Creating a Laundry Room That Works: Space-Saving Ideas

Creating a laundry room that works in a small space is simple. You do not need a big room to make your laundry practical. By using smart layouts and space-saving solutions, you can fit everything you need into a compact area. The goal is not just saving space but making the room easy and comfortable to use.

In many Australian homes, the washing area is often squeezed into a hallway, bathroom, or even behind cupboard doors. That is why clever planning matters. Choosing appliances that match the space, stacking them the right way, and using walls and ceilings for storage can change how the room works. Even the smallest laundry can feel organized and helpful with the right solutions.

Measure Your Space First

The smartest utility room space optimization starts with knowing your exact dimensions. Most front-loading washers and dryers are about 600 mm wide and 600–700 mm deep. A washer-dryer combo is almost the same size, but you still need to allow extra room around it for plumbing and ventilation.

Many people make the mistake of planning for “600 mm” and later find the area is too tight. Walls are not always square, and doors may not swing properly if you do not allow clearance. Take the time to measure width, depth, and height before buying or designing laundry cabinetry. A few extra millimetres can save big headaches and make sure your appliances slide in smoothly and fit the space well.

Stack Your Appliances

Stacking a washer and dryer is one of the easiest ways to save space. A side-by-side setup usually takes up around 1200 mm in width, but stacking reduces that to just 600 mm. That means you can fit a full laundry setup into the width of a single machine.

Use a proper stacking kit to make stacking safe. Many kits include a slide-out shelf that works as a mini bench for your washing basket. This makes transferring clothes easier without needing extra floor space. Stacking works well in hallway cupboards, Euro-laundries, or even behind sliding doors. If you have the height available, stacking is often the most useful option for turning a cramped area into a functional laundry room.

Use a Washer-Dryer Combo

A washer-dryer combo is a great choice when space is very limited. This single machine can both wash and dry your clothes, which means you only need room for one appliance instead of two. Most models are around 600 mm wide and 850 mm high, so they can fit neatly under a bench or inside a cupboard.

The biggest benefit of a combo is the floor space it saves. You don’t need to plan for stacking or side-by-side units, which makes it perfect for saving extra space in apartments or tiny washing areas. The main disadvantage is that cycles take longer, but for singles or small families this is often not a big issue. You gain valuable space without losing the key functions of a full laundry.

Drying Solutions That Save Floor Space

Drying clothes is often the biggest challenge in a small laundry. Floor racks take up too much room, so looking for vertical or hidden options makes sense.

A rooftop airer is one of the best solutions. It can hold 10–18 kg of washing and lifts completely out of the way once hoisted up. Another clever idea is a fold-down rack. It can also be folded against the wall if not in use, which only takes up about 30 mm of depth.

If you prefer using a dryer, a heat-pump dryer is a space-smart choice for your washing area. It uses less than half the energy of a vented model and does not need external venting, which makes it perfect for cupboards and compact laundry rooms.

Add Storage That Works With the Walls

The wall can become your best friend when the floor area is small. Using vertical space for storage helps keep the utility room tidy and makes the room feel larger.

Install shallow shelves about 400 mm deep to hold detergents, baskets, and cleaning products without making the room feel cramped. Overhead cupboards above machines are another smart option to keep clutter out of sight. You can also add a hanging hook under a shelf so shirts and tops can drip-dry straight from the washer.

Even small touches make a difference. Hooks for ironing boards or mops free up valuable floor space. You can create a laundry that feels organized even in the tightest of corners by moving storage upward.

Build Smart Benches and Cabinets

Benches and cabinets can do more than just hide appliances. A 600 mm deep bench across the top of your machines creates an instant folding station. It can keep everything at one level and save you from carrying wet clothes around the house.

Slim basins with pull-out spray taps are another smart choice. They take up less bench area but are still practical for soaking or handwashing. Adding pull-out hampers or baskets inside cabinets helps sort clothes neatly without needing extra tubs on the floor.

Think of cabinets as multi-taskers. They should store, hide, and also give you usable seating space. With a little planning, this simple space-saving tip can turn a tiny laundry into a highly efficient working zone.

Quick Checklist: 10 Fast, Space-friendly Wins

1. Measure width, depth, and height before buying appliances.

2. Choose a front-loading machine that fits neatly under a bench.

3. Pair the washer and dryer with a safe stacking kit.

4. Use a washer-dryer combo to save appliance space.

5. Install a ceiling airer for drying without floor use.

6. Mount a fold-down rack flat against the wall.

7. Add shallow shelving and overhead cupboards for storage.

8. Fit hooks for ironing boards, mops, or laundry baskets.

9. Build a 600 mm bench across machines for folding.

10. Pick water- and energy-saving appliances to save space and costs.
    

FAQs 

1. Can I fit the laundry into a small cupboard? Yes, you can. Many homes use Euro-laundries hidden behind cupboard doors. You just need around 600–650 mm width per appliance and good ventilation to make your tiny washing area work safely and properly. 

2. What is the smallest size for a functional room for washing? A laundry can fit into as little as 1.5 to 2 square meters. Using stacked machines or a washer-dryer combo makes it possible in very small spaces.

3. Is stacking better than using a combo machine? Stacking gives you more load capacity, while a combo saves more space. If you do large loads, stacking is better. If space is very tight, a combo is the smarter option.

4. How can I dry clothes without taking up floor space? Use a ceiling airer or a fold-down wall rack. Both keep the floor clear while handling a full load of washing.

5. How do I make a small laundry room feel bigger? Keep storage off the floor. Add shelves, cupboards, and hooks on the walls. Light-coloured tiles and a continuous bench also help make the room look more open.

Conclusion

A laundry room does not need to be large to work well. By stacking appliances, using a washer-dryer combo, and adding storage to walls and ceilings, you can make even the smallest space feel practical and organized. Smart benches and compact drying options add comfort without taking up extra room.

The key is planning every detail so the room fits your needs while staying tidy and easy to use. Even a corner or a cupboard can become a fully functional laundry when space-saving ideas are applied.

At Canberra Tiling Company, we help homeowners renovate laundry that combine style with smart use of space. Let us help you create a washing area that works beautifully in your home.