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Kitchen Beyond

Laundry ideas & design inspiration

The laundry is one of the hardest-working rooms in the house. A little clever design turns it from a dumping ground into a space that actually makes the washing easier.

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A great laundry is all about flow and storage: bench space to fold, a sink for soaking, smart cabinetry for detergents and baskets, and a practical drying solution for New Zealand’s damp months. Whether you have a full laundry room or a tucked-away European setup, the right layout makes the chore quicker and the room tidier. Here are the ideas worth building in.

Custom laundry with bench, sink and cabinetry, built in Rotorua
Start with the layout

Get the sequence right

The best laundries follow the order you actually work in: basket, machine, bench, then somewhere to hang or put away. Lining the washer, dryer and bench along one wall keeps everything within a step, while an L-shape uses a corner to add bench and storage.

Stacking the dryer above the washer frees up floor space for a tall broom cupboard or more drawers — a favourite in smaller Rotorua and Hamilton homes. We plan all of this around your room and the appliances you already own.

Bench and sink

A continuous benchtop over a front-loading washer and dryer gives you a folding and sorting surface without taking extra room — and hides the machines for a tidier look. Pair it with a deep laundry sink (a single large tub is more useful than a double) for soaking, hand-washing and filling buckets. A laminate bench is a sensible, budget-friendly choice here, or match your kitchen stone for a premium feel.

Storage that earns its place

Think beyond a single overhead cupboard. Tall pull-out pantry units swallow detergents, cleaning gear and the vacuum; drawers keep pegs, cloths and odds-and-ends sorted; and a dedicated nook for laundry baskets (ideally two or three for sorting) stops them cluttering the floor. A bench-height cupboard for the iron and a hanging rail for shirts straight out of the dryer are small touches that make a big difference.

Drying solutions for NZ homes

Our winters mean you can’t always dry outside, so build in options: a wall-mounted drop-down or concertina rack, a pull-out rail, or a heated towel-style rail for damp days. A broom cupboard with a hanging rail doubles as an airing space. Good ventilation — an extractor or an opening window — is essential to keep moisture and mould out of the room.

Finishing touches

Hard-wearing, wipeable surfaces suit a laundry: melamine cabinetry, a splashback behind the sink, and durable flooring. A pet-feeding station, a drying rail for delicates, a chute or hook for the ironing board, and good task lighting all add everyday practicality. And because we build laundries in the same Rotorua factory as our kitchens, yours can match the rest of your home or stand out with a colour you’d never dare use in the kitchen.

For inspiration

Laundries we’ve built

Laundry with overhead storage and folding bench, Waikato
Custom laundry cabinetry with laundry sink
Compact laundry with tall pull-out storage, Rotorua
Laundry and storage combination by Kitchen Beyond
Built-in laundry and utility storage
Well-planned family laundry, Waikato

Frequently asked questions

What should every laundry have?
A good laundry needs bench space for folding and sorting, a sink for soaking and hand-washing, plenty of cupboard and drawer storage, somewhere to hang-dry (a rail or drop-down rack), a dedicated spot for the basket and the vacuum, and a bin for lint and rubbish. Getting the layout right so the machines, bench and sink flow in sequence makes the room far nicer to use.
How much bench space do I need in a laundry?
Even a run of 900mm–1200mm of bench makes a real difference for folding and sorting. Ideally position it next to the dryer so you can unload straight onto the bench. If the washer and dryer are side by side, a bench over the top of front-loaders is a popular space-saver.
Should the laundry match the kitchen?
It often looks best when it does, especially in open-plan homes where the laundry is nearby or on display. Carrying through the same cabinetry, bench and handles gives a cohesive feel. Because we make both, it’s easy to match your laundry to your kitchen — or deliberately contrast it with a bolder colour.
Can you fit a laundry into a cupboard or hallway?
Yes. A European-style laundry tucks a washer and dryer behind cabinetry in a hallway, bathroom or kitchen, hidden by doors when not in use. It’s ideal for smaller homes and apartments. We design these to make the most of every centimetre, with storage above and a pull-out or fold-down bench where space allows.

Explore more

Small laundry ideasCompact, European and hidden laundry layoutsHow much does a laundry cost?NZ price ranges and what drives the costLaundriesOur custom laundry serviceKitchen storageClever cabinetry and pull-outs

Ready to sort your laundry?

Book a free design consultation. We’ll measure up, plan a laundry that actually works, and give you a clear fixed quote.

Request a Consultation 07 262 6056