Key Measurements for Designing Your Dream Laundry
Get the right layout and dimensions to help you wash, dry and fold – and maybe do much more – happily and efficiently
Laundries rule, especially when they come in their own separate, dedicated room. If you have the luxury of space, these rooms can be more than places to clean clothes; they can be welcoming, accessible areas to care for pets, store bulky items and sports equipment, stash large projects, start seedlings and much more. And even if your laundry is combined with a bathroom or kitchen, tucked into a cupboard or hidden in your hallway, it’s vital to get some fundamental measurements right.
As with kitchens, bathrooms and powder rooms, there are a number of considerations and essential dimensions to be aware of during the planning stages for a multi-purpose (or even a single-purpose) laundry. Below are several functions you might want to consider and some basic ideas and measurements that will help determine your layout.
As with kitchens, bathrooms and powder rooms, there are a number of considerations and essential dimensions to be aware of during the planning stages for a multi-purpose (or even a single-purpose) laundry. Below are several functions you might want to consider and some basic ideas and measurements that will help determine your layout.
2. Washing: It is good to have a benchtop area incorporated in your laundry design where you can place your sorted loads of washing before putting them in the washing machine.
As well as factoring in space for your sink and washing machine, consider incorporating room for laundry baskets or space to separately store your white, dark and bright garments until you’re ready to wash them. If you happen to have a laundry chute or are including one, locate these baskets directly below it.
Did you know that bathroom designers also specialise in laundry design? Find a designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
As well as factoring in space for your sink and washing machine, consider incorporating room for laundry baskets or space to separately store your white, dark and bright garments until you’re ready to wash them. If you happen to have a laundry chute or are including one, locate these baskets directly below it.
Did you know that bathroom designers also specialise in laundry design? Find a designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
3. Drying: You’ll also want another section of benchtop for items that need to be line dried, as well as space to fold dry clothes. While it’s always preferable to dry your clothes outside, in periods of extended rain you’ll benefit from a drying rack or rail to hang clothes from.
Today’s drying solutions can be space- and sanity-saving. Depending on your set-up, you may choose from fold-down drying racks, ceiling-mounted pulley-style clothes lines, concertina-like drying lines attached to your wall, or a single drying rail affixed below your upper cabinets. Drying cupboards are also becoming commonplace, as are pull-out drying drawers for delicate items. (All these drying options are featured in the images of this story, so read on.)
Today’s drying solutions can be space- and sanity-saving. Depending on your set-up, you may choose from fold-down drying racks, ceiling-mounted pulley-style clothes lines, concertina-like drying lines attached to your wall, or a single drying rail affixed below your upper cabinets. Drying cupboards are also becoming commonplace, as are pull-out drying drawers for delicate items. (All these drying options are featured in the images of this story, so read on.)
4. Storage and ironing: Following the typical sequence, you then need room for ironing. (Note that ironing space may be less desirable in this room if you want to watch TV while you iron, or if you outsource this job to your dry cleaner. In these cases, a freestanding ironing board will let you set-up a temporary ironing station in a different room.)
Freestanding ironing boards measure about 330 to 480 millimetres wide and 1200 to 1400 millimetres long. Wall-mounted models and ironing boards that can be integrated in your joinery are generally the same width though a little shorter. Like table top-mounted ironing boards, they tend to be between 700 and 1050 millimetres in length.
Freestanding ironing boards measure about 330 to 480 millimetres wide and 1200 to 1400 millimetres long. Wall-mounted models and ironing boards that can be integrated in your joinery are generally the same width though a little shorter. Like table top-mounted ironing boards, they tend to be between 700 and 1050 millimetres in length.
5. Extras: Of course, some people with large spaces want to use their laundry room as a mudroom, dog washing station, a place to hide the litter boxes, or a room to tackle hobbies or projects. These are very specific to each of us; planning spaces with a little extra room for these functions lets individual habits dictate their use.
Sometimes laundry extras are as simple as providing a dedicated spot for your broom, brush and dustpan; or a tall cupboard to store your vacuum cleaner and mop. Whatever your household ‘extras’ are, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a home for them in a decent-sized laundry, given some foresight and design planning.
Appliance dimensions
Let’s delve first into average dimensions and measurements for laundry appliances – namely, your sink, washing machine, dryer, or a washer-dryer combo. First up, though, keep in mind that there is no single ‘standard’ measurement and that most models differ slightly in their dimensions.
That said, the average front-loading washing machine and dryer are about 600 to 700 millimetres wide, 600 to 700 millimetres deep, and 800 to 900 millimetres high. A cavity of about 800 millimetres deep and wide should suit most models.
Let’s delve first into average dimensions and measurements for laundry appliances – namely, your sink, washing machine, dryer, or a washer-dryer combo. First up, though, keep in mind that there is no single ‘standard’ measurement and that most models differ slightly in their dimensions.
That said, the average front-loading washing machine and dryer are about 600 to 700 millimetres wide, 600 to 700 millimetres deep, and 800 to 900 millimetres high. A cavity of about 800 millimetres deep and wide should suit most models.
For top-loading washing machines, the average width is 500 to 700 millimetres, the depth is about 500 to 700 millimetres, and the height jumps up to approximately 800 to 1100 millimetres. For top-loading machines, allow a cavity of about 800 millimetres deep and wide and, for obvious reasons, avoid mounting anything directly above your top-loader.
Washing-dryer combinations are generally 600 to 700 millimetres wide, 600 to 770 millimetres deep, and usually around 850 millimetres tall.
Washing-dryer combinations are generally 600 to 700 millimetres wide, 600 to 770 millimetres deep, and usually around 850 millimetres tall.
And let’s not forget the humble laundry sink or tub, which are usually larger than kitchen sinks. Laundry sinks about 600 millimetres wide and 500 millimetres deep provide plenty of space for all your laundry-related tasks. Typical laundry sinks or tubs hold between 45 and 70 litres, though it’s easy to find smaller off-the-shelf 30-litre models.
Laundry sinks can be mounted flush with your benchtop, under-mounted, top-mounted or set into your benchtop as with farmhouse- or butler’s-style sinks. When it comes to colour and material, the sky’s the limit so don’t be afraid to make a statement.
Laundry sinks can be mounted flush with your benchtop, under-mounted, top-mounted or set into your benchtop as with farmhouse- or butler’s-style sinks. When it comes to colour and material, the sky’s the limit so don’t be afraid to make a statement.
Washing machine and dryer configurations
1. Side-by-side: Washers and dryers placed side-by-side are typically designed to fit within 1520 millimetres of width, but some manufacturers make larger or more compact machines, so always check the specifications of your chosen models.
If you place front-loading machines side by side, you will have a nice, broad surface on top of them to do the folding.
1. Side-by-side: Washers and dryers placed side-by-side are typically designed to fit within 1520 millimetres of width, but some manufacturers make larger or more compact machines, so always check the specifications of your chosen models.
If you place front-loading machines side by side, you will have a nice, broad surface on top of them to do the folding.
If you have a top loader and want folding and work space, you might be able to add a benchtop next to the appliances or elsewhere in the room. It will help to have between 460 and 610 millimetres of free benchtop ‘landing’ space on either side if possible in your floor plan.
The space above the machines can be used for a drying rod set at about 1930 millimetres in height. Some newer washers and dryers stand taller than a conventional benchtop, which can work to your advantage if you’re tall. But keep this in mind if you regularly need to hang up long dressing gowns, trousers or dresses to dry.
The space above the machines can be used for a drying rod set at about 1930 millimetres in height. Some newer washers and dryers stand taller than a conventional benchtop, which can work to your advantage if you’re tall. But keep this in mind if you regularly need to hang up long dressing gowns, trousers or dresses to dry.
2. Stacked: Stacking the machines is an option when space is limited. If this is your requirement, be careful to have or buy machines that can be stacked.
The width of the space normally shrinks for most models when they are stacked, and the height of the top machine is quite clearly increased, so shorter people may need to use a step ladder or stool to reach the top controls of stacked machines.
Browse more cleverly designed Australian laundries
The width of the space normally shrinks for most models when they are stacked, and the height of the top machine is quite clearly increased, so shorter people may need to use a step ladder or stool to reach the top controls of stacked machines.
Browse more cleverly designed Australian laundries
Standard laundry cabinet dimensions
Allow at least 1000 millimetres between your laundry cabinets and walls or other fixtures located opposite them. More is ideal, though at a minimum this will suffice.
If space is tight, a nifty trick is to opt for cabinets with a smaller width (such as drawers or cupboards measuring 300 millimetres wide, instead of 450 millimetres wide). This will reduce the amount of space they take up when they open into the room.
That said, do try to keep the width of your upper or lower cabinetry fronts the same to create visual cohesion.
Allow at least 1000 millimetres between your laundry cabinets and walls or other fixtures located opposite them. More is ideal, though at a minimum this will suffice.
If space is tight, a nifty trick is to opt for cabinets with a smaller width (such as drawers or cupboards measuring 300 millimetres wide, instead of 450 millimetres wide). This will reduce the amount of space they take up when they open into the room.
That said, do try to keep the width of your upper or lower cabinetry fronts the same to create visual cohesion.
1. Cabinetry depths: Like kitchen cabinets, standard laundry cabinetry usually has a depth of about 600 millimetres for your base cabinets (it’s best to aim for a depth of 650 millimetres), and about 300 millimetres for the upper cabinets above your benchtop.
2. Cabinetry widths: Widths for laundry cabinets are generally standardised. For example, off-the-shelf cupboards and door fronts come in widths of 450, 600, 800 and 900 millimetres. For cupboards measuring 600, 800 or 900 millimetres with a pair of doors that open outwards, remember that the width of each individual door is half that of the cavity.
You can get any width with custom-made cabinets, but if you stay with the standards, you will save money, even with custom-built cabinetry.
You can get any width with custom-made cabinets, but if you stay with the standards, you will save money, even with custom-built cabinetry.
3. Cabinetry heights: Base cabinets (the drawers and cupboards below your benchtop) are designed to have a benchtop height of approximately 900 millimetres.
The height of the upper cabinets will depend on your ceiling height and your own height – namely, how far you can reach. Positioning upper cabinets at least 460 millimetres above your benchtops is common.
The height of the upper cabinets will depend on your ceiling height and your own height – namely, how far you can reach. Positioning upper cabinets at least 460 millimetres above your benchtops is common.
Extra laundry features
1. Folding table or island: In this generously proportioned laundry/mudroom, an island in the middle of the room that matches the joinery offers a handy flat surface for folding clothes or performing household tasks, such as gift wrapping, flower arranging or crafting. Notice that its height matches the peripheral benchtops. Baskets in open shelving provide storage for miscellaneous objects.
If you intend on pairing a folding island or table with bar stools, keep in mind that stools come in two main heights: benchtop height, with seats about 610 to 650 millimetres high; and bar height, with seats about 710 to 750 millimetres high.
1. Folding table or island: In this generously proportioned laundry/mudroom, an island in the middle of the room that matches the joinery offers a handy flat surface for folding clothes or performing household tasks, such as gift wrapping, flower arranging or crafting. Notice that its height matches the peripheral benchtops. Baskets in open shelving provide storage for miscellaneous objects.
If you intend on pairing a folding island or table with bar stools, keep in mind that stools come in two main heights: benchtop height, with seats about 610 to 650 millimetres high; and bar height, with seats about 710 to 750 millimetres high.
Mudroom: Laundries can also serve as mudrooms, especially when they come complete with a bench seat; hooks for bags, coats and hanging up wet garments; and shoe racks or cubby holes for footwear.
Any banquette you choose to include in your laundry/mudroom should have a minimum depth of about 450 to 470 millimetres. Its seat height can start anywhere between 400 and 450 millimetres, or if you have storage drawers beneath your banquette, the seat height may reach up to 600 millimetres.
Hooks are best located at the height of the user, so primary-school-aged children will need low wall hooks in order to reach them to hang their school bags. In a similar vein, adults can easily access higher wall hooks for hats, bags and coats – anything around 1500 millimetres above floor level is fine, though you have a fair amount of flexibility with this measurement.
For shoe storage, the lower the better. Baskets on the floor or cubby holes or a shoe shelf located just above your floor can be standard practice.
Any banquette you choose to include in your laundry/mudroom should have a minimum depth of about 450 to 470 millimetres. Its seat height can start anywhere between 400 and 450 millimetres, or if you have storage drawers beneath your banquette, the seat height may reach up to 600 millimetres.
Hooks are best located at the height of the user, so primary-school-aged children will need low wall hooks in order to reach them to hang their school bags. In a similar vein, adults can easily access higher wall hooks for hats, bags and coats – anything around 1500 millimetres above floor level is fine, though you have a fair amount of flexibility with this measurement.
For shoe storage, the lower the better. Baskets on the floor or cubby holes or a shoe shelf located just above your floor can be standard practice.
Pets: Laundries often perform key functions for household pets, too. The only things stopping you from including a dog-washing station is limited floor area or the lack of a forward-thinking designer. And if you want a hole cut out of your lower cabinetry to give your cat access to their food or kitty litter, an experienced cabinet maker or designer will be able to oblige.
Your turn
What laundry splurge is at the top of your list or what cool detail did you include in your design? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you’re renovating, make sure you read this first: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Living-Room Layout
What laundry splurge is at the top of your list or what cool detail did you include in your design? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you’re renovating, make sure you read this first: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Living-Room Layout
1. Entry and prep: If you install a laundry sink, you will probably want to place it close to where you enter the room and set down the items to be washed. Here you can sort, apply fabric treatments and soak stained clothes if necessary.