a larger section can become a seat or landing surface if the wall and fixings can carry the load.
A practical sequence for planning the renovation
- Write the task list. List washing, drying, folding, ironing, cleaning-tool storage and entry storage. Rank each activity so the room is not filled with cabinets that leave no working surface.
- Survey the existing room. Record wall lengths, ceiling height, doors, windows, appliance dimensions, tub position, plumbing points, electrical outlets and ventilation. Photograph concealed-service locations before demolition.
- Decide whether space must be reclaimed. If the room cannot fit the required functions with safe clearances, investigate a wall change. Get structural advice where the wall status is uncertain.
- Set the wet-area strategy. Confirm suitable wall lining, floor and splash-zone waterproofing, and whether licensed trades are required in your jurisdiction.
- Draw the appliance-first plan. Place the washer, dryer and tub with connection access. Add the cabinet modules, then test door swings, rack movement and the route to the entry.
- Reserve the work surface. Design the continuous benchtop and any ironing bench supports. Check spans, wall fixing points and edge protection before ordering material.
- Assign vertical zones. Place shelves above the tub, the fold-down rack on a clear wall, and tall storage where brooms can stand without blocking circulation.
- Order only after a final measure. Recheck finished wall thickness, skirting, appliance hoses and the exact product dimensions. Flat-pack systems are not interchangeable by appearance alone.
- Complete rough services and waterproofing. Have plumbing and electrical work carried out by appropriately licensed trades where local law requires it. Allow waterproofing systems to cure for the specified time before covering them.
- Install, finish and test. Fit cabinets, bench, shelves and rack; seal vulnerable joints; then run the washer, open every door and rack, and verify that shut-offs and outlets remain reachable.
Refresh or redesign? Compare the two scopes
A light refresh can improve appearance and storage while retaining the existing room. A substantial redesign changes the envelope or services to gain capacity. Use the comparison below before choosing a scope.
| Decision point | Light refresh | Substantial redesign |
|---|---|---|
| Usable bench and concealed storage | Add or replace cabinets and a worktop within the current footprint; gains are limited by existing walls. | Reconfigure the room, then add a continuous bench, cabinets and dedicated stations. |
| Appliance, tub, plumbing and power fit | Keep locations where possible; verify that new units do not block access. | Replan locations and services, with more coordination and higher disruption. |
| Drying and hanging space | Retain the current rack or substitute a fold-down unit if a suitable wall is available. | Build drying, ironing and hanging zones into the new layout. |
| Building work | Usually cabinetry, bench, paint and accessory installation; exact requirements depend on the room. | May involve wall, floor, waterproofing, plumbing or electrical work and structural review. |
| Cost or standard duration | Not stated for the featured transformation. | Not stated for the featured transformation; do not infer a typical figure. |
The table describes planning differences, not a standardized cost or performance test. The right choice depends on whether the existing footprint can accommodate safe access and the functions you need.
What a separate budget makeover adds to the picture
A February 2021 Bunnings Australia budget makeover used flat-pack Bedford cabinets, a timber benchtop, open timber shelves, a panel splashback and black hardware against white and grey. The homeowners hired a plumber and electrician for trade requirements and completed the remaining work themselves over a week and a half.
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Painting and finishing details that protect the result
Once wet-area construction is compliant and dry, finish exposed plasterboard with products rated for the room’s moisture conditions. Pay particular attention to joints behind the bench, around tap penetrations and at splashback edges, where movement and repeated wiping can expose weak preparation. A durable, washable coating makes shelves and walls easier to maintain, but it cannot correct a leak or failed waterproofing underneath.
Protect cabinet ends and benchtop cut-outs with the manufacturer’s recommended edging or sealant. Keep paint out of appliance vents, hinges and rack pivots. Before final touch-ups, operate every door, drawer and fold-down component so a tight paint line does not bind the hardware.
Common failure points and fixes
The appliance no longer fits after finishing
Finished wall linings, skirting and cabinet sides can reduce the opening by more than an initial tape measure suggests. Measure the completed opening and include hose bends and ventilation clearance before ordering. If the machine is already on site, use its actual dimensions rather than a nominal model size.
Plumbing is hidden behind fixed cabinetry
Do not close off valves, traps or outlets simply to achieve a continuous run. Rework the cabinet layout or provide a properly sized access panel. The featured design specifically preserves space beside the machine for plumbing access.
The wall rack collides with circulation
Mark the rack’s full open footprint on the floor with tape. Check the path from the entry, tub and appliances, and confirm doors can open while garments hang. Relocate the rack or choose a shallower model if the marked zone obstructs movement.
A floating bench flexes or pulls away
Stop loading it and inspect the wall substrate, angle, fasteners and span. The project’s aluminium-angle support is not a universal specification; a heavier top, weak lining or different wall may require additional structure.
Moisture appears after painting
Find the source before repainting. Check tap penetrations, tub edges, hoses, drains and bench joints, then have waterproofing or plumbing defects corrected. Covering a damp patch with another coat only hides the symptom and can damage plasterboard or cabinets.
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How to judge your finished layout
- You can reach appliance valves, drains and power points without dismantling cabinets.
- The washer, dryer and tub doors or lids open fully at the same time.
- The continuous bench has a clear, usable section for sorting or folding.
- The fold-down rack opens without blocking the main route through the room.
- Shelves hold daily-use items at a safe, reachable height.
- Brooms, shoes, coats and ironing equipment each have a defined place.
- Waterproofing, wet-area linings and trade work meet the rules that apply in your location.
- Paint and sealant finishes are washable, intact and kept clear of moving hardware.
For another layout example, the current Bunnings Australia guide to a smarter laundry layout also focuses on combining storage with appliance access. Compare its ideas with your measured room rather than assuming any pictured arrangement will fit.
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