Laundry ideas: A tired space becomes practical & luxe

Given its utilitarian status, the laundry can often feel like a forgotten space inside a home – it’s frequently cluttered and tired. So, when we heard that Aussie reno royalty Naomi Findlay had overhauled her own laundry recently, naturally we were rather curious to see the results.

“In this laundry, there was over a decade of wear and tear with the old, noisy washer and dryer, rust marks on the benchtop and a huge sink inside a small cupboard that really limited the storage,” says Naomi who overhauled the space with a ‘fresh, functional and fabulous’ brief. We think she nailed it!

Increased storage
Increased storage was a key reno consideration for Naomi. “With this in mind, I put in a smaller sink and clever tapware. I also paid special attention to detail by installing an amazing fit-out inside the cupboards, to maximise the functionality of every bit of storage that I have in this room,” says Naomi.

AFTER linen cupboard — AFTER The linen cupboard is so much more organised!

Luxe details
In an effort to make the laundry feel a lot more luxurious, Naomi chose a deep, porcelain sink and paired it with a natural stone benchtop and splashback.

“To make this space feel more bespoke, I made my very own hanging laundry baskets, installed DIY panelling on the walls and painted some stainless-steel drying racks a deep navy,” says Naomi who paired these details with a statement wallpaper to bring wow factor plus character and texture to the room.

Appliances
“I do a lot of laundry, but I also know the impact running a washer and dryer can have on the environment and on my water and power bill,” says Naomi. To this end, Naomi chose efficient, quiet and eco-friendly appliances that stack to further optimise space.

Practical considerations
“The air in a laundry can be damp, stale and dusty so I opted for a smart vent that stops the flow of air from building up and actually extracts it from the room. This sleek design proves exhaust fans don’t need to be an eye sore,” says Naomi.

AFTER the new vent — AFTER A new streamlined vent

“Ultimately, I am so happy with how this laundry turned out. There is optimal storage space and it feels so good to be in here – even when doing the washing!”