When it comes to designing a home that not only looks good but works hard for you every day, there’s one room that almost always gets left behind.
Not the guest room. Not the home office. The laundry.
That small-but-mighty space quietly toils away in the background—taking on wet towels, muddy socks, endless baskets of washing, and often the dirty boots, the pet gear, and the odd school project too. And yet… it rarely gets the attention it deserves in the design process.
Why is the laundry always an afterthought?
Here’s the thing: most people don’t think about how much they actually use their laundry until they move in and realise it doesn’t work so well. It’s cramped. It’s awkward. The door hits the washing machine. There’s nowhere to hang anything. And you can’t open a cupboard without playing Tetris with your dryer. Oh, and there’s nowhere to put dirty clothes!!
Sound familiar?
Because laundries are often small and tucked away, they get the leftover space on the floorplan—whatever can be squeezed in after the kitchen, ensuite and living zones are sorted. But this can be a costly mistake.
A well-designed laundry can be a game-changer
Let’s get practical. A well designed laundry is not a “nice to have”. It’s one of the most used rooms in the home—often used daily. That means a poor layout isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It’s a daily frustration.
A well-thought-out laundry, on the other hand, can streamline routines, reduce clutter throughout the home, and create a sense of calm and order (especially if it doubles as a mudroom or storage hub).
In fact, in many Forever Homes™, the laundry is the busiest multitasker in the house.
What should a laundry really do?
Beyond washing and drying, laundries often need to cater to:
- Linen storage
- Cleaning supplies and brooms
- Ironing stations
- Indoor drying and hanging rails
- Pet supplies and beds
- Drop zones for bags, shoes or sports gear
- Dirty washing hampers (ideally sorted!)
If your laundry is doing any of these jobs—it deserves proper planning.
Design considerations for a hard-working laundry
Want to avoid bending over backwards (literally) to get things done? Here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Location, location, location
If you have the option, position your laundry somewhere convenient—not halfway across the house from the bedrooms where most laundry is generated. Access to the outdoors is also key for drying (natural light and ventilation are your friends!).
2. Ventilation is critical
This space gets wet and warm, and that’s a recipe for mould if ventilation is poor. Prioritise a good exhaust fan, and if possible, a window to bring in natural light and airflow.
3. Storage is your best friend
Full-height cabinetry, overhead cupboards, broom storage and drawers for smaller items all help keep things tidy and functional, all designed around how you need things to work!. You’re often working in a compact area, so vertical storage is also gold.
4. Think about your dirty washing
Don’t forget the humble hamper(s). Ideally built-in. Better yet, sorted intoo darks, lights, and towels and so on (however you do your washing)
5. Incorporate hanging space
A pull-out drying rail or ceiling-mounted rack can make a world of difference—especially in winter or for delicates that can’t go in the dryer or for .when you don’t have (or want) a dryer at all!
6. Consider bench space
Just like a kitchen, bench space is crucial for sorting and folding. A benchtop over the washer and dryer (if side-by-side) makes this super efficient.
7. Multifunctional zones
If your laundry also acts as an entry from the garage or back door, consider incorporating mudroom features like seating, cubbies for shoes, or wall hooks for bags and jackets.
Common mistakes to avoid
I see these far too often in floorplans—and once they’re built in, they’re hard to fix:
- Washing machines placed in front of door swings (can’t open the machine without doing a strange little dance)
- Too narrow to turn around in (a squeeze and shuffle situation)
- No place for dirty washing (hello, laundry piling up elsewhere)
- No thought for heat and moisture (resulting in damp, smelly spaces)
- No place to dry clothes (so the drying rack ends up in the lounge room)!
If this is sounding all too familiar—or you want to avoid it altogether in your new build or renovation—the good news is, these things are fixable when caught early.
Every room should earn its keep—especially the laundry
You’ve heard me say it before, but I’ll say it again: every single room in your home should be functional, intentional and tailored to your needs. Even the laundry.
That’s the foundation of a Forever Home™—spaces that work with you, not against you, and that can flex as your lifestyle changes.
A great laundry doesn’t just make chores easier. It contributes to the overall feeling of calm and order in your home. And if you’re anything like my clients, once you have a laundry that works, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Written by: Frances Cosway
