Small Laundry Remodel Ideas for a More Functional Space
Designing a small laundry remodel can be surprisingly challenging, especially when you’re working with awkward layouts, limited storage and multiple access points. Our laundry was not only tiny, but it was also one of the hardest working rooms in the house because it connected the garage, side access and the main part of the home.
Before the renovation, the room lacked:
- Bench space
- Functional storage
- Organisation
- Hanging space
- A practical layout
Even though the room itself wasn’t large, I knew with careful planning we could make it work so much better for our family.
The finished laundry now feels brighter, calmer and far more functional, and honestly I still can’t believe it’s the same space.
Planning Our Small Laundry Remodel
I spent months carefully thinking through exactly what I needed this small laundry to provide before finalising the design.
My laundry wishlist included:
- Bench space for folding clothes
- Functional storage
- A dedicated sewing space
- Hanging space for air-drying clothing
- Better organisation overall
Because the laundry also served as an entry point from both the garage and the side yard, the layout had to allow for clear walkways around three separate doors.
Working within such a compact footprint definitely made the planning stage more complicated, but it also forced us to think carefully about every single centimetre of space.
Demolition of the Old Laundry
Before demolition started, we had a plumber disconnect all plumbing services so we could safely remove the old cabinetry and fixtures.
For this renovation we stripped everything back completely, including:
- Cabinetry
- Tiles
- Fixtures
- Existing storage
Starting from scratch gave us the flexibility to completely redesign the room in a much more functional way.
Rebuilding the Small Laundry Space
Once demolition was complete, the plumber returned to reposition the taps and plumbing to suit our new under-bench washing machine and dryer layout.
We then:
- Repaired plaster walls
- Repainted the room
- Installed new flooring tiles
- Added custom cabinetry
To create consistency throughout the home, we used the same floor tiles planned for the bathrooms, toilet and hallway renovations.
The tile we chose was Promenade Greige, which added softness and warmth without making the small space feel dark.
Choosing a Smaller Laundry Sink
One of the best decisions we made in this laundry remodel was downsizing the sink.
Because I rarely soak items in the laundry sink, I preferred to maximise bench space instead.
Choosing a smaller sink gave us:
- More usable folding space
- Better functionality
- A cleaner overall look
And honestly, I’ve never once regretted reducing the sink size.
Creating a Marble Feature Splashback
Originally I had hoped to install marble tiles throughout the entire splashback area, but renovating multiple spaces at once meant we needed to stay mindful of the budget.
Instead, we decided to:
- Use classic white subway tiles
- Add a marble feature insert for interest
This compromise helped tie the laundry into the bathroom renovations while still giving the room a more elevated and timeless feel.
The Carrara marble hexagon insert ended up becoming one of my favourite features in the room.
Why We Switched to a Front Loader Washing Machine
Changing from a top loader to a front loader washing machine completely changed how the room functioned.
I had always owned top-loading washing machines previously and was initially hesitant to make the switch. However, moving to under-bench appliances dramatically improved the amount of usable bench space we could achieve in the laundry.
After a lot of research, we chose Miele appliances because:
- They fit beautifully under the bench
- The quality reviews were excellent
- We could see them operating in person at the local showroom
- The models suited our family’s needs
Thoughts on the Miele Washing Machine and Dryer
The exact models we chose have since been discontinued, but the overall setup has worked incredibly well for us.
What I Love About the Washing Machine
The washing machine has honestly been fantastic.
The features I use most include:
- The 1 hour 20 minute cycle
- Longer cycles for towels and sheets
- TwinDos automatic detergent dispensing
- Wool and specialty fabric capsules
Not needing to manually add detergent every wash has been surprisingly convenient.
I also really like the specialty wool capsules, especially for delicate winter knits.
My Thoughts on the Dryer
The heat pump dryer works very well, although I’ll be honest — I probably wouldn’t spend extra purely for the shirt de-wrinkling feature.
We mainly chose this model because:
- We wanted matching appliances
- The sizing worked perfectly together
- Installation was included
- Miele provided a full product walkthrough during setup
Overall I’m very happy with the choice, but if you’re only purchasing a dryer, a more affordable option would probably work just as well.
Adding Functional Laundry Hanging Space
One of the most practical additions in the room was installing fold-down wall hooks for hanging clothes.
We used BJÄRNUM Hooks from IKEA and they’ve been brilliant in a small space because:
- They fold flat when not in use
- They don’t obstruct walkways
- They create flexible hanging space
- They keep the room feeling uncluttered
Simple functional additions like this make such a difference in smaller laundries.
The Finished Small Laundry Remodel
Now that the room is finished, it honestly functions so much better than I ever imagined possible for such a compact space.
The biggest improvements have been:
- Better storage
- Functional bench space
- Easier laundry routines
- Improved organisation
- A much calmer overall feel
It genuinely feels much larger than the original laundry even though the footprint hasn’t changed at all.
Small Laundry Remodel Product Details
Cabinetry and Wall Colour
Dulux Natural White
Trim and Door Colour
Dulux Vivid White
Floor Tiles
Promenade Greige
Splashback Tiles
White gloss subway tiles
Marble Insert
Carrara Marble Hexagon Mosaic
Washing Machine and Dryer
Miele
Wall Hooks
BJÄRNUM Hooks from IKEA
Custom Cabinetry
Prestige Design
French Door
Doors Plus
Final Thoughts on Our Small Laundry Remodel
This renovation proved to me that even the smallest laundry can become beautiful and highly functional with thoughtful planning.
By:
- Improving the layout
- Maximising bench space
- Adding practical storage
- Choosing under-bench appliances
- Incorporating custom cabinetry
we completely transformed how this room works for our family.
It may still be a small laundry, but now it’s one of the hardest working — and most organised — spaces in our home.
If you’d like to see more of our home renovations, you can also explore our kitchen remodel and living room built ins projects.
