The laundry room often remains one of the most underappreciated spaces in the home. Typically tucked away behind closed doors, it’s easy to forget that the laundry is where much of our household organisation takes place. Whether it’s sorting, folding, or ironing, an efficient laundry space can make household chores a lot less of a hassle.
Just like kitchen renovations, custom joinery in the laundry room can dramatically improve both functionality and aesthetics. With the right design and features, you can transform your laundry from a cramped, cluttered space into an efficient, organised powerhouse that supports your everyday tasks.
In this blog, we will explore five smart joinery features that can help you maximise your laundry efficiency, giving you the tools to redesign your space for better workflow, more storage, and a touch style.
1. Pull-Out Ironing Boards: A Hidden Convenience
One of the most useful features that homeowners often overlook is the pull-out ironing board. If you’ve ever had to pull out an ironing board only to have it take up precious space or become an obstruction in your already cramped laundry room, you’ll understand the need for a space-saving solution.
Pull-out ironing boards are an ideal addition to your laundry joinery, especially if you have limited space. These boards can be neatly tucked away within custom-built cabinetry until you need them. No more awkwardly folding the board back up every time you’re done. When installed correctly, a pull-out ironing board can be integrated seamlessly into your laundry’s custom joinery or laundry fit out, providing you with the functionality you need without sacrificing precious space.
Why It Works:
- Space-saving: This feature is perfect for small kitchen spaces or laundry rooms where every inch of space matters. A pull-out ironing board can easily be hidden in a drawer or a pull-out shelf, keeping your space neat and tidy.
- Convenience: Say goodbye to setting up and folding away your ironing board every time you need it. Just slide it out, iron your clothes, and slide it back out of sight.
- Customisable: Whether you want it hidden inside a cabinet or installed in a drawer under your laundry benchtop, pull-out ironing boards can be adapted to suit your specific space and style.
2. Built-In Laundry Hampers: Sorting Made Easy
Sorting laundry can be one of the most time-consuming tasks, especially if you must separate your clothes into piles on the floor or countertop. Built-in laundry hampers with dividers are a great way to maximise laundry efficiency and keep your space organised.
Custom-built hampers can be integrated into your laundry cabinetry or under your custom joinery. Instead of dealing with a collection of laundry baskets scattered around the room, you can design a smart laundry solution that hides the hampers inside cabinets, drawers, or pull-out units. With dividers for coloureds, whites, and delicate, you’ll always know exactly where your clothes go, making the process easier and quicker.
Why It Works:
- Organisation: Built-in hampers make it easy to separate laundry as soon as it comes into the room. Having designated spaces for each type of clothing means you don’t have to scramble through piles of clothes when it’s time to wash.
- Clutter-Free: Traditional laundry baskets tend to create clutter, especially if you have multiple bins in the room. A custom-made hamper system keeps everything neatly tucked away while still being accessible.
- Easy Workflow: With everything sorted from the start, you won’t have to worry about spending time on sorting later. You’ll spend less time on the menial tasks and more time on the important parts of laundry day.
3. Pull-Out Drying Racks: Dry Clothes in Style
Not every item of clothing should be thrown into the dryer. Delicates, sweaters, and some garments need air drying to avoid damage. But where do you put all your clothes when you need to dry them? Pull-out drying racks integrated into your custom joinery are the answer.
Rather than placing drying racks all over the floor or hanging clothes from a standard clothesline, consider installing a pull-out drying rack within your laundry design. These drying racks can be built directly into your laundry cabinetry or benchtops, allowing you to extend them only when necessary. They can be designed to slide in and out of view or even be integrated into a vertical space, such as over a washing machine or in an unused corner.
Why It Works:
- Space-Efficient: Drying racks that are hidden when not in use save you a lot of room. This is especially useful in small kitchen designs or smaller homes where space is at a premium.
- Less Clutter: No more dealing with bulky, ugly drying racks taking up space. A pull-out drying rack ensures that clothes dry in style and without obstructing your other activities.
- Multi-Functional: This feature works well in a laundry room that’s also used as an entry or mudroom. Hang jackets, scarves, and umbrellas to dry, keeping everything organised and out of the way.
4. Overhead Storage: Utilise Vertical Space
Just as you might maximise vertical space in modern kitchen designs or small kitchen spaces, your laundry room can benefit greatly from the addition of overhead storage. Often, the space above your laundry benchtop or washing machine remains underutilised, but with a little creativity and some custom joinery, it can become one of your best storage solutions.
Overhead cabinets or shelves can hold anything from cleaning supplies to spare towels, freeing up space on your laundry benchtop and keeping items off the floor. A custom made fit out can include overhead storage that blends seamlessly into your existing laundry designs, allowing you to store products like detergent, fabric softener, and other laundry essentials while keeping them within easy reach.
Why It Works:
- Optimises Storage: By taking advantage of vertical space, you can store more items without cluttering the floor or benchtops.
- Keeps Things Neat: Keeping detergents, cleaning products, and extra towels on overhead shelves or in cabinets ensures that everything has its own place.
- Customisable: Depending on the size of your space, you can install open shelving for easy access or closed cabinetry for a cleaner, more streamlined look.
5. Hidden Shoe Storage: Tidy Up Your Muddy Boots
For families or homeowners with outdoor spaces, the laundry room often serves as a transition zone between the house and the outside world. Hidden shoe storage is an excellent feature to keep your laundry designs neat and functional. Instead of leaving muddy boots or shoes scattered around the entryway or laundry room, you can install custom joinery that includes a hidden shoe rack or drawer system.
Built into the laundry cabinetry, a hidden shoe storage system allows you to keep shoes out of sight while still having easy access to them when you need them. You can even design the system to accommodate sports equipment or wet weather gear like umbrellas, creating a space-efficient solution that keeps your laundry area tidy.
Why It Works:
- Organisation: Shoes, boots, and sports gear can create a lot of clutter. Hidden storage keeps everything neat and organised.
- Protects Floors: By having a designated spot for muddy shoes, you can prevent dirt and water from spreading throughout your home.
- Custom Made Storage: Just like custom made wardrobes or small kitchen fit outs, hidden shoe storage can be tailored to suit the size and layout of your laundry room, ensuring maximum efficiency without taking up valuable floor space.
Conclusion: The Importance of Smart Laundry Joinery
Just like a kitchen makeover or bathroom installation, investing in custom joinery for your laundry can bring long-term benefits that far outweigh the initial cost. Modern kitchen designs are focused on maximising every inch of space, and the same principles can be applied to your laundry area. From pull-out ironing boards and overhead storage to built-in hampers and hidden shoe storage, these laundry designs will make your life easier, more organised, and more efficient.
If you’re ready to transform your laundry room into a stylish and functional space, start with these five smart joinery features. Whether you’re embarking on a full laundry renovation or simply looking to make small improvements, custom joinery is the key to unlocking your laundry room’s full potential.
By embracing custom fit outs, space-saving storage solutions, and tailored designs, you’ll have a laundry room that works for you — making the often-overlooked space a truly efficient part of your home.