Thinking of turning your tired laundry into a sleek, functional, and multi-purpose space? This in-depth guide walks you through everything Australian homeowners need to know about laundry room conversions and renovations — including modern layouts, smart storage solutions, pricing, timelines, compliance requirements, and how to plan and quote your project instantly using AIreno.

Why Upgrade or Convert Your Laundry Room?

The laundry is one of the most used but most neglected spaces in the average Australian home. It’s where we clean, sort, store, and often hide away the mess. But in 2025, the humble laundry is finally getting the attention it deserves.

More than just a utility zone, a well-designed laundry can improve daily life, boost your home’s value, and even serve dual purposes — acting as a mudroom, bathroom, storage room, or pet-wash station.

Key reasons to renovate or convert your laundry:

• 🧶 Boost functionality: Create space for sorting, folding, and drying
• 📅 Better workflow: Organise tasks like stain treatment, ironing, or storage
• 🏠 Multi-room use: Combine with bathroom, mudroom, or linen zone
• 💼 Increase resale appeal: Smart laundries feature in buyer checklists
• 🏦 Rental returns: Add value and convenience to investment properties

Common areas for laundry upgrades:

• Next to or within bathrooms or kitchens
• Inside hallway closets, pantries or butler’s rooms
• Under staircases or in garage corners
• Converted lean-tos, verandas, or sunrooms
• Backyard or detached granny flat conversions

No matter the location or budget, there’s an effective way to transform your laundry into a space that looks good, feels organised, and actually makes laundry day less of a chore.

Popular Laundry Layout Options

The best laundry design begins with the right layout. Your layout choice will affect workflow, appliance placement, storage options, and even energy efficiency.

1. Single Wall Laundry

A streamlined setup that works well in narrow spaces, apartments or behind cabinetry. All functions are arranged on one wall — washer, dryer, sink, and cabinetry.

2. Galley Laundry

Cabinetry and appliances on either side of a central walkway. Offers great storage and prep space in longer, narrow rooms. Can be open-plan or behind a barn door.

3. L-Shaped or U-Shaped

Best for larger spaces or dual-use rooms. L-shaped offers ample storage and benching, while U-shaped provides maximum functionality and zoning.

4. European Laundry

A concealed laundry integrated within a hallway, bathroom or kitchen cupboard. Ideal for small apartments or studios.

5. Combined Bathroom/Laundry

A growing trend in smaller homes and renovations. Merges the bathroom and laundry into one space, using clever cabinetry to separate wet zones.

6. Mudroom & Laundry Hybrid

Popular in family homes, especially in cooler climates. Combine coat hooks, benches, and cubbies with a full-service laundry space.

Smart Laundry Design Ideas for 2025

2025 laundry trends in Australia combine clean design with smart solutions for space-saving and workflow. Whether you’re refreshing a laundry nook or building a high-end wet zone, these ideas can help:

• ✅ Pull-out hampers for colour-coded laundry sorting
• ✅ Full-height cabinetry to conceal brooms, mops, or vacuums
• ✅ Stacked washer-dryer inside custom-built joinery
• ✅ Stone or laminate benchtops for folding and utility
• ✅ Open shelving for towels, baskets, and plant styling
• ✅ Wall-mounted drying racks or hanging rails
• ✅ LED strip lighting under cabinets for better visibility
• ✅ Laundry chute from upper floors (where feasible)
• ✅ Compact ironing stations and pull-out fold tables
• ✅ Easy-access sink with mixer tap and spray nozzle
• ✅ Pet-wash shower station for dogs or dirty boots

Design tip: Stick with durable, moisture-friendly finishes such as porcelain tiles, hybrid flooring, or PVC cabinetry in wet zones.

How Much Does a Laundry Renovation or Conversion Cost in Australia?

Laundry upgrades can range from quick DIY refreshes to full custom builds. Here’s a breakdown of typical price ranges in 2025:

What influences price?

• Cabinet materials (laminate vs. custom 2-pack joinery)
• Appliance selection (heat pump dryer, integrated washer)
• Tiling, splashbacks and waterproofing needs
• Sink installation and tapware quality
• Powerpoints and task lighting
• Flooring replacement or upgrades
• Plumbing relocation or new service lines

💡 Use AIreno’s Laundry Quote Tool to calculate exact costs for your layout and inclusions in real time.

Do You Need Council Approval?

In most cases, no approval is needed for a standard internal laundry renovation. However, approval may be required if you are:

• Converting a garage, outdoor space or outbuilding
• Adding a new external structure or wet area
• Modifying plumbing in a shared wall of a strata property
• Creating a combined bathroom/laundry with structural changes

AIreno helps you:

• ✅ Check zoning and council rules by address
• ✅ Understand if DA or CDC is required
• ✅ Create project reports for approval and certifier submissions

How Long Does a Laundry Project Take?

Total Estimated Time: 3–5 weeks depending on complexity.

Larger combined or external projects may take 6–8 weeks if structural or waterproofing upgrades are needed.

Common Laundry Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Underestimating the need for storage 🚫 Choosing poor-quality materials in wet areas 🚫 Not future-proofing for larger appliances 🚫 Forgetting proper lighting above work areas 🚫 Inadequate ventilation for drying and damp 🚫 Poor layout with awkward traffic flow

✅ Tip: Use AIreno’s scope builder to ensure your plan covers every detail from sockets to splashbacks.

How AIreno Helps with Laundry Projects

AIreno is Australia’s go-to renovation platform — offering smart planning tools for homeowners across the country. With our guided system, your laundry upgrade becomes easier, faster, and more accurate.

• ✅ Instant quotes by room size, scope and fittings
• ✅ Scope builder with layout options and joinery ideas
• ✅ Zoning compliance and approval assistance
• ✅ Access to trusted contractors and cabinetmakers
• ✅ Printable quote reports for lenders or planners
• ✅ Timeline tools to manage the renovation step-by-step

📍 Start your renovation journey at AIreno.com.au and take control of your project today.

Final Word

Your laundry doesn’t have to be a cluttered afterthought. With modern layouts, efficient appliances, clever storage, and design-focused finishes, you can create a space that’s as beautiful as it is practical.

Whether you’re renovating to improve day-to-day life, create a dual-function space, or prepare your home for resale, AIreno is here to help you every step of the way.

Quote it faster. Plan it better. Build it smarter — with AIreno.